Making Gnocchi Out of Nothing at All

 

A while back, I made gnocchi from scratch, boiling the potatoes to mix with the egg and flour, and I did like it a lot. I had read that, in a pinch, gnocchi can also be made from leftover mashed potatoes, and since I had some, I decided to give it a go. I mixed an egg with the leftover potatoes and kneaded in some flour, and then I settled down to watch The Big Valley while sitting on the couch with several gnocchi snakes, ready to cut into little pillows. The result? Several servings of gnocchi from an egg, some flour, and leftovers. 




But did the gnocchi measure up to that I made completely from scratch - I mean, start to finish, just potatoes, egg, flour, and salt? Well, to be honest, while this was still very good, the first batch tasted better. This batch did have a mashed potato taste that the first batch didn't have. Still good, and I'm enjoying my soup - which I was in such a hurry to eat that I neglected to get a picture. But it looks just like the last batch, so if the picture looks familiar, that's why. 

Gnocchi, Anyone?

 

I really never imagined I would be a fan of gnocchi, as I don't usually care for potatoes and pasta together, or even potatoes and bread in the same meal. For example, I like my mom's old hamburger soup recipe made with either potatoes or macaroni, but not both. I can eat a dinner roll with a meal that includes potatoes, but I definitely cannot put potatoes on bread, as my younger brothers used to do. Blah. 

But several months back, I changed my mind about gnocchi when I was treated to a gnocchi dish at my son's home. His wife, Natalie, had made a really hearty soup featuring some type of sausage and gnocchi, and it was so good. I decided that I would go ahead and give gnocchi a try. 

I was a little leary when I saw all the cautionary warnings about how difficult it is to get it right, but I didn't find it difficult at all, and they turned out just right. And even a small recipe makes so much, I was able to throw some in the freezer for another time. 

My soup was made with equal parts chicken stock and cream, with chicken and salsa verde. I also added fresh poblano juice and a little sweet red pepper juice, along with garlic, onions, and sea salt. the fresh juices really make a difference, in my book. Anyway, it was very yummy.