Cinnamon-Nutmeg flavored Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi is my contribution to Sunita from "Sunita's World" blog's "Think Spice..Think.." event.This month's spice is "Cinnamon". Thanks for hosting Sunita!:)
Cinnamon bark:
These are two kinds of Cinnamon, curly one on the left has sweet aroma used in desserts and another flat kind is Cassia bark has spicy flavor used in most Asian cuisine.To read about the differences between these two, click here.
Spinach-Ricotta Gnocchis flavored with Cinnamon and Nutmeg, served with Marinara sauce:
This recipe is from an old "The Good Housekeeping" magazine, loved the taste and makes a substantial meal for the family. You can use any Spaghetti sauce you have at hand to serve with these with or you can make your own. Hope you try.
How to make them:
You need:
1 10oz pack of frozen chopped Spinach,
2 tbsp + 2 tbsp butter,
3/4 cup Ricotta cheese,
1 small onion, minced,
2 Eggs,
3/4 cup all purpose flour + 1/4 cup flour,
1/3 cup Parmesan cheese + 2 tbsp Parmesan cheese,
1/2 tsp Salt,
1/2 tsp freshly ground Pepper,
1/2 tsp Cinnamon,
1/4 tsp Nutmeg pd.
To make them:
1. Heat 2 tbsp butter in a pan, add minced onion, saute for a minute. Add in thawed, squeezed dry Spinach, ricotta, stir fry for 5 mins. Turn off the heat.
2. When cooled slightly, add eggs, 3/4 cup flour, 1/3 cup Parmesan, salt, pepper, cinnamon, Nutmeg pd,mix well. Cover and chill in the fridge for 1/2 an hour.
3. Fill a wide mouthed pan with water, bring it to a rolling boil. Sprinkle 1/4 cup flour on the counter. Take out the spinach bowl, with floured hands,make a make sized oval shape,coat them lightly with flour and keep them on a plate.Repeat.
4. Carefully add 6-7 Gnocchis into the boring water, cook them until they are puffed and they float on top of the water or about 6-7 mins. Take them out, drain on paper towel.Repeat with all others until done.
5. Heat 2 tbsp Butter in a non-stick pan, add all the cooled Gnocchis, stir them until they are slightly golden allover. Take them out on a plate, sprinkle 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese on top.
6. Serve with Marinara sauce sprinkled with some more Parmesan cheese!
Enjoy!:))
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5 Qs MeMe:
Raks from Rak's kitchen and Latha N from "The YUM blog" tagged me for the "5 questions" Meme, thanks to both of you. Here I go with my answers!!:)
1. How long have you been blogging?
Since June 2006 at FH and Jan 2007 at Aroma! That would be almost 1 1/2 years of non-stop blogging until recently!! Phew!!:D
2. What inspired you to start a blog and who are your mentors?
I chanced upon foodie blogs while surfing for some recipes one fine day. I was amazed to see there are blogs for cooking with step by step photos which made me deliriously happy!! That got me thinking that I should start my own as well.I pestered Arvind to get me started since I was not familiar at all with blogging at that time. so it started!!
No mentors as such but certainly love Sailu's blog. It's so wonderful to see so many traditional dishes over there with absolutely no frills attached! She inspires me.
3. Are you trying to make money online or are you doing it for fun?
Blogging is pure fun for me!!! Both my blogs are 100% "making money" free!!:D
4. What three things do you love about being online?
first, I love blogging and commenting although it does take considerable time out of my day, specially mornings!!
Secondly, I love the blog friends I have made over the years and love to be part of their blog lives and enjoy their culinary skills too.
Last but not least, love looking at the photos and reading about so many different cuisines around the World and absolutely fascinated by it all!
5. What three things do you struggle with online?
Time it takes to comment during weekdays in 60+blogs EVERY SINGLE DAY!!!
Although I say "no commenting on weekends" to myself, I can't stop myself checking in anyway if I have time during weekends!:P
Blogging is terribly addictive!! I would like to make some changes to my routine in 2008 and visit only my regular readers' blogs instead of blindly going to every blog which I have blog rolled since 2006 even though some almost never visit me!!:D
That's it!! I will refrain from tagging this time.If anybody would like take this up, you are most welcome!:))
December 22, 2007
SPINACH-RICOTTA-PARMESAN-CINNAMON GNOCCHI!
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53 comments:
Love the gnocchis.. I thought gnocchi making is very time consuming, but I guess not. Love to try these. Enjoyed reading ur meme. Have a great weekend and happy holidays to you and your family.
Asha, thanks for those lovely gnocchis...have put them on my ' to be tried ' list :-)
Wow, what an amazing recipe, can we make that without adding eggs to it?
wow this seems like an exotic entry! happy new year, Asha.
Wow! You've really gone fusion for this one, haven't you!
Hi Pavani, Gnocchis are relatively easy to make, just few extra steps like boiling and then sauteing. Hope you try. Happy holidays to you too!:))
Hopeyou do try Sunita. I made it for dinner actually, tasted great. Kids loved it too. Enjoy!:)
Good to see you Lata!:)
Yes, you can. Add a little corn starch to bind them, otherwise they might fall apart when boiling. Happy Holidays.
