Anne's January 2010 Recipe: Sweet-Potato Gnocchi with Mushrooms and Spinach

Happy New Year!

I have always wanted to make my own gnocchi but most recipes call for tools I do not own. This one looks easy and good, vegetarian too. This recipe has 12 servings, so I will probably scale it down.

Time: 3 hours. This spectacular main dish may be even more special than a turkey.

Yield: Serves 12 
Ingredients

Gnocchi
1 cup low-fat ricotta cheese
3 pounds orange-flesh sweet potatoes (often labeled "yams"), boiled until tender, peeled, and flesh puréed
3 tablespoons packed light brown sugar
1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
About 3 cups flour
Assembly
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1/4 cup sliced shallots
1 pound mixed mushrooms such as chanterelle, cremini, king trumpet, matsutake, and oyster*
2 cups vegetable broth
3 tablespoons butter
12 ounces baby spinach leaves
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme leaves
1/2 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, divided

Preparation
1. Make gnocchi: Drain ricotta in a strainer over sink, stirring occasionally, 1 hour.
2. In a large bowl, combine 3 cups sweet- potato purée (save extra for another use), strained ricotta, sugar, cheese, salt, and nutmeg. Gently stir in flour, 1/2 cup at a time, until a soft dough forms.
3. Working on a floured surface, divide dough into 8 portions. Roll each portion with your hands into a 15-in. rope, then cut into 1-in. pieces, sprinkling dough with flour if it gets sticky. Transfer gnocchi to a rimmed tray lightly dusted with flour.
4. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low. Working in batches of 15 to 20, drop gnocchi into water, stirring to prevent sticking, and cook until gnocchi are firm and float to top of water, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer gnocchi to a strainer and then to a lightly oiled rimmed pan to cool.
5. Assemble gnocchi: Heat 2 tbsp. oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add gnocchi to pan and cook, stirring often, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes. Transfer to a large serving dish.
6. Meanwhile, heat remaining 2 tbsp. oil in a second large frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook garlic and shallots until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Add mushrooms and sauté until softened, about 5 minutes. Add broth, butter, spinach, salt, and pepper; cover and cook until spinach wilts, about 3 minutes.
7. Spoon vegetables over gnocchi and pour in broth. Sprinkle with thyme and half of parmesan. Serve with remaining cheese.

*Leave whole any soft mushrooms such as oysters and slice or quarter large, dense mushrooms like the cremini and king trumpets.

Make ahead: Prepare through step 3. Cover and chill up to 3 days or freeze up to 3 weeks.
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
Nutritional Information
Calories:364 (31% from fat)
Protein:14g
Fat:13g (sat 5.3)
Carbohydrate:49g
Fiber:4.2g
Sodium:1021mg
Cholesterol:24mg
Sunset, NOVEMBER 2009