Recipe// 001 Homemade Fresh Pesto with Gnocchi

This is a simple dish that requires only a few ingredients. Don't be to concerned with measurements just taste as you go. One of our top tips for this recipe is to make sure you don't over do it on the garlic! Enjoy, and we would love to hear what you think.

Serves 2 - Ingredients

1x bag fresh Gnocchi (We used shop bought but you can make from scratch depending on how adventurous you are feeling)

1 handful of fresh basil

2 tbs blanched pine nuts

1tps blanched almonds

1 clove of garlic

20g pecorino cheese (you can also use parmesan if you wish)

hand for of rocket

A couple of healthy glugs of our  TSIC smoked chipotle chilli oil

Method

1// Lightly pan fry the pine nuts and blanched almonds in a frying pan

2// Using a pestle and mortar (or a food processor) start to crush the basil and garlic together. Add a good pinch of salt and crush until leaves are mostly broken.

3// Take nuts out of frying pan and leave to cool, set some aside for sprinkling on top of finished dish. Once cooled add to basil and garlic and crush (or blend). Add a healthy glug of  our TSIC smoked chipotle chilli oil (or olive oil), half of your pecorino cheese finely grated and mix together.

4// Add your fresh gnocchi to some salted boiling water and leave to simmer for 2-3 minutes or until they float.

5// Set a large frying pan to a medium heat and pour in your pesto, drain gnocchi (reserve a couple of tablespoons of the starchy water) and add to pesto in frying pan. Move gnocchi around frying pan until fully coated in pesto, once covered you can add reserved water from gnocchi to loosen up sauce. 

6// Take off heat and add rocket to pan, gently mix rocket through the gnocchi and pesto mix. 

7// Split between two bowls top with toasted pines nuts and blanched almonds, extra pecorino and then drizzle with extra TSIC smoked chipotle chilli oil for those that like a little more heat!