Gnocchi is a versatile Italian dish that can be prepared in countless ways. These soft dumplings are typically made from potatoes, flour, and eggs, offering a comforting texture that pairs well with various sauces and ingredients. Their adaptability, ease of preparation, and efficiency make them an essential ingredient in restaurant kitchens. Today we’ll be exploring 10 ways to prepare gnocchi, ranging from classic recipes to innovative twists. Each method highlights unique flavours and cooking techniques, providing a variety of options for restaurant menus.
1. Fresh Potato Gnocchi
The first step towards maximizing the potential of gnocchi on your menu is to consider which variety works best for you. Fresh Potato Gnocchi is perfect for cooking in stewed or sauce-based dishes. With no artificial colourings, preservatives, or MSG added, these gnocchi boast a hand-made, artisanal quality which customers appreciate. Perfect for absorbing flavour and adding texture to dishes, this variety provides the perfect base for a wide variety of meals.
2. Skillet Gnocchi for Crispiness
For gnocchi dishes with a crispy finish, our Fresh Skillet Gnocchi is crafted to perfection. Prepared on a skillet, this variety is ready to serve in just five minutes, making it a convenient ingredient for busy kitchens.
3. Gnocchi with Dips for Kids Menu
Making your menu family-friendly is essential to its continued success. That’s why having appealing options for kids is a must. These Fresh Skillet Gnocchi Sticks from Olivieri® Foodservice are a fun option for the little ones. Perfect for dipping, or as an alternative to french fries, these chewy sticks are guaranteed to go down a treat.
4. Pairing Gnocchi with Cheese
If you’d like to get creative with gnocchi, how about pairing it with cheese? Here are some of the best cheese varieties for melting atop of freshly cooked gnocchi.
- Mozzarella: famous for its use in pizza recipes, this mild Italian cheese melds beautifully with pillowy gnocchi.
- Cheddar: savoury and easy to melt, cheddar inspires feelings of warmth and comfort in dishes.
- Gorgonzola: perfect for adding bold flavours to dishes. An acquired taste for some, but customers who love it will find it difficult to resist.
- Feta: a much-loved cheese in Greek cuisine, feta adds savoury and refreshing flavour to dishes.
5. Gnocchi-Based Salads
No restaurant menu would be complete without some enticing salad options. If you’d like to mix things up in the salad department, offer salad dishes that stand out. How? By using gnocchi as a base. This Lemon Maple Skillet Gnocchi Salad is a sweet and hearty salad option that patrons can order as a main or shared side dish.
6. Pairing Gnocchi with Sauces
Similar to other varieties of pasta, gnocchi provides the perfect base for rich and exquisite sauces. Its mild flavour and chewy texture make it the ideal canvas for a wide variety of flavours. For some herbaceous flair, pair it with our Supreme Basil Pesto. Alternatively, for a cheesy and comforting dish, consider adding Alfredo Sauce. Whatever your preference, Olivieri® Foodservice boasts a wide range of delicious sauces that add variety and enticing flavours to your menu.
7. Gnocchi Appetizers
Keeping your restaurant well stocked up on gnocchi opens up a whole world of menu possibilities. These Skillet Gnocchi Antipasto Bites taste just as good as they look. Made with olives, cherry tomatoes, prosciutto ham, and gnocchi, this recipe can be adapted to suit the ingredients you have to hand. Likewise, these Gnocchi Pizza Bites add a finger food dimension to your menu. Ideal for sharing at parties or group bookings, these tasty bite-sized treats are a great tone-setter for gatherings of all sizes.
8. Seafood Dishes with Gnocchi
If you’re looking for new ways to present your seafood menu options, here’s a novel recipe idea with gnocchi. This simple yet crowd-pleasing recipe for Baked Salmon and Skillet Gnocchi is a wonderful option for lovers of salmon.
9. Pairing Gnocchi with Bacon
Due to its texture, gnocchi pairs particularly well with crispy bacon, as this Bacon Rosé Gnocchi recipe amply demonstrates. Easy to make but with a gourmet touch, this dish is elevated by the addition of creamy rosé sauce. Equally tasty and appealing is our reimagining of classic pasta carbonara with gnocchi. Add this delicious Skillet Gnocchi Carbonara to your menu and your patrons will appreciate the creativity and inventiveness.
10: Vegan Option with Gnocchi
One of the most popular food trends in recent times is the rise of vegan cuisine. Not only are these dishes popular among people who follow the vegan diet, but also among non-vegans who enjoy veggie-forward meals. Having a vegan option on your menu is essential, and that’s where this Skillet Gnocchi Vegan Buddha Bowl comes in. Made with sweet potato, baby spinach, chickpeas, and red cabbage, all served on a bed of gnocchi, don’t be surprised if this dish proves a hit among non-vegans as well as vegans.
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