Vacations are great. There's only one downside to them though: they end. And at some point, you have to come back home. Sigh.... But you know what makes it even harder? When you're on vacation in a warm(er) place like Barcelona and have to come back to, well, this. Double sigh...
I think my sister has done enough complaining about this weather for both us already, so I'll try to let it go and just share with you some of the amazing experiences I had on this trip.
I spent a week back home in Barcelona with my daughter. It's something we try to do every year and we definitely look forward to. It's a great opportunity for us to bond, for her to spend time with her grandparents and for me to share some of my favorite places in the city where I grew up. We usually get a lot of shopping done. And I mean A LOT. But this time, I decided to take her to some of the amazing attractions the city has to offer. Like the Dali museum, some of Gaudi's incredible buildings and even a comedy show! We had such an unbelievable time.
One day, as we were walking the streets of Barcelona (which you can actually do because it's not freezing cold!), we walked by one of my favorite restaurants growing up that is now closed unfortunately. I remember we used to go there and all of us would always order the same thing: spinach gnocchi in bechamel sauce. Gosh, I haven't had those in sooo long! So, of course, as soon as I got home, I had to try to recreate the dish, just so my daughter could experience it.
So, here it is! I lightened it up a bit, but it's still (almost) as good as I remember it.
Enjoy 🙂
Spinach Semolina Gnocchi
- Prep Time: 45 mins
- Cook Time: 7 mins
- Total Time: 52 mins
- Yield: 4 people 1x
Ingredients
- 2 cups of 1% milk
- 8 oz frozen chopped spinach, thawed (aprox 2 cups)
- 3/4 cup semolina flour
- 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp grated parmesan cheese ( plus some extra to sprinkle on top)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- Light bechamel sauce (recipe follows)
- Oven roasted tomatoes (recipe follows)
Instructions
- Bring milk to a boil in a large saucepan.
- Add spinach, semolina, Parmesan, salt and pepper. Cook over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until it thickens
- Spread into a square 8x8 baking dish
- Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes
- Cut semolina mixture in small squares
- To assemble the dish, spread hot bechamel sauce on the bottom of the serving dish, place warmed spinach gnocchi and roasted tomatoes on top
- Category: Entree
- Cuisine: Italian
Light Bechamel Sauce
- Prep Time: 2 mins
- Cook Time: 10 mins
- Total Time: 12 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tbsp unbleached all purpose flour
- 2 cups 1% milk
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
- 1/2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder
Instructions
- Heat olive oil in a medium sauce pan over medium-low heat. Add flour, whisking constantly. Cook for 2-3 minutes, until it starts to brown
- Add milk, salt, pepper and bouillon and bring to a boil
- Reduce heat and simmer, whisking constantly until it thickens
- Category: Sauce
- Cuisine: French
Roasted Tomatoes
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 20 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 pint grape tomatoes
- 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/8 tsp pepper
Instructions
- Pre-Heat oven to 375F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper
- Mix all ingredients in a bowl. Toss well and transfer to lined baking sheet
- Bake at 375F for 20 minutes
- Category: Sides
stephanie says
i love love love gnocchi, and this is such a great adaptation!
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you! They're definitely lighter than potato gnocchi. And a great way to get your daily dose of greens 🙂
jessica // the kosher foodies says
I love trying to recreate childhood dishes. this one looks amazing!
Vicky & Ruth says
Thanks!! Absolutely. One of our favorite things to do!
Ronnie Fein says
I am on vacation now and know exactly what you mean. I am in South Asia and yesterday it was almost 100 degrees in Colombo. It will be very hard to get back to reality. The gnocchi look great. Have to start cooking again soon.
Vicky & Ruth says
Oh my goodness. You're melting and we're freezing!! Hope you enjoy your trip!
Hindy says
I love this break from the traditional potato gnocchi! This looks amazing - both elegant and comforting at the same time! I need to make this soon!
Vicky & Ruth says
Yes, definitely comforting! Hope you enjoy it 🙂
Mary Frances says
Oh, don't I know it! Vacations are great until you have to go home 😉 This would comfort me though; spinach and cheese always make my day!
Vicky & Ruth says
Absolutely!! Who doesn't like the combination of spinach and cheese??? 😉
Consuelo @ Honey & Figs says
Glad to know you had such a fantastic trip! But it's a pity that the restaurant closed down :--( Anyway, this dish looks so delicious! I'm sure it is just as good (if not better!) than the original.
Vicky & Ruth says
Yes, definitely sad to see it was closed 🙁 It was a great trip though 🙂
Monica says
Sounds like a lovely vacation. Too bad that restaurant is closed but what a great idea to recreate it at home for your daughter. It looks great - nice that you lightened it a bit (for me, that would mean we could eat more!).
Vicky & Ruth says
Than you! You're absolutely right!! That's one advantage of lightening up recipes 😉
Jenny @ BAKE says
These gnocchi are so cute! It sounds like an incredible holiday too!
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you!! We did have a wonderful time. Back to reality now... Dealing with another snow storm today 🙁
Tamar Genger @joyofkosher says
Yum, I love this, I was worried the sauce would be too heavy, but I love that you made it light.
Vicky & Ruth says
Thanks! The lightened up version of the sauce is just as tasty and satisfying. Definitely better than the heavy cream sauce!
Elizabeth says
This recipe looks out of this world! I cant wait to make it for dinner tonight with "The Lazy Fish" recipe I found on kimkushner.com/blog All I can say is Im going to eat well tonight 🙂
Vicky & Ruth says
So glad you are trying our recipe. Let us know what how it came out.
Sarah Klinkowitz says
Looks incredibly delicious!
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
I love this recipe and how you added veggies in to make it taste light! Love the combo, looks great!
Vicky & Ruth says
Thank you Pamela, it did come out quite good, if we may say so...
Melissa {lilmisscakes} says
This dish looks so so good!
Vicky & Ruth says
Thanks!! Definitely one of our childhood favorites 🙂