This was a complete new recipe to me. I had always wanted to use chocolate in a savoury dish, but had never had the courage to actually go ahead and do it. Since I started blogging though, I got a bit more self-confident with my cooking skills and so I thought that my Foodbuzz 24×24 Christmas in July event would be the perfect occasion to try something a bit unusual and somewhat non-traditional. I wanted to make gnocchi, so the idea of using cocoa powder in them came quite naturally to me. I did not have a recipe for cocoa gnocchi, so I adapted my basic Ricotta Gnocchi recipe by playing around with the proportions of the ingredients and adding the cocoa powder to the dough. I must say that the end result was very good. You could distinctly taste the cocoa but its slightly bitter flavour was well balanced by the ricotta and the sauce made with mascarpone, milk, walnuts and garlic. We were all quite impressed!
Ingredients: (for 4 persons)
For the cocoa gnocchi
200 gms flour
2 tbsp cocoa powder
300 gms ricotta
2 eggs
120 gms Parmigiano Reggiano, finely grated
1 pinch salt
For the sauce (recipe adapted from Butta la Pasta)
100 gms mascarpone
50 gms walnuts
1/2 clove of garlic
50 ml milk
2 tbsp Parmigiano Reggiano, thinly grated
2 tbsp pine nuts, toasted
Parsley, chopped (optional)
Salt and pepper
Extra Parmigiano Reggiano, thinly grated to serve
Start by preparing the cocoa gnocchi. Put all the ingredients in a bowl, mix them well and knead into a smooth dough.
Proceed to make gnocchi as per the tutorial on How to make ricotta gnocchi.
To prepare the sauce, chop the walnuts and garlic in an electric mixer.
Put them in a pot with the milk, mascarpone, a pinch of salt & pepper and grated Parmigiano Reggiano.
Heat it up while stirring it but do not boil. Once the ingredients are well combined and the sauce is warm, keep it aside.
Dry roast the pine nuts on a pan over the stove. Move them around often so they do not burn. They should be ready in a couple of minutes.
To cook the gnocchi, take a large pot and fill it with water. Put the pot on the fire and add a handful of sea salt into the water. When the water is boiling, put the gnocchi in. As soon as the gnocchi start floating, they are ready (they cook very quickly, usually 1 or 2 minutes). Remove them with a slotted spoon and put them in the pan with the sauce. Mix well on low fire and serve hot. Decorate with the toasted pine nuts, chopped parsley (optional) and a good sprinkle of Parmigiano Reggiano.
Stick around for more recipes from my Foodbuzz 24×24 Christmas in July event and If you liked my menu, please head over to this month’s Foodbuzz 24×24 and send some buzz my way!
Stephanie says
wow, so many rich and intriguing flavors coming together in one dish! looks quite decadent! 🙂
Rinku says
What a lovely and innovative recipe. I love the idea of merging marcaspone and chocolate.
Nami | Just One Cookbook says
What a creative dish, Manu! Cocoa gnocchi! First time hearing it and sounds delish! I guess I missed your 24×24 post – I’m heading over now and you will be buzzed then. 😉
Sawsan says
You are so creative and talanted Manu
I have been meaning to try gnocchi for ever..and now there is this irresistable cocoa gnocchi that will push me over the edge
Cassie@ Bake Your Day says
Wow, what’s not to love about cocoa gnocchi?! I’m drooling over the combination, wonderful recipe!!
Nikhil Merchant says
Good lord , you should have been on mastechef with that recipe of yours… !
Manu says
Thanks!! (blush….) ;-))))
Medeja says
Very cute dish.. Interesting, unusual and sweet 🙂
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
You’re so clever Manu! That’s a great idea and it looks like you created something really delicious 🙂
chopinandmysaucepan says
Geez…this look more fine dining than anything else. The gnocchi looks like beautiful toffees and a darker version of your side bars here. Great job Manu!
Rachel @ My Naturally Frugal Family says
WOW! That looks wonderful. And a super creative way to use cocoa.
Way to go Manu!
Lola Lobato says
I want to try this! love the combination of flavors and cocoa with gnocchi, Wow!
PolaM says
Those gnocchi look incredibly good! I almost want winter to come soon!
Sandra's Easy Cooking says
Very creative and looking out of the box dish! I love this idea Manuela, looks and sounds tasty!!!
Divya says
I’m glad you found the courage to use cocoa in a savory dish! This recipe sounds awesome.
Parsley Sage says
I can’t even begin to imagine how cool that tastes! I’m so proud that you got all RAWR on this dish and went with the cocoa powder. Awesome recipe! Buzzed
Tiffany says
You’ve left me speechless Manu! (and congrats on your 24 x 24!!!)
The Harried Cook says
This sounds so yummy, Manu! I love that you played around with your original recipe to come up with something so unusual and creative… Great going! A recipe worth trying for sure! 🙂
Susie says
I want to try some cocoa gnocchi looks so tasty.
Hester Casey @ Alchemy in the Kitchen says
Manu, CONGRATS on the 24×24. I am eyeing that tin of cocoa powder with new respect 🙂
Nuts about food says
The color of those gnocchi is astounding!
Radhika @ foodfor7stages says
Loved your fish fritters guest post on Sunshine and Smile and I couldn’t wait to check out your blog. You have a beautiful space and loved browsing through it. This cocoa flavored gnocchi sounds interesting and delicious
the good soup says
Hi Manu, it’s lovely to have found your blog (via the lovely Kankana of Sunshine and Smile). I’m intrigued by the cocoa gnocchi, and you’re obviously a much braver cook than me, making them savoury. I’m sure they’re delicious, but even so, I can’t stop myself imagining eating them as a dessert… with a mascarpone sauce as well, but sweet, with some caramelized pine nuts on top… I just can’t HELP it and it’s KILLING ME!!!
Manu says
Hi Angela! I think they could be great sweet too (maybe without Parmigiano in the dough)! Let me know how you go if you get a chance to try them! 🙂
Nazneen says
I love gnocchi…absolutely love it. I make the regular potato ones but these look amazing. I wonder if we can make it into a dessert? Chocolate gnocchi with white chocolate/macarpone cream? Maybe I will try it. Love your recipes, I am a big pasta fan and all things Italian. Read your post on Kankana’s blog and glad I did!
CUCINAINMUSICA says
Ciao, è da un po che sto gironzolando fra i tuoi Post!
Bellissimi, belli i tutorial e le fotografie, complimenti
Saluti da Milano Giulia
Manu says
Grazie mille Giulia! Sono contenta che i miei post ti piacciano! <3 E salutami la mia Milano! 🙂
Curt says
That really looks good. So many creative recipes!
Sasha @ The Procrastobaker says
Oh my goodness, ive NEVER seen anything like this before! Gnocchi yes, but cocoa gnocchi? Genius! And that sauce sounds like something straight out of my dreams, seriously, you are such an inventive cook! Lovely 🙂
Beth Michelle says
I have been wanting to make a dessert pasta for some time now. You have inspired me to try! This looks amazing.