Thanks Nags. Just an Italian dish, I added Cinnamon for extra flavor. Nutmeg and Spinach are classic combo. Try it!:))
Except Cinnamon, it's an authentic Italian dish sra. Nutmeg and Cinnamon makes them smell so good. Give it a try if you can find Ricotta there! Just came back from grocery shopping. Thinking of menu for Christmas, got the Honey baked Ham already!:)
thnks for bringing out the diff. between cinnamon and cassava...someone had mentioned about using one against another and i was kinda confused..but lazy to look it up ;)...the 5 things was a fun read ....
Cinnamon which we use in America is sweet, to use in desserts and totally different from Dalchini(Cinnamon) we use in India or in spicy Indian gravies!! We can't interchange them in the dishes as in desserts and spicy dishes. Glad you read it.
Happy holidays!:))
never had these dear.. love your meme
Happy hols to u and your family asha :)
Nice meme dear! And congrats on your 100th post in Aroma! Though I do have a lot of free time, It is only 5 to 10 minutes at one go! :D By the time I switch on the computer, something comes up and just have to leave! I feel I am missing something, not visiting blogs to comment! Lax somehow manages to post what I type and pictures I upload in flat 10 minutes! :) Until feb 10th it will be slow from my side!
Hi Asha! Gnocchi is new to me. Great entry and nice meme.
Gnocchi is new to me...but with all those ingredients in it..sure must be delicious.Good info for me about the 2 types of cinnamon. Happy holidays to you :)
Delish gnocchis! Ashakka, sorry, i haven't been in touch lately. Hope that you are having a wonderful time for the holidays. Wish you a warm, lovely and joyous holidays season.
hugs and love,
musical.
Thankyou for answering the MEME 5Qs.! Glad to know you more through these Qs
Hi Kalva, hope you try this new dish, they taste divine. Merry Christmas!:)
You too Rajitha, have fun. I have one more post and then I will be gone until 1st!:))
Thanks Latha. I just wanted to let you know that I did your tag!:)
Take it easy, I know your father is with you now. We all have few days of holiday here, so most of us are not blogging anyway. Just relax and have a great time with your dad. I will be gone until 1st too. I have one more post here for you to publish for AFAM and a MW gravy.See you. Happy 2008!:))
Vijaya, hope you try. Really tastes great. You can add few red chilli flakes for spice too.Have a fun holiday, see you later!!:))
Pravs, give it a try this weekend, you will love it! Happy holidays, have fun!:))
Hi Musie, I haven't been blogging for 3 weeks too, so you didn't miss much. I know it's busy time for all of us, so take your time. I will be off again until 1st too, see you after that. Hugs to you. Happy new year!:))
You are welcome Raks.I still have two more MeMes to do, but don't have time right now!!:D
See you later!:))
I did not know that there were 2 kinds of cinnamon. I think this is one of my least fav spices. You have used it well here:-)
Your meme was a fun read.
Happy holidays to you and the family, Asha. :-)
That curly one is sweet tbc, can't use it in the spicy Indian but smells so good in American desserts like muffin and cakes. Try it. Dalchini is the one we use it for whole Garam masala. You too have a great time, we get to relax for few days anyway!:))
looks lovely Ashakka!!! What plans for the holidays?? anything planned?
Thanks Ramya. Arvind is on call, so we are not going anywhere for sure. Yes, a feast is planned for 25th and a cake is planned to welcome 2008!!:D
Trisha has some volunteering hours to do during the week, I will be driving her back and forth and relaxing rest of the time. See you later, I will be commenting and blogging until Monday!:))
Wow, that is a great recipe... I love gnocchi, will try this sometime.
Merry Christmas Asha... Are you going to make a big feast?
I am a freelance writer in Mumbai and currently exploring writings on Indian food blogs and different stuff that they write / discuss.
Would appreciate if you could answer the following questions for me.
1. What new flavors, recipes have you tried or noticed in the recent past?
2. What experiments have you tried? Any fusion foods?
3. Which of these have worked and why?
4. What new trends / changes do you see in everyday cooking and why?
5. What new food products would you like to buy to make everyday cooking easier and fun?
You may also mail your response to tasteofindia2008@gmail.com
Hi Sig, good to see you. Hope you are getting ready for X-Mas meal!:)
I know we Hindus don't celebrate Christmas officially but yeah, I do cook something special. I have planned Honey baked Ham, garlic-Parsley butter Potatoes, Coleslaw, and Panettone for dessert.I will post a photo, but no post as such. Taking a break until the 1st!:)
Have a great time Sig. Arvind is on call unfortunately but will come home for lunch tomorrow!:)
Hi Anonymous, glad to see your questions but wrong time to ask on Christmas eve!! HeHe!!
I will answer these when I can, probably after the 1st 2008 thru'
e mail to you but it takes time though. We are all very busy around this time.Hope that's okay.
Happy new year and enjoy. I will
e mail you later, thanks!:))
Hi Ashaji,
Loved the gnocchis...looks fresh and green..
