The first Daring Cooks’ challenge is … Ricotta Gnocchi!

by Barbara on May 14, 2009

The recipe was chosen from the cookbook by Judy Rodgers, named after her restaurant, The Zuni Café Cookbook. The recipe was a very straightforward recipe. The challenge was in the forming and handling of the gnocchi. What we did with the recipe was up to us.

We were advised to use fresh ricotta and if fresh ricotta was not available, to make our own. I decided to make my own and use the Cooking Light homemade ricotta recipe to save a few calories. The ricotta was nice and creamy and had a great flavor. The recipe only made 1 1/2 cups so I had to reduce the gnocchi recipe.

I was a little bit nervous about making the ricotta and all the warnings about it being too wet, but after letting it sit in the fridge overnight, mine turned out nice and dry and I didn’t have any problems with the gnocchi falling apart.

I used Not Quite Nigella’s Ricotta & Chive Gnocchi with Browned Butter Sauce recipe as my inspiration for the gnocchi. I didn’t have chives, so I substituted basil. I baked the gnocchi in a little browned butter topped with Parmesan. Then I served it with marinara sauce.

I was a little apprehensive about how gnocchi would be received by my boys since they’ve never eaten it before, but it got a thumbs up from everyone. I don’t know if it’s something I’ll make again, but it was definitely a fun Daring Cooks challenge! For the complete recipe visit Lis at La Mia Cucina.

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{ 29 comments… read them below or add one }

Suzy May 14, 2009 at 2:43 pm

Love your photo collage! Thanks for the Cooking Light link. I’ll give that one a try next time…although I used a good bit of fat free milk in mine so thinking it wasn’t too bad.

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Mary Ann May 14, 2009 at 2:57 pm

This recipe sounds and looks amazing! I remember when that recipe for ricotta was in cooking light. I wanted to try it, but haven’t gotten the chance. Yummy!

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Audax May 14, 2009 at 3:33 pm

Wonderful pixs and clever you making ricotta. And you baked them even better. Excellent effort on you 1st DCooks’ challenge. Interesting flavours in the sauce – it is important for everybody to try new things even if it’s only once a month (at challenge time). Cheers from Audax in Australia

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Kristen May 14, 2009 at 3:37 pm

yours is the 1st of 2 of these challenge posts I’ve seen this morning, both results look so tasty, I’ll have to check it out!

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lisamichele May 14, 2009 at 4:09 pm

Beautiful job as always, Barbara! Also, thanks for the CL link, as ‘light’ is something I don’t dabble in too often when it comes to my cooking and baking, and I think I ought to start!

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Memória May 14, 2009 at 4:17 pm

Oh I would have loved to make gnocchi! You did an excellent job! I cannot wait to make my own cheese. That’s awesome. :)

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Priscilla May 14, 2009 at 4:35 pm

I love Gnocchi but have never made it…your looks so good!

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Katy ~ May 14, 2009 at 5:57 pm

Looks very, very good. I’ve always wanted to try. Have the little wooden gnocchi thingy, but it sits unused in my drawer. Someday, maybe, I’ll try. In the meantime, well done!

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Margie May 14, 2009 at 9:16 pm

Your pix are terrific! Sounds like the Cooking Light ricotta recipe was a success. Thanks for the tip. That might be better for my waistline than the whole milk version I used. Thanks also for visiting my blog.

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Lynda May 14, 2009 at 9:43 pm

Oh my, you did such a great job! these looks really amazing and sound delish!

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Christie's Corner May 14, 2009 at 9:48 pm

Well done. My results were less than stellar, but I used store bought cheese, which seemed to contribute to my fail factor.

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Megan May 14, 2009 at 10:02 pm

I love gnocchi but have never made my own. Someday!!! And with homemae Ricotta, I’m truly impressed. Till that someday comes,I’m buying another package and trying it your way. With browned butter!!!
GREAT JOB!

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Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella May 14, 2009 at 11:34 pm

That looks wonderful Barbara! Your gnocchi look perfect :)

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jenncuisine May 15, 2009 at 12:49 am

Love the photos, they look great!

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Veronica May 15, 2009 at 1:05 am

I have always wanted to make my own Ricotta… the gnocchi sounds delicious.

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Bunny May 15, 2009 at 1:18 am

You made homemade ricotta and homemade gnocci! It looks wonderful, I can only imagine how good tastes!! EWonderful Barbara!!

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Ginger May 15, 2009 at 2:04 am

Barbara

Your Gnocchi really sounds delicious. I love the Daring cooks’ challenge and reading everybody’s review of their recipe. I love that you made your own ricotta cheese! You go girl!!

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Reeni♥ May 15, 2009 at 2:47 am

They turned out great! And with home-made ricotta, I bet it was delicious!!

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Donna-FFW May 15, 2009 at 10:40 am

Barbara- your gnocchi looks absolutely delicious. Your photos are wonderful!

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Tami May 15, 2009 at 2:23 pm

Yum! Yum! Yum! The gnocchi looks delicious! Great pics, too!

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The Blonde Duck May 15, 2009 at 4:38 pm

I can’t believe you made your own ricotta. I’m so impressed!

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Eat My Cake Now May 15, 2009 at 5:11 pm

Your gnocchi look perfect!
Love the photos
Great job!
isa

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giz May 15, 2009 at 9:05 pm

Your gnocchi look wonderful. I also did a browned butter – should have added chives – what a great idea.

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Lauren May 16, 2009 at 11:45 pm

Mmm, your gnocchi look amazing!! Awesome job on the first challenge =D.

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Cafe Johnsonia May 16, 2009 at 11:54 pm

That looks and sounds SOOOO good. I need to try my hand at gnocchi. My husband has been begging me.

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teresa May 17, 2009 at 1:18 am

I’m SO impressed! I love gnocci, but I still feel like I need a bit more experience in the kitchen before I make my own! This looks incredible, and i love the idea of using ricotta!

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Jeena May 17, 2009 at 12:13 pm

Fabulous gnocchi recipe it sounds and looks so delicious. Great blog I loved your cheese cake and cripsy jumbo treat. :-)

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bakergirlcreations May 18, 2009 at 6:53 am

Fabulous! A great way to kick off the Daring Cooks :) I have a tub of ricotta that needs to be used, and this looks perfect.

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Jamie May 18, 2009 at 5:45 pm

Your gnocchi look wonderful! And how courageous! I tried regular gnocchi once and was not happy with the results. I will have to try these because for a first try they look fabulous!

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