Gnocchi in the Middle Ages

Gnocchi with Haricots Verts

Gnocchi today is usually made with potatoes. If you haven't tried it, you should. It's absolutely delicious in many different types of dishes. Click on the picture above for a great recipe.

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But Gnocchi in the Middle Ages during Marco Polo's lifetime was made differently, with wheat, flour and cheese, sort of like a light dumpling: 

"Frammento di un libro di cucina del sec. XIV, 14^th Century

Take some fresh cheese and mash it, then take some flour and mix with egg yolks as in making migliacci. Put a pot full of water on the fire and, when it begins to boil, put the mixture on a dish and drop it into the pot with a ladle. And when they are cooked, place them on dishes and sprinkle with plenty of grated cheese."

Sounds scrumptious!

Excuse me while I go pick some tomatoes for sauce! NOM!

Rixi e bixi or rice with pancetta and peas

www.foodstory.ro

Rixi e bixi (also known as risi e bisi) is a traditional Venetian dish. And it's so simple: rice with pancetta and peas. 

Who knew such a simple dish could be so delicious? 

Okay, so there's also cheese and you can add other things to make it your own like garlic, shallots, onions, etc. 

You have to love the Italians for combining two carbs in one dish. Yummy peas and rice? Yes please!

But what is pancetta?

Pancetta (Wikimedia Commons)

Basically it's an Italian bacon made of pork belly, salt cured and seasoned with pepper and other spices. 

You can find recipes here:

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Rachel Ray  

Epicurious

Hungry yet?