Broccoli gnocchi
- Published: 6 Oct 22
- Updated: 21 Mar 24
Use both florets and stalks to make a rich broccoli pesto bolstered by super-savoury anchovies and basil. This speedy gnocchi dish will make you see broccoli in a new light.
Put any leftover pesto to delicious use in one of these recipe ideas.
- Serves 4
- Hands-on time 30 min
Ingredients
- 1 medium broccoli head
- Bunch basil
- 70g toasted chopped hazelnuts (see Easy Swaps)
- 80g parmesan or grana padano, finely grated, plus extra to serve
- Finely grated zest and juice 1 lemon
- 120ml olive oil
- 4 anchovy fillets in oil, chopped, plus 1 tbsp of the oil
- ½ red chilli, finely chopped, or 1 tsp chilli flakes
- 2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
- 500g pack gnocchi
Method
- Bring a pan of salted water to the boil. Meanwhile, chop the broccoli into small florets and finely dice the stalk.
- Add a third of the florets and a third of the chopped stalk to the water and boil for 2 minutes – this process (known as blanching) softens the vegetable without cooking it fully. Lift them out with a slotted spoon (keeping the pan of water gently simmering) and put in a blender or food processor with the basil (reserving a few leaves to garnish), nuts, cheese, half the lemon juice and a pinch of salt. Whizz, drizzling in the olive oil as you go, until combined into a coarse paste.
- Put the anchovies (and the tbsp of anchovy oil) in a frying pan over a medium heat. Fry for a few minutes until they dissolve into the oil, then add the chilli and cook for 30 seconds. Add the remaining broccoli stalk, fry for 1 minute, then add the remaining florets and cook for another minute. Stir in the lemon zest, then fry for a further 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring the pan of water back to a rolling boil by turning up the heat. Add the gnocchi and cook according to the packet instructions. Add the garlic to the broccoli followed by the remaining lemon juice – it should sizzle and steam.
- Drain the cooked gnocchi and add it to the broccoli. Toss gently to combine, then pour in the pesto and mix once more. Serve with extra cheese, the reserved basil leaves and a good twist of black pepper.
- Recipe from October 2022 Issue
Nutrition
- Calories
- 650kcals
- Fat
- 42.9g (8.5g saturated)
- Protein
- 18.8g
- Carbohydrates
- 44g (2.5g sugars)
- Fibre
- 6.1g
- Salt
- 1.9g
delicious. tips
Easy swaps: Use whatever nuts you have in the cupboard – pine nuts, almonds, cashews or walnuts work well. Just whizz them in the blender before making the pesto.
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Really simple and easy to make and tastes amazing. The lemon gives it a lovely zing and great way to eat broccoli
So glad to read!