Gnocchi à la Monégasque
Soft, pillowy gnocchi are tossed in a rich, flavorful tomato sauce, finished with fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. This dish captures the essence of Mediterranean flavors, bringing a taste of the Côte d'Azur to your table.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1000 g Potatoes(peeled and cubed)
- 200 g All-purpose flour
- 1 lightly beaten Large egg
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 1 finely chopped Onion
- 2 finely chopped Garlic cloves
- 800 g Canned diced tomatoes
- 1 tbsp Tomato paste
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 1 bunch Fresh basil(chopped)
- 50 g Parmesan cheese(grated)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Boil the peeled and cubed potatoes in a large pot of salted water until tender. Drain and pass through a potato ricer or masher.
💡 Tip: Ensure potatoes are well-drained to avoid excess moisture in the dough. - 2
Let the riced potatoes cool slightly, then add the flour, beaten egg, and salt. Knead gently to form a smooth dough.
💡 Tip: Avoid overworking the dough, which can make the gnocchi tough. - 3
Divide the dough into portions, roll each into a long rope about 2cm thick, and cut into 2cm pieces. Press each piece lightly with a fork to create ridges.
💡 Tip: The ridges help the sauce adhere to the gnocchi. - 4
Boil the gnocchi in batches of lightly salted water until they float to the surface. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
- 5
For the sauce, heat olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and garlic until softened.
- 6
Add the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, sugar, salt, and pepper. Stir well and simmer for about 15 minutes.
- 7
Add the cooked gnocchi to the tomato sauce and stir gently to coat. Stir in the chopped fresh basil.
💡 Tip: Toss gently to avoid breaking the gnocchi. - 8
Serve immediately, garnished with grated Parmesan cheese.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓Use starchy potatoes like Russets for the best gnocchi texture.
- ✓Don't add too much flour, as it can make the gnocchi dense.
- ✓The fork ridges are optional but add a nice texture and help hold the sauce.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of nutmeg to the gnocchi dough for extra flavor.
- Incorporate a small amount of ricotta cheese into the dough for a lighter gnocchi.
- For a richer sauce, add a splash of red wine or a tablespoon of butter at the end.