Roasted Red Pepper & Tomato Soup With Spinach Gnocchi

Mamas Cookin's Note:

Ready, Set, Cook! Special Edition Contest Entry: My husband is really happy that I entered this contest if for no other reason than I was able to create this deliciously creamy Italian soup that now tops his list of favorite soups. It is a little labor intensive but I think you will agree that it is well worth the effort when you see how much everyone enjoys it.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 15 mins
• Prep Time: 45 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

For the soup

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, diced
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 ounces sun-dried tomatoes, drained
• 1 (12 ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained
• 1 (28 ounce) can san marzano tomatoes
• 4 cups chicken broth
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon white pepper
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 8 fresh basil leaves, cut into thin strips
• 6 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and liquid squeezed out
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1 cup water, from the gnocchi

For the gnocchi

• 2 cups Simply Potatoes Traditional Mashed Potatoes
• 6 ounces frozen spinach, thawed and liquid squeezed out
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 2 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, plus up to 2 more cups for flouring your work surface

Directions:

1. In a large heavy bottom pot, combine the Olive Oil, onion and garlic.
2. Saute over medium heat until onions are soft but not brown.
3. Cut the roasted red peppers into large chunks and add to the pot.
4. Stir in the sun dried tomatoes, San Marzano Tomatoes, chicken broth, salt, white pepper and sugar.
5. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, cover and simmer about 15 minutes.
6. Remove from heat.
7. Use a stick blender to blend the soup into a puree. If you don't have a stick blender, you can use a regular blender: Cool the soup slightly. Add small amounts of the soup at a time to the blender but do not fill the blender more than halfway. Hot soup produces steam when blended and the pressure can blow the top off your blender if you are not careful. Once that batch is blended, place the pureed soup in another pot and repeat until all soup is blended smooth.
8. Stir in the basil, spinach and heavy cream. Set aside.
9. To make the gnocchi: Bring a large pot of water to a boil.
10. In a food processor, combine the mashed potatoes, spinach and roasted garlic.
11. Pulse several times until well combined.
12. Remove from processor and place in a medium bowl.
13. Add the eggs, flour and salt.
14. Mix just until the dough comes together.
15. Turn dough onto heavily floured surface.
16. Knead about 20 times. The dough will be sticky so make sure you use plenty of flour on your work surface.
17. Divide dough into 6 portions.
18. Working with one portion at a time, roll into a rope about the thickness of your index finger.
19. Cut into 1 inch segments.
20. Place on a floured cookie sheet. Set aside.
21. Repeat until all 6 portions have been rolled and cut into segments.
22. Add about 20 pieces of gnocchi at a time to the boiling water.
23. Cook 2 minutes.
24. Remove from the water with a slotted spoon and place in the soup.
25. Repeat until all gnocchi has been cooked and is in the soup.
26. Stir 1 cup of the gnocchi water into the soup.

Reviews

[MexicoKaren]

The addition of an easy spinach gnocchi to this creamy tomato soup is a lovely idea. Looks quite complicated, but the use of instant potatoes makes it much easier. Restaurant quality.

[mrscoacha]

I got to try this recipe and it was delicious! I will definitely be making this it was a crowd favorite! I loved the way the gnocchi was able to stand out and the soup itself was on point! Thank you for sharing!

[JBSez]

The gnocchi is superb, and how easy. This is a five star recipe and thank you for sharing it with us.