Gnocchi With Haricots Verts

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aleksab

Story by Aleksa Brown

Published on Feb 02, 2012 in Make

aleksab

I recently had a friend visit me, and I could not figure out where to take him for dinner. It’s not like there is a shortage of top-notch restaurants with a farm-to-table aesthetic and warm, romantic setting — quite the opposite, in fact. However, at the end of a rainy winter day, all I wanted was to head back to my apartment and keep warm: talking, cooking, and most of all, eating. I mean, is there any place better to entertain than the comfort of home?

In the end, dazed and delirious, we succumbed to cheap noodles in the city. If I could do it again, I wouldn’t think twice about making this hearty gnocchi dish at home, creating new (and edible!) memories together. Whether it’s your out-of-town friend, trusty BFF, or your dear husband, Sarah Copeland’s Newlywed Cookbook has a plethora of recipes fit for a comfortable night in, sharing the culinary experience and warding off winter.

Fresh food, prepared with love, is a key ingredient to happy, healthful, and playful relationships. It’s much easier to laugh through a disagreement when your bellies are full of delicious, nurturing food (believe me, I’ve softened an argument more than once with a bowl of something sweet) and it’s easier to continue loving a person through their faults when that’s the same person you get down-and-dirty with in the garden and at the kitchen sink, wiping up the pots and pans of a feast you’ll remember. It’s hard not to love the person who just spent their evening making chocolate pudding from scratch or who missed an extra hour of sleep to have a fat stack of pancakes waiting for you on a Saturday morning when you wake up.

Homemade Gnocchi With Haricots Verts

It’s time to roll up your sleeves. Grab your guy or gal, pluck some fresh baby beans from the garden or grocery, and get busy rolling your own little pillows of pasta. Gnocchi made fresh at home with pureed potatoes and flour is a lighter, more luxurious version of the hearty dish most of us think of. This one is ethereal and bright with the snappy fresh beans and herbs and is worth every precious minute you two spend in the kitchen together. Once you become the accomplished pasta maker you always aspired to be, invite friends for a DIY double date.

Ingredients:
 Gnocchi Dough

  • 4 medium russet or Idaho potatoes, scrubbed (about 2 1/2 lb.)
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus more for garnish
  • 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 cups all-purpose/plain flour
  • 1  tsp sea salt

Herb Butter Greens

  • Sea salt
  • 8 oz fresh green or yellow beans or haricots verts, trimmed
  • 2 tbsp butter
  • 2 tbsp fresh tarragon leaves
  • 1/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • 3/4 cup chicken broth or water
  • 2 tbsp torn or chopped fresh mint leaves, for garnish

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.

To make the gnocchi dough:

Sara Remington

Prick the potatoes all over with a fork and place on a rack in the center of the oven. Bake until the flesh is soft in the middle (can be squeezed easily with a kitchen towel) and the skin is crisp, about 1 hour. Remove from the oven.

Cool the potatoes until they are still warm but cool enough to handle. Halve them lengthwise and scoop the potato flesh into a bowl. Pass through a potato ricer, food mill, or smush through a coarse sieve to make a fine, fluffy pulp. Add the egg, butter, Parmigiano-Reggiano, 1 cup of the flour, and salt and stir together gently with a fork, using a light touch, until the dough comes together in a soft, slightly sticky ball.

Turn the dough onto a clean, lightly floured surface and knead until it forms a soft dough, about 1 minute. Add 1/4 cup of the remaining flour.

Divide the dough into four pieces. Halve each piece so that you have eight small balls of dough. Roll each piece into a long rope about 12″ long. Divide each rope into 3/4″ pieces using a pastry cutter or knife. Transfer the pieces to a lightly floured plate or baking sheet/tray and cover with a dry towel until you’re ready to cook them.

Sara Remington

To prepare gnocchi with herb butter and greens: Bring a large pot of water to a roaring boil over medium-high heat. Salt the water generously with sea salt. Add the beans and cook until bright green and crisp tender, about 6 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking. Drain and set aside.

