How to Prepare Gnudi or Gnocchi

A big debate going on now in the food world is: gnudi or gnocchi? Or in English, naked or lumpy. Ever notice how everything sounds better in Italian? ("Gn" is pronounced like the "ny" in "canyon," so it's NYOOdee and NYOHkee.) Either one of these ricotta dumplings is better with tasty toppings of extra virgin olive oil and freshly grated cheese.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1/2 teaspoon plus 2 tablespoons Bardi extra virgin olive oil
• 1 package fresh microwaveable spinach (9oz.) or 1 bunch fresh (15oz.)
• 1 15-ounce container ricotta cheese (part-skim is OK)
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 cup grated Grana Padano or Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, divided
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly-grated nutmeg
• salt to taste
• Optional: 2 tablespoons oil-cured (not swimming in brine) olives, pitted and coarsely chopped (6 olives)

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
   
   Microwave the spinach according to the package directions. Or put rinsed fresh spinach, big stems removed, in a non-stick frying pan, cover, and cook about 3 minutes until it wilts. In either case, drain. Let the spinach cool uncovered.
   
   While the spinach is cooling, grease the bottom and sides of an 8-inch square baking dish with 1/2 teaspoon Bardi extra virgin olive oil.
   
   When the spinach is cool, squeeze out any remaining liquid and puree the spinach in a food processor.

2. Add the egg, flour, 1/4 cup of the cheese, salt, and nutmeg to the spinach. Process until combined. If you are using the pitted olives, stir them in by hand.
   
   Place in the prepared baking dish. Smooth the top. Make sure the center is not higher than the sides, or the olive oil will slide right off.

3. Sprinkle the remaining 1/4 cup cheese on top and drizzle with the 2 tablespoons Bardi extra virgin olive oil.
   
   Bake for about 35 minutes, until the top is brown and crusty.

Tips & Warnings

• Variations: This works well with cooked, pureed broccoli or butternut squash instead of spinach. Or you can make pumpkin gnudi when pumpkins are in season. You will need 1 cup of the cooked, pureed vegetable.
• Note: This recipe doubles easily and freezes well, although if you use the microwave to re-heat it, the crust will soften.

Resources

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[pianistic]

on 8/27/2008 Great!