My First Time ... Gnocchi

DISCLAIMER: Barf Story Ahead!

I've been wondering what to write about lately... having a bit of writer's block (if you can call this writing). So last night as I'm recounting each of the few times I've eaten gnocchi to my friend John, he suggests I share the story so here goes.

My first time eating gnocchi (pronunced NYOH-kee or NOH-kee) was at small Italian restaurant on Lincoln Road Mall in South Beach with my friend Susan who was visting from Houston. I had eaten there many times and was looking to try something new on the menu ... so I choose gnocchi ... Italian "dumplings," usually made from potatoes and flour. It was served in a light basil sauce that tasted okay enough at the restuarant. My stomach was a bit queasy that night but I didn't think too much of it. Susan and I were going diving in the Florida Keys the next day.

So off we went to Keys, got on the dive boat and went diving. Let me tell you, it is possible to throw up underwater and I did during the first dive ... the regulator came out of my mouth like a torpedo. Luckily, I'd been diving enough times not to panic and not to make the rookie mistake of putting the regulator right back into my mouth. Calmly, I caught the regulator with my right hand, waved it about the water a couple of times, put it back in my mouth, exhaled and then took my first breath. I finished that first dive, figured I'd feel better underwater than on the boat and did the second dive. I haven't been diving since.

The next time I ate gnocchi, I made it myself in cooking school. It was fairly easy to make -- we had some left over baked potatoes which we put through a potato ricer, added some egg, flour, parmesan cheese and other seasonings to make a dough. We rolled the dough into long thin strips and then used a fork to cut and roll them into what looked like one inch pillows. They cooked quickly and then we sauteed them with olive oil and garlic. It was ok but nothing to brag about.

My next experience with gnocchi was at Dolce in Dilworth. They only make it on Tuesday nights and I could never really understand the big fuss ... until last night. John and I were at Positano (again) and were looking to share a pasta. They just updated their menu and offered gnocchi flavored with spinach. It was fantastic ... each gnocco was light and tender ... almost cloudlike. It was served with cherry tomato sauce with soft sauteed onions. Delicious. I can't wait to go back and have it again ... and they offer it every night!