Return the water to a rapid boil.  Add the gnocchi to the boiling water an cook until they float to the top and are firm, about 3 minutes. Drain and reserve the gnocchi in about 1/2 cup of the cooking liquid to keep them warm and moist.

Melt the butter with the tarragon in a large saucepan over medium-low heat and swirl to melt and flavor the butter. Add the gnocchi, reserved in cooking liquid, and green beans to toss and coat. Loosen with chicken broth (or water, if you’re cooking for a vegetarian) and cook until the sauce coats the gnocchi with a glomming sheen. Taste and season with salt and pepper.

To serve, divide the gnocchi and beans among four bowls and grate fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano over the  top. Season with salt and pepper and top with mint. Serve immediately.


Thanks to Sarah Copeland and the folks at Chronicle Books for sharing this delicious recipe with us. For more tasty inspiration to prepare and enjoy with your main squeeze, check out a copy of Sarah Copeland’s The Newlywed Cookbook Fresh Ideas & Modern Recipes for Cooking With & for Each Other.

More Food Posts on the Blog

Aleksa Brown is an associate editor at Etsy.

112 comments

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  • StyleGraphicDesign

    StyleGraphicDesign says:

    Love gnocchi! Thanks for sharing:)

    1 year ago

  • myvintagecrush

    myvintagecrush says:

    Yum! Gnocchi + anything = goodness!!

    1 year ago

  • baconsquarefarm

    baconsquarefarm says:

    Yum Yum~this is a new one on me but looks fabulous~ thanks for sharing.

    1 year ago

  • julieincharge Admin

    julieincharge says:

    I'm going to have to try this! Looks delicious.

    1 year ago

  • SASSYspaces

    SASSYspaces says:

    yummy! i want this now!

    1 year ago

  • AlpineGypsy

    AlpineGypsy says:

    Oh my GOSH. I've never made gnocchi, but I've heard they are tender & delicious. And from the sounds of it, delish ~ and the buttered greens with haricots keep it simple and fresh. My kind of recipe, keep 'em coming! ♦Heidi♦

    1 year ago

  • LaPerLaA

    LaPerLaA says:

    yummy!!! I am starving !!!

    1 year ago

  • RivalryTime

    RivalryTime says:

    Sounds delicious.

    1 year ago

  • MootiDesigns

    MootiDesigns says:

    J'adore Haricots Verts, and gnocchis. Great post!

    1 year ago

  • mazedasastoat

    mazedasastoat says:

    Yay... gnocchi go with everything! I like mine with tuna &roughly chopped tomatoes, but I might just try beans next time!

    1 year ago

  • MerCurios

    MerCurios says:

    As a child I was a very picky eater and ONLY ate gnocchi with meat sauce - this went on for a while then I added chicken cutlet parmigiana to the rotation, but I digress... This is a fabulous recipe that I will just have to try very, very soon. Thanks for sharing.

    1 year ago

  • elleestpetite

    elleestpetite says:

    Looks delicious. I've been wanting to make gnocchi at home. Thanks for the recipe.

    1 year ago

  • jessjamesjake
  • shootfromcanada

    shootfromcanada says:

    YUM gnocchi is my fave!

    1 year ago

  • VintageEyeFashion

    VintageEyeFashion says:

    I haven't had gnocchi in ages but I will tonight! Thanks!

    1 year ago

  • MegansMenagerie

    MegansMenagerie says:

    Um yeah...this is totally on the menu for dinner this weekend =)

    1 year ago

  • dreamyvintage

    dreamyvintage says:

    looks so awesome!.. thanks for sharing.. must have tonight :)

    1 year ago

  • chrisndan0202

    chrisndan0202 says:

    My great-grandmother, "Baka," made gnocchi. She taught her daughter how to make them by sight, not a recipe. Although I helped make them when I was a child, I never thought to try to concoct a real recipe until it was too late. Both the recipe here and the accompanying pictures look like what I remember. Can't wait to try them and see!

