Home Mains Rustic Slow-Cooked Lamb Gnocchi with Dill Cream Sauce
Rustic Slow-Cooked Lamb Gnocchi with Dill Cream Sauce, showcasing tender lamb pieces nestled in soft gnocchi, drizzled with a creamy dill sauce on a rustic plate
3 Hours, 00 Minutes Medium

Rustic Slow-Cooked Lamb Gnocchi with Dill Cream Sauce

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This exquisite dish epitomizes culinary harmony: Tender Lamb and Dill Gnocchi with Creamy Parmesan Sauce. It marries the robust flavors of slow-cooked lamb with the delicate texture of gnocchi; all enveloped in a velvety sauce that sings with hints of dill and lemon zest. This dish is crafted with a thoughtful selection of ingredients, where each component plays a pivotal role in creating a symphony of flavors and textures that elevate it into a memorable dining experience.

At its heart, this recipe features tender chunks of lamb meticulously browned to perfection and then slowly simmered in rich beef stock until fork-tender. This slow cooking process allows the lamb to absorb the depth of flavors from the stock, while its natural juices contribute to the sauce’s complexity. The choice of lamb, with its distinct, rich flavor, sets the foundation for a hearty and comforting dish, making it an ideal centerpiece for a sumptuous meal.

The gnocchi, small Italian dumplings known for their soft texture, are introduced into the same pan used for cooking the lamb, ensuring they soak up the robust flavors of the meat and the sauce. This not only simplifies the cooking process but also infuses the gnocchi with an unparalleled depth of flavor. The result is a delightful contrast between the pillowy gnocchi and the tender chunks of lamb, creating a harmonious balance between the two main components of the dish.

The sauce, a crucial element of this culinary masterpiece, is ingeniously crafted from the reduced beef stock, combined with heavy cream, freshly chopped dill, and lemon zest. The heavy cream lends a luxurious creaminess to the sauce, while the dill and lemon zest introduce bright, aromatic notes that cut through the richness, adding complexity to the dish. Parmesