Béchamel sauce is, perhaps, one of the most comforting. It, therefore, seemed only right that it was the sauce chosen to envelope my beautifully light, but heartwarming pillows of homemade gnocchi. My recipe for Béchamel Gnocchi Bake must be one of the most satisfying of my collection. As you spoon it into your bowl, it almost demands that take just one more – you greedy thing.
Gnocchi. Italian dumplings made simply with potato, flour and egg; quick and rather more exciting than the penne you were about to reach for. But how to make gnocchi? Don’t worry, it’s about as simple as Italian food gets.
Ribollita is a well-known Tuscan soup, entwined with the history of Italian peasants of the Middle Ages. Literally ‘reboiled’, original ribollita recipes would have consisted of a reheated minestrone, imbued with stale bread for sustenance and bulk. What you’re looking at is frugal Italian cuisine at its origins.
We’re through the woods; spring has well and truly sprung. A cursory glance through the window to my left yields sunshine aplenty, the light blue of the sky etched temporarily onto my retina. Celebrating the best of the winter remnants and the lighter dishes brought by the oncoming spring, my recipe for Cavolo Nero with Pasta and Almonds makes an excellent addition to any early year repertoire.
Winter is all about simple, comfort eating. But that doesn’t mean every meal should be a stew. Tagliatelle Primavera (literally ‘spring’, but we’ll ignore that bit) is a simple, one-pot pasta dish, perfect for the early year. Weekends especially.