Good Food can be Super Simple - Mushroom and Truffle Gnocchi

I recently posted a social media post about how easy it was to make pasta.  I got a few responses back from folks who basically wanted to know if I had lost my mind!!  That made me smile so big and even giggle at a couple of the private messages I received!!! 

I remember feeling the same way.  I thought making pasta was hard to do.  I don't know what happened from the time I was a young girl and made fresh pasta with my grandmother, up until the time I got married and had children and had to cook for them.  Somehow, making fresh pasta became a unicorn to me and I could not remember how to do it. 

To be quite honest, I was always in such a hurry because I was a young mom who worked full time, cleaned house, took care of the finances, laundry, etc.  So the story I told myself was that it was too hard, took too much time, I didn't have the right tools, space, etc., etc., etc.  You get where I am coming from right?  Yes, just excuses so I could continue to buy the pre-made store packages and feel good about it.  

That changed until one time when we were in Italy and I talked my husband into doing a cooking class in Tuscany.  Boy did the flashbulbs go off and my memories return!!!  We made 2 different types of Gnocchi that night and I loved every single second of it.  There was not a single Gnocchi left - nor was there any wine left!! 

Making Gnocchi is one of my favorite pasta's to make because it such a quick and simple pasta. My favorite is Ricotta Gnocchi just because I love all things cheese.  It is super simple and fun to do with little ones.  You don't need special tools other than a fork, a good surface to work on and some simple ingredients.  

However, if you are still terrified of making Gnocchi, here is a super delicious recipe for you to try that allows you to use fresh Gnocchi or a good store-bought brand.  Although this recipe calls for Mushroom and Truffle Gnocchi, any type of Gnocchi with this sauce will work, feel free to improvise.  Please let me know how you like it.  

Ingredients

Mushrooms
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 oz sliced crimini or baby bella mushroom
• salt and pepper

Gnocchi
• 16 oz package of mushroom and truffle gnocchi
• ½ cup chicken broth
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 cloves garlic minced
• ½ teaspoon Italian seasoning or Herbs from Provence
• ½ teaspoon smoked paprika or extra
• 5 oz fresh spinach
• ¼ teaspoon salt to style
• coarsely ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Prepare mushrooms
1. Warmth 1 tablespoon olive oil in a big, high-sided, heavy-bottomed skillet. Prepare sliced mushrooms (seasoned with salt and pepper), sprinkled with salt and pepper, on medium high heat for about 1 or 2 minutes, till browned and softened. Take away half of the cooked mushrooms from the skillet and put them on a plate.

Make creamy sauce
1. To the same skillet with the half of cooked mushrooms, add gnocchi, chicken broth, heavy cream, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, smoked paprika, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
2. Bring to a boil on medium high heat and stir all the things properly. Cover with lid and cook the gnocchi for about 5-6 minutes on medium high heat, careful to not let the sauce boil.
3. Add spinach, and continue cooking on medium high heat, stirring often for five minutes until the spinach wilts to your liking. Allow it to cook longer if you need a thicker sauce.
4. Season with extra salt, freshly coarse black pepper, and smoked paprika as you like.
5. Add back in the remaining half of the cooked mushrooms and stir together once again.

Serve with a little fresh grated parmesan on top and enjoy!!!