Would you like to prepare an impressive dish in a matter of minutes? Then try this simple, but delicious Mediterranean gnocchi salad. Like you can see, it has an unexpected twist with the addition of gnocchi. I love salads. You can serve them as a side dish to any meat, fish or burger. However, this Mediterranean gnocchi salad is a perfect main dish.
Most of the time people think of green leaves when you say salad. But a salad can be much more than simple green leaves. Fruits, potatoes, pasta, nuts, couscous or gnocchi can make an ordinary salad more interesting. Gnocchi brings this simple salad to another level.
This summer salad is loaded with flavours; bitter rocket, creamy gnocchi, sweet dry tomatoes, juicy cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and crunchy pine nuts. And the nice thing is, you can enjoy it either hot or cold.
Ingredients for 2-4 portions of Mediterranean gnocchi salad:
- 500 g gnocchi
- 150 g cherry tomatoes
- 4-5 handfuls of rocket salad
- 150 g mini mozzarellas
- 150 g dry tomatoes
- 150 g pine nuts
- olive oil
- balsamic vinegar
- salt and pepper
Cook the gnocchi in salted, boiling water. Once they come on top they are ready. It will take no longer than 3 minutes. Then drain them and leave to cool down.
In the meantime, wash the rocket and the cherry tomatoes. Drain the rocket and halve the tomatoes. Then combine them in a large bowl together with dry tomatoes and mini mozzarellas. In a small bowl mix together olive oil, some oil of the dry tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Pour it over the salad and toss.
Before adding the gnocchi, quickly toast the pine nuts in a small frying pan. There is no need to use any oil or butter. Simply put the pine nuts in the pan and toast them for 3 minutes on medium heat while shaking the pan until slightly golden.
Just seconds before serving, add the gnocchi and the toasted pine nuts to the salad bowl. Gently mix using a spoon. Serve the Mediterranean gnocchi salad either for lunch or dinner. In smaller portions, it is also great next to grilled meat or fish. I hope you’ll love this summer dish as much as I do.
Enjoy!
