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Purple Sweet Potato Gnocchi are like unicorns, they bring some magic to your dinner.
Purple Sweet Potato Gnocchi is perfect for Valentine’s Day dinner. Also, a shortlist of rules can come in hand in these times of confusion and terror. If you are lost and you don’t know what to cook or what to buy:
Rule n.1 Don’t buy cheap stuff. I can get pretty resentful in front of bad quality chocolate. If it’s too late and you worked later and blah blah blah, better do nothing. If in need of ideas, chocolate that I love is Tony Chocolonely (100% slave free and fair trade), BonBonBon Chocolate (a tiny hand-u-factory), and all the Italian chocolate from Piedmont (buy them all soon before the new tariffs).
Rule n.2 Don’t go on a first date for V-day. Unless you are 14 and you fall in love every week.
Rule n. 3 Do not Improvise. If you decide to cook, go with your signature dish. You need to concentrate on your date, not on that curdled bechamel. If you want to make a new dish, try it at least once before.
Rule n.4 Don’t eat and drink too much. 4a) If you cook, don’t make that super heavy Bon Appetit Lasagna with 67 kinds of cheese and sausages. Where there is a heavy meal, there is not a romantic ending. 4b) the same if you go to the restaurant. Be sure to have had a snack before going out. You don’t want to look like a wolf before a hunting night; it’s not chic. And always always always skip the dessert. Because…you have prepared something at home, don’t you? (Little help: a mini pavlova would be great, but if you have no time, strawberries and whipped cream will do the job),
Rule 5 You don’t need a date to celebrate Valentines’ day. Or better, anyone can be your date. Your dog can be your date, and with a very high chance of being your best date. He/she will appreciate any food you’ll cook, and will be thankful for spending time together. Be aware that he will probably fall asleep while watching that movie that you, Karen, choose from the rom-com section.
Rule 6 You don’t have to celebrate V-day. We never did. We went out for dinner only once, two years ago (in ten years) because there was a special menu at a restaurant we love. But we both love cooking, and as I always say, cooking is an act of love. Do what you feel it’s best for you.
Ingredients:
it makes 45 small Purple Sweet Potato Gnocchi (1 inch) for two persons
- 2 purple sweet potatoes, washed
- All-purpose flour, I used 10 tbsp/80 gr – – Flour quantity for gnocchi is very approximative because it depends on the moisture of the potato and the flour. The general rule is less flour better gnocchi. It took me a while to develop a sense of how the dough should feel. It shouldn’t be sticky but don’t add too much flour.
- 1 egg – this is facultative. If it’s your first time making gnocchi it will help with the texture and consistency. I didn’t use it.
- salt, 1 tsp
- butter for the pan 4 tbsp
- goat cheese melted, 4 tbsp
- toasted hazelnuts, 1/4 of cup crushed
- few drops of elderberry blueberry jam (but you can use any jam with a nice acidity like oranges, or rhubarb/strawberries), warm.
- crushed freeze-dried raspberries, a couple, to crush directly on the dish. It gives a nice tanginess and texture.
Directions:
- Make the gnocchi: Heat the oven at 350 °F and bake the potatoes for 1 hour until tender. Let cool slightly and transfer to a large bowl. Halve potato lengthwise and scoop out flesh into the bowl.
- Press potatoes through a ricer onto a clean work surface. Sprinkle flour and the salt on top and cut into the mixture using a bench scraper. Fold over and blend in the flour. If fall apart, add the egg and incorporate well. Add flour if too sticky. But don’t overwork. Just form a ball and gently knead a few times.
- Let rest the dough in a fresh place but covered for 20/30 mins. On a floured surface divide the dough into pieces and roll each one to strands (about 1 inch in diameter) Cut into 1-inch chunks. You can freeze them). Salt the boiling water and quickly cook the gnocchi.
- Keep the goat cheese melted warm and in a large nonstick skillet melt 4 tbsp butter over medium heat. Using a spider or a slotted spoon drain and transfer the gnocchi in the skillet with butter. Cook until golden and crispy. (5 mins)
- Divide in 2 shallow dishes and top with the warm melted goat cheese sauce, the toasted hazelnuts. I added a crushed freeze-dried raspberry (I like Trader Joe’s) a and few drops of a jam of your choice (reheat it few secs on the microwave to have it liquid).
Enjoy solo or with someone you love.
Do you want more pink/purple food? Will arrive soon, meanwhile enjoy these Pink Pancakes and Gelo di Mellone ?
Baci,
Dani
