• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Approaching Food

  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
      • Breads
      • Quick Breads
      • Breakfast Foods
    • Lunch
      • Salads I Have Known and Loved
      • Soups
      • Snacks
    • Dinner
      • Vegetarian Main Dishes
      • Vegetarian Side Dishes
    • Desserts
      • Cookies
      • Cakes
      • Pies
      • Preserves
      • Parfaits and Trifles
      • Ice Cream Treats
      • Desserts Not Otherwise Categorized
    • Drinks
  • Kitchen Encouragement
  • About Margaret van Velthuyzen
    • About Margaret van Velthuyzen
    • Work With Me
    • Disclosure Policy

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage

October 28, 2014 by Margaret 2 Comments

3Shares
Plated, and even better than it looks.

Plated, and even better than it looks.

Ok, so I’m lying in bed typing up this post and dreaming of the MOST delicious meal that I made yesterday: Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage. Doesn’t it sound all glamorously foodie-like? Well, it tastes even better!

A few years ago I went to Italy and I ate some gnocchi in brown butter, while sitting in a café in a village square in the shadow of the Dolomite mountains, and this dish reminds me of that. Brown butter is the bomb, baby! (Also alliteration. I’m a big fan of alliteration.) Gnocchi is one of those things that are actually extremely easy to make but look laborious.

Anyone remember that rice krispies commercial from years ago, where a mother is making rice krispie squares in a kitchen but it’s so easy that she’s actually relaxing, and then just before she heads out of the kitchen, she splashes some flour on her face and pretends to be exhausted from her labours? No? Just me, then. Well ANYWAY, this recipe is like that. Impressive, tasty, but surprisingly easy. It’s definitely going to be a repeat meal on my menu.

Pasta is not my forte, because I can never quite get the pillowy softness to the dough that I’m looking for, but this recipe come close. And one day, I WILL replicate the best gnocchi I ever ate: sitting in a café on the Isle of Murano in Venice, with more gnocchi than I could ever hope to eat in several meals, made by the mother of the owner of the establishment. That was one of the two best pasta meals I’ve ever had. The other was a lasagna dish made with from-scratch noodles, eaten in a very romantic trattoria in Venice proper. My date didn’t believe me when I said it was orgasmic. His loss. But I digress!

Try this (nearly orgasmic) gnocchi yourself, and impress your date!

How to form the pasta. Easy, right?

How to form the pasta. Easy, right?

Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Brown Butter and Sage

  • 2 sweet potatoes, medium sized
  • 1 egg
  • 2 1/2 c. flour
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • pinch nutmeg
  • dash of water
  • 1/2 c. butter
  • 1/3 c. chopped fresh sage
  • sprinkle of parmesan

Prick the sweet potatoes with a fork and pop into the microwave on a potato setting until done. Or bake in an oven. Whatever works for you. Then slice open and scoop the flesh into a mixer, mushing it up. Mix in an egg. Add in salt and nutmeg, and work in almost all of the flour, until you have a dough. If it’s too dry, add the dash of water until it’s pliable. On a floured surface, quarter the dough, and roll each quarter out into dough snakes, about an inch thick. Then cut off inch pieces, and press each piece with a fork. If you’re freezing the gnocchi, toss with extra flour and pop into a freezer bag. If you’re making the dish right away, cook in boiling water (I did it in two batches) until the gnocchi float to the top. Most recipes say 3-5 minutes, but I tend to cook my fresh pasta longer.

Looking rustic and ready to be boiled.

Looking rustic and ready to be boiled.

While the pasta is cooking, melt the butter (again, I did it in two batches) in a frying pan on high, until the butter melt, bubbles a bit, and turns brown. Don’t let it burn, though. It will be all brown-y and there will be brown flecks. Delicious brown flecks. With a slotted spoon, lift the gnocchi from the boiling water and place in the frying pan. The water from the gnocchi will cause the fat to splatter, so beware of that. Then toss the gnocchi with the butter until coated. There should be enough water clinging to the pasta that it becomes a sort of sauce when tossed together (the floury water combines with the fat to make this indescribably delicious butter sauce). Toss in the chopped fresh sage and toss again. Serve with a sprig of fresh sage and wait for the compliments to roll in.

