Pan Fried Gnocchi & Pesto
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Total: 35-40 mins
In this poppin’ one-pan party, vegan pesto plays host to crisp fried gnocchi, tender courgettes and juicy cherry tomatoes – and there’s a fresh salady soirée of peppery watercress, red onion and zingy orange kicking off next door.
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615 kcal
(per portion)
Ingredients you'll need
  • 4 oranges
  • 2 red onion
  • 100g watercress
  • 2 lemon
  • 2 tsp wholegrain mustard
  • 2 courgette
  • 500g cherry tomatoes
  • 800g gnocchi
  • 1 x 60g vegan basil & tofu pesto
From your kitchen
  • 2 tbsp olive oil
  • Sea salt
  • Freshly ground pepper
You'll need
  • Deep frying pan
Step by step this way
  • 1.

    Use a small, sharp knife to slice the skin and white pith off the oranges. Slice the oranges into thin slices and slide them into a mixing bowl. Peel and halve the red onion, then finely slice half the red onion and add it to the orange slices (keep the other half for later). Pick any really thick stalks out of the watercress, then add the soft shoots and leaves to the bowl. Set aside.

  • 2.

    Finely grate the zest off the lemon and set aside. Juice half the lemon into a small bowl. Add 1 tsp wholegrain mustard, 1 tbsp olive oil and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk together with a fork to make a dressing. Taste and add a pinch more salt and pepper if needed. Set aside.

  • 3.

    Trim the courgette, halve it and slice it into half moons about 1 cm thick. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Finely slice the rest of the red onion half.

  • 4.

    Put a deep, non-stick frying pan on a mediumhigh heat and add ½ tbsp olive oil. Add the gnocchi and fry, stirring every so often, for 3-4 mins till the gnocchi are speckled brown. Scoop out of the pan and set aside. Wipe the pan clean.

  • 5.

    Add another ½ tbsp olive oil to the pan and add the red onion and courgette. Season with a little salt and pepper. Turn the heat down to medium. Fry, stirring often, for 6-8 mins till the veg have started to brown. Add the cherry tomatoes and fry for another 2-3 mins, stirring often, till the cherry tomatoes just start to collapse.

  • 6.

    Return the gnocchi to the pan. Add half the pesto and stir to coat everything in it. Warm for 1-2 mins. Scoop the gnocchi and veg onto 2 warm plates. Whisk the mustard and lemon dressing again, then toss the watercress and orange salad with the dressing. Serve on the side of the gnocchi.

  • Tip

    Besto Pesto
    You can use all the pesto in this recipe, but that will affect the nutritional information. The leftover pesto will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Toss it with cooked pasta or potatoes, add it to salad dressings or drizzle over the top of vegetable soups.

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