Sunday, March 20, 2011

Parsnip Gnocchi











Every so often I like to break out the step ladder, crawl up to the shelf above the refrigerator, randomly grab a cookbook, and read a new recipe. Today, I snatched The Essentials of Classic Italian Cooking and landed on the gnocchi page. That's where my culinary adventure began. Since I am not one for actually following recipes, I perused the instructions, closed the book and placed it back on the hard to reach shelf. I had gleaned the basics from the recipe and inspiration had set in. I wanted to put a spin on the traditional, so instead of using potatoes I decided on parsnips. Ok... 5 parsnips and 1 large potato to be honest. The finished gnocchi were fluffy pillows of flavor all on their own and the taste of the parsnip was intensified by some herby almond pesto and freshly grated parmesan. Parsnips, and pesto, and parmesan......Oh My!

10 comments:

  1. I just made roasted parsnips! Making gnocchi is such a great idea!

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  2. This sounds wonderful and for sure something I would love to try, even the Wizard would love this weeks food blog!

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  3. Ooooh gnocchi is on my list to make, yours look perfect

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  4. Someone told me I should go on a cooking show. I told them I would be out first round because I can't divorce myself from recipes. I have not originality in the kitchen....I can copy, but maybe someday.

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  5. Great idea with the parsnips. Congrats on top 9!

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  6. Been cooking since 1947, and how come I never had the idea to use parsnips in gnocchi? Well, sure will do these today! Thanks so very much Emily! I was an Air Force photographer for many years, now just a lazy old man who does all the cooking, and Marie the wife of 62 years does all the baking. We manage!! :-)
    Cheers, Old Doug in BC Canada

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  7. Have to try this! Sounds like a great variation to the usual gnocchi!

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  8. this looks really wonderful. I love parsnips but i don't think anyone else in my family does. I'll have to give something like this a go sometime and see if i can food them. :)

    beautiful photos, congrats on top 9

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  10. Anyone can make these... Simply replace potatoes with parsnips in any standard gnocchi recipe. I kept 1 potato in there for a little stability. The almond pesto was also a simple substitution - almonds in place of pine nuts which was due to my lack of pine nuts in the pantry. Just goes to show that a little experimentation can yield great things. Play with your food!!

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