Homemade Parmesan Gnocchi with Braised Short Rib Ragu
Having a food blog, I think I tend to keep trying different things – not only for myself but it would be a pretty boring food blog if I ate oatmeal every day. So I was happy to bring back . . . Breakfast Nachos!
This time the base of my nachos was a drained can of pinto beans mixed with a 4 oz. can of green chiles. I cooked those on the stove for about 10 minutes, and used my potato masher to mash it up. I ended up using 1/2 a cup of the mixture between my 10 nacho chips.
Then I just microwaved 1/2 a cup of egg beaters on a small plate, and cut it up into 10 pies.
Then I added 3/4 an of cheese between the, popped them under the broiler for a few minutes and topped them with fresh cilantro – this whole plate is only 10 Points Plus and kept me full four hours. 
I walked again at lunch, but what started out as a chilly sunny day, turned out to be a chilly overcast afternoon – I sucked it up and walked 50 minutes.
My lunch was not on the menu, but I had leftover tuna steak, so I made tuna steak tacos – lunch comes in at 9 PointsPlus.
My commute home last night was horrible, it was only slightly raining, but it took me nearly an hour to get home. Doesn’t everyone make homemade gnocchi on a week night? Luckily I had my trusty assistant Hannah who already had my potatoes cooking and the rest of the ingredients in place.
Homemade Potato Gnocchi
- 6 servings (20 gnocchi per serving) = 6 Points Plus
Ingredients:
- 1 pound starchy potatoes (I used russett)
- 1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 1 egg
- 1.5 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Cook the potatoes in their skin in water in a large stock pot. When a knife goes through, they are done, about 15 minutes. I put them into an ice bath for a couple minutes so I could handle them. Peel off the skin and put in a bowl. Add salt, pepper, egg, parmesan cheese. Then mix in flour and put on your counter and knead like you would any dough. I did add about 1 tablespoon of olive oil to get it to roll out nicely.
Roll out into ropes, cut each rope into 1 inch pieces and put on a lightly floured cookie sheet. Boil water – don’t overcrowd the water – cook for 2 minutes, they will float to the top when done.
I made Kevin’s Braised Short Rib Ragu over the weekend – this was an amazing dish! Since I made the ragu over the weekend, the flavor got deeper and paired with the light and fluffy gnocchi – pure comfort food in a dish – my dinner was 10 PointsPlus.
I reduced the amount of short ribs to save on calories, but realized even with 1.5 pounds of ribs, there really isn’t a whole lot of meat – maybe 4 ounces in total?
this made the sauce - while I don't love anchovies, the anchovy paste just brings a nice salty feel to the ragu
After it cooked down, I picked off all the mean, strained some of the fat before continuing. This is a very rich sauce – my guess is about 5 points per 1/2 cup.
- Hannah’s the best helper
I also made a side salad on the side. I’ll definitely be making this again.
Stats for Tuesday:
- 36 points (including cheese and crackers after dinner and 2 glasses of wine)
- 50 minute walk
- average blood sugar 129
Today is Hanging with Hannah! We are making homemade pizza for dinner with a new overnight pizza dough, and then going to Goodwill – we love that place!
Question of the Day: Have you ever made gnocchi before?
I need to try to make gnocchi! My husband and I were just discussing this last night as we JUST tried gnocchi (from a package)for the first time…yes we live under a rock!
You’ve made it seem so easy to make….maybe a good weekend project for me!
I love gnocchi, and I made some at home years ago. However, they didn’t turn out so great, and I haven’t made them since. I’ll have to make yours!
Your posts always make me so hungry. Everything looks fantastic. I am a huge Mexican food fan and I’ve been wanting to give gnocchi and braised ribs a try. I hadn’t thought of trying them together but you’ve given me wonderful ideas.
Thanks!
Gnocchi are one of my husband’s favorite meals – he is Italian, but his Mom & Grandma don’t make it anymore. Thank you for making this look so easy [& I have helpers too!] I can’t wait to try to make it for him too. Perhaps I can surprise him on Saturday for our anniversary.
You always amaze me with the stuff you make from scratch on a week night! The gnocci look delish and worth it though. I’ll have to take a look at that shortrib recipe. I use Pioneer Woman’s and it’s very rich and yummy too!
You make homemade gnocchi look easy peasy! Did they taste as good as they look?
I have never made gnocchi but it is one of all my favorite foods. It looks great with that ragu, I bookmarked that to try. Maybe this weekend for both to celebrate my son’s graduation. And Mother’s Day too of course!
I’ve never made gnocchi! They look yummy though
After a commute like that, the best I could have thrown together would be scrambled eggs – so amazed that you made such a complex meal like that!
I don’t think I’ve ever even tried gnocchi, much less made it, lol!
That gnocchi looks delicious! I use anchovie paste in sauces, too. I have to hide it from my husband because he’d never want to eat anything that he knew included anchovies, but I’ve slipped it past him many a time in dinners. It just adds some great flavor.
I’m always impressed with how much you’re able to squeeze in for your # of points. I’ve been wanting to make gnocchi, for example, but it’s always felt WW unfriendly to me, so I’m glad to see this post and know that it can be done. I think I may have to put it on the menu for next week.
I seriously want to move in with you Biz! That meal looks incredible!
I have never made this, but need to now. Still in ridiculous diet mode, where no flour is allowed for awhile, but planning on these soon. I am trying to ponder how to make these work with cauliflower instead… maybe whole wheat flour when I am allowed.
Looks terrific. EXCELLENT photos
What a breakfast! Gorgeous. I am having cheaters gnocchi tonight (aka store bought)- but I actually took a gnocchi cooking class. Its so delicious. Yours looks wonderful. Have so much fun with Hannah tonight!
I love gnocchi and tried to make it once, but they came out gummy.
Wow, everything looks great B! I think I will try making gnocchi – I bet my kids would love it!
Have fun Hangin’ with Hannah! – When is she done with school, this month?
Never made gnocchi, I love to eat it though! I’m so coming over to your house for breakfast every morning!
I’ve never made it! I need to try it though – Austin is a HUGE fan!
Um… SO trying these new breakfast nachos – love the idea of using the beans and of cooking the egg to cut into a triangle shape. SO SMART BIZ!
Yes I’ve made gnocchi and WOW that sauce looks amazing! I can just smell the flavors through my screen! (I wish!
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I made pumpkin gnocchi once. And it was good, but I didn’t have this amazing ragu to put on top. So I have two questions Biz: a) Can you send me the leftovers and b) Can you have Hannah deliver them personally – I really need her cooking skills in my kitchen!
Have a great day.
Never had gnocchi ever! I bought some a while back and have yet to try it. This is the second blog I have seen it on today! I guess I need to try it.
Have fun with Hannah!
My friend and I made gnocchi once. Though it was tasty, it was quite dense so I think we over kneaded it. I’ve been meaning to try making them again. Now I have a reason to! That ragu looks amazing! I’m a big fan of Kevin’s recipes, but that ingredients list is gigantic!
Happy Hangin’ with Hannah Day!
I have never made gnocchi, nope! Mark loves it though. I like it, but I’m not a huge fan…I think it’s a texture thing for me. That sauce, however…wow! Rich & sooo flavorful
Worth every point 
I saw a recipe for breakfast tacos this morning and now breakfast nachos, love it!!!!
Made these for breakfast today!! I mixed in real eggs and used black beans with onions/jalapenos/hot sauce (no green chiles!). We LOVED – these will be a staple!! Thanks, Biz!
Thanks for submitting to this week’s BSI….I imagine that ragu just brings this dish to a whole new level!!! yum!