    1 year ago

  • aoisart

    aoisart says:

    I often made gnocchi as a kid back in Italy, it was such a special moment to share with my mother and grandma! Beautiful (and yummy!) article!

    1 year ago

  • erinEdesigns

    erinEdesigns says:

    Sounds REALLY good. On my list for the weekend after the super bowl which is Chili Cookoff Day :)

    1 year ago

  • volkerwandering

    volkerwandering says:

    Can't wait to try it!

    1 year ago

  • weezieduzzit

    weezieduzzit says:

    Yum. Gnocchi is a fave in this house- especially sweet potato gnocchi with browned butter and sage. The secret to great gnocchi is to not overhandle it. The more you knead the tougher it gets.

    1 year ago

  • VoleedeMoineaux

    VoleedeMoineaux says:

    Hmmmmmm........ yummmmmmmmmm.

    1 year ago

  • GildedLegacy

    GildedLegacy says:

    Love gnocchi! Thank you for sharing your wonderful recipe!

    1 year ago

  • SusiesBoutiqueTLC

    SusiesBoutiqueTLC says:

    Yum. Thanks for the recipe.

    1 year ago

  • ThomasHaskettArtist

    ThomasHaskettArtist says:

    Can't wait to try this, sounds yumsk! :)

    1 year ago

  • boygirlboygirldesign

    boygirlboygirldesign says:

    Thanks for the recipe...looks delicious.

    1 year ago

  • LittleWrenPottery

    LittleWrenPottery says:

    I've always wanted to try making Gnocchi but I've never quite been brave enough for it, looks lovely yum!

    1 year ago

  • greenphilosophie

    greenphilosophie says:

    ♥...:)

    1 year ago

  • pepidesigns

    pepidesigns says:

    Delicious! It reminds me of my first time cooking gnocchi from scratch. It's a bit time consuming, but soooo worth it. And it's great if you're doing it with your significant other, or a close friend!

    1 year ago

  • mirabellamorello

    mirabellamorello says:

    We have gotten a bit tired of the packaged kind of gnocchi and I guess I would have thought they were harder to make than this. Will be trying this out very soon!

    1 year ago

  • ZenBrush

    ZenBrush says:

    Delicious and great photos!

    1 year ago

  • uniquefabricgifts

    uniquefabricgifts says:

    Thanks for the recipe!

    1 year ago

  • newhopebeading
  • KettleConfections

    KettleConfections says:

    Yummm... fresh made pasta is so delicious, and easier to make than one thinks!

    1 year ago

  • pillowlink

    pillowlink says:

    Looks really tasty! We make pasta with dried celery leaves!

    1 year ago

  • Twigs2Whirligigs

    Twigs2Whirligigs says:

    This, we have never had before, but it sounds delicious! Thaks for the recipe, we will be trying it shortly!

    1 year ago

  • leslieholz

    leslieholz says:

    My brother makes gnocchi all the time, but he lives at the other end of the country so it looks like I'm going to have to do it myself!! Thanks for the primer!!

    1 year ago

  • Metamorphosi

    Metamorphosi says:

    Giovedì gnocchi! That's how we say in Italy. Thursday it's gnocchi time! We made it today.Lovely post.

    1 year ago

  • LoveandKnit

    LoveandKnit says:

    My favourite!

    1 year ago

  • katydidit416

    katydidit416 says:

    What could be tastier? I grew up on peroghies and this is a similar flavour and texture.... I adore pumpkin gnocchi with brown butter and sage...

    1 year ago

  • KKSimpleRegalJewelry

    KKSimpleRegalJewelry says:

    Ummy!! Cute kitchen!! ~Krista

    1 year ago

  • RossLab

    RossLab says:

    Lovely!

    1 year ago

  • JulieMeyer

    JulieMeyer says:

    Yummy. The couple pic made me laugh - I hate being bugged in the kitchen and that low, low table she's working at - ouch her back. But the gnocchi looks divine!

