This is my first time entering a Craftster challenge, exciting!
This is a great comfort food dish and is totally adaptable to your own tastes. I got the inspirations from here
http://www.alidaskitchen.com/2012/03/baked-tortellini-with-spinach.html and I tweaked it to my own needs. I decided to use gnocchi instead because I LOVE gnocchi!
Here's what you'll need!
1 packet of gnocchi (about 500g). Feel free to use home made if you want! Or pasta instead.
Handful of spinach (I used frozen, but you can use fresh)
1 1/2 Tbsp butter
1 1/2 Tbsp flour
350ml milk
A couple of handfuls of cheese (I used some cheddar, blue cheese and Gruyère. I've used Mozzarella before as well, it's good to add some stringiness!)
Salt and pepper (I used garlic pepper)
1. Preheat oven to 180°C/350°F. Prepare gnocchi (or pasta) as per packet instructions in some salted water. Once they begin to float, remove from heat and drain.
2. Prepare your spinach as per packet instructions (or if from fresh until the spinach was wilted). Drain and squeeze out any excess water (I use a sieve for that and then pat off with kitchen roll to take any extra moisture)
3. Prepare your cheese sauce. On a medium heat, melt the butter, add the flour and whisk to form a roux
4. Add the milk to the roux gradually, while whisking, until it thickens. Remove from heat and add cheeses, whisking to melting them. Add the spinach and gnocchi to the sauce and stir so everything is coated.
If you wish you can eat it like this but I prefer to add to the oven for a few minutes to get a nice brown top.
5. Add gnocchi to a dish greased oven dish. Top with cheese (and breadcrumbs too if you wish, I didn't think time as I was a bit lazy!) and bake for 15-20 mins, until the cheese on top as browned.
Yum!
Hope you enjoy! Of course, if you don't like spinach, you can add another veg like broccoli. You can add some onions and garlic too. Use different cheeses. Or use a tomato sauce instead and just top with the cheese. It's really versatile, super quick and very tasty!
button to nominate it!
