Crispy Gnocchi Salad With Creamy Pesto Dressing

This delicious salad with its unique topping requires a bit of extra effort but the results are so worth it! Pan-frying the gnocchi makes them soft and tender on the inside yet light and crispy on the outside. Once you try them this way, you may not go back to just plain boiled — don’t say I didn’t warn you!

Directions

Prepare the Broccoli

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).

2. Grease a baking sheet lightly with olive oil and spread out broccoli florets in a single layer. Drizzle with some additional oil and sprinkle with salt, garlic powder, and onion powder. Toss to coat.

3. Place baking sheet on center oven rack and roast broccoli for 30 minutes, or until edges are lightly browned.

Prepare the Salad and Dressing

1. While broccoli is roasting, prepare the rest of the salad components: Createthe dressing by whisking together all ingredients until smooth; set aside.

2. Combine salad ingredients in a large bowl.

Prepare the Gnocchi and Assemble

1. Bring four quarts of salted water to boil in a large pot. Add gnocchi and cook for two to three minutes, or until they float to the top. Drain well.

2. Melt butter in a large frying pan until browned. Add half of the gnocchi and spread so that it’s in a single layer. Pan-fry five to six minutes on a medium-high flame, without turning them over. Toss and fry an additional five to six minutes until crispy and about half of them are beginning to brown. Remove from frying pan and place in a large bowl. Pan-fry the rest of the gnocchi and add to the bowl once complete.

3. Sprinkle warm gnocchi with Parmesan cheese and additional salt, garlic powder, and onion powder, tossing well to coat. Add the roasted broccoli and crispy gnocchi to the salad, drizzle with some of the dressing, and toss well to combine. Serve immediately.