Description
This Pan Fried Gnocchi recipe is a quick and flavorful dish that combines crispy golden gnocchi with fragrant fennel seeds, toasted pine nuts, fresh spinach, tomatoes, and tangy feta cheese. Perfect for a light yet satisfying meal, it takes just 30 minutes to prepare and is ideal for a cozy dinner for two.
Ingredients
Spices and Nuts
- 2 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 tbsp pine nuts
Fats
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh gnocchi
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 red chili, deseeded and finely chopped
- 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
- 3 1/3 cups baby spinach, washed
- 1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Crush fennel seeds: Lightly crush the fennel seeds using a pestle and mortar to release their aroma and flavor.
- Toast pine nuts: Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat, add the pine nuts, and toast them until they turn brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Fry gnocchi: In the same pan, add butter and olive oil. Once hot and bubbling, add the fresh gnocchi. Fry them for a few minutes, turning regularly, until they are golden brown on all sides. Remove the gnocchi from the pan and set aside.
- Toast fennel seeds: Add the crushed fennel seeds to the pan and toast for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
- Sauté chili and garlic: Add the chopped chili and minced garlic to the pan and cook for a couple more minutes until fragrant and aromatic.
- Cook tomatoes: Add the chopped tomatoes to the pan and fry for a few minutes until they soften.
- Wilt spinach: Add the baby spinach to the pan and cook for several minutes until wilted and tender.
- Combine gnocchi and feta: Reduce the heat to low, return the fried gnocchi to the pan, and gently stir in the crumbled feta cheese.
- Serve: Remove the pan from heat and serve immediately, topped with the toasted pine nuts and freshly ground black pepper.
Notes
- Lightly crushing the fennel seeds releases more flavor during toasting.
- Keep an eye on the pine nuts while toasting as they can burn quickly.
- Fresh gnocchi cooks faster and produces a crispier texture when fried compared to store-bought dried gnocchi.
- Add more or less chili depending on your spice preference.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Italian
