There’s so much to love about gnocchi – delicious, fluffy little parcels of potato that often come smothered in a rich and cheesy Italian-style sauce.
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Place the kale in a heatproof bowl. Pour over enough boiling water to cover. Stand for 1 min. Drain well, squeezing out any excess water.
Heat oil in a large frying pan over low heat. Add shallot and cook for 3 mins or until soft. Stir in kale and garlic and cook for 5 mins or until kale is very soft. Remove pan from heat and set aside.
Cook the gnocchi in a saucepan of boiling water following packet directions. Drain, reserving ½ cup (125ml) water. Add to the pan with kale mixture, blue cheese and water. Stir to combine.
Divide gnocchi among serving bowls and top with walnuts to serve.
Throughout its long history, gnocchi has been regarded as ‘peasant food’ because it’s cheap to make and easy to prepare, while also being very filling. These days, gnocchi can be as simple or as elegant as you like and this kale gnocchi version – with sauteed leaves, garlic and creamy blue cheese sauce – is fit for a king. Made using a handy ready-made gnocchi, it’s so easy to whip up for a simple yet impressive and satisfying weeknight dinner – one of the original and best comfort foods.
Kale and gnocchi make the perfect combination of ingredients. You have the earthy flavour and nutritious boost of kale, made extra delicious by sauteeing it with garlic and shallots. Then you have the indulgent potato dumplings, heavenly bites that soak up the sauce and satisfy with every mouthful. There’s no end to the sauces and flavour combinations you can try with super convenient store-bought gnocchi. For this gnocchi kale recipe, add a soft blue cheese to the pan with the gnocchi and sauteed kale, where it melts slightly and melds with the flavours to create an irresistible creamy effect. Then, add toasted walnuts for crunch. Walnuts are a classic partner for blue cheese as they help cut through the richness of the cheese.
This version uses just seven ingredients and is ready in half an hour, but there are a few ways you can switch it up, depending on what you have on hand in the cupboard or fridge. While this gnocchi and kale recipe is a tasty option when you want to go meat-free, it’s also an incredible twist if you add chopped pork sausage or sauteed bacon into the mix. You can also opt for toasted pine nuts or almonds in place of the walnuts, and any cheese you like – such as parmesan, mozzarella or goat’s cheese – in place of the blue cheese. A squeeze of lemon or sprinkling of lemon zest to serve will also add a fresh, bright citrus note to your finished plate, topped with a little dried chilli for a hint of heat.
If you’ve been inspired to give gnocchi a go, you can also make your own with this basic gnocchi recipe. Or stick to store-bought with clever recipes ideal for weeknight meals, such as ricotta and spinach gnocchi bake, one-pan gnocchi alla norma or creamy mushroom gnocchi.