    1 year ago

  • blueroompottery

    blueroompottery says:

    mmm... yummy!!! I stayed with friends in Italy some years ago, and they made their own (as any good Italian), and this article reminds me so much of that time!! Hmm!! I have to find the time to make some now... where and when do I find the time? I have to... have to! Thanks so much for the article and the recipe :)

    1 year ago

  • yasmi65

    yasmi65 says:

    Delicioso!!! thanks for sharing :)

    1 year ago

  • KMalinka

    KMalinka says:

    Yummy! I love it.

    1 year ago

  • Jinkles

    Jinkles says:

    I saw a cooking programme with gnocchi on recently and have been meaning to try it ever since, these look really yummy and I will be making them for dinner tomorrow. Thanks for inspiring me to get on and make them!

    1 year ago

  • whiteberryvintage
  • sewlola

    sewlola says:

    My mom purchased this cookbook for me as a gift. It was a surprise but she couldn't wait. I look forward to receive it and start cooking delicious recipes! Have you watched Sarah's cookbook trailer? Lovely! http://edibleliving.blogspot.com/2012/01/date-night-show-tell-newlywed-cookbook.html

    1 year ago

  • BiloxiHousewife

    BiloxiHousewife says:

    Yea I am sooo making this! Looks scrumptious!

    1 year ago

  • ara133photography

    ara133photography says:

    that sounds (and looks!) delicious; and vegetarian!! woo! :) will try this!

    1 year ago

  • Coventinasjewels

    Coventinasjewels says:

    Wow! Alway thought of preparing gnocchi and figured it must be difficult, so thanks for this recipe, I'm no longer intimdated! :)

    1 year ago

  • FullCircleRetro

    FullCircleRetro says:

    I am so doing this...! Always happy to find a new vegetarian dish..! =)

    1 year ago

  • TheMillineryShop

    TheMillineryShop says:

    Looks amazing. Must mark if to find again in Summer when my yard is loads with beans. Oh, Summer...

    1 year ago

  • Iammie

    Iammie says:

    Yummy!

    1 year ago

  • thenakedbird

    thenakedbird says:

    and don't forget the red wine! my boyfriend and i have bonded many times in a kitchen of steamy italian food cooking while sharing a bottle of wine as it cooks. In fact, he gets very excited and emotionally open when we have home cooked meals...there's something to this. ;) I've always wanted to try gnocchi! I just made raviolis from scratch with my new stand mixer, I'll have to try this one next! Thanks for these amaaaaazing recipes, keep em coming!

    1 year ago

  • artshells

    artshells says:

    Thank you for the recipe! It's just what i was looking for!

    1 year ago

  • MariesJewelryshop

    MariesJewelryshop says:

    Thank you for these delicious recipes. I'll be doing some good cookin tomorrow night!

    1 year ago

  • bedouin

    bedouin says:

    Mangia Mangia ~

    1 year ago

  • SomsStudio

    SomsStudio says:

    Looks delish!! Must try it!

    1 year ago

  • MishaGirl

    MishaGirl says:

    I love cooking with my man....and this, we MUST try!

    1 year ago

  • MysticLily

    MysticLily says:

    I'm definitely going to try this recipe! Looks delicious!

    1 year ago

  • Pickseeville

    Pickseeville says:

    Can't wait to try this...one thing I miss about being up "north' is the great Italian gnocchi...this is going to make me a happy girl. I'm going to try it on Valentine's Day!

    1 year ago

  • urbanheirlooms

    urbanheirlooms says:

    Looks delicious and satisfying!

    1 year ago

  • TresChicNmodern

    TresChicNmodern says:

    SOoOoooOoOo delicioussssssssssssss!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I WISH I COULD HAVE SOME RIGHT NOW! mAKIN ME HUNGRYY..YUMMY GNOCCI! :-)

    1 year ago

  • NoOrdinaryBeastie

    NoOrdinaryBeastie says:

    I've been meaning to make gnocchi with my September potato harvest... Caribe and All-Blues tucked in paper bags in the back of the veggie drawer. I have a feeling their wait is coming to an end. ;)

    1 year ago

  • cadreams

    cadreams says:

    great article! I've been thinking about the Valentine's menu-this looks delish!

