Milanese Gnocchi (Dumplings) and Vegetable Stew

Preparation time: 10 minutes

4 servings

Cooking time: 20 minutes

363 calories per serving, 26% from fat

RealAge effect if eaten 12 times a year:

RealAge-effect ingredients:

Bursting with age-reducing phytochemicals, one bowlful makes your RealAge 4.7 days younger.

Olive oil, garlic, tomatoes, escarole (monounsaturated fat, lycopene, flavonoids, calcium, potassium, selenium, antioxidants)

ingredients

2 teaspoons olive oil (taken from the container of sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, see below)

3 garlic cloves, minced

3 cups low-salt chicken broth

1 package (16 ounces) shelf-stable (nonrefrigerated, vacuum-packed) spinach or potato gnocchi (dumplings), such as Bellino brand

¼ cup sliced well-drained sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, such as Sonoma brand

2 cups packed torn escarole

1 cup diced plum tomatoes

½ cup (2 ounces) crumbled Gorgonzola cheese

1 tablespoon chopped fresh sage or 1 teaspoon dried sage

Crushed red pepper flakes or sun-dried tomato bits or flakes (optional)

preparation

Heat a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil, then garlic; cook 30 seconds, stirring frequently. Add broth; bring to a boil over high heat.

Add gnocchi and sun-dried tomatoes; simmer 3 to 4 minutes or until gnocchi begin to float. Stir in escarole; simmer 1 minute. Stir in plum tomatoes; ladle into shallow bowls. Top with cheese, sage, and pepper flakes or sun-dried tomato flakes, if desired.

substitutions: Frisée (curly endive) may replace escarole, and vegetable broth may replace chicken broth.

tips: This big, warm stew has a soft and chewy texture. For a pleasant textural contrast, sprinkle sun-dried tomato flakes on top just before serving, and don’t forget to top with Gorgonzola cheese. The dish becomes brightly lit, with little streaks of white, salty, melted flavor.

nutritional analysis

Total fat (g) 10.8

Sodium (mg) 862

Vitamin A (RE) 236

Fat calories (kc) 97

Calcium (mg) 328

Beta-carotene (RE) 269

Cholesterol (mg) 30

Magnesium (mg) 33

Vitamin C (mg) 12

Saturated fat (g) 2.2

Zinc (mg) 1.9

Vitamin E (mg) 3

Polyunsaturated fat (g) 1.3

Selenium (mcg) 8

Thiamin B1 (mg) 0.2

Monounsaturated fat (g) 7.3

Potassium (mg) 400

Riboflavin B2 (mg) 0.3

Fiber (g) 2.2

Flavonoids (mg) 1.8

Niacin B3 (mg) 3.8

Carbohydrates (g) 68

Lycopene (mg) 2.4

Vitamin B6 (mg) 0.1

Sugar (g) 1.8

Fish (oz) 0

Folic acid (mcg) 54

Protein (g) 20.4

Nuts (oz) 0

Vitamin B12 (mcg) 0.7