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Homemade Gnocchi and HBBC Roundup #4

Thanks to the Foodbuzz Tastemaker program, I was sent some coupons for my choice of products from Simply Potatoes. I have never, ever bought potatoes in any form but you know, the actual potato. So these products weren't initially all that exciting to me. I picked one up to try anyway, and maybe incorporate into a recipe somehow. 

Once I thought of gnocchi, there was no turning back. If you've never had gnocchi before, it's an Italian pasta made of potato, flour and egg. It's one of my standard weeknight dishes, because it can be made in less than 10 minutes. Believe it or not, you can actually make the entire pasta from scratch, cook it and serve it in less than 25 minutes. AND take a ton of photos of the process. Actually, skip that and you can probably get it done in 20 minutes flat. 

Ingredients: Brace yourselves for this massive list. Ready? 



1 1/2 cups of  mashed potatoes (I used Simply Potatoes so it was pre-made) 
3/4 cup of flour 
1 eggs

Yep, it's that simple. So mix this all together in a bowl, using the back of the fork to make sure there are no potato lumps. 



Then, roll a handful of dough into a long log on a floured surface.



Slice each individual piece of gnocchi to be about 1 inch long, and use the back of the fork to make an indentation on the gnocchi. The reason? A) Because the sauce will supposedly adhere better, and b) because old Italian ladies do it that way and I'm not messing with tradition. 



You'll have about this much gnocchi with the recipe given. For the record, it was just enough for me and hubby for dinner, but definitely not enough to have leftovers. 



The next part is so easy you might even be able to get your husband to do it. Just drop it in boiling water, where it will take less than a minute to rise to the surface and be fully cooked. Yes, you read that right. Pasta that cooks in less than a minute. LOVE. 

I served it with tomato sauce, broccoli and cheese and it was a great simple meal. 



In other news, last Friday was the end of week 4 of the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge. My goal was for 50 points, and I did everything in my power to scrape on by:

Saturday: Biking 36 miles easy (12 pts.)
Sunday: Walk/run 6 miles (6 pts.)
Monday: Rest Day
Tuesday: Run/Walk 3.5 miles, 1 hour of spin (9.5 pts.)
Wednesday: Core/Upper Body for 30 minutes, 50 minutes of spin (6.5 pts.)
Thursday: Run/Walk 5 miles, 30 minutes of yoga (6.5 pts.)
Friday: Rest Day #2

Fruits and Veggies: 6/7 days (6 points) 
Foam Rolling/Stretching: 70 minutes for the week total (3.5 pts.)

Total points for the week: 50.5
Overall, I'm a little bummed that I took 2 rest days again this week. I like to limit it to one, but hey - life happens. And life definitely happens during the holidays!

Have you ever tried gnocchi? Favorite type of pasta?
Gnocchi is probably my favorite - especially when made with sweet potatoes. Maybe I'll tackle that next? Hmm....

Do you work out less during the holidays? Or squeeze it in anyway?
I really don't see much of a difference. Of course, I have FAR less going on than many of you do with lots of family or children. Overall, I would say 80% of my routine stays the same. 


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Comments

  1. Running RicigDecember 19, 2011 at 8:22 PM

    I LOVE gnocchi!!! I've never actually made it myself, though.

    My running/working out doesn't really change during the holidays because we don't travel. Actually, it's probably easier, because I have more time away from work.

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  2. NicoleDecember 19, 2011 at 8:34 PM

    Hubs makes the most amazing gnocchi! We have been eating it at least once a week lately. He made a "huge" batch so there would be leftovers but all 6 of us live for gnocchi so there was only enough left for hubs for lunch. May have to try the Simply Potatoes to speed up the process...

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  3. KaraDecember 19, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    In my mind, making gnocchi was much more complicated than this. Hmmm...now I guess I have no excuse to not be making this. I wonder if my husband will count this as our one pasta meal of the week?

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  4. Christina @ The AthletarianDecember 19, 2011 at 8:36 PM

    Ok gnocchi are my favourite! My grandmother makes them from scratch and yes, she's an old Italian lady. Instead of the fork trick, she uses the back of a wicker basket and rolls the little individual gnocchi to get the little grooves on them :) I don't even know if she knows the fork technique!! She probably grew up without forks so had to make use of other things around the house hahaha.