    1 year ago

  • gufobardo

    gufobardo says:

    una buona ricetta italiana! I love gnocchi, I am italian..good post!

    1 year ago

  • marinkaKalinka

    marinkaKalinka says:

    Very similar to our russian 'pelimeni' !! :) Will deff have to try making this one day! Thanx for the post looks yummy

    1 year ago

  • AlisaDesign

    AlisaDesign says:

    Mmm...

    1 year ago

  • JennysFunCreations

    JennysFunCreations says:

    Looks yummy, I want to try it.

    1 year ago

  • betsymorton1

    betsymorton1 says:

    I recently had a cooking lesson in Tuscany...Rosita taught us to make gnocchi...she uses yellow flesh potatoes, peeled, boiled and riced. The gnocchi were incredibly moist and light...delicious!

    1 year ago

  • RaesSpirit

    RaesSpirit says:

    I'm definitely going to try this. Sounds so good!

    1 year ago

  • ChocolateStarShop

    ChocolateStarShop says:

    OMG...I may have to stay home today to make these recipes...and it is snowing! Thanks!

    1 year ago

  • sweetsarahcardsandtr

    sweetsarahcardsandtr says:

    i loooooove gnocchi

    1 year ago

  • BanglewoodSupplies

    BanglewoodSupplies says:

    I am drooling!

    1 year ago

  • gnormyle

    gnormyle says:

    Very nice!

    1 year ago

  • kathyjohnson3

    kathyjohnson3 says:

    I have never heard of gnocchi, but it sounds so good I am going to have to try it, thanks for sharing something new!!!

    1 year ago

  • SeinFelt

    SeinFelt says:

    Gorgeous...it makes me think of my beloved Italy! Vx

    1 year ago

  • WillowGlenDrive

    WillowGlenDrive says:

    Sounds So delicious!

    1 year ago

  • jmayoriginals

    jmayoriginals says:

    yum! thanks for sharing.

    1 year ago

  • joanneditomasso

    joanneditomasso says:

    Gnocchi is so good and it brings back memories of my mamma who would make them for Sunday family dinners. Yummm thanks for sharing!

    1 year ago

  • Paukstukai

    Paukstukai says:

    Amazing table, where did you get it? :) Of course the food sounds delicious too!

    1 year ago

  • beliz82

    beliz82 says:

    Looks delicious and French green beans is my favorite !!! Definitely going to try. Thank you for sharing !!

    1 year ago

  • LaBodaCollection
  • andreamwl

    andreamwl says:

    I love Gnocchi!!!! This looks delicious. Making me hungry for some kitchen time and I'm stuck at work. Maybe later! Thanks for sharing. :)

    1 year ago

  • allsewnup

    allsewnup says:

    Gnocchi is simpler than I thought! I feel silly for buying it pre-made all these years! I'll try this with the kids, they are pros at rolling snakes with dough! Also, that butcher block work table is wonderful.

    1 year ago

  • hellomomo123

    hellomomo123 says:

    You can also boil the potatoes, then mesh them. I use to "roll" gnocchi on a fork to add a kind of "decoration". If you like cheese, I suggest to prepare a cream with Gorgonzola and cream (hope you can find this cheese outside Italy too!), simply delicious!

    1 year ago

  • ZelleLermontov

    ZelleLermontov says:

    I love Gnocchi, and this recipe is awesome. Thanks for sharing it.

    1 year ago

  • Heysailorvintage

    Heysailorvintage says:

    This recipe makes Gnocchi seem far less intimidating than I thought! Will have to try!

    1 year ago

  • Tessarj

    Tessarj says:

    Gnocchi is one of my favourite dishes but I've never made it from scratch, can't wait to try this recipe! Thanks!