Pro Tip: a swirl of olive oil in the salted water will help prevent the pasta from boiling over. I don’t know why, but there’s some scientific principle behind it. Trust me. Or google it. Whichever.

This is not the dish to make if you’re worried about your fat intake (I mean, it IS a butter sauce), but hey, moderation is key, and I’m all for low-fat if I can have this high-fat dish occasionally. Oh my gosh, I want more now! The DH had taken the leftovers last night and packed them for lunch. I wonder if there are any left for a midnight snack? Huh. Off to the kitchen, go I!

Total Last-Minute Midnight Edit: I forgot that I had said that I would talk about friendships in the non-profit sector in this post. I tend to blather on about my food associations and the recipe origins when I write up a recipe but I forgot to write about the recipe origins of this one. I got it from a friend whom I met when I was working in the non-profit sector. I no longer work in that sector, but I’ve found that the friends one makes there, especially in the smaller non-profits, tend to be pretty solid. Friendships formed in the trenches, as it were. Anyway, shout out to Nori! *hugs over the miles*

Next Post: Pioneer-Style Slow Cooker Apple Butter. And what I learned about my cooking style.

3Shares

Filed Under: Vegetarian Main Dishes, Vegetarian Side Dishes

You might also like:

Better-Than-Store-Bought Cranberry Sauce

5 easy, healthy, and delish preservative-free breakfast recipes!

5 Preservative-Free Breakfasts That Are Easier Than You Think

Chocolate Lava Cakes and The Importance of Mathematics

Previous Post: « Harvest Apple Crumble — Eat it Fast, It Won’t Last Long!
Next Post: Pioneer-Style Apple Butter and What I’ve Learned Writing This Blog »

Reader Interactions

Trackbacks

  1. Memories of Meals Past: Roasted Harvest Veggies | says:
    November 27, 2014 at 4:06 pm

    […] veggies, it did turn out yummy. I might double the sage next time (I still have a bunch left from this recipe), and maybe figure out another herb to add (I’m thinking thyme), but generally, […]

    Reply
  2. “What do you mean, there’s no more flour?” And other kitchen disasters. | says:
    January 27, 2015 at 5:30 am

    […] And then I went to mix the dry ingredients and realized I only had 1 c. of flour, and I needed 1 3/4 c. I looked around my kitchen, and nope, no flour and nothing to substitute.  So I cut the recipe in half. I took half the sugar, and popped it into a glass canister and added in the scraped vanilla pod to flavour it, and set it aside. And then I packed up half the browned butter into little containers and put that in the fridge for future uses. (Maybe some sweet potato gnocchi?) […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




I accept the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Visit Us On TwitterVisit Us On FacebookVisit Us On PinterestCheck Our FeedVisit Us On Instagram

Want fresh content delivered to your inbox?

Subscribe to my blog posts & get a FREE copy of my e-book "This for That: Easy Kitchen Swaps & Hacks." It's hot off the presses!

Recent Posts

  • Californian Chickpea Salad Wraps & Finding Balance in Motherhood
  • Shortcut Spanakopita Hand Pies & Eating Well as a Mum
  • Buttercream Truffle Bombs, How to Use Leftover Icing, and a Bonus (a Romantic Keto-Friendly Gift Idea)
  • My Mother’s Dutch Pea Soup, and Cooking for Baby
  • Chocolate PB Cookies (Two Ways) and This Year’s Christmas Baking

Follow me on Instagram!

approachingfood

Cook, baker, & chocolate eater! Love encouraging others to learn & experiment w/ preservative-free recipes! Subscribe: FREE E-BOOK!

