Potato gnocchi with Alsace bacon, mushrooms & truffle cream sauce.

Words Daniel Ridgeway | Photos Ridgeway Group

This dish is perfect for winter, it can be served with steak, roasts or by itself. To make it a hearty vegetarian meal, just leave out the bacon. I have simplified this recipe from how I make it in our venues to assist you at home.

Serves

6-8

Ingredients:

Gnocchi

  • 1kg Desiree potatoes, or any floury potato
  • 1 tsp Salt
  • 300g 00 flour
  • 1 large Free-range egg, beaten

 

Alsace bacon, mushrooms & truffle cream sauce

  • 500ml White wine
  • 1lt Thickened cream
  • 400g Alsace bacon or pancetta, diced into 1cm cubes
  • 400g Portabello mushrooms, sliced
  • 50ml Canola oil
  • 60g Truffle tapenade, can be bought at a delicatessen
  • 60g Grana parmesan, shaved
  • 200g Baby spinach
  • Salt to taste

    Method:

    Gnocchi

    • Boil the potatoes in plenty of water until tender. Drain and peel while still hot.
    • Sieve the potatoes onto a clean workbench or into a large bowl, using a potato ricer or food mill.
    • In a separate bowl, sprinkle salt over flour and mix well. Add beaten egg and half of the flour to the potatoes.
    • Knead, gradually adding more flour, until the mixture is soft, smooth and slightly sticky.
    • Divide the dough into quarters, shape into rolls about 3 centimetres in diameter, then cut into two centimetre pieces.
    • Bring five litres of water to the boil in a large saucepan.
    • Drop the gnocchi into the boiling water, not too many at a time.
    • After they rise to the surface, cook for a further 20 seconds.
    • Use a slotted spoon to remove from the pot. Place these aside to add to the sauce.
    • They can be kept in the refrigerator for a couple of days in advance if need be.

     

    Alsace bacon, mushrooms & truffle cream sauce

    • Place wine into a heavy based pot and reduce by half, add the cream and reduce by half again. Set aside.
    • Sauté the bacon and mushroom separately in a heavy based pan. Add the cream reduction, truffle tapenade and gnocchi, gently stir and bring to a simmer.
    • Now add in the shaved parmesan and spinach, this will thicken the sauce some more.
    • Keep simmering until it reaches the desired thickness, season with salt and serve.