Top Chef Fan Favourite Fabio Viviani was our guest for Anna & Kristina’s Grocery Bag test of 100 Recipes Every Woman Should Know. He shares this great pasta recipe with us from one of his two LA restaurants.

GNOCCHI WITH CHERRY TOMATOES by Chef Fabio Viviani

Serves 4
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

GNOCCHI:

3 medium baking potatoes peeled, cooked and mashed
1 egg
½ tsp. ground nutmeg
½ tsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
2 cups all-purpose flour

SAUCE:

2 Tbsp. Olive Oil (drizzle)
1 lb. cherry tomatoes
1 bunch fresh basil leaves
¼ cup Olive Oil
Thinly sliced Parmesan cheese

UTENSILS:

• Bialetti Pans
• Stand up Mixer with paddle attachment ****very important!
• Chef knives
• Cutting board
• Mixing bowls
• Assorted spoons

Directions:

For Gnocchi, combine room temperature potatoes, egg, nutmeg, salt and pepper in bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Mix on low speed until combined. Add ¼ cup of flour at time on low speed until dough starts to form. Dough should be easy to handle and smooth. Use additional flour if necessary. Turn dough out on lightly floured surface. Cut the dough into four pieces. Gently roll each piece of dough into cylinder-like shape, about a ½ inch in diameter. Cut dough into ¾-inch long pieces and set aside on a lightly floured surface. Repeat with remaining dough.

Cook gnocchi, in batches, in a large pot of salted boiling water, 2 minutes or until gnocchi start to float.

For Sauce, heat Olive Oil in large skillet over medium-high heat and cook cherry tomatoes, about 5 minutes or until skins start to blister.

Add basil to food processor Process until well chopped. Slowly add Olive Oil and process until smooth. Spoon basil oil into cheesecloth-lined strainer set over a bowl; let drain. Reserve liquid.

Combine cooked gnocchi and tomato sauce in serving bowl. Season with salt and ground black pepper to taste. Drizzle with reserved basil oil and top with Parmesan cheese. Garnish, if desired, with fresh basil leaves or fried fresh basil leaves.