Spinach and ricotta gnocchi

Method

• step 1

  Put the ricotta in a fine sieve and leave over a bowl in the fridge overnight to drain.

• step 2

  Put the spinach in large pan over a medium heat with a splash of water and lots of seasoning. Stir until completely soft and wilted. It will take a while to get started but keep stirring – it will eventually wilt down to a couple of handfuls. Drain in a sieve, pushing out as much water as you can, then cool. Tip onto a clean tea towel and squeeze over a sink to again get as much water out as possible. Don’t skip this step –dry spinach is vital to the success of the gnocchi. Tip onto a board and chop well.

• step 3

  Put the drained ricotta in a bowl with the parmesan and beat together. Stir in the spinach, lemon zest, nutmeg, egg and flour. Season well, taste a pinch of the mix and season again, if needed.

• step 4

  Very lightly dampen your hands, then scoop out large teaspoons of the mix and roll into walnut-sized balls (you should be able to make 48-50). Line up on 1 or 2 baking-paper-lined trays and put in the fridge for 30 minutes.

• step 5

  Heat the butter and olive oil in a large, wide frying pan then add the sage leaves. Cook until crisp, then fish out the leaves and drain on kitchen paper.

• step 6

  Heat a large pan with salted water, bring to the boil, then turn down to a simmer. Drop in the gnocchi and cook for 3-4 minutes or until they bob to the surface. You can do this in batches and, as they come to the surface, scoop them out with a slotted spoon and add to the butter pan to keep warm. Serve the gnocchi in warm bowls with the crisp sage leaves and browned butter.