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Here’s a detailed step-by-step guide to making Gnocchi alla Sorrentina, a classic Italian dish from the Sorrento region known for its tender gnocchi and rich tomato and mozzarella sauce.
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina: A Step-by-Step Guide
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is a beloved traditional dish from Sorrento, Italy. This comforting meal combines pillowy gnocchi with a rich tomato sauce, fresh basil, and melted mozzarella cheese. It’s baked to perfection, resulting in a delightful dish that’s both heartwarming and satisfying. Here’s how to make it from scratch.
Ingredients:
- For the Gnocchi:
- 1 kg (2.2 lb) potatoes, preferably starchy
- 300 g (2 cups) all-purpose flour, more for dusting
- 1 large egg
- Salt, to taste
- For the Sauce:
- 800 g (28 oz) canned peeled tomatoes
- 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- Fresh basil leaves
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- For the Assembly:
- 200 g (7 oz) fresh mozzarella cheese, diced
- Fresh basil leaves
- Grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese
- Extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
Instructions:
Make the Gnocchi:
- Boil the potatoes: In a large pot, boil the potatoes with their skins on until tender (about 20-25 minutes). Once done, drain and let them cool just enough to handle, then peel.
- Make the dough: Mash the potatoes. Add the flour, egg, and a pinch of salt to the mashed potatoes. Knead until you have a smooth dough. Be careful not to overwork it, or the gnocchi will be tough.
- Shape the gnocchi: On a floured surface, roll portions of the dough into long “snakes” and cut them into 2 cm pieces. Optionally, roll each piece over a fork or gnocchi board to create ridges.
- Cook the gnocchi: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cook the gnocchi in batches, they are ready when they float to the surface. Remove with a slotted spoon and set aside.
Prepare the Tomato Sauce:
- In a saucepan, heat the olive oil and add the garlic cloves. Fry gently until golden.
- Add the peeled tomatoes, basil leaves, salt, and pepper. Crush the tomatoes with a spoon and simmer the sauce for about 20-30 minutes until it thickens.
Assemble and Bake:
- Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).
- In a baking dish, spread a layer of tomato sauce. Add a layer of gnocchi, followed by diced mozzarella, basil leaves, and a sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano.
- Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used up, finishing with a generous amount of cheese and a few basil leaves.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly golden.
Serving:
Serve your Gnocchi alla Sorrentina hot from the oven, garnished with fresh basil leaves and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil. Enjoy with a glass of Italian red wine for a truly authentic experience.
Gnocchi alla Sorrentina is a testament to the comfort and joy that Italian cuisine can bring to the table. The process of making gnocchi from scratch is deeply rewarding, and the end result is a dish full of flavors and textures that dance together in harmony. Enjoy the process and the delicious meal you’ve created!
Buon appetito!
Ingredients Calorie Breakdown
- For the Gnocchi:
- 1 kg Potatoes: Approximately 770 calories (77 calories per 100g)
- 300g All-purpose Flour: Approximately 1,080 calories (360 calories per 100g)
- 1 large Egg: Approximately 70 calories
- For the Sauce:
- 800g Canned Peeled Tomatoes: Approximately 136 calories (17 calories per 100g)
- 2 cloves Garlic: Approximately 9 calories
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil: Approximately 360 calories (120 calories per tbsp)
- For the Assembly:
- 200g Fresh Mozzarella Cheese: Approximately 600 calories (300 calories per 100g)
- Fresh Basil Leaves: Negligible calories
- Grated Parmigiano Reggiano: Approximately 431 calories for 100g (let’s say you use 50g, so 215.5 calories)
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil for drizzling: Approximately 120 calories (assuming 1 tbsp)
Total Calorie Calculation
Now, let’s add up the calories:
- Potatoes: 770 calories
- Flour: 1,080 calories
- Egg: 70 calories
- Canned Tomatoes: 136 calories
- Garlic: 9 calories
- Olive Oil (Sauce + Drizzling): 480 calories
- Mozzarella Cheese: 600 calories
- Parmigiano Reggiano Cheese: 215.5 calories
Total Calories in the Dish
Adding all these together gives us the total calorie count. I’ll calculate it now.
The total calorie content for the entire Gnocchi alla Sorrentina dish is approximately 3,360.5 calories. This is for the whole dish as described, and the actual count may vary slightly based on specific ingredient choices and quantities. Remember, if you’re serving multiple people, you’ll need to divide this total by the number of servings to get the calorie count per serving.
Buon Appetito!