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Crab and Spinach Gnocchi





Yields
Serves 4




Total Time
2 hrs

Despite being in Phoenix and quite a distance from an ocean, chef Cullen Campbell serves impeccable seafood at Crudo restaurant. These plump gnocchi are cooked in gently simmering water, but the mixture can also be pan-fried to create crabcakes.

su-Crab and Spinach Gnocchi Image




Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Nissa Quanstrom
  GNOCCHI
 1 tablespoon olive oil, divided
 2 pounds spinach, rinsed well and large stems trimmed
  About 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
  About 3/4 tsp. pepper, divided
 1 pound shelled cooked Dungeness crab, large pieces broken up
 1 large egg plus 1 large egg yolk
 1/2 teaspoon red chile flakes*
 1/2 cup flour
  BUTTER SAUCE AND SERVING
 1/3 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
 1/4 cup minced shallot (about 1 medium)
 2 garlic cloves, minced
 3 tablespoons whipping cream
 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter, cut into cubes
  Large pinch kosher salt
  Large pinch pepper
 1 1/2 teaspoons Vietnamese fish sauce or colatura (Italian fish sauce)*
  Hunk of parmesan cheese
Step 1
1

Make gnocchi: Heat 1/2 tbsp. oil in a large pot over medium-high heat. Add half of spinach and a pinch each salt and pepper. Cook, tossing often, until barely wilted and still bright green, 2 to 3 minutes. Drain in a colander. Repeat with another 1/2 tbsp. oil, remaining spinach, and a pinch more of salt and pepper. Let cool in colander.

Step 2
2

Gently squeeze excess liquid from cooled spinach. Chop 1/3 cup finely and set the rest aside.

Step 3
3

Mix crab, chopped spinach, whole egg and yolk, chile flakes, and 1/4 tsp. each salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Add flour and mix thoroughly until it holds together like a soft dough.

Step 4
4

Dip 2 small spoons (soup spoons are too big) in very hot water. Scoop 1 scant tbsp. dough with one spoon. Set second spoon upside down over dough and press firmly, then scoop underneath dough and onto second spoon. Repeat motion with first spoon. Scoop back and forth until you have a compact quenelle of dough. Alterna­tively, using wet hands to keep dough from sticking, and firmly roll it into scant 1-tbsp. balls. Set quenelles or balls on a baking sheet as you work, then chill while you make sauce.

Step 5
5

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Meanwhile, make butter sauce: Cook wine, shallot, and garlic in a large frying pan over medium-low heat until wine has almost evaporated and shallot is softened, 3 to 5 minutes. Add cream and cook until simmering. Whisk in butter, a few cubes at a time, until melted and creamy. Whisk in salt, pepper, and fish sauce. Remove from heat to a warm spot. Let sit, whisking occasionally, until ready to serve, up to 30 minutes.

Step 6
6

Reduce heat under boiling water to an active simmer. Drop in gnocchi and cook until they float, 3 to 4 minutes. With a slotted spoon, transfer to a plate. Meanwhile, reheat reserved spinach in a microwave.

Step 7
7

Divide spinach among four plates. Top each with 6 to 8 gnocchi and drizzle generously with butter sauce. Serve with cheese hunk and a grater.

Step 8
8

*Campbell likes smoky Controne hot pepper (find at markethallfoods.com) and salty, intense colatura (amazon.com).

Step 9
9

Make ahead: Formed gnocchi, up to 1 day, chilled, or up to 2 months, frozen. (Freeze on baking sheet, then pop off and seal in a resealable plastic bag. Boil directly from the freezer, 5 to 6 minutes.) Spinach, up to 1 day, chilled. Butter sauce, up to 1 day, reheated in a bowl set over steaming water, whisking often.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 0


Amount Per Serving
Calories 535Calories from Fat 62
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 37g57%

Saturated Fat 19g95%
Cholesterol 268mg90%
Sodium 1077mg45%
Total Carbohydrate 23g8%

Dietary Fiber 4.2g17%
Protein 35g70%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily value may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.