Best Gnocchi Recipe With Tomato Garlic Sauce: Quick, Easy Americanized Version of Turkish Sarimsakli Kofte

Traditional Turkish cuisine is a rich, decadent experience of strong aromas and exotic spices. Authentic sarimsakli kofte takes hours to prepare with hand kneading of finely grained bulgur dough balls. Simple substitution of packaged Italian potato gnocchi cuts preparation time to a bare minimum while preserving flavor so that even Turks are satisfied.

Finding proper Turkish ingredients is a challenge without a local Mediterranean grocer, but online Turkish grocery suppliers make shopping for this dish easy. Stock up on basic ingredients like kirmizi biber, biber salcasi, and pomegranate sour (nar eksisi) to make impromptu Mediterranean and Middle Eastern culinary excursions a breeze. 

Simple Sarmisakli Kofte - Using Potato Gnocchi Makes Turkish Dish a Speedy Entrée

• Preparation Time: 5 minutes
• Cooking Time: 15-20 minutes
• Serves: 4-6

Ingredients

• 1 package gnocchi
• 1/2 cup quality full-bodied olive oil
• 4-5 crushed garlic cloves, use strongly flavored varieties if available
• 1 tsp kirmizi biber (hot and sweet red pepper flakes)
• 2 Tbsp biber salcasi (red pepper paste)
• 3 Tbsp organic tomato paste
• 2 tsp nar eksisi (pomegranate sour)
• 1- 14.5 oz can organic diced tomatoes
• 1 bunch coarsely chopped fresh parsley
• Salt to taste

_{Traditional Turkish Bulgar Sarimsakli Kofte source}

Method

1. Put 6 cups water in medium pot on stove set on high. Heat to boil.
2. Simmer crushed garlic in olive oil in a medium saucepan or skillet until lightly browned. Strongly flavored garlic with some heat will give a more authentic flavor than mild elephant garlic varieties.
3. Add kirmizi biber, biber salcasi, tomato paste, pomegranate sour, and diced tomatoes. Kirmizi biber will add a lot of heat; adjust to taste or leave out for children. Biber salcasi adds critical flavor and should not be skipped. Substitute fresh garden tomatoes in late summer for exceptional taste.
4. Add gnocchi to boiling water and cook approximately two to three minutes, or until the potato pasta floats. Take extra care not to overcook.
5. Drain gnocchi and add to tomato garlic sauce.
6. Add fresh parsley, reserving a few pieces for garnish, and simmer two minutes until wilted. Salt to taste.

Accompaniments

Serve warm or chilled with a simple Mediterranean salad consisting of red cabbage, carrots, greens, and tomatoes. Toss salad with a quick dressing of 1 cup olive oil, 1 cup lemon juice, 2 cloves crushed garlic, and salt to taste. Finish with a glass of Turkish apple tea (elma çayi) or Turkish coffee (kahvesi) and a sweet after dinner treat like Baklava and Turkish delight. Turkish tea sets, coffee pots (ibrik or cezve), serving cups, Turkish tea, and finely ground Turkish coffee are essentials. This Americanized version of sarmisakli kofte is easily doubled or tripled for potlucks and picnics. The dish is a welcome change from casseroles and pasta salads. Sarmisakli köfte often becomes the bringer’s signature dish. The cook should prepare for recipe requests and additional party invitations.