Homemade Gnocchi w/ Peas and Bacon

Growing up, I was the oldest of 4 children, my great-grandmother lived with us, and we ALWAYS had a friend or two hanging about.  It was nothing for my dad to use an entire 5 pound bag of potatoes when making mashed potatoes for dinner.  I think that's why I ALWAYS make too much.  You see, going from recipes for 6+ people to two can be tricky, but over the years I'm definitely getting better with that.  However, there always seem to be leftovers and you know as well as I do, left over mashed potatoes aren't great.  So, I had to come up with creative ways to use the excess.  That is how these delicious Homemade Gnocchi with Peas & Bacon were BORN!
I thought to myself "If you usually baked potatoes for gnocchi, why couldn't I used my leftover mashed?"  It's so simple and I can't wait to show you how I did it!

Let's get started!


Homemade Gnocchi w/ Peas & Bacon:
*Prep Time: 20 min  *Cook Time: 10 min  *Difficulty:  Easy  *Servings:  4-6

Ingredients:

• 4 c. of prepared Mashed Potatoes
• 2 c. Frozen Peas
• 1 c. All Purpose Flour
• 2 cups of diced Ham or Bacon
• 1 Onion, diced
• 1 Egg
• Basil
• Parmesan Cheese
• Salt and Pepper to taste

To get things rolling, you will want to place a large pot of water on the stove to boil.  Be sure to add some salt to the water.  

Next, place the leftover mashed potatoes on a board or in a mixing bowl.
Make a little well in the middle if the potatoes.

To the well add HALF of the flour.

Knead the flour into the potatoes.
I fold it in with a bench scraper, but you can do it with a spoon or spatula in a bowl.

Make another well and add the egg.

Using a fork, gently beat the egg.

And again, use your bench scraper and fold the egg into the potato mixture.

It will look a little something like this and will be slightly wet and sticky.

Add the other half of the flour and fold it into the dough.

This is what the final product will look like.

Now throw a little flower onto your board.

Cut the gnocchi dough into 4 equal parts.

Then, channel your inner child, and make "snakes" with the dough.

Once you have the "snakes" made, cut each one into 1 inch pieces.

Then, roll them down the backside of a fork.
Yes, you can go to your local kitchen store and get and ACTUAL gnocchi board to do this, but a simple kitchen fork will do the trick so why bother?

As you get them finished place them on a floured baking sheet.

Next place a skillet over medium/high heat and add a little butter.
Maybe 2 tbsp.

To the hot skillet add the onions and let them cook till they are soft and translucent.

While the onions are softening, add HALF of the the homemade gnocchi to the boiling water.
I usually freeze the left for later.

To the onions you can add the bacon or, in this case, ham.
(Hey, what can I say, I had A LOT of leftover ham.)

Once the bacon is crispy or the ham is heated through, add the peas.

Move everything to the sides of the pan.

By this time the gnocchi will be done.
Since it's fresh gnocchi it only takes a few minutes to cook.
You will know it's ready when the gnocchi floats to the top of the pot.

Add the cooked gnocchi to the pan.
**My cast iron is very well seasoned.  I can fry and egg with very little oil in it.  HOWEVER, if yours is not quite there yet, I recommend using a non-stick skillet or adding a little extra oil before adding the gnocchi.***

Season with salt and pepper and gently toss until the gnocchi becomes slightly seared on the outside.

Do you see those yummy, crispy bits?  Oh yeah!
I like to top this with a little grated Parmesan cheese and fresh basil.
It is the PERFECT weeknight meal and I KNOW you, your friends, and your family will LOVE it!
Looking at these pics I know that it SEEMS like a lot of work for one meal, but keep in mind, you can make these in advance freeze them, and cook them when you need them.  So get in the kitchen and transform those leftovers into something AMAZING tonight!  You will be so glad you did!

And as always...

Happy Reading, Happy Eating, and Happy Living,
~The Kitchen Wife~