approachingfood
Instagram post 18160838884285325 Instagram post 18160838884285325
*** NEW POST *** I'm back! With these 🥑Californ *** NEW POST *** I'm back! With these 🥑Californian Chickpea Salad Wraps🍊 that pack a hefty greens and protein punch, but with the brightness of mandarins and the creaminess of avocado! [Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]
.
.
.
#saladwrap #handheldlunch #saladforlunch #wrapsforlife #avocadolover #mandarins #citrus #chickpeapower #nutritionalyeast #recipeonrepeat #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity
Instagram post 17934201725605442 Instagram post 17934201725605442
Instagram post 18046527334380613 Instagram post 18046527334380613
Instagram post 17944539287260377 Instagram post 17944539287260377
You know, my kids kind of eat pretty well! Well, t You know, my kids kind of eat pretty well! Well, they're given yummy, nutritious food. Now if they would eat it all, that would be great! Until then, exposure, exposure, exposure is best practice, so food exposures it is!
Want a hearty meal to warm you up and fuel you? Th Want a hearty meal to warm you up and fuel you? This recipe for 🥣 My Mother's Dutch Pea Soup 🥣 is a winner! Studded with chunks of carrots, potatoes, and celery, this soup actually IMPROVES the next day! Leftovers for the win! [Recipe on the blog; link in bio.]
.
.
.
#wintersoup #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #preservativefree  # thickandhearty #peasoup #dutchfood #motherknowsbest #leftoversforlunch #ordinner #babyfoodtoo
Boost your immunity with this 🌞 sunshine-on-pla Boost your immunity with this 🌞 sunshine-on-plate salad! 🍊 Oranges and 🥕 carrots are all you need, and it makes a surprisingly delicious side dish. Great for the whole family, from babies eating finger foods to adults trying to get their fruits and veg in. [Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]
.
.
.
#immunity #boost #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #preservativefree  #sunshineonaplate #salad #saladsihaveknownandloved #vitaminc #eatyourcolors #delish
Short on time but craving cookies? Make one dough, Short on time but craving cookies? Make one dough, but two types of cookies! These buttery, crunchy 🍪 PB Cookies 🍪 are a snap to make, and so easy to pull together for a last-minute gift or dessert! [Recipe on the blog, link in bio!] 

Also, check out my cookie tin: I made sugar-topped spritz cookies, as well as Milano-style spritz chocolate sandwich cookies. One dough, two cookies is a huge time-saver!
.
.
.
#lastminutegifts #cookies🍪 #cookiesofinstagram #peanutbutter #chocolatechips #peanutbuttercups #cookonceeattwice #nomnomnom #christmasevebaking #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement
It's still PSL season, people! And this combo of p It's still PSL season, people! And this combo of pumpkin spice and 🧇WAFFLES🧇 is everything breakfast dreams are made of! Plus, they freeze and toast really well -- weekday mornings, I'm looking at you! [Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #psl #pumpkinspice #waffles #brunch #toasterwaffles #fall #weekendvibes #easybreakfastideas
Whether you're a PSL enthusiast or a lover of pump Whether you're a PSL enthusiast or a lover of pumpkin pie, these 🎃 Pumpkin Spice Pancakes 🥞 will hit the spot! Preservative-free, yet ready in 10 minutes (including prep!), these buttery, plush, and delicately spiced buttermilk pancakes are so tasty, you'll eat them regardless of the season!
.
.
.
[Recipe on the blog; link in profile]
.
.
.
#psl #pumpkinspice #pumpkinpie #realfood
#preservative-free #preservativefreemovement #preservativefreecommunity #pumpkinspicepancakes #pumpkinpiepancakes #realfoodrecipes #noaddedsugar
Instagram post 17878673516412200 Instagram post 17878673516412200
When to make these Short-cut Cranberry Crumble Squ When to make these Short-cut Cranberry Crumble Squares? When you're rotating your pantry and come across a can of homemade Better-Than-Storebought Cranberry Sauce! Or replace with your fave can of jam. 

A buttery shortbread crust topped with a tart and tangy filling, then covered in a crunchy crumble, these squares are great for coffee time, snack time, dessert! 

(Recipes on the website; link in profile)
.
.
.
#pantryorganization #pantry #cranberrysauce #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #jam #shortcut #shortbread #crumble #allthenoms #snacktime
Feeling peckish? Looking for a luscious filling & Feeling peckish? Looking for a luscious filling & flaky pastry? These 🍋 Light-as-Air Lemon Curd Turnovers 🍋 are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a coffee break! (Also, INCREDIBLY easy to make!)

