Sometimes you have to take it up a notch! And that is exactly what I did with this recipe!
Sweet potatoes are so healthy and work just as well for gnocchi as a white potato. Factor in a heart shape – and there you have it: a romantic addition to your valentines celebration.
I used about a 2 ” heart cookie cutter and of course the color of the sweet potatoes adds additional form. If you can find ruby sweet potatoes, the color will be even deeper.
Toast the gnocchi in a little butter and olive oil with Italian herbs, and you have a tasty side dish meant to WOW. You can top it with freshly shredded parmesan as well.
Honestly the time factor is minimized when you present the results – just serve the dish, and wait for the acclamations!
Sweet Potato Gnocchi Hearts
You will love them!
Ingredients
- 1 pound sweet potatoes, baked in skin
- 1 egg yolk
- 1 cup + 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
Butter Sauce
- 4 tbsp butter
- 2 tbsp EVOO
- 1 tbsp Italian herbs
- Grated parmesan to taste
Instructions
- Scoop out flesh of baked sweet potato and transfer them to a bowl. Smash or rice potatoes. Transfer to a sheet pan that's lined with paper towels to draw out any excess moisture. Press an additional paper towel on top to encourage additional moisture out of the potatoes.
- Transfer potatoes to a bowl, mix in egg yolk. Add 1/2 of flour and salt and combine. Add remainder of flour and combine until the dough comes together.
- Flour a silpat or chopping board and gently knead the dough a (only) a few times.
- Roll out the dough and using a small heart cookie cutter (approx 2 in), continuing until all dough is used. Transfer the hearts to a floured pan.
- Bring a pot of salted water to boil. Add the gnocchi and boil until the gnocchi rises to the top of the water which should take about 2 minutes. Using a slotted spoon transfer to a pan
Butter sauce
- Heat EVOO and melt butter together. Add Italian seasoning.
- Transfer the cooked gnocchi into the brown butter and let them toast on one side over med - low heat for about 1 minute. Remove to serving platter, sprinkle with parmesan if desired. Serve and enjoy.