Thursday, May 14, 2009

The first Daring Cooks' challenge is ... Ricotta Gnocchi!


The recipe was chosen from the cookbook by Judy Rodgers, named after her restaurant, The Zuni Café Cookbook. The recipe was a very straightforward recipe. The challenge was in the forming and handling of the gnocchi. What we did with the recipe was up to us.

We were advised to use fresh ricotta and if fresh ricotta was not available, to make our own. I decided to make my own and use the Cooking Light homemade ricotta recipe to save a few calories. The ricotta was nice and creamy and had a great flavor. The recipe only made 1 1/2 cups so I had to reduce the gnocchi recipe.

I was a little bit nervous about making the ricotta and all the warnings about it being too wet, but after letting it sit in the fridge overnight, mine turned out nice and dry and I didn't have any problems with the gnocchi falling apart.

I used Not Quite Nigella's Ricotta & Chive Gnocchi with Browned Butter Sauce recipe as my inspiration for the gnocchi. I didn't have chives, so I substituted basil. I baked the gnocchi in a little browned butter topped with Parmesan. Then I served it with marinara sauce.

I was a little apprehensive about how gnocchi would be received by my boys since they've never eaten it before, but it got a thumbs up from everyone. I don't know if it's something I'll make again, but it was definitely a fun Daring Cooks challenge! For the complete recipe visit Lis at La Mia Cucina.

29 comments:

Suzy on May 14, 2009 8:43 AM said...

Love your photo collage! Thanks for the Cooking Light link. I'll give that one a try next time...although I used a good bit of fat free milk in mine so thinking it wasn't too bad.

Mary Ann on May 14, 2009 8:57 AM said...

This recipe sounds and looks amazing! I remember when that recipe for ricotta was in cooking light. I wanted to try it, but haven't gotten the chance. Yummy!

Audax on May 14, 2009 9:33 AM said...

Wonderful pixs and clever you making ricotta. And you baked them even better. Excellent effort on you 1st DCooks' challenge. Interesting flavours in the sauce - it is important for everybody to try new things even if it's only once a month (at challenge time). Cheers from Audax in Australia

Kristen on May 14, 2009 9:37 AM said...

yours is the 1st of 2 of these challenge posts I've seen this morning, both results look so tasty, I'll have to check it out!

lisamichele on May 14, 2009 10:09 AM said...

Beautiful job as always, Barbara! Also, thanks for the CL link, as 'light' is something I don't dabble in too often when it comes to my cooking and baking, and I think I ought to start!

Memória on May 14, 2009 10:17 AM said...

Oh I would have loved to make gnocchi! You did an excellent job! I cannot wait to make my own cheese. That's awesome. :)

Priscilla on May 14, 2009 10:35 AM said...

I love Gnocchi but have never made it...your looks so good!

Katy ~ on May 14, 2009 11:57 AM said...

Looks very, very good. I've always wanted to try. Have the little wooden gnocchi thingy, but it sits unused in my drawer. Someday, maybe, I'll try. In the meantime, well done!

Margie on May 14, 2009 3:16 PM said...

Your pix are terrific! Sounds like the Cooking Light ricotta recipe was a success. Thanks for the tip. That might be better for my waistline than the whole milk version I used. Thanks also for visiting my blog.

Lynda on May 14, 2009 3:43 PM said...

Oh my, you did such a great job! these looks really amazing and sound delish!

Christie's Corner on May 14, 2009 3:48 PM said...

Well done. My results were less than stellar, but I used store bought cheese, which seemed to contribute to my fail factor.

Megan on May 14, 2009 4:02 PM said...

I love gnocchi but have never made my own. Someday!!! And with homemae Ricotta, I'm truly impressed. Till that someday comes,I'm buying another package and trying it your way. With browned butter!!!
GREAT JOB!

Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella on May 14, 2009 5:34 PM said...

That looks wonderful Barbara! Your gnocchi look perfect :)

jenncuisine on May 14, 2009 6:49 PM said...

Love the photos, they look great!

Veronica on May 14, 2009 7:05 PM said...

I have always wanted to make my own Ricotta... the gnocchi sounds delicious.

Bunny on May 14, 2009 7:18 PM said...

You made homemade ricotta and homemade gnocci! It looks wonderful, I can only imagine how good tastes!! EWonderful Barbara!!

Ginger on May 14, 2009 8:04 PM said...

Barbara

Your Gnocchi really sounds delicious. I love the Daring cooks' challenge and reading everybody's review of their recipe. I love that you made your own ricotta cheese! You go girl!!

Reeni♥ on May 14, 2009 8:47 PM said...

They turned out great! And with home-made ricotta, I bet it was delicious!!

Donna-FFW on May 15, 2009 4:40 AM said...

Barbara- your gnocchi looks absolutely delicious. Your photos are wonderful!

Tami on May 15, 2009 8:23 AM said...

Yum! Yum! Yum! The gnocchi looks delicious! Great pics, too!

The Blonde Duck on May 15, 2009 10:38 AM said...

I can't believe you made your own ricotta. I'm so impressed!

Eat My Cake Now on May 15, 2009 11:11 AM said...

Your gnocchi look perfect!
Love the photos
Great job!
isa

giz on May 15, 2009 3:05 PM said...

Your gnocchi look wonderful. I also did a browned butter - should have added chives - what a great idea.

Lauren on May 16, 2009 5:45 PM said...

Mmm, your gnocchi look amazing!! Awesome job on the first challenge =D.

Cafe Johnsonia on May 16, 2009 5:54 PM said...

That looks and sounds SOOOO good. I need to try my hand at gnocchi. My husband has been begging me.

teresa on May 16, 2009 7:18 PM said...

I'm SO impressed! I love gnocci, but I still feel like I need a bit more experience in the kitchen before I make my own! This looks incredible, and i love the idea of using ricotta!

Jeena on May 17, 2009 6:13 AM said...

Fabulous gnocchi recipe it sounds and looks so delicious. Great blog I loved your cheese cake and cripsy jumbo treat. :-)

bakergirlcreations on May 18, 2009 12:53 AM said...

Fabulous! A great way to kick off the Daring Cooks :) I have a tub of ricotta that needs to be used, and this looks perfect.

Jamie on May 18, 2009 11:45 AM said...

Your gnocchi look wonderful! And how courageous! I tried regular gnocchi once and was not happy with the results. I will have to try these because for a first try they look fabulous!

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