Garlic and herb gnocchi with asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes and artichokes

A rich but simple potato pasta, paired up with traditional vegetables, kalamata olives, and a light red sauce. This makes a smaller appetizer size for 4 or a larger bowl for 2.

Ingredients

For the gnocchi
1 large floury potato (about 2 cups, mashed — I use organic russets)
1T fresh garlic, minced
1/2T herbes de Provence (or similar)
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4t black pepper, freshly cracked
Up to 1/2 cup tapioca flour (see the note below)
1/3 cup brown rice flour
Coarse sea salt to taste
2 liters water with 2t coarse sea salt for boiling

For the sauce
2T pasta water
3 scallions, finely chopped
1/4t coarse sea salt
1/4t black pepper, freshly cracked
1T fresh garlic, minced
1/2T herbes de Provence (or similar)
16 asparagus stalks, bottoms broken off, cut into 1″ segments
1 cup artichoke hearts (don’t use jarred)
2T sun-dried tomatoes rehydrated in 1/4 cup boiling water (don’t use jarred)
1/2T lemon juice
1 cup tomato passata (or puree)
2T nutritional yeast
1/2T kalamata olives per bowl, pitted and sliced
Coarse sea salt and black pepper to taste

Optional: Typically, you would peel the potato once it has cooled, but I leave it on and blend it in. A lot of the fiber and other nutrients are in the skin. Add a little nutmeg for something more traditional. Add some fresh basil for additional colour and flavour. Finish the sauce with 1 – 2 tablespoons of olive oil for a richer mouth feel and flavour.

Method

First, start the gnocchi, then make the sauce. Boil the potato unpeeled in enough water to cover for about 30 minutes. Drain and chill uncovered in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.

When the potato has cooled and you’re ready to start the gnocchi, add the boiling water to the sun-dried tomatoes in a small bowl and set aside. Puree smooth. Add the garlic, herbs, and nutritional yeast, 1/4 cup tapioca, and the brown rice flour. Mix thoroughly and let stand about 15 minutes. Add more tapioca as necessary until a soft dough forms. Add salt to taste.

If you find your dough doesn’t come together is too moist, add more tapioca flour 1 tablespoon at a time. But start with 1/4 cup. If it’s too dry, add a little water, 1 tablespoon at a time. If you’re unsure whether the dough is right, test one piece and see what the resulting texture is like before committing.

When the dough is ready, roll out gently into lines about 1/2″ in diameter and cut into 1″ segments. You can also roll about 1T pinches of dough as dumplings if you prefer. Lines are more traditional. Decorate each gnocchi with a gentle fork press (striation helps to hold the sauce with the pasta).

In a large pan, bring the 2 liters water and salt to a light boil on high heat. Reduce heat to medium. Add the gnocchi and swirl the pan to avoid sticking. Simmer the gnocchi until they float. Don’t overcook.

Drain carefully, reserving 2T water for the sauce. Rinse gently but thoroughly with cold water. Turn then out onto a clean, dry cutting board and let them dry a little while you make the sauce.

Warm a large frying pan on medium high heat. Add the water, scallions and sea salt. Water saute for 2 minutes. Add the garlic and herbs. Saute for 1 minutes. Add the asparagus and saute for 4 – 5 minutes. Add the artichoke hearts and saute for 2 minutes. Add the sun-dried tomatoes (including the soaking water) and the lemon juice. Deglaze the pan.

Add the tomato passata. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for another 3 minutes. Add the gnocchi to the pan and toss to combine. Simmer for 2 minutes, remove from heat and toss with the nutritional yeast.

Let stand a minute or so to cool. Season to taste. To plate, spoon out and garnish with olives and more nutritional yeast if you like, and serve.