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2/11/13

Lemon Gnocchi with Spinach and Peas (serves 4)

“Chez had a chance to pick the steak as the star and instead picked the side dish? Say it ain’t so!”

But the truth is this dish won the Star for 2/10/13 fair-and-square.

I hope you give it a try…

 - Chez


Ingredients
  • 1 cup frozen baby peas (not thawed)
  • 1 cup heavy cream
  • 1/2 tablespoon dried hot red-pepper flakes
  • 1 garlic clove, smashed
  • 3 cups packed baby spinach (3 ounces)
  • 1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 pound dried gnocchi
  • 1/2 cup grated parmesan
Simmer peas with cream, red-pepper flakes, garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a 12-inch heavy skillet, covered, until tender, about 5 minutes.
 
Add spinach and cook over medium-low heat, uncovered, stirring, until wilted. Remove from heat and stir in lemon zest and juice.
 
Meanwhile, cook gnocchi in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until al dente. Reserve 1/2 cup pasta-cooking water, then drain gnocchi.
 
Add gnocchi to sauce with cheese and some of reserved cooking water and stir to coat. Thin with reserved cooking water if necessary.