Pesto Gnocchi Bacon Bake Recipes

POTATO GNOCCHI WITH PESTO

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, place the potatoes and cover with cold salted water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer, uncovered, until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain.
• Using a ricer, rice the potatoes onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in an even layer (don't pile the riced potatoes into mounds). Set aside to cool.
• Transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and, using a rubber spatula, gently mix in the flour, yolks, salt, nutmeg, and pepper until just combined and a soft dough is formed. Don't over mix the dough or the gnocchi will be unpleasantly dense.
• On a well-floured work surface, turn out the potato dough, and divide into 6 equal parts. With the palms of both hands gently roll each part into a "rope" 3/4-inch in diameter. Using a sharp knife cut each "rope" on an angle into 3/4-inch-long pieces.
• Shape the gnocchi: Hold a salad fork in one hand so it rests on the work surface at a 45-degree angle with the tines curving up. Place a piece of the dough at the top of the tines and hold it in place with your free thumb. In one gentle motion, quickly press and roll the dough along the tines. The gnocchi should have a small dent in one side and shallow grooves on the other, perfectly suited for holding a sauce. Repeat with the remaining pieces and transfer to a lightly floured baking sheet pan. Store in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour and up to 24 hours before cooking.
• When ready to serve, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In a medium skillet, over medium-high, heat the heavy cream until just hot. Remove from the heat and whisk in the pesto. Using a rubber spatula, scrape the pesto mixture into a large bowl. Set aside in a warm spot.
• Add half the gnocchi to the boiling water and cook for 1 1/2 minutes or until they rise to the top. (Take care not to overcook the gnocchi or they can disintegrate during cooking.) Using a slotted spoon or strainer, transfer the gnocchi to the bowl with the pesto and toss. Repeat with the remaining gnocchi. If the sauce seems too "tight", add some of the cooking water a tablespoon at time until a saucy consistency is reached. Season with pepper to taste. Divide among warm bowls and serve immediately.
• In a food processor, combine the basil, pine nuts, Parmesan, garlic, and salt and puree. While the motor is running, drizzle in the oil until incorporated. Season with pepper to taste. Use immediately or store in the refrigerator with a piece of plastic wrap placed right on the surface of the pesto to prevent discoloration, for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 1 month.
• Yield: about 2/3 cup

PESTO GNOCCHI & BACON BAKE

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 140 degrees.
• To make the pesto lightly fry the pine nuts until golden brown and then transfer to a blender along with the basil, parmesan cheese, olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper and blend together until you have a smooth slightly runny sauce. You can add more parmesan cheese or basil to taste. Set a side.
• Bring a pan of water up to the boil and add Gnocchi for 3 minutes, drain and set a side.
• Next roughly chop your onion and lightly fry over a medium heat until soft. Chop up the bacon rashers and add them to onions and fry for about 3-5 minutes. Add a teaspoon of garlic powder, dried coriander leaf and dried basil.
• Chop up your tomatoes into quarters and then chop those quarters in half and add to the onion and bacon along with the Gnocchi.
• Add the Pesto to the frying pan and stir until all ingredients are covered with the pesto.
• Transfer frying pan contents to an oven proof dish, sprinkle grated Mozzarella and Chedder cheese over the top and pop it in the oven at 140 degrees for 10 minutes or until the cheese is golden.
• Serve with salad and garlic bread

GNOCCHI WITH PESTO SAUCE

Steps:

• Cook gnocchi according to package directions; drain., Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat; saute zucchini and pepper until zucchini is tender., Add pesto and gnocchi, stirring gently to coat. Stir in tomatoes. If desired, top with pine nuts.

GNOCCHI WITH CHICKEN, PESTO AND FRESH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a saucepan. Season chicken pieces with salt and pepper; cook and stir in the hot oil until no longer pink in the middle, 7 to 10 minutes. Remove chicken to a bowl using a slotted spoon, retaining drippings in the pan.
• Pour chicken broth into the saucepan. Bring broth to a boil while scraping the browned bits of food off of the bottom of the pan with a wooden spoon; continue cooking until the broth reduces in volume by about half, 7 to 10 minutes. Return cooked chicken to the saucepan. Stir pesto through the chicken mixture; remove from heat.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a rolling boil. Cook gnocchi at a boil until they float to the top, about 3 minutes. Remove gnocchi from the water to a large bowl using a slotted spoon, retaining water in the pot.
• Place the saucepan with the chicken and pesto over the boiling water; cook and stir over the boiling water until warmed completely, about 5 minutes. Pour chicken and pesto mixture over the gnocchi; add mozzarella and stir until evenly mixed.