Not Your Average Gnocchi!

Who doesn't love pasta!?! Especially kids right!?! So here is a recipe to try on the healthier side. You will not believe how simple these gnocchi's are to make and more delicious than any you can find in a store. My young children love to help and roll the dough! This is a recipe that I have slightly changed from Jessica Seinfeld's latest book Double Delicious. I love both of her cookbooks and use them ALL the time.

15 ounces ricotta cheese

1/2 cup sweet potato puree OR 1/2 beet puree (get creative and use a vegetable you think sounds good). The beets make them such a beautif

ul color!

2 eggs

1/4 cup grated parmesan

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup whole wheat pastry flour

1 cup all purpose flour

In a large bowl mix the ricotta cheese, vegetable puree, eggs, parm, and baking powder. Add both types of flour. Mix with a wooden spoon until flour is just absorbed, and a soft sticky dough forms. Cover a baking sheet with waxed paper. Cut dough into 8 pieces. On a floured work surface, roll dough into a log about 12 inches long and one inch thick. Slice off 1 x 1 1/2 -inch pieces to form gnocchi. Transfer to baking sheet and repeat with remaining dough.

Fill a large pot with water, bring to boil. Salt water. Add half the gnocchi and gently stir. Cook until past is tender about 6 minutes. The gnocchi should be floating. Lift them out with a slotted spoon and transfer to a large serving dish. repeat with remaining gnocchi. Serve with your favorite sauce and a little parm over the top. I used a spinach pesto to make it even more nutritious.