Pan roasted gnocchi with peas, broccoli and corn

When the temp dips, there are a few things I like the rest of the time I love to think I am a hibernating bear. The few things I love are warm pasta, pickles and baking. This is also the time when I love to be the queen of shortcuts.
Things that I never approve of become ok for once. I blame this on the freeze brain effect. It is not much of sugar that I crave, rather the warmth of whole carbs. It is the time for that soft potato gnocchi bites… ooo yum!!

Why do we crave carbs in winter?

When it is grey outside and the sun, sets literally in the afternoon, the brain lulls itself to a different circadian rhythm. Knowing that brain always craves for sugar and considers it happiness, the carbs that you consume literally translate to this happiness quotient. This is the same feeling you cant let go of that chocolate bar.
Carb loaded foods do send the message to the brain to keep up that great good vibes. This is why it is also a big part of emotional eating. Here is a wonderful article to read if you wish to know a bit more of the science behind the brain behaviour during winter – Source

How to tide over this craving?

The happiness quotient is what we are trying to achieve for the brain. A good long walk, meaningful conversations, a topic to study, exercise, meditation all achieve the same effect. So, the first step before succumbed to emotional carb eating is to engage in an activity or an exercise each day.
If we analyse comfort foods, these are so cleverly designed with a great balance of complex carbs with proteins in many cuisines. So, in reality, a conscious choice of comfort food can be quite beneficial during these months. Hence choose comfort foods wisely with a good balance of proteins that keep you going longer.

Back to the gnocchi

Of course, this is a happiness factor recipe. Instead of just pan-seared gnocchi in tons (hmm maybe just limited ) of butter, the crunch veggies add fibre, protein, a lot of colour to the recipe. It makes the gnocchi feel so fresh and good and not weighing you down. This is a recipe with the simplest meal prep as well, frozen corn, frozen peas,  quickly blanched broccoli and quicker than ever gnocchi. It is lunchbox friendly too, so that’s a lot of comfort and green in the box.

Here are a few more of comfort foods I like in winter

Peas lemon rice pulao

Spaghetti with garlic, basil and chilli

Mixed vegetable in Farro

Penne with lentils, spinach and marinara sauce

Hope you like this recipe.
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Pan roasted gnocchi with peas, broccoli and corn

Easy winter dinner, tomato-free, nut free and healthy.

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 30 minutes mins

Course Main Dish

Cuisine Fusion, International, One pot, Spring, Vegan, Vegetarian, Winter

Servings 4 people

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

to cook the gnocci

• 1.5 litres drinking water
• 1 pack gnocchi ( about 250 grams)

For the vegetables roasting

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 clove garlic crushed
• 1 medium broccoli florets seperated. ( Save the stem to use in aloo stem sabji recipe posted earlier)
• 1 cup frozen peas
• 1 cup frozen corn
• salt to taste
• 1/2 tsp crushed black pepper
• 1/2 tsp italian basil Dried and crushed
• 4-5 leaves oregano

to garnish

• 2 tsp pinenuts roasted
• 1/2 tsp chervil (Chopped small, optional)

Instructions

 

To cook the gnocci

• In a large pot bring the water to a boil.
• Add the gnocchi to it and allow it to cook
• The gnocchi floats up when it is cooked, collect them and drain out the excess water. Set aside, keep covered, till ready to roast

to prepare the roast

• Clean the broccoli florets, Wash the peas and corn and set aside
• Heat the olive oil in a pan.
• Add the crushed garlic clove and roast gently.
• Add the cooked gnocchi and roast on medium heat
• As the cooked gnocchi turns golden on one side add h peas, corn and broccoli and allow it to roast slowly further.
• Season with salt
• Stir around occasionally allowing the vegetables to rost on a gentle heat.
• Once the vegetables are cooked and look roasted add the crushed basil and black pepper.
• Roast further for about 5 minutes. Add the pinenuts and chervil and toss the roasted veggies.
• Serve warm.
  

Notes

This recipe over a campfire

This recipe is perfectly adaptable to suit a camping trip. Packaged gnocchi is perfect for camping.  this Remove the frozen peas and corn from the recipe and replace with carrots and broccoli and roast over the campfire in a skillet. continue with the same seasonings.  It makes a perfect meal to share.

 

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