    1 year ago

  • ShibaNgDesigns

    ShibaNgDesigns says:

    This looks delicious! Thanks for sharing your recipe.

    1 year ago

  • jorgensenstudio

    jorgensenstudio says:

    gnocchi is my favorite meal and go to whenever I need comfort food. Yum!

    1 year ago

  • stepbackink

    stepbackink says:

    Yum Yum will make this tomorrow :)

    1 year ago

  • Laughingdogstudio

    Laughingdogstudio says:

    Looks to tasty and fresh! I am looking forward to preparing this recipe! Thank YOU!

    1 year ago

  • tllanes

    tllanes says:

    Sounds delicious, and gnocchi is one of my favorites. Thanks for sharing! Most definitely going to try this recipe!

    1 year ago

  • bemarie

    bemarie says:

    This looks soooo good. Perfect way for my fiancé & I to celebrate Vday in style w/out breaking the bank! Thank you for the recipe - and the book, which I just added to our registry. : )

    1 year ago

  • DirtandFire

    DirtandFire says:

    Just finished making this, well the gnocchi any how (had some home made sauce in the freezer). OMG so good.

    1 year ago

  • HeirloomOrphanage

    HeirloomOrphanage says:

    My friends joke that my tried and true measure of judging a restaurant is by how they make their gnocchi, how fresh and delicate they are crafted and the restraint of the sauce. While I'm entirely too lazy to make them at home I LOVE to find restaurants that offer them "house made".

    1 year ago

  • GoldenBeehiveStudio

    GoldenBeehiveStudio says:

    This looks fab, gonna have to try it out!

    1 year ago

  • HeatherLucille

    HeatherLucille says:

    I was just eyeing some stellar looking haricots vert at the green grocer - thank you for the delicious recipe to use them in! Gnocchi = big, fat yum!

    1 year ago

  • OnlyOriginalsByAJ

    OnlyOriginalsByAJ says:

    Looks great! Thanks for sharing!

    1 year ago

  • maggiemaevintage

    maggiemaevintage says:

    love fresh pastaaaaaaah!

    1 year ago

  • PurpleToedGypsy

    PurpleToedGypsy says:

    looks fabulous and sounds so easy! I am tickled to have a new recipe to try. thanks

    1 year ago

  • BeadBead

    BeadBead says:

    oooo... we make homemade gnocchi all the time, and love them... I usually roll them off a grater, the old fashioned kind with 4 sides - using the smallest size - and it makes a great pattern with lots of texture for sauces to nest in... just a light roll is all it takes! As a huge lover of tarragon, I can't wait to try that sauce!! Ok, I know what I am doing next Sunday!! ha ha Thanks for sharing, and I love the cooking and recipe section here on Etsy!!! Sab :) xx

    1 year ago

  • GoddessOfJewelry

    GoddessOfJewelry says:

    I had no idea it was this easy to make Gnocchi! I am definitely making this! :)

    1 year ago

  • PopLoveCouture

    Shai Wallach from PopLoveCouture says:

    mmm... gnocchi! Looks awesome! Gotta try this!

    1 year ago

  • EdibleLiving

    EdibleLiving from EdibleLiving says:

    Aleska, what a beautiful post! Thank you! I'm so glad you found your way to my book, and I appreciate all your glorious praise for the images and recipes within. And thanks to all of you who beat me to the comment board and gave the recipe a try! Happy Valentine's day and happy winter to all. May it be full of love and feasting! x

    1 year ago

  • ShocoRoco

    ShocoRoco from ShocoRoco says:

    Thanks for the yummy recipe! I didn't have green / yellow beans so used snow peas, instead. It was so good. Thank you.

    1 year ago

  • jewelkingthai

    jewelkingthai from jewelkingthai says:

    Thanks for the menu

    1 year ago

  • meganwatson1630

    Megan W. from 1littletreasureshop says:

    This is definitely going in my recipe box !

    1 year ago