Gnocchi & Broccoli

Good Morning!!!

I didn't post last weekend, I was out most of it visiting, doing things around the house, just not at a computer.  Plus, I lost Internet on Sunday and didn't do a reset until Monday.

It was a gorgeous day yesterday and of course, we were out and about.  Today it's supposed to be nice, but so far it's dreary and cool.  Oh well, a good day for cooking.  On today's menu is gnocchi and broccoli.  It was the one thing my mom could really make well.  It's been a staple in our home for decades.  I do have a story about this recipe though.  My ex-mother-in-law, Betty (God rest her soul), would make this recipe about twice a year.  And, about twice a year, up until she got sick a couple of years ago, she would call me for the recipe!  This went on even after I was divorced.  She and I remained close.  Now, here's the kick, Pop, my ex-father-in-law, asked me for the recipe last year!!!  He, of course, wrote it down for future reference! 

We cleaned out the freezer yesterday, what a mess!  Basically, we just reorganized it so now everything has it's place and the newest is at the back.  I really want a deep freezer, but I'm afraid I'd store stuff and forget I have it.  Oh well, it's another wish list item.  Speaking of wish list, we got our new furniture last week and love it!!!  Of course, so does the cat.  Not two minutes after the deliverymen left, Sami was on my new chair!!!  Now, we have to keep her claws off of it.  I have a spray that seems to work, I hope her habit breaks, but, try to break a 6 year old cat's habits..........not a easy proposition!!!  Did you know, a 6 year old, a cat is 40 in human years?  Found the table on the Internet and it does make sense.  She's still on the "I don't like my food kick".  She's so picky about the texture of her food, my options are limited.  She likes shredded food only.  She won't eat the ground or chunks, just the shredded.

Now, for this recipe I use store bought gnocchi.  I know they are heavier, but it really works well with the broccoli.  One of these days, I'll try it with the homemade gnocchi, but I have a feeling, they'll just break up or be smashed and not work well.

Anyway, here's the recipe.  I hope you make it an enjoy!  I'll be making it today.


Gnocchi and Broccoli

1/4 cup olive oil
1 bag frozen cut broccoli, 20 oz
salt, pepper, garlic powder and crushed red pepper, to taste
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried basil
3 lbs frozen potato gnocchi


In a saucepan, add all of the ingredients above, except the gnocchi, and cook on medium heat.  While the broccoli is cooking, in a large pot, 6 quart size, boil and salt the water for the gnocchi.  Add the gnocchi upon boiling and stir them immediately so they will not stick together.  Take about 1 1/2  cups of the pasta water add to the broccoli. The broccoli are done when they are soft.  They should be done when the gnocchi are done. The gnocchi are done when they double in size and float to the top.  The package directions will give you the approximate time.   When they are done, drain them, reserve some of the liquid, just in case.  Add the gnocchi to the broccoli mixture and mix well.  Let the mixture cook for about a 1/2 hour so all of the flavors meld together.  The mixture should be silky and creamy.  If it's dry, add more of the pasta liquid.  If it's not silky enough, add a little more olive oil.  This is what makes it silky.   Serve in bowls, add some Locatelli cheese (pecorino romano) and more hot pepper if you like it spicy! 

You can serve this dish as is, or if you prefer, with meat or fish.  Sausage is usually a good meat to go with the dish.  I've served it with sausage, meatballs, pork chops, tilapia, flounder, almost anything you want.

Enjoy!!!!!