Zizi's Adventures - Real Food, Real Stories

Beet-Potato Two Colored Gnocchi

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Thanks to Fiji Water to sponsor this partner post about “Perfection Takes Time”. All the opinions written in this post are my own.

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It takes a lot of time to make the perfect gnocchi… at least for me. Especially if the cute, little gnocchis are two colored: red from the beet and yellow from the potato. Aren’t they beautiful?

When I was thinking what to “create” for this campaign, gnocchi came to my mind. Whenever I make gnocchi, it takes a lot of relaxing time, persistence and patience to roll the dough into the perfect “ropes” on a lightly floured surface. I think a dish that takes time to make, deserves a simple serving… I tossed these two colored little potato pillows with extra virgin olive oil and topped with shaved Pecorino, a pinch of freshly grated black pepper and you are in heaven.

On a Saturday or Sunday morning if the weather is gloomy and cloudy, go to the kitchen and make these delicate, light gnocchi. I’m not saying it’s going to be easy… but the end result… oh my, yum!

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Fiji Water trickles down through the layers of volcanic rock over time and gathers minerals and electrolytes along the way that create Fiji’s soft smooth taste – slow cooking and baking often brings out the most amazing flavors and scents of almost any ingredient. This process is what the “Perfection Takes Time” campaign is all about. The fact that sometimes, slower is better.

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I learnt this recipe from a Hungarian chef, Viktor Segal who I tested a recipe for his first cookbook for.

Get this and many other “Perfection Takes Time” recipes here or visit Fiji Water’s homepage.

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Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes With Vegan Gravy

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When it comes to comfort food what you would say? Mac and cheese, a bowl of soup, hamburger, chili, casserole, pie or mashed potatoes?

Comfort foods may be consumed to positively pique emotions, to relieve negative psychological effects or to increase positive feelings. The term was first used, according to Webster’s Dictionary, in 1977.

Comfort food for me is a meal that it’s easy to make, warms your heart and soul and it makes you feel you cooked something extraordinary. This mashed potatoes with caramelized onion and a vegan brown sauce is absolutely a worth-to-try meal and it can be a dinner on its own.

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I used nutritional yeast before added it to salads, pasta meals but making a gravy from it takes you to a new level. Nutritional yeast is a source of protein and vitamins, especially the B-complex vitamins, and is a complete protein. It is also naturally low in fat and sodium and is free of sugar, dairy, and gluten. Sometimes nutritional yeast is fortified with vitamin B12.

Caramelized Onion Mashed Potatoes With Vegan Gravy
(Recipe inspiration: Daily Garnish)

Ingredients

For the mashed potatoes
– 8 pieces of medium potatoes (about 600 g), peeled and diced
– 2 large onion, chopped
– salt
– nutmeg
– milk (cow or non-dairy), butter, sour cream – as you request to make your mashed potatoes
– olive oil

For the gravy
– 2 cloves garlic, chopped
– 2 tablespoons soy sauce
– 3 tablespoons nutritional yeast
– 3 talbespoons white spelt flour (or all-purpose flour)
– 250 ml water
– salt, pepper
– olive oil

Method

Heat 3-4 tablespoons olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Add diced onion with a pinch of salt. Put a lid on your pan and keep cooking the onion over low heat. Stir often so the onions don’t stick to your pan. Cook for another 25-30 minutes until tender and light brown.

In the meantime cook the potates in salted water until tender (about 20 minutes). Drain the pan into a colander and add the potatoes to a bowl. Season with salt, nutmeg, then add milk, butter or sour cream to your taste and mash the potatoes.

In a small pan heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and saute the chopped garlic for about 3-4 minutes. Add soy sauce and nutritional yeast. he key to smooth gravy is working quickly so add flour to the pan and immediately start whisking the mixture. Pour water slowly, step-by-step, while continuing to whisk the mixture. If you work hard enough the gravy will be smooth after you added all the water. Bring the gravy to simmer and let it thicken in a few minutes. If you find it very thick, add a bit of water to it.

Serve the gravy by pouring it over the mashed potatoes.

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