Recipe: Blue Cheese, Butternut Squash & Gnocchi Bake

Image courtesy of Voucher Codes

What do you call a recipe that comprises of guidance more than an actual recipe with exact measurements? Recidea? Idecipe?

It is something that Nigel Slater has down to a fine art – he takes a piece of that, the end of a packet of this, then adds in whatever he has to hand and combines flavours to come up with a masterpiece.

It certainly is a more frugal way to cook – knowing how to adapt, what you can add, what you can substitute and what you can leave out is an essential skill for any domestic cook.   I detest food waste and am an inveterate freezer; my deep freeze is filled with pots and jars of this and that, all of which get used.   When cooking a regular weekday lunch or supper I partially judge the success of the meal by the number of empty pots, jars and packets it generates!

I was delighted to be approached by Voucher Codes and be asked to make a video of an affordable autumn dish – this is delicious, warming and very adaptable.   It can be prepped ahead – poppped in the fridge then baked later in the day, and is perfect for a weekend supper on the sofa when watching your talent show of choice!

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Blue Cheese, Butternut Squash & Gnocchi Bake

Blue Cheese, Butternut Squash & Gnocchi Bake

Servings: 4 servings

Author: Helen Best-Shaw

Prep Time10 mins

Cook Time45 mins

Total Time55 mins

Cook ModePrevent your screen from going dark

Ingredients

• 500 g Butternut Squash (Peeled and cut into 1" cubes)
• Glug olive oil
• 400 g Gnocchi
• 100 g spinach (or other leafy green vegetable)
• Lemon Zest
• 100 ml double cream
• 250 ml vegetable stock
• 100 g soft blue cheese

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 200C /400f/Gas Mark 7
• Place the cubed butternut squash in a baking tray with the olive oil and seasoning, give a good shake and put to roast in the oven for 25 minutes. When cooked, set to one side.
• Put gnocchi in a pan of boiling water for around 2 – 3 minutes until cooked. The gnocchi is cooked when it’s risen to the top of the pan. Scoop out a cup of the water and use that to make the vegetable stock. Drain the gnocchi.
• Wilt the green vegetables by putting them in a sieve and pouring a kettle of boiling water over them.
• Mix the roasted squash, cooked gnocchi and wilted greens together in an oven proof gratin dish.
• Mix the cream and vegetable stock together and pour into the gratin dish. If needed add some more stock so the liquid reaches about 2/3 the way up the other ingredients.
• Crumble the blue cheese and scatter over the mixture.
• Place in the oven to cook for 20 – 30 minutes – when cooked the cream would have thickened and the top would have started to brown.
• Serve immediately.

Notes

• Quantities are a guide – you really do not need to measure anything for this dish – adapt according to size of the squash, number of people and appetites.
• Spare roasted butternut squash can be kept in the fridge for several days, or frozen – use in curries, dals, soups and smoothies. You can also substitute pumpkin or other squashes.
• Gnocchi is an excellent for sticking your pantry.  There are several types - ambient or longlife which keeps in the cupboard for several months, or fresh which will keep for two or three weeks in the fridge.    Once you open the packet you need to use the remainder within 3 days or freeze, then cook from frozen.
• Any leafy greens work well in this recipe - spinach, chard, kale, cavolo nero.
• If you do not like blue cheese, top with grated cheddar.
• Add some breadcrumbs to make a crunchy topping.
• You can assemble this in advance and then bake, or reheat, allow another 5-10 minutes and add some extra liquid. 
• Make this dinner party worth by baking in individual dishes and nestling a quarter of a fig in each. 

• Please note that the nutrition information provided below is approximate and meant as a guideline only.

• Unless stated otherwise cup conversions have been made with an online tool. For accuracy please check with your favoured conversion tool. We recommend buying inexpensive digital kitchen scales.

Nutrition Facts

Blue Cheese, Butternut Squash & Gnocchi Bake

Amount Per Serving (4 servings)

Calories 549 Calories from Fat 198

% Daily Value*

Fat 22g34%

Saturated Fat 13g81%

Cholesterol 70mg23%

Sodium 964mg42%

Potassium 1007mg29%

Carbohydrates 78g26%

Fiber 8g33%

Sugar 12g13%

Protein 13g26%

Vitamin A 23170IU463%

Vitamin C 47.6mg58%

Calcium 314mg31%

Iron 6.8mg38%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Course: Dinner, lunch, Main Course

Cuisine: Pasta

Keyword: Gnocchi Bake

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Fuss Free Flavours was commissioned by Voucher Codes to develop an affordable autumn recipe. I was compensated for my time spent filming and developing the recipe.