I decided to try something new this time! This is actually an original recipe of my own making - and I think that it turned out pretty well. If you want to make this dish healthier, substitute the gnocchi with a whole wheat pasta such as farfalle or orecchiette.
Ingredients:
Topping:
- 2 - 3 cups baby kale
- 1/2 onion
- 1 medium fuji or honey crisp apple
- 7 oz chicken sausage, casings removed
- 1/2 Tablespoon butter
- 1 Teaspoon brown sugar
- 3 Tablespoons olive oil
Gnocchi:
- 8 oz packaged or fresh gnocchi
- 2 Tablespoons olive oil or butter
- basil pesto
Tools:
- Small saucepan
- large skillet with cover
- small frying pan
- spatula
- slotted wooden spoon
- cutting board
- large knife
- strainer
Directions:
1. Prep your vegetables and fruit, remove sausage casings
If your sausage came in a casing, don't worry; you can simply slide the tip of a sharp knife into the casing, and pull the rest off with your hands. Discard the casing, and put the sausage on a plate. Prep your veggies by peeling your onion, then cutting it in slices lengthwise. Dice your apple into bite-size pieces.
2. Caramelize your onions
Caramelizing onions sounds hard, but it really isn't. First, heat your pan to medium-high heat, and put one tablespoon of olive oil into your small frying pan. Then, put in your onions, and stir them until they look soft and slightly brown. After about 5 minutes, add your 1 teaspoon of brown sugar to help with the caramelization, and 2 teaspoons of water to keep the onions from sticking to the pan. You may also add more olive oil if your onions are sticking. You may need to turn your burner down to medium heat. Stir some more, until the onions look slightly limp and brown. Then, stir occasionally for about 15 more minutes. Some say to wait for at least 30 minutes for your onions to caramelize, but I only cooked mine for about 20 and they were fine.
3. Cook your sausage
While your onions are caramelizing, you can cook your sausage. Heat the large skillet to medium-high heat, and pour 1 tablespoon of olive oil into your pan, then add your sausage. Chop your sausage into smaller pieces while it's cooking using the edge of the wooden spoon. Remember to stir your onions. Once the sausage is cooked through, and slightly brown and crispy transfer it to a large bowl. If your onions are done, you can transfer those to the bowl as well; cover it with a paper towel to keep it warm.
4. Boil water for gnocchi
At this point, you may want to start boiling the water for your gnocchi. Add about 3 cups of water to your small saucepan, and boil over high heat.
5. Cook the kale and apples
While your water is boiling, heat the skillet to medium heat, and pour in 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Heat the oil until it's shimmering, then add your kale and apples. Stir for 1 minute, then cover for 5 minutes or until the apple are soft and the kale is wilted. Add the mixture to the bowl with the sausage and onions.
6. Fry your Gnocchi
At this point, your water should be boiling. Cook the gnocchi according to the directions on the package. Once it's cooked, strain the water out. Heat the skillet back up to medium heat, and pour in the two tablespoons of olive oil or butter (butter gives a better flavor, but olive oil is healthier). Once the oil is shimmering or the butter is melted, pour the gnocchi into the skillet. Fry undisturbed for 3 minutes, or until the gnocchi is crisp and golden brown on one side. Flip the gnocchi and cook on the other side. Once done, pour it into a bowl.
7. Toss your gnocchi with pesto toss the toppings
Spoon about 3 tablespoons of the basil pesto into the bowl with the gnocchi, then mix well. Uncover the sausage, onion, kale, and apple, and mix well.
8. Serve!
Spoon your toppings over your gnocchi, and serve!
As always, if you made this dish, let me know how it turned out! You can comment below or tag or hashtag me at kitchen512 on Instagram or Twitter. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at eatsatkitchen512@gmail.com.
Happy Eating!
-Tiffany
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