Swede Gnocchi With Crispy Sage Food

SWEDE GNOCCHI WITH CRISPY SAGE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Cut the potato and swede into equal- sized chunks, drizzle with 2 tbsp of the oil, season and roast for 50 mins or until completely soft. Leave to cool slightly, then pulse in a food processor until broken down. Add the chilli flakes, flour, Parmesan and some seasoning, then pulse again to form a sticky dough.
• Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil in which to cook your gnocchi later. Flour your hands and divide the dough in three. On a floured surface, roll each portion into a sausage about 1cm in diameter. Using the back of a table knife, cut into pieces 2.5cm in length - this gives a tapered edge to the pieces of gnocchi.
• Working in batches, cook the gnocchi in the water for 30 secs or until they rise to the surface. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a tray lined with kitchen paper. Can be made to this stage up to 4 hrs ahead and kept in the fridge.
• Turn the oven to its lowest setting and heat the remaining oil in a large frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the gnocchi in batches for 2 mins on each side until browned, then keep warm in the oven.
• Melt the butter in the pan, add the sage leaves and fry until crisp. Divide the gnocchi between bowls then spoon over the crisped sage and buttery sauce. Serve with pepper and grated Parmesan.

SWEET POTATO GNOCCHI WITH BROWN BUTTER, CRISPY PANCETTA AND SAGE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Poke holes all over each sweet potato with a fork, then rub all over with oil. Place on a baking sheet and roast until tender when pierced with a fork, about 40 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle, then remove and discard the skins. Quarter each sweet potato and pass a few pieces at a time through a ricer, landing the fluffy strands in a medium bowl; discard any stringy bits. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to mix. (Alternative method: Remove the skins after baking then grate the sweet potatoes on the large holes of a box grater.)
• Bring a large wide pot of water to a boil over high heat.
• Meanwhile, whisk to combine the flour and 1 teaspoon salt in a large bowl. Create a well in the center. Add the riced sweet potatoes and egg. Gently fold with a rubber spatula until just combined. Be sure not to overwork the dough!
• Transfer the dough to a generously floured work surface. Bring the dough together with your hands, adding up to 1/4 cup flour, until the dough is just slightly sticky and can be patted into a disk. Let rest on the work surface, uncovered, for 10 minutes.
• Cut the dough into 4 equal wedges. Working with one wedge at a time, roll the dough into a 1/2-inch-thick log on a lightly floured surface. Cut each log into about thirty pieces. (The gnocchi will be slightly sticky in the center.) Transfer to a baking sheet and cover with a dish towel.
• Cook the pancetta, stirring occasionally, in a medium skillet over medium heat until golden brown and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate with a slotted spoon. Remove the skillet from the heat and reserve the skillet with the fat in it.
• Generously season the boiling water with salt. Reduce the heat to medium and carefully drop a batch of gnocchi into the water and cook until they begin to float; remove to a serving platter with a slotted spoon. Repeat with the remaining gnocchi.
• Heat the reserved skillet and fat over medium heat. Add the butter and cook, stirring occasionally with a silicone spatula, until brown flecks appear, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the sage and gently fry in the brown butter until just crispy, about 1 minute.
• Pour the melted butter on the cooked gnocchi. Top with the sage leaves and crispy pancetta pieces. Sprinkle with freshly grated Parmesan, if desired. Enjoy while warm.

BEETROOT GNOCCHI WITH CRISPY GARLIC & SAGE

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6. Put the beetroot and potatoes on a large baking tray, then roast in the oven for 1 hr until tender. Check the beetroot after 50 mins as they will cook more quickly than the potatoes.
• When cool enough to handle, carefully peel the beetroot (using gloves to avoid staining your hands, if you like) and blitz the flesh in a mixing bowl using a hand blender or in a food processor, to make a smooth purée. Peel the potatoes, then tip the flesh into the beetroot purée and mash until smooth. Tip in the flour, season well, then mash again. Tip the mixture out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead with your hands until it forms a dough. Roll each piece into a long sausage around 2cm in diameter. Cut each piece into 1.5-2cm chunks. You can keep them like this or roll ridges onto to them using the back of a fork. Set aside on a plate, spaced apart so they don't stick together.
• Heat the oil in a medium pan over a medium heat and fry the garlic until crisp and starting to turn golden. Add the sage and cook until crisp. Tip into a bowl along with the oil left in the pan. Add the spinach and stir until wilted.
• Put the gnocchi in a large pan of boiling water and cook for 2 mins until they rise to the surface. You may need to do this in batches. Scoop out using a slotted spoon. To serve, put the spinach on the base of two pasta bowls, then top with the drained gnocchi, the garlic and sage. Sprinkle with the cheese and drizzle over a little more olive oil, if you like.