CREAMY GNOCCHI WITH VODKA SAUCE & BUFFALO BOCCONCINI

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons butter

• 1 shallot, very finely chopped

• 3 cloves garlic, very finely chopped

• Pinch of salt

• 3/4 cup tomato paste

• 1/4 cup vodka

• 1 cup stock (vegetable or chicken is fine)

• 1 cup thickened cream

• 500g packet gnocchi (fresh or not is fine)

• Handful fresh basil leaves

• Cracked black pepper
  
  To serve:
  Buffalo bocconcini balls. You can also use grated parmesan, fresh ricotta, buffalo mozzarella or burrata.

Method:

1. Place a large frying pan onto medium heat. Add the butter and let it melt over 1-2 minutes. Add the shallot, garlic and salt and cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes (watch it doesn’t colour too much). Add the tomato paste and stir through. Then add the vodka and incorporate into the sauce. It should just be bubbling (so the alcohol cooks out). Add the stock after 2 minutes and turn the heat down to a gentle simmer and cook for 10 minutes.

2. Cook the gnocchi – check the packet for fresh or not. Best to slightly undercook it, as it will continue cooking in the sauce. Drain and set aside.

3. Add the gnocchi to the sauce and gently stir it through the sauce. Add fresh basil and pepper. Turn off the heat.

4. Serve into bowls and top with your cheese of choice. The creamier the better!!!!