Friday 7 June 2013

Gnudi - Tuscan Spinach and Ricotta Dumplings

Gnudi

Although they may resemble gnocchi, these little dumplings are in fact quite different as they don't contain potatoes. This makes them light and delicious. Originally from Tuscany, they are basically the filling of classic ravioli but without the outer pasta layer hence the name Gnudi which in Tuscan dialect means 'nude'. You don't often find them in restaurants as they don't keep well once they're made but they're easy enough to prepare at home and well worth it. They just need delicate handling - they're so light they're practically little clouds.

The classic version contains only spinach but I like to add fresh parsley to the mixture as well, to give the flavour a bit of a lift. You could add other herbs too - I like the idea of fresh mint or maybe basil.

This post is making its way over to one of my favourite challenges, Herbs on Saturday, soon to become Cooking with Herbs and sporting a lovely new badge to boot! The challenge is created and hosted by Karen from the wonderful Lavender and Lovage.

Herbs on Saturday for June: Cooking with Herbs Challenge - Win a Pot of Culinary Lavender Grains

I'm also sending it to Javelin Warrior's wonderful weekly challenge which encourages everyone to cook from scratch, Made with Love Mondays.


JWsMadeWLuvMondays

RECIPE - serves 4

450 g fresh spinach
50g fresh parsley, roughly chopped
500 g ricotta cheese
2 eggs, beaten
70 g flour
100 g Parmesan cheese, freshly grated
salt
nutmeg
pepper

6 sage leaves
50 g butter

Drain the ricotta of excess liquid by leaving in a colander for a few hours or overnight in the fridge. 

Wash the spinach, drain briefly and put in a saucepan just as it is to wilt, turning it over from time to time so that the leaves on top cook as well as the leaves on the bottom. Allow to cool slightly then chop roughly. 

Meanwhile, mix the ricotta cheese with the flour, eggs and parmesan, stir well and add a pinch of nutmeg,  and season well with salt and pepper. Stir and add the chopped spinach and fresh parsley. Mix everything together thoroughly. 

Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. 

Shape the mixture into oval dumplings, slightly smaller than golf balls. Place gently into the boiling salted water. They are ready when they float to the surface, it usually only takes a few minutes. 

While the gnudi are cooking, melt the butter with the sage leaves. 

Remove the gnudi from the water with a slotted spoon, place in a serving dish and pour over the melted butter. Serve with more freshly grated Parmesan. 


Ricotta and Spinach Dumplings

8 comments:

  1. Such a unique dish, Katherine, and I love that it's all about the ricotta and herbs, not so much about the pasta. And very interesting that it's not more widely served or made available outside of Tuscany...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! As you say, without the pasta you really appreciate the fresh, simple flavours of the dish.

      Delete
  2. Carissima che coincidenza sto proprio scrivendo un post sugli gnudi!! Purtroppo per vari problemi ho bloccato la publicazione al momento (tradotto: NON HO IL TEMPO DI FINIRLO). Ma sono cosi' contenta di trovarlo qui sul tuo blog!! li ho anche venduti al mercato immersi nel sugo....che buoni! Pero' la prossima volta li faccio con il burro come suggerisci tu!!! Ciao

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Grazie Rita - mi fa molto piacere ricevere i tuoi commenti. Non vedo l'ora di leggere il tuo post sugli gnudi, immagino che saranno molto piu buoni dei miei!

      Delete
  3. SO lovely, what a GREAT recipe Katharine! And I am a HUGE lover of ricotta in all pasta and Italian dishes, so this is my perfect recipe! Karen

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Karen - the ricotta makes these little dumplings wonderfully light!

      Delete
  4. Ooh my, these sound heavenly katherine. I keep meaning to have a go at making ricotta as I can't get it locally, but haven't managed it yet. if I do, I think these might be what I would make with it. Like the idea of adding mint. Love the name.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'd love to know how you get on with making your own ricotta, sounds interesting! The name is great isn't it? - my little nephew finds it particularly funny!

      Delete