Spinach Dumplings

Recipe by: Simon Hopkinson | from Roast Chicken and Other Stories

Cookstr

Course: Hot Appetizer, Side Dish

Total Time: Under 4 Hours

Skill Level: Moderate

Cost: Inexpensive

Photo by: Joseph DeLeo

I call these “dumplings” because I think it’s a nice name, but they really are a sort of gnocchi. These are delicate dumplings, not your sturdy suet numbers, and can be a mite tricky when they are being poached. The recipe does not call for any flour in the mixture itself, just for rolling. The beauty of these dumplings is their lightness and lovely soft texture.

Yield: Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1½ lb raw spinach
4 oz ricotta
3 egg yolks
5 oz Parmesan cheese,
freshly grated salt, pepper, and nutmeg
flour
½ cup butter
20 sage leaves
1 lemon, cut into 4 wedges

Directions

Blanch the spinach briefly in fiercely boiling water, drain, and refresh in ice–cold water. Squeeze in a kitchen towel until as dry as possible.

In a food processor, purée together the spinach, ricotta, egg yolks, 3 oz Parmesan, and seasoning. Spread out in a shallow tray, cover with plastic wrap, and allow to firm up in the fridge for a minimum of 3 hours.

Using two teaspoons, form the mixture into little balls and roll immediately in the flour.

In a large pan, bring at least 3½ pints lightly salted water to the boil, and at a gentle simmer poach the dumplings, five or six at a time, and remove with a slotted spoon after about 5 minutes when slightly swollen.

Transfer to a hot serving dish, cover, and keep warm.

Melt the butter until nut brown, throw in the sage leaves, turn until evenly coated and slightly crisp, and spoon over the dumplings together with the butter.

Sprinkle with the remaining Parmesan and serve with lemon wedges.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION

Nutrients per serving (% daily value)

Nutritional information is based on 1/8 teaspoon added salt per serving.

Calories 549kcal (27%)

Calcium 824mg (82%)

Vitamin C 71mg (119%)

Vitamin A 1175mcg RAE (39%)

Potassium 1186mg

Magnesium 198mg

Protein 26g

Sugar 1g