Chive Gnocchi With Smoked Cream Sauce Leeks Recipes

CHIVE GNOCCHI WITH SMOKED CREAM SAUCE & LEEKS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the potatoes on a baking tray and bake for 1 hr 15 mins. Leave to cool slightly, then halve and scrape out the middles with a spoon. Mash the potato with a ricer (or a vegetable masher, then push through a sieve into a large bowl ). Mix in the flour, Parmesan, most of the chives (keep a few to garnish), nutmeg, egg and egg yolks and some seasoning, then knead briefly on a lightly floured surface until you get a smooth dough.
• Divide the dough into four pieces, then use your hands to roll one piece into a long, even sausage shape. Cut into 17 equal pieces, then lightly push and roll each piece with a fork - this will shape the gnocchi and give it the traditional indentations. Divide the finished gnocchi between two trays lined with baking parchment, then repeat with the rest of the dough. Cover with cling film and chill in the fridge until needed.
• Put the sliced leeks in a large, non-stick frying pan with the oil, turn the heat to high and fry for 8 mins, shaking the pan occasionally until the leeks are just cooked, with a charred edge, then turn off the heat.
• For the sauce, pour the cream into a large saucepan and simmer over a medium heat for 12 mins until reduced by half. Meanwhile, bring a large pan of salted water to the boil. Cook the gnocchi in batches in the water until they float (this will take only a few mins, so keep your eye on them). Transfer to lightly oiled trays using a slotted spoon and leave to steam-dry.
• Slowly whisk the butter into the cream, waiting until one cube has melted and combined before adding the next. Once all the butter has been incorporated, add the cayenne pepper, smoked salt and lemon juice, adjusting to taste. Set aside to keep warm.
• To finish the gnocchi, heat a large frying pan over a medium-high heat. Add 1 tbsp oil and a third of the butter, then fry the gnocchi in three batches, adding more oil and butter between each batch, until they have a golden brown crispy exterior. Put the gnocchi in serving bowls with the charred leeks, spoon the sauce over the top and finish with the reserved chives, some grated Parmesan and a pinch of smoked salt and cayenne pepper, if you like.

GNOCCHI WITH GREEN CHIVE SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel the potatoes and boil them in lightly salted water until tender, about 25 to 30 minutes. Drain and allow to cool. Mash them coarsely. Stir in the egg, then the 2 tablespoons of cream. Add the salt and nutmeg.
• Place 1 1/2 cups of the flour in a bowl, add the potato mixture and cover with another 1 1/2 cups of flour.
• Using a pastry cutter or spatula, cut the flour into the potato mixture until thoroughly mixed. Add more flour if the mixture feels very sticky. The dough should be soft but not elastic, and only slightly tacky.
• On a work surface, form the mass into a log. Divide the log into smaller portions and, using your hands, roll out into 1/2-inch-thick cylinders. Cut into 1-inch-long pieces. Dust them well with flour.
• Hold a flour-dusted fork, concave side up, in one hand. With the other hand, push a piece of dough into the tines, making an indentation with your thumb. Then roll the dough off the tines, making a shape like a tiny bowl with ridges on the bottom. Flour the fork and repeat with the rest of the dough.
• To make the sauce, saute the chives in a saucepan with the butter, 1 tablespoon of water and the salt and pepper for 10 minutes, or until tender. Add the vinegar and stir. Add the cream. Simmer the mixture for an additional 10 minutes over very low heat. Allow to cool and then briefly liquefy in a blender, making sure not to churn into butter by overblending.
• Cook the gnocchi in boiling, salted water for 4 to 5 minutes, or until they swell and rise to the top. Put the chive cream in a large pan, add the gnocchi and gently shake the pan over low heat to coat them with sauce. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.