Parsnip gnocchi with walnut dressing

Name: Parsnip gnocchi with walnut dressing
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4

Main Serves 4 45 min

Boiled then baked, these cloud-like gnocchi are far quicker and easier to cook than you might imagine, and make a delightful vegetarian main course. The secret for getting them super-light is to use as little flour as you need. Eat with a sharp walnut dressing – or just with butter, salt and pepper – and a crisp salad.

Ingredients

450g parsnips, peeled and diced
450g waxy potatoes, peeled and diced
250g plain flour (pasta flour if you can get it), and more if needed
pinch nutmeg, grated
1 egg
100g walnuts, toasted and roughly chopped
1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
4 tbsp olive oil
50g salad leaves or watercress
a few shavings of Parmesan or Pecorino
salt and pepper

Method

Prep time: 15 min

Cooking time: 30 min

Step 1
Boil the parsnips and potatoes in salted water for 10-12 minutes, until just tender. Drain, mash well and leave to cool. Mix in a bowl with the flour and nutmeg. Season.
Step 2
Break the egg into the bowl. Bring together with your hands, kneading into a dough, adding a little more flour if needed. It should be light, pillowy and not too wet - don't over-knead. Divide into 4.
Step 3
On a lightly floured work surface, roll and shape the pieces with the flat of your hands into sausage shapes 2cm in diameter. Cut into 2cm lengths.
Step 4
Roll into balls and press with the tines of a fork to make a traditional gnocchi pattern.
Step 5
Boil for 3-4 minutes in salted water, until they rise to the top. Drain. Place pattern-side up on a baking tray and grill until lightly browned.
Step 6
To make the dressing, gently warm the walnuts, vinegar, oil and leaves in a pan until the leaves are just wilted. Pour over the gnocchi and top with shavings of Parmesan