Caramelized Gnocchi with Cherry Tomatoes
Crisp caramelized gnocchi with burst cherry tomatoes and melty mozzarella.
vegetarianmain
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 16 ozcherry tomatoes
- 1 cuppacked fresh basil leaves, chopped
- 2 tbspolive oil
- 2 cloveof fresh garlic, thinly sliced
- ½ tspsugar
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tbspbutter
- 3 tbspolive oil
- 1 lbpotato gnocchi
- 112 or 16-oz tub marinated baby mozzarella, drained*
- Begin by chopping the tomatoes in half
Instructions
- Pour 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a medium saucepan and set to medium heat. Slice the garlic thinly. When the oil is hot, add the garlic and saute until it has started to brown lightly, about 1 minute. Add the halved tomatoes (and any juice) and cook for 2 minutes.
- Add most of the basil, reserving a few tablespoons to garnish with.
- Add the sugar and season to taste with salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil, then turn the heat all the way down to low.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, add the butter and 3 tablespoons of olive oil and turn the heat to medium. When the butter is melted and the oil is hot, add all the gnocchi. Stir with a wooden spoon to cover them with oil, then spread them out evenly so they are in one layer. Season with salt and pepper. Set a timer for 5 minutes and do not stir. You want the gnocchi to caramelize and get nice and brown. After 5 or 6 minutes (whenever they have browned), use a wooden spoon or spatula to flip each gnocchi to brown the other side. Cook for another 3-5 minutes until browned, stirring again if necessary. Remove from heat.
- Turn off the burner with the tomatoes. Add the drained mozzarella balls and stir. You want to heat up the mozzarella without melting them too much--they should retain their shape. (If the tomatoes are too hot, wait).
- You can either add the fried gnocchi to the pan with the tomatoes, or spoon the gnocchi onto each plate and top with tomatoes and mozzarella.
Notes
- fresh basil, to garnish
- freshly grated parmesan, to serve (optional)
- Clean and de-stem the basil, then chop roughly