Got Gnocchi?

Keep the 'g' silent and say it like a nickname for your favorite pooch - 'nochie.'  And what is Gnocchi? Simply put, gnocchi is little yummy potato dumplings.  And what do you do with gnocchi?  Just about anything you would do with pasta!  How cool is that?

We had gnocchi in the pantry (you can find it at most any store in produce, canned goods, and even the freezer) and I'd been very excited to use it.  Hubster had leftover smoked chicken in the refrigerator and he was quite anxious to use it. . . combining our excitement - he found this great soup recipe.  Awesome!

Gnocchi and Chicken Chowder

1 Tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, diced

3 stalks celery, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 carrots, shredded

1 tsp thyme

1 pound chicken breast, cooked and cubed

4 cups chicken broth

16 oz mini potato gnocchi

6 oz baby spinach leaves, chopped

1 Tbsp cornstarch

2 Tbsp cold water

2 cups half & half

salt and ground pepper to taste

Heat olive oil in large pot over medium heat. 

Cook onion, celery, garlic, carrots,

in hot oil

until onion is translucent - about 5 minutes.

 
Time to add our leftovers!  Smoked chicken Hubster made last week and chicken stock he made awhile ago and frozen.

Stir in cubed chicken

chicken broth, and thyme and bring to a simmer.

Here comes the gnocchi!

 Stir gnocchi into the simmering soup and cook until they begin to float, 3-4 minutes

Okay.  Spinach.  The original recipe called for frozen spinach, which we used

I would recommend coarsely chopped FRESH baby spinach leaves for a fresher, 'brighter' flavor.  Regardless, once the gnocchi is floating, it's time to add the spinach - whether you use fresh or frozen

Combine the cornstarch with the cold water

And add to soup along with the half & half

Cook until soup thickens slightly, about 5 minutes.  Serve and season with salt and pepper to taste.

We toasted some french bread with butter in the oven and topped it with grape jam for a lovely comfort-food delight on a chilly autumn night:-)

And there you have it - gnocchi.  Absolutely YUM! I can't wait to have more gnocchi and try more recipes with it. . . I may even learn to make my own.

Have a gnocchi kind of day ~

Robin Z