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  5. Run Stephie RunDecember 19, 2011 at 8:37 PM

    Wow I really like this pasta post. I have never tried gnocchi and seeing how easy it was to make I want to make it now. I like how its not complicated. It might just be a family favorite. At home we love plain old spaghetti and pad thai.

    During the holidays I get soooooo lazy when it comes to working out but this time around its gonna change. But first im gonna get to the kitchen and make some gnocchi.

    ReplyDelete
  6. ChristineDecember 19, 2011 at 8:39 PM

    Had no clue it was that simple to make. On the menu for next week! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  7. AlyssaDecember 19, 2011 at 8:48 PM

    Wow, I had no clue it was this easy! Trader Joes has really good gnocchi that I love...maybe I'll try this! Nice work on the HHBC totals!

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  8. Colorado GalDecember 19, 2011 at 8:51 PM

    That is so much easier than I thought--I especially like the whole "cook for a minute" thing. Right up my alley!

    ReplyDelete
  9. abbiDecember 19, 2011 at 8:57 PM

    You totally inspired me to make gnocchi. For some reason I assumed it was super complicated to make and so I always just left it in that restaurant only type category!

    ReplyDelete
  10. ElleDecember 19, 2011 at 9:10 PM

    Looks like a great week to me.

    The Captain loves gnocchi. I make it with yams (that is what we call the dark orange sweet potatoes in Canada - yes, I know it is wrong!)

    :)

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  11. AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 9:18 PM

    Wow that looks super yummy! I may have to try that recipe!

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  12. michelle marieDecember 19, 2011 at 9:22 PM

    woah, dude, are you kidding me?! i had no idea it was that easy to make gnocchi. i'm actually pretty upset about this. like, i'm getting angry. what the hell? i need to make this NOW.

    ReplyDelete
  13. MotherRunnerDecember 19, 2011 at 9:32 PM

    I love gnocchi - no idea that it was this simple. Awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  14. JamieDecember 19, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    That looks so good and easy to do!

    You did awesome this past week in the HBBC. This time of year is hard to get stuff in but I feel like HBBC is holding me a lot more accountable. Plus, last year I didn't even run so I am a lot more active anyway!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Sable WeismanDecember 19, 2011 at 9:36 PM

    Ha -- yeah, definitely don't mess with tradition OR old Italian ladies! They are tough ;-) haha

    My routine doesn't change too much during the holidays. Reason? Well, I'm still basically an entry-level employee...or lower-level anyway. I don't get enough vacation/sick time to take a whole week -- heck, even half a week!! -- off during the holidays so I just stick to my regular routine!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Rose @ Eat, Drink, and Be MeiriDecember 19, 2011 at 9:49 PM

    My working out is rarely consistent anyway, and it's totally jacked right now, so who knows.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Neon Blonde RunnerDecember 19, 2011 at 10:17 PM

    I LOOVE gnocchi. I need to try this. I'm bookmarking this page for future reference.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Christy @ My Dirt Road Anthem: A Runner's BlogDecember 19, 2011 at 10:37 PM

    I am a fan of gnocchi. My husband on the other hand is not so I don't fix it very often.

    ReplyDelete
  19. AnonymousDecember 19, 2011 at 11:40 PM

    ive never made pasta but you just convinced me to try! that seems like one of things that after you make it you are super proud of yourself for such a new accomplishment. awesome job getting your 50 points

    ReplyDelete
  20. Jerilee E.December 20, 2011 at 1:41 AM

    Yay! My husband loves gnocchi! This is so much easier than the recipe I have.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Jess A @cajunrunnerjessDecember 20, 2011 at 5:56 AM

    I have only had gnocchi from the soup at Olive Garden. But I do love it!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Laura (LunaChickRuns)December 20, 2011 at 8:02 AM

    I'm not a huge fan of gnocchi, but the sweet potato version does sound good!

