Czech Fruit Gnocchi (knedliky)

Czech fruit gnocchi (knedlíky naplněné ovocem) are a delicious traditional dessert of the Czech Republic. I will present to you a classic version of the recipe, and if you wish, we can add an Italian touch at the end.

Ingredients

• 250 g of flour
• 1 egg
• A pinch of salt
• 50-100 ml of water or milk
• Fruit of choice (for example, plums or apricots)
• Sugar to taste
• Butter for garnishing
• Breadcrumbs
• Powdered sugar for serving

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour with the salt. Make a well in the center and add the egg. Start to combine them by slowly adding the water or milk until you form a soft and workable dough. The dough should not be too sticky, so adjust with more flour or liquid as necessary.
2. On a floured surface, roll out the dough with a rolling pin to a thickness of about 1/2 cm.
3. Cut the dough into squares of about 8 cm x 8 cm.
4. Place a piece of fruit in the center of each square (for example, a whole plum or apricot, if small), and sprinkle with a bit of sugar to sweeten the fruit.
5. Close the dough around the fruit, forming balls (or gnocchi), and make sure they are well-sealed to prevent the fruit from coming out during cooking.
6. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Once it boils, cook the gnocchi a few at a time, for about 3-5 minutes or until they float to the surface.
7. Meanwhile, in a frying pan, melt some butter and add the breadcrumbs, toasting them until they are golden brown.
8. Once cooked, remove the gnocchi from the water with a slotted spoon and roll them in the toasted breadcrumbs until they are well-coated.
9. Serve hot, dusted with powdered sugar.

To give an Italian touch, you might add a bit of amaretto or another almond liqueur to the fruit filling, which pairs very well with the sweetness of the plums and adds a distinctive flavor.