Broccoli and Shrimp Sauce with Gnocchi
Prepare to tantalize your taste buds at the TuttoToscana event with a dish that combines the freshness of broccoli, the succulence of shrimp, and the delightful softness of gnocchi. This Broccoli and Shrimp Sauce with Gnocchi recipe is a symphony of flavors and textures that will leave you craving for more. Whether you’re serving it as a special dinner for the TuttoToscana event or a comforting family meal, this dish is sure to impress.
Ingredients (Serves 4-6):
For the Shrimp Stock:
- 2 onions, peeled and quartered
- 2 celery stalks, cut into 3-4 cm segments
- Shrimp shells from 12 large fresh shrimps
- 2 liters of cold water
For the Broccoli Sauce:
- 600g broccoli florets
- 80g chopped shallots
- 10g chopped garlic
- 20g chili pepper flakes
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Salt, to taste
- Olive oil, for sautéing
For the Shrimps:
- 12 large fresh shrimps, peeled and deveined
- Olive oil, for searing
For the Gnocchi:
- 400g gnocchi
- Salt, for boiling
Procedure:
1. Prepare the Shrimp Stock:
- Peel the onions and quarter them.
- Cut the celery stalks into 3-4 cm segments.
- Shell the shrimps and wash the shells.
- In a large pot, combine the onion quarters, celery segments, and shrimp shells.
- Pour in 2 liters of cold water.
- Bring the mixture to a simmer and allow it to cook for about 45 minutes.
- Strain the shrimp stock and set it aside for later use.
2. Make the Broccoli Sauce:
- Boil the broccoli florets in salted water until they are tender. Reserve some florets for garnish.
- In a large pan, sauté the chopped garlic and shallots in olive oil until they turn golden.
- Add the boiled broccoli (excluding the reserved florets) to the pan.
- Pour in enough of the prepared shrimp stock to barely cover the solids.
- Simmer for about 3 minutes to meld the flavors.
- Season the sauce with chili pepper flakes, salt, and the zest of one lemon.
- Puree the sauce until smooth and strain it to remove any remaining solids.
3. Prepare the Shrimps:
- In a separate pan, quickly sear the peeled and deveined shrimps in a bit of olive oil. Cook them until they turn pink and opaque. Set them aside.
4. Finish the Dish:
- Boil the gnocchi in salted water according to the package instructions.
- Once the gnocchi are cooked, transfer them into the broccoli sauce and toss them over medium heat until they are well coated.
5. Plate and Serve:
- Plate the gnocchi and broccoli sauce mixture.
- Arrange the reserved broccoli florets and seared shrimps on top as a garnish.
- Optionally, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with additional chili pepper flakes or lemon zest for added flavor.