Easy Gnocchi with Chicken and Baby Spinach

I am a fan of cooking shows and I have a passion for food, I don't think my family understands, they just see another greedy person haha. Whenever I see something different I always challenge myself to give it a go and when I get the best results I feel untouchable...

I had never had gnocchi before mum says it's potato dumplings :) pinning it back to her childhood.
I have seen different chefs/home cooks on the telly make it and I decided to give it a go by incorporating their different techniques and trying to make it as easy as possible as well as to be able to use the ingredients at home. When  I went into the supermarket I saw that they have refrigerated packs  of gnocchi (for those that don't like slaving in the kitchen haha) I chose to make mine from scratch and it tasted amazing, I wont be buying any frozen gnocchi.

I made two dishes the gnocchi and the chicken and then I combined the two at the end.
To save time while the potatoes are steaming you can be tackling the chicken..

LETS GET STARTED!

GNOCCHI 

•  4 medium potatoes
• 2 cups plain flour
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg ( slightly beaten)
• salt & pepper
• 1 1/2 tbs butter

1.  Steam potatoes 15 min or until soft (cut in half)
2. transfer in to a bowl use a fork or potato masher add salt and pepper
3. once cooled add egg use wooden spoon to mix, sieve 1 cup of flour in add cheese mix it all together
4. add the rest of the flour in batches.
5. flour surface area and hands so that the dough doesn't stick (if dough is to soft add flour)
6. Knead dough until smooth (don't over work it) divide dough into 4 equal potions
7. roll 1 potion into a 2 cm diameter log and lightly use a floured knife to cut 2cm pieces (repeat process to the rest of the pieces) you will have cute little 2cm pillows.
8. lightly flour your hands and use your thumb to press each pillow over a floured fork and place on a try with baking paper.
9. Bring saucepan of salted water and 1 tsp of olive oil to the boil over medium heat.
10. Add the gnocchi in batches onto the base of the pan to avoid them sticking together ( don't overcrowd). cook for 3 minutes or until they rise to the surface, use slotted spoon to drain and transfer to a bowl and cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining gnocchi. 
11. Melt 1 tbs spoon of butter on a hot pan add gnocchi and saute it on both sides to give it depth in flavor and a nice golden color

                  *Mix with chicken & baby spinach sauce and serve*

CHICKEN & SPINACH SAUCE

• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 whole red onion sliced
• 1 whole white onion slices
• 3 cloves of garlic chopped/minced
• Chicken thighs cut in strips
• 3 sups baby spinach
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp tomato paste, sweet soy sauce and chilli sauce
• (dry or fresh spices/herbs of your choice) oregano, basil, parsley, mixed herbs and all purpose seasoning. 1 tsp
• frozen veges of your choice ( thawed)

1. Wash chicken and pat dry. rub salt and pepper.
2. heat pot then add oil
3. add chicken cook till golden on both side (turn once) to seal in  moisture.
4. Add onions, garlic and spices and seasoning cook until onions are caramelized
5. Add tomato paste and frozen veges
6. Chicken Stock  ( cover and leave to  reduce then simmer on low heat)
7. 20 min later  (or when you at the gnocchi boiling stage) add baby spinach 
8. Add gnocchi mix everything cover and simmer for 5 min Allow gnocchi to pack in flavor
9. Serve  and sprinkle Parmesan cheese

 Serves: 4 people
 Skill: Easy
Time: 90 min.                                                     

PS; you can add a lot more of the baby spinach. & *taste as you go*
Don't be afraid to play with your favorite spices and seasoning allow time to mature when simmering.

                   "Follow your inner moonlight: don't hide the madness" 
                                          Allen Ginsberg