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#lemon #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #pastry #turnovers #flaky #lemoncurd #breakfast
#brunch #coffeetime #allthenoms
In case you hadn't noticed, I disappeared off IG ( In case you hadn't noticed, I disappeared off IG (and my blog www.approachingfood.com, and all social media) this fall. Why? Pregnancy!!! 
.
I'm pregnant with my second child, a little girl, and had an awful first trimester. I was so sick that my toddler's pretend play now includes imitating mummy vomiting. #truestory 
.
I was too sick to develop recipes or post or do anything regarding food or blogging. But I feel better now and am back to a semi-regular blogging schedule. Am also working on creating new freebies and a recipe book, so stay tuned!!!
.
.
.
#preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #approachingfood #pregnancy #morningsickness #alldaysickness #funtimes #underdevelopment #timeout #debtfreecommunity #pandemicbaking
When you're craving fresh food, this 🥭Chunky Ma When you're craving fresh food, this 🥭Chunky Mango Guac🥑 hits the spot! Juicy mango, creamy avocado, garden fresh tomatoes, a squeeze of lime, and some chopped cilantro combine into one juicy, creamy, tangy mouthful!

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile. ]

#summer #guacamole #avocado🥑#salsa #fruitsalad #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #scoopitup #freshfood #approachingfood
Excess zucchini? Just make Zucchini & Provolone Pi Excess zucchini? Just make Zucchini & Provolone Pizza!🍕This tender-crusted, golden cheese-topped pizza is flecked with shredded zucchini and is basically veggies in cheese pizza form. 

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#pizzaislife🍕 #cheesepizza #veggiepizza #zucchinirecipes #zucchini&provolone #eatyourveggies #gardenproduce #freshveggies #homemadepizza #toomanyzucchinis #ormaybenot
When you want a low-cal, nutrient-dense comfort fo When you want a low-cal, nutrient-dense comfort food, this garlicky stir-fried broccoli with freshly zested ginger (finished with fragrant sesame oil) definitely hits the spot! Ready in 20 minutes, it's just as fast (or faster!) than fast food! Peservative-free for the win!

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#lowcarb #vegan #lowcal #comfortfood #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #20minutedinner #stirfryveggies #broccoli #garlic #ginger
Creamy, dreamy, and packed full of raspberry-licio Creamy, dreamy, and packed full of raspberry-licious flavour, this 🥤smoothie also contains 5 g of fibre and 6 g of protein. Plus, it's made with real food ingredients. A great preservative-free mini-meal or post-workout snack!

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#realfood #raspberries #creamy #proteinsmoothie #fibrerich #fullofflavour #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #beattheheat☀️ #postworkoutmeal
Guilt-free 🍫chocolate cake🍰 is REAL! This su Guilt-free 🍫chocolate cake🍰 is REAL! This super-moist fudgy loaf cake is hiding a healthy secret: each loaf contains a zucchini🥒, a sweet potato🍠, and two bananas🍌!!! Great for lunch boxes, snacks, or as a healthy dessert. Freezes well too!

[Recipe on the blog; link in profile.]

#guiltfree #chocolatecake #preservativefree #preservativefreecommunity #preservativefreemovement #fudgy #sweetpotato #zucchini #zucchinirecipes #bananabread #pandemicbaking
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Categories

  • 101 Series aka How-To
  • All About the Food(ie Books)
  • Blatherings
  • Breads
  • Breakfast Foods
  • Cakes
  • Cook-a-Longs R Us
  • Cookies
  • Desserts Not Otherwise Categorized
  • Drinks
  • Food Odyssey
  • Ice Cream Treats
  • Memories of Meals Past
  • Parfaits and Trifles
  • Pies
  • Preserves
  • Quick Breads
  • Recipe Smackdown
  • Salads I Have Known and Loved
  • Snacks
  • Soups
  • Uncategorized
  • Vegan
  • Vegetarian Main Dishes
  • Vegetarian Side Dishes
  • Waste Not Want Not

Copyright © 2023 Approaching Food on the Foodie Pro Theme