Creamy Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Cheesy Delight
A Creamy Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe Using Sweet Potato Rice Cakes
Sweet potatoes are delicious baked, steamed, or enjoyed in any way imaginable! When transformed into delightful rice cakes, they become wonderfully chewy and savory. Adding cheese inside creates an irresistible pull and doubles the chewy texture. Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet, so you don’t need many additional ingredients to make them delicious, making them a perfect healthy snack. When combined with a creamy sauce, these sweet potato gnocchi become a heavenly dish – a perfect pairing of deliciousness upon deliciousness! This recipe will guide you through creating this comforting and flavorful meal.
Cheesy Sweet Potato Cake Ingredients
- 6 small sweet potatoes (approx. 600g / 1.3 lbs)
- 2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 6 Tbsp glutinous rice flour or starch
- 90g (approx. 3.5 oz) mozzarella cheese
Cream Sauce Ingredients
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 slices bacon, chopped
- 200ml (approx. 1 cup) milk
- 1 slice cheese (e.g., American or Cheddar)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of black pepper
- A pinch of parsley (dried or fresh)
Optional
- 3-4 Peperoncino (for a spicy kick)
- 1/2 onion, finely chopped
- 2 slices bacon, chopped
- 200ml (approx. 1 cup) milk
- 1 slice cheese (e.g., American or Cheddar)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- A pinch of black pepper
- A pinch of parsley (dried or fresh)
Optional
- 3-4 Peperoncino (for a spicy kick)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the sweet potatoes by peeling them after boiling or steaming them until tender. I used 6 small ones, but aim for about 600g (around 1.3 lbs) total, adjusting for size. It’s best to mash the sweet potatoes while they are still warm.
Step 2
Add about 6 tablespoons of glutinous rice flour or starch to the mashed sweet potatoes. Gradually mix them in, adding a little at a time, until you achieve a dough consistency that isn’t too sticky. The dough should be smooth and cohesive when you knead it.
Step 3
This is what your finished dough should look like! It’s smooth and pliable. To prevent batter from splattering when mixing, it’s a good tip to place some newspaper or a large sheet of paper down before you start.
Step 4
To prevent the dough from sticking to your hands, lightly coat disposable gloves with olive oil. Take a portion of the dough and roll it into a ball.
Step 5
Gently press down the center of the rolled dough ball with your finger to create a small indentation. If you were making plain rice cakes, you could make them any size you like. However, for this gnocchi recipe, we’ll make them bite-sized.
Step 6
Place a generous amount of mozzarella cheese inside the indentation you created. Be careful not to overfill, as the cheese will melt and ooze out.
Step 7
Carefully seal the dough around the cheese by pinching it closed. Then, gently flatten the ball into a square shape. Making them square helps ensure even cooking on all sides and better adherence to the cream sauce. If you prefer a flatter, more disc-like shape, you can flatten them like hotteok (Korean sweet pancakes).
Step 8
To prevent the shaped sweet potato cakes from sticking to each other, lightly grease a tray or large plate with olive oil, and place the prepared cakes on it.
Step 9
Heat a pan over medium-low heat and add a little olive oil. Place the sweet potato cakes in the pan and cook them gently. Flip them often to ensure all sides are golden brown and slightly crispy. This will take about 5-7 minutes per side, adjusting heat as needed.
Step 10
Once beautifully golden brown, transfer the cooked sweet potato cakes to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any excess oil. When you gently pull them apart, you’ll see that wonderful stretchy cheese! This completes the process of making the cheesy sweet potato cakes.
Step 11
Now, let’s make the creamy sauce for our gnocchi! In a separate pan, heat a little olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. Then, add the chopped onion and bacon, cooking until the bacon is crispy and the onions are softened.
Step 12
Season with black pepper to your liking. If you’d like a hint of spice, add the crushed peperoncino (optional). You can also add sliced mushrooms here for extra flavor if desired.
Step 13
Once the onions become translucent, pour in the 200ml of milk and add the slice of cheese. Stir well as it heats up, allowing the cheese to melt and create a smooth, creamy sauce.
Step 14
When the sauce begins to thicken to your desired consistency, gently add the cooked cheesy sweet potato cakes into the pan. Toss them lightly to coat evenly with the sauce. Be careful not to overcook them, as they might become too soft.
Step 15
Transfer the finished creamy sweet potato gnocchi to a serving dish. Sprinkle with parsley for a final touch of freshness and visual appeal. Enjoy your delicious homemade meal!