Enjoyed your meme....its correct.. like before the involvement got reduced..but i always wondered at you...How Ashaji is able to maintain this strength of visiting and posting long one..
HAPPY HOLIDAYS.
Hello Usha, thanks, hope you try.It's tasty and healthy too.
I am getting tired too, have been blogging for so long and posting for every single event!:D
From next year, I will take frequent breaks and blog a little less than now.It's good for me, kids will be happier seeing me less on the PC too. Take care. I will see you on the first.I have to post for AFAM, after that I will be back on 1st or 2nd!:))
Gnocchis look really good asha.. I'm sure that the spinach and ricotta kick up the plain potato ones. Nice to read your meme too ! :)
Just had lunch, but this is so good looking!!! And if you make puttu and appams, pl send some to me! :))
Merry Christmas to you and family!
yummy gnocchis! unique and simple recipe :D
They are Laavanya, lot better than the plain potatoes, give it a try. I just started cooking for X-Mas feast!:))
J, so glad you announced RCI-Kerala. Of course, I will send them all to you virtually!:D
Never made Puttu before, I am excited and hope it comes right. Have fun, see you next year!:)
Lissie, it is really simple, little work but but it's not hard at all. Enjoy, thanks!:))
wonderful recipe asha ji very new recipe to me love the combo of ingredients looks yummy
Lovely gnocchi's and you are so very right about blogging getting quite addictive!!!
Seasons greetings to you and your family!
Sagari, it's very traditional Italian recipe, ope you try. Very tasty dish. Enjoy, happy new year!!:))
Thanks Rachel. It is addictive and I am going to be trying very hard in the newvyear not to be!:D
Enjoy new year!:)
Hi hi Asha did you say blogging is addictive.
I totally agree. I am on a break from it till the begning of january but coudn't resisit to take a peak to see what you have blogged recently.
I love the gnocchi. I can just taste them looking at the pic.
HeHe!! F, I am on "break" too until 1st and then I peeked in to your blog as well! We never learn to relax, do we? :p
Great to see you. We had a great time on Christmas although Arvind was on call. Baking and cooking something for new year post this week.
Trisha and I went to the movie "Sweeney Todd" today, loved it. Kids are going back to school on the 3rd, have a dental appointment for Tushar tomorrow. He has braces ion his teeth!:)
See you next week, happy 2008.
Hi Asha!
I love your blog, it is alaways wonderful inspiration. Cinnamon is my lovely, dayli spicy.
And today I'm going to prepare spinach. I never thought about cinnamon with spinach.
I'll be try.
Thanks!
Good you was tagged.
You put little about yourself. That is interesting.
My mom in Poland started blogging(she is 78). She likes to cooks, bakes and she tries to write about it.
Can I put your blog at her blog?
She needs inspiration.
Here is my mom blog:
http://maria-pogaduszki.blogspot.com/
Thanks Asha!!!
Shyama want to see sweeny tod but she checked the movie hall and it is only coming here in the begning of february to her frustruation.
She loves all the timburton movies.
Now I am not going to come back and take a peek. See in after the first week of January
Hi Krystyna, thanks. I love cinnamon too. Good that your mom has blog too, I will check it out. Happy new year!:)
Are you sure you are not going peek again F? ;D
Have a great time, I will post on the 1st at FH and here but check it whenever you can. Hugs, see you then!:)
Tell S "Sweeney Todd" is really good, not to miss it when it's on.
What's not love about those gnocchi?
True!! Delicious and nutritious too. Happy new year Susan!:))
Loved the Gnocchis! Nice post & A Big Big Congrats on your 100th post.Way to go.. your a great friend & Blogger many of us have. We all love you & appreciate the time you take in leaving a sweet comment for all our posts! Thanks Asha for all you do! You truely are a super women!!
Wishing You & Your Family A Very Happy New Year.
Asha, thanks for explaining types of cinnamoms. I love spinach, and love ricotta, gnocchi is a perfect way to put them together.
I always stay away money-making bloggers, am allergic to them :) :)
Thank you very much Seema, you made my day!:))
I am privileged to know all of you too, have a great new year. See you after the 1st!:))
Haha!! Gattina, I am allergic to some bloggers too and will try to stay away from them in 2008!:D
Thanks for being a friend Gattina, see you next year. Hugs!:))
I love the gnocchi and the meme! I don't know how you've kept up with all your blog reading and running your own two blogs, but I sure do appreciate it! See ya in 2008! : D
It is hard to keep up Anali, specially commenting in so many blogs. There will be change of plans this year in that dept!:D
Thank you, happy new year to you too. I will see you later!:))
I am drooling over your gnocchi !! I always tought that this is for experts only with the help of ur recipe n description i guess i could try them. And can i get back to you for any help that i need ?
These are very nutritious. I am thinking it will be great snack for school for my kids. Thanks for sharing. I have so many recipes in my pile to try, that i just dont seem to find much time. Waiting for my kids to get a little older, when they can help me out in the kitchen rather an mess up :). Thanks for sharing.
Archana
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