Best Gnocchi Recipe With Tomato Garlic Sauce
Quick, Easy Americanized Version of Turkish Sarmisakli Kofte
Oct 11, 2008
Traditional Turkish cuisine is a rich, decadent experience of strong aromas and exotic spices. Authentic sarmisakli kofte (sarmisakli köfte) takes hours to prepare with hand kneading of finely grained bulgur dough balls. Simple substitution of packaged Italian potato gnocchi cuts preparation time to a bare minimum while preserving flavor so that even Turks are satisfied.
Finding proper Turkish ingredients is a challenge without a local Mediterranean grocer, but online Turkish grocery supplier Tulumba makes shopping for this dish easy. Stock up on basic ingredients like kirmizi biber, biber salcasi (biber salçasi), and pomegranate sour (nar eksisi) to make impromptu Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary excursions a breeze.
Simple Sarmisakli Kofte- Using Potato Gnocchi Makes Turkish Dish a Speedy Entrée
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup quality full-bodied olive oil
- 4-5 crushed garlic cloves, use strongly flavored varieties if available
- 1 tsp kirmizi biber- hot and sweet red pepper flakes, available at Tulumba
- 2 Tbsp biber salcasi- red pepper paste, available at Tulumba
- 3 Tbsp Bionaturae organic tomato paste
- 2 tsp pomegranate sour, available at Tulumba
- 1- 14.5 oz can Muir Glen organic diced tomatoes
- 1 bunch coarsely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 package Emilia Brand gnocchi
- Salt to taste
Method
- Put 6 cups water in medium pot on stove set on high. Heat to boil.
- Simmer crushed garlic in olive oil in a medium saucepan or skillet until lightly browned. Strongly flavored garlic with some heat will give a more authentic flavor than mild elephant garlic varieties.
- Add kirmizi biber, biber salcasi, tomato paste, pomegranate sour, and diced tomatoes. Kirmizi biber will add a lot of heat; adjust to taste or leave out for children. Biber salcasi adds critical flavor and should not be skipped. Substitute fresh garden tomatoes in late summer for exceptional taste.
- Add gnocchi to boiling water and cook approximately two to three minutes, or until the potato pasta floats. Take extra care not to overcook.
- Drain gnocchi and add to tomato garlic sauce.
- Add fresh parsley, reserving a few pieces for garnish, and simmer two minutes until wilted. Salt to taste.
Accompaniments
Serve warm or chilled with a simple Mediterranean salad consisting of red cabbage, carrots, greens, and tomatoes. Toss salad with a quick dressing of 1 cup olive oil, 1 cup lemon juice, 2 cloves crushed garlic, and salt to taste.
Finish with a glass of Turkish apple tea (elma çayi) or Turkish coffee (kahvesi) and a sweet after dinner treat like Baklava and Turkish delight. Turkish tea sets, coffee pots (ibrik or cezve), serving cups, Turkish tea, and finely ground Turkish coffee are essentials easily acquired at Tulumba.
This Americanized version of sarmisakli kofte is easily doubled or tripled for potlucks and picnics. The dish is a welcome change from casseroles and pasta salads. Sarmisakli köfte often becomes the bringer’s signature dish. The cook should prepare for recipe requests and additional party invitations.
- Preparation Time: 5 minutes
- Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
- Serves: 4-6
For Carla Boulianne's ultimate twist on a Turkish recipe, please read "Noah's Dessert Holiday Recipe, Asure or Ashura." Add this delightful dish to your Christmas Eve Dinner traditions.
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