Gnocchi are delicious and soft Italian dumplings made from potato and flour, bread crumbs or similar ingredients. Regional variations can be found throughout Italy.  Gnocchi has been around since Roman times and probably originated somewhere in the Middle East.  In the last 2000 years, every country has created some variation of a dumpling as part of their traditional cuisine and the Italians are no exception.

Their recipes have evolved and changed with the introduction and addtion of new ingredients like potatoes,basil and other seasonings to their diet.  Gnocchi recipe with a flavorful potato like a Yukon Gold potato or something similar offers additional flavor to the dish.

Italian Gnocchi Recipe

Minature versions of gnocchi are called gnocchetti.  Gnocchi is normally prepared with potato as the filling with flour being added to create the dumplings.  They are then "edged" on one side so the sauce will have something to grip on Most gnocchi are cooked in boiling, salted water and then tossed with sauce just prior to serving.  Gnocchi recipes will  often call for the addtion of cheese, spinach or other vegetables.  This flexibility allows for a wide choice of gnocchi flavors.

Popular Gnocchi Recipe Dishes

• Ricotta Gnocchi
• Potato Gnocchi
• Gnocchi Soup
• Chicken Gnocchi
• Sweet Potato Gnocchi
• Chicken Gnocchi Soup
• Cinnamon Gnocchi
• Gnocchi with Pesto

Gnocchi can be served as a main entree for any type of meal since most Gnocchi recipe will call for the use of potatoes.  Gnocchi also makes a great side dish to accessorize a meat or fish meal.  Consider using Gnocchi as an  appetizer as a prelude to the main course.  There are many Gnocchi recipe variations that can turn a Gnocchi into a tasty treat.  Since Gnocchi is mostly potato based allows it be be added to soups in lieu of pasta or potatoes that are called for in a soup recipe.  Gnocchi are available at specialty Italian markets or as well as in many grocery stores.  They come in a frozen form or are vacuum packed, however I recommend trying to make homemade Gnocchi..

How to Make Gnocchi

In Italian and Italian American kitchens, gnocchi is often homemade.  With a little bit of time and effort these dumplings are actually quite easy to prepare, do not be afraid to try. Homemade gnocchi also freezes well so you can make a large batch at one time and freeze whatever you don't serve that evening for supper.  There are specific Gnocchi tools that make the task of making your Gnocchi recipe as easy as possible.

Gnocchi Recipe Tools

• Gnocchi Board or Paddle
• Potato Ricer
• Gnocchi Maker

All these tools make the homemade Gnocchi process that much easier.  The Gnocchi board is what you roll the gnocchi over that grooves (scores) the gnocchi so it will hold more sauce and creates the dumpling shape and size.  A potato ricer is what you use to finely mash the potatoes when they are done cooking.  There also is an actual Gnocchi maker as well that removes most of the hands on tasks and puts it through the maker.  I encourage you to try making some homemade Gnocchi, you will enjoy the experience.

Gnocchi Sauce

Gnocchi goes well with a variety of sauces, almost any type of sauce will work...

• Simple Pesto Sauce
• Heavy Meaty Ragu Sauce
• Light Tomato Sauce
• Mushroom Sauce
• Butter Sauce
• Light Cream Sauce

This presents numerous flavor options when serving gnocchi. New gnocchi recipes call for the gnocchi to simply be pan fried in butter without boiling them first.  This creates a crispy, golden crust on the outside and is an excellent alternative to tradional gnocchi.

Add grated cheese blend on top and lightly broil in the oven to create yet another version to a Gnocchi recipe.