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Red Gnocchi with Marjoram Pesto and Bacon

17/11/2023

Red gnocchi with marjoram pesto and bacon is a creative and tasty dish that combines the sweetness of potatoes with the aromatic flavor of marjoram and the smoky taste of bacon. Here is the recipe for preparing this delicious dish.

Ingredients

  • 500 g of red potatoes
  • 1 egg
  • 150-200 g of all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
  • Salt to taste
  • 100 g of cubed smoked bacon
  • For the marjoram pesto:
  • A bunch of fresh marjoram
  • 30 g of pine nuts
  • 50 g of grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
  • Garlic (1 clove, optional)
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

Preparation

  1. Start by boiling the red potatoes with their skins on in lightly salted water until tender. Drain them, peel them, and while still hot, pass them through a potato ricer to obtain a fine puree.

  2. Transfer the potato puree into a bowl and let it cool down. Add the egg, a pinch of salt and start kneading while gradually adding the flour, until the dough becomes compact yet still soft. The amount of flour needed may vary depending on the moisture content of the potatoes.

  3. Put the dough on a floured surface and divide it into pieces. Roll each piece into cylinders about 2 cm in diameter and cut them into small gnocchi 2-3 cm in length. If you wish, you can give them a ridged pattern with a fork or a special gnocchi tool.

  4. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the gnocchi until they float to the surface; this means they are cooked. Remove them with a slotted spoon.

  5. In the meantime, prepare the marjoram pesto: wash the marjoram leaves and gently dry them. In a mixer, blend the pine nuts, Parmigiano-Reggiano, garlic (if using), marjoram leaves, salt, pepper, and extra virgin olive oil until you get a smooth mixture.

  6. In a pan, sauté the cubed smoked bacon until it becomes crispy. Add the drained gnocchi into the pan with the bacon and toss briefly to blend the flavors.

  7. Turn off the heat and incorporate the marjoram pesto into the gnocchi and bacon, stirring gently to evenly season.

  8. Serve hot with an extra sprinkling of Parmigiano-Reggiano if desired.

Trivia

This dish is a colorful and aromatic twist on traditional gnocchi. Marjoram is a herb that goes well with potato dishes, and smoked bacon provides a delightful contrast of flavors. Remember that if you prepare the pesto using a mortar and pestle, the flavors will be even more intense, and the pesto will have a more rustic texture.

Red Gnocchi with Marjoram Pesto and Bacon