Pesto
2 cloves garlic, peeled and pressed
1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted
1 1/2 cups arugula leaves, well rinsed and towel-dried
1 1/2 packed cups fresh spinach leaves, well rinsed and towel-dried
1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Gnocchi
1 cup semolina flour
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chives
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh sage
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh chervil
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh fennel leaves
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 pound whole-milk ricotta cheese, drained
Olive oil, for tossing gnocchi
12 lemon gem marigolds
1. Make the pesto: With the motor running, drop the garlic through the feed
tube of a food processor to mince. Add the pine nuts, arugula, spinach, and
Parmesan and pulse until the greens are finely chopped. With the motor running,
gradually add the oil to make a thick paste. Season with salt and pepper.
Transfer to a small bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. (The pesto can be
made up to 2 hours ahead and kept at room temperature.)
2. Make the gnocchi: Place the semolina, chives, sage, chervil, fennel, salt,
nutmeg, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to combine.
Transfer to a medium bowl and, with your hands, blend in the ricotta. Flour
your hands and knead the dough in the bowl until all the ingredients cling
together. The dough will be sticky, but do not add more flour or the gnocchi
will be heavy.
3. Line a baking sheet with waxed paper and dust with flour. Place about 1/3
cup of dough at a time on a lightly floured work surface and roll it underneath
your palms to make a 1/2-inch-thick rope. Cut the rope into 3/4-inch-long
pieces. Using the tines of a fork, press an indentation into each piece and
place the gnocchi on the baking sheet. Repeat until all the dough is used.
4. Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the gnocchi and cook
until they rise to the surface. Boil for 30 seconds, until the gnocchi are set
but tender. Drain well. (The gnocchi can be made up to 4 hours ahead, rinsed
under cold water and drained well.) Toss the gnocchi with olive oil and store
at room temperature. To reheat, cook in a large nonstick skillet over low heat,
or drop into boiling water to warm. Toss the hot gnocchi with the pesto,
garnish with marigolds, and serve immediately.
The Complete Kitchen Garden
Text copyright © 2011 Ellen Ecker Ogden