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Spinach Gnocchi with Basil Oil (or Burnt Butter Basil Sauce)

22nd Sep 2017

A surprisingly easy to make vegetarian meal. I made it with the Basil Oil then my son Gabe elbowed me out of the way to whip up some burnt butter sauce with crispy basil. Both options here!

Ingredients

100g baby spinach

375g ricotta (drained of excess whey)

3 egg yolks

30g grated fresh parmesan

120g plain flour

salt and pepper

Basil Oil

1/2 cup olive oil mixed with 

1/2 bunch chopped fresh basil

or

Burnt Butter Sauce

125g butter

fresh sage or basil leaves

Instructions

1. Blanch the spinach in boiling water for 1 minute. Drain, squeeze dry in a cloth and chop very finely

2. Mix the spinach, ricotta, eggs, parmesan, flour, salt and pepper in a bowl to form a firm dough. Add a bit of extra flour if it's too wet. 

3. Divide dough into 4 pieces and roll each bit into a long sausage shape 2cm thick on a well floured surface. Cut into segments about 2 cm long and put the pieces on a lightly floured plate.

4. Bring a large saucpan of salted water to the boil, add the gnocchi and cook for 3 minutes. Drain and serve with basil oil or burnt butter sauce and ground pepper.

Burnt Butter Sauce with Crispy Basil

Melt butter in a frypan until foamy, then add the basil or sage leaves and cook until the butter is slightly browned and the leaves are totally crisp.