Ricotta and Spinach Gnudi

Ingredients

• 6 cups baby spinach (packed)
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic (finely chopped)
• 1 lb ricotta cheese (drained, if really moist (450g))
• 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 Tablespoon all-purpose flour
• Salt and pepper
• 1 pint cherry tomatoes (halved)
• 1 Tablespoon butter
• 4-6 fresh basil leaves (chopped)
• Additional Parmesan cheese
• Garlic Bread or sliced crusty bread

Instructions

1. 1

   Preheat the oven to 400° F.

2. 2

   Prepare 4 individual baking dishes (or one larger one - something shallow, in the 8x8/7x10-inch range), by spraying with cooking spray. Place onto a baking sheet.

3. 3

   In a large skillet, saute the spinach with 1 Tbsp. of the olive oil, 1/2 of the garlic and a sprinkling of salt and pepper until wilted. Remove spinach to a cutting board to cool.

4. 4

   Meanwhile, wipe out the same skillet used to cook the spinach. Heat 1 Tbsp. of olive oil over medium heat. Add remaining garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant but not browning. Add the cherry tomatoes, butter, basil and a sprinkling of salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until tomatoes soften (3-4 minutes). Turn off heat and set aside.

5. 5

   Chop the cooled spinach.

6. 6

   In a large bowl, combine the (cooled and choppespinach, ricotta, Parmesan cheese, flour and a generous seasoning of salt and pepper. Combine the mixture thoroughly.

7. 7

   Spoon one half of the tomato mixture into the prepared dishes.

8. 8

   Using a cutlery tablespoon, scoop mixture, in the amount of half an egg, onto the palm of your hands and gently form into a compact oblong/oval by rolling it from the base of your fingers up your palm and back down again.* Place on top of the tomato sauce in baking dishes. Repeat with the remaining mixture, adding 3 to each individual dish or 12 to one larger dish.

9. 9

   Top baking dishes with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with a bit more salt and pepper and some Parmesan cheese and bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve immediately with some garlic bread (or crusty bread).