Creamy Gnocchi with Sweet Pumpkin Soup
Simple Creamy Gnocchi and Sweet Pumpkin Soup
Using potatoes and pumpkin from the pantry, I made a simple yet delightful dish. It’s perfect as a light and special meal when you’re not in the mood for rice. The combination of tender gnocchi in a rich cream sauce and the sweet, velvety pumpkin soup makes for a comforting and delicious experience. ♡
Gnocchi Ingredients
- 2 medium potatoes
- 100g all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp salt
- 50g grated Parmesan cheese
- 25g butter (for gnocchi dough)
Cream Sauce Ingredients
- 1 tbsp butter (for roux)
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (for roux)
- 100ml milk
- 1 slice cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (or to taste)
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of salt
- 1 tbsp butter (for roux)
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour (for roux)
- 100ml milk
- 1 slice cheddar cheese
- 2 tbsp grated Parmesan cheese (or to taste)
- Pinch of black pepper
- Pinch of salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To start making the gnocchi, thoroughly wash the potatoes. Cut them in half without peeling.
Step 2
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Place the halved potatoes inside and cook for about 30 minutes, or until they are completely tender when pierced with a fork. It’s crucial that the potatoes are very soft; undercooked potatoes will be difficult to mash and can result in a gummy gnocchi dough. If you don’t have an air fryer, you can steam them thoroughly in a steamer basket or boil them until very soft. Alternatively, microwave them until tender. (Tip: If steaming, try to minimize surface moisture on the potatoes before mashing for a better dough consistency.)
Step 3
Once the potatoes are cooked and soft, peel them while they are still warm and mash them thoroughly. In a bowl with the mashed potatoes, add 100g of all-purpose flour, 2 tsp of salt, 50g of grated Parmesan cheese, and 25g of melted butter. Gently knead the mixture with your hands until a cohesive dough forms. Be careful not to over-knead, as this can make the gnocchi tough.
Step 4
Roll the dough into long ropes, about 1.5 cm (about 0.6 inches) thick. Cut the ropes into bite-sized pieces. You can create ridges on the gnocchi by gently rolling them over the tines of a fork or a gnocchi board; this helps the sauce cling better. Heat a generous amount of vegetable oil in a pan over medium-low heat and pan-fry the shaped gnocchi until golden brown and slightly crisp on all sides.
Step 5
While the gnocchi are frying, let’s make the cream sauce. In a small saucepan, melt 1 tbsp of butter over low heat. Whisk in 1 tbsp of flour and cook for about 1 minute to create a roux. Gradually whisk in 100ml of milk until the sauce is smooth and lump-free. Stir in 1 slice of cheddar cheese and 2 tbsp of grated Parmesan cheese until melted. Season with a pinch of pepper and salt to taste. Once the gnocchi are golden, add them to the cream sauce and toss to coat. Your creamy gnocchi is ready!
Step 6
Now, let’s prepare the pumpkin soup. For the soup, prepare the pumpkin by removing the skin and seeds, then cut it into manageable pieces. Finely slice the 1/4 onion; we’ll be sautéing this for the soup.
Step 7
Steam the pumpkin pieces until they are very tender, or microwave them until soft enough to easily peel. Once cooked and peeled, place the pumpkin pieces into a pot.
Step 8
In a separate pan, melt 1 tbsp of butter over low heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté slowly until it becomes translucent and sweet. Continue cooking for about 10-15 minutes, allowing the onions to caramelize deeply. This slow cooking process will add a wonderful depth of flavor to the soup.
Step 9
Add the caramelized onions to the pot with the cooked pumpkin. Pour in 100ml of milk. Stir everything together and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally.
Step 10
Once the soup has thickened slightly and all ingredients are well-cooked, stir in 1 slice of cheddar cheese until melted. This adds richness and a lovely color. Season with salt and pepper to your liking. Your delicious pumpkin soup is complete.
Step 11
Finally, plate your creamy gnocchi and pumpkin soup attractively. A sprinkle of dried parsley can add a nice visual touch. Enjoy this simple yet elegant meal! ♡
