Gnocchi – soft pillows of potato pasta – may be one of the most comforting of Italy’s many comfort foods. This recipe incorporates activated charcoal powder for a striking dark colour and detoxifying properties.

Serves: 2 | Prep. time: 30 minutes | Cook time: 30 minutes | Dish deets: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Gnocchi

• 2 large Agria potatoes
• 2 cups 00 flour (or strong flour)
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 Tbsp activated charcoal powder

Sauce

• 4 Tbsp olive oil
• 10 cherry tomatoes
• ¼ cup edamame beans
• 1 cup baby spinach
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• ¼ cup ricotta cheese
• 3 Tbsp macadamia nuts, toasted and crushed

Making it happen

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.

2. Peel potatoes, cut into big cubes and add to pot. Cook until tender but still firm, about 15 minutes. Drain, cool and mash with a fork.

3. Combine mashed potato, flour, egg, salt and activated charcoal powder in a large bowl. Knead until dough forms.

4. Shape small portions of the dough into long ‘snakes’. On a floured surface, cut snakes into 1.5-centimetre pieces.

5. Cook gnocchi in a pot of boiling salted water for three to four minutes. As soon as they rise to the surface, they are ready.

6. Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan and add cherry tomatoes, edamame beans and cooked gnocchi and toss it with the spinach. Add seasoning.

7. Garnish with macadamia nuts and ricotta cheese, and serve.

Read more: Meet Chef Kanav Khajuria

Town Tonic is an innovative and contemporary eatery in Addington that prides itself on serving creative food using only the freshest locally sourced produce.  towntonic.com