Cauliflower Gnocchi Recipe

A pasta lovers dream without the guilt! Low carb, low calorie pasta substitute that is still hearty and packed with flavor!

The recent events pertaining to the COVID pandemic has been quite overwhelming. But if you're blessed to have your health, a home and a supporting group of people in your life, cheers to that! With that being said, finding ways to stay busy (beyond work), entertained and fulfilled is crucial for your mental & physical health.

Beyond being active outdoors, I have also been active in the kitchen! I have be dabbling in different plant-based recipes and I have been craving some starchy carbs for the longest. I have seen people rave about Trader Joe's Cauliflower Gnocchi and I have found a lot of imitation recipes. Gnocchi and ravioli are my favorite pasta dishes so I figured why not give it go!

Flour and cauliflower are the only ingredients you need to make this delicious gnocchi substitute. And you will be shocked.... it taste just like pasta!!

The recipe is easy to follow and the outcome is worth the 1.5 hours you will spend pepping for this meal.

What you need:

Gnocchi:

1 cauliflower head

flour (oatmeal, cassava, unbleached white flour, etc.)

Sauce:

tomato paste

pasta water

broth

garlic

onion

mushrooms

red & green bell pepper

seasonings (onion, garlic, pepper, salt, 21 seasoning salute, Italian seasoning)

herbs (fresh thyme, rosemary and basil)

Gnocchi

1. Boil a few ounces of water in a large pot. Steam your head of cauliflower in the pot until it is soft

2. In a blender/food processor, add your cauliflower in and pulverize it until you get a thick paste consistency

3. In a mesh bag or towel, squeeze out the access water

4. On the counter, coat the surface with the flour and start working your cauliflower into the flour until it turns into dough. Use as much flour as you need until you get a solid dough consistency

5. After you have successfully created cauliflower dough, roll the dough into long strands and cut the dough into little gnocchi pieces

6. Bring your pot of water to a boil and toss your dough into the water. Let them boil until the pieces begins to float and place your pasta onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper (SAVE YOUR PASTA WATER)

7. Coat the gnocchi pieces in olive oil, pepper and salt. and bake at 350°. 15mins on each side for about. Remove from the stove and let cool until it is time to toss in your sauce!

Sauce

1. In a large frying pan on low heat, saute your garlic, onion, mushrooms and bell pepper in olive oil

2. Stir in your tomato paste, left over pasta water and broth until you get a good sauce consistency that you like

3. Add in your seasonings and top off the sauce with your fresh herbs. Let this simmer for 20 mins

4. Add in your gnocchi and ENJOY!

And there you have it! Continue to stay safe & enjoy the little things during this quarantine!