Spinach and Ricotta Gnocchi- WIN!

Like Sex and the City 2, I wasn't expecting to like this. I'd had Gnocchi in the past, and it tasted a bit like soggy mashed potato, but this recipe is a more pasta like version. Having converted to Vegetarianism a few months back, I'm constantly on the look out for new recipes that are substantial and more importantly taste yummy. Don't skimp on the nutmeg. I found this on the BBC Good Food website.

Serves 4

* 200g young spinach, washed
* small handful parsley leaves, finely chopped (I omitted this)
* 1 garlic clove , crushed (I used 2)
* 140g ricotta (Vegetarian)
* 85g plain flour
* 2 eggs
* 100g grated Veggie Parmesan-style cheese (I used red Leicester instead)
* freshly grated nutmeg (or powdered)
* olive oil and rocket, to serve

1. Boil the kettle. Place the spinach in a large bowl and pour boiling water over it. Leave for 2 mins until wilted, then drain thoroughly. Leave to cool, then wrap a clean tea towel around the spinach. Hold it over the sink and squeeze out as much water as possible. Finely chop.

2. Place the spinach, parsley, garlic, ricotta, flour, eggs, cheese and a generous grating of nutmeg into a large bowl and season with salt and pepper. Use a fork to stir very thoroughly until everything is completely mixed. Using wet hands, form the mixture into walnut-size balls. Place on a large plate or tray and refrigerate for at least 30 mins.

3. When ready to cook, heat the oven to warm and bring a large pan of water to the boil. Reduce the heat to medium and drop in batches of about 8-10 gnocchi at a time. They will sink to the bottom, and when they rise to the top give them about 1 min more, then remove with a slotted spoon and keep warm while you cook the rest. Serve the gnocchi on warm plates drizzled with olive oil and scattered with rocket and more cheese.

This tastes amazing on a bed of roasted veg.

Perfect film accompaniment- Julie & Julia. This is guaranteed to keep your hunger at bay during this wonderfully gastronomic film. (At least until the part where she makes the amazing looking chocolate cake with all the almonds around it.)

*image courtesy of the BBC Good Food Website