By Maryanna Gabriel
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| Gnocchi Munching Days Are Over |
When I traveled in Italy
with a friend when I was young and carefree, we seemed to constantly miss the
gnocchi course, either it was sold out or it was not being made that day. It
became that elusive dish that assumed an exotic quality to my mind. Upon
writing the new edition of Memento last summer I included new recipes and I
resolved to create and test a gnocchi recipe. Deciding that it had turned out
quite splendidly and that the recipe was indeed perfect, I carried my gnocchi
to a little table with great anticipation and intense focus. “Oh, dear”, I
said. “I forgot the pepper”, and off I went. Suddenly I remembered my newly
adopted dog. “No. She wouldn't”, I said remembering she was at table level. Oh
yes, she would! As I worriedly returned, there she was downing the last of a
very delectable dish. I stared at her trying to be an adult wondering if our
fledgling relationship was seriously foundering. With time, my love for the dog
has thrived and so too has my love for gnocchi. Both the dog and the dish are a
great comfort to me in these January days. Her gnocchi munching days are firmly
over and I am a much smarter dog owner and gnocchi maker. I recently tried the
dish with sweet potato, inspired by another creative cook and it was to die for.