BEETROOT GNOCCHI WITH CRISPY GARLIC & SAGE

Beetroot gnocchi with crispy garlic & sage image

Make gnocchi with beetroot as well as the usual potato - it adds to your five-a-day while imparting vibrant colour.

Provided by Sara Buenfeld

Categories Dinner

Time 1h34m

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

2 uncooked beetroot, stems trimmed (250g)
2 baking potatoes (400g)
100g plain wholemeal spelt flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to serve (optional)
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1 tbsp chopped sage leaves
160g baby spinach leaves
finely grated parmesan or vegetarian hard cheese, to serve

Steps:

Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6. Put the beetroot and potatoes on a large baking tray, then roast in the oven for 1 hr until tender. Check the beetroot after 50 mins as they will cook more quickly than the potatoes.
When cool enough to handle, carefully peel the beetroot (using gloves to avoid staining your hands, if you like) and blitz the flesh in a mixing bowl using a hand blender or in a food processor, to make a smooth purée. Peel the potatoes, then tip the flesh into the beetroot purée and mash until smooth. Tip in the flour, season well, then mash again. Tip the mixture out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead with your hands until it forms a dough. Roll each piece into a long sausage around 2cm in diameter. Cut each piece into 1.5-2cm chunks. You can keep them like this or roll ridges onto to them using the back of a fork. Set aside on a plate, spaced apart so they don't stick together.
Heat the oil in a medium pan over a medium heat and fry the garlic until crisp and starting to turn golden. Add the sage and cook until crisp. Tip into a bowl along with the oil left in the pan. Add the spinach and stir until wilted.
Put the gnocchi in a large pan of boiling water and cook for 2 mins until they rise to the surface. You may need to do this in batches. Scoop out using a slotted spoon. To serve, put the spinach on the base of two pasta bowls, then top with the drained gnocchi, the garlic and sage. Sprinkle with the cheese and drizzle over a little more olive oil, if you like.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 408 calories, Fat 8 grams fat, SaturatedFat 2 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 65 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 10 grams sugar, Fiber 11 grams fiber, Protein 13 grams protein, Sodium 0.2 milligram of sodium