    I try to keep my workouts the same during the holidays, I don't see any reason not to!

    ReplyDelete
  23. MarleneDecember 20, 2011 at 8:54 AM

    I love gnocchi and had no clue it was that easy to make! Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  24. Cait the Arty RunnerchickDecember 20, 2011 at 10:05 AM

    hey girl, u hit over 50 points so u gotta be pleased with at least that! :)

    don't sweat it, life does happen and u kno that the thing that counts the most is consistency in the long haul...if u miss a day or two during the holidays, it'll 'come out in the wash' in the grand scheme of things. :)

    that said, i'm happy the two of us are finally on the comeback to running trail! :)

    ReplyDelete
  25. MalloryDecember 20, 2011 at 11:07 AM

    That looks so yummy! I admire that you cook... I should do more of it!!

    I try to keep up with my workouts during the holidays but this week is already proving difficult with all the last minute stuff!

    ReplyDelete
  26. UnknownDecember 20, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    with all the other workouts, I think you are just fine with two rest days - our bodies need the healing :)

    I love gnocchi - I tried making a sweet potato one once...yours looks much better!

    ReplyDelete
  27. Tiff @ Love Sweat and BeersDecember 20, 2011 at 11:33 AM

    Things I Like: gnocchi, carbs, recipes with very few ingredients

    ReplyDelete
  28. Ali McDecember 20, 2011 at 11:50 AM

    I definitely have been slacking in the workout department but hey, it's the holidays. I have never had, nor made gnocchi....I want to try this!

    great workouts vanessa!

    ReplyDelete
  29. BethDecember 20, 2011 at 12:23 PM

    mmm, I love gnocchi but I never make it because cooking the potatoes takes to long. This is brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Rachelle WardleDecember 20, 2011 at 1:46 PM

    Yum that looks so delicious you are so creative with your cooking. Love that!

    And yes I most definitely think the holidays are difficult as far as workouts go. I am a very "routine" type of person and when my routine gets thrown off I nearly have an anuerism. ha ha! But I love the holidays so it is all worth it. :D

    ReplyDelete
  31. Dr.December 20, 2011 at 2:05 PM

    I love everything potato EXCEPT gnocchi-weird, I know!

    ReplyDelete
  32. CautiouslyAudaciousDecember 20, 2011 at 3:34 PM

    Ahh that's not so hard I've always just bought it already made. I'll have to try it!

    ReplyDelete
  33. LisaDecember 20, 2011 at 4:16 PM

    If you want to be lazy like me TJ's has the best sweet potato gnocchi(find it in the freezer section) in a brown butter sage sauce.

    I could eat it everyday of my life but my thighs and ass would not love me for it.

    ReplyDelete
  34. AmyleeDecember 20, 2011 at 6:59 PM

    I know you're in a competition, but rest days are important, too.

    I can't wait to try this Gnocchi! THanks for posting it.

    ReplyDelete
  35. ChristinaDecember 20, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    That looks so yummy!!! I want to eat it!!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Sweat Is My SanityDecember 20, 2011 at 8:00 PM

    Wow, I've never made that but it looks and sounds yummy. I am working out more than usual during this holiday season but only because of the half coming up in January. I would otherwise get all my crap done rather than putting workouts on my priority list. Times are busy...

    ReplyDelete
  37. Beth @ RUNNING around my kitchenDecember 21, 2011 at 5:09 AM

    I love gnocchi and sweet potato gnocchi is my absolute favorite….and so good when paired with a pumpkin sauce….mmmmm! Good job on the HBBC points, I find it harder to keep my regular routine during the holidays, but still able to get most of in!

    ReplyDelete
  38. Kyria @ Travel SpotDecember 21, 2011 at 6:40 PM

    That looks so good! I always thought gnocchi was hard to make! I will have to try that recipe soon!

    ReplyDelete
  39. RaquelitaDecember 22, 2011 at 10:55 AM

    I love gnocchi! I will definitely have to try making my own.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Suz and AllanDecember 24, 2011 at 2:02 PM

    I'm pretty sure I've never had this but it looks like something Allan would like so I may need to try it!

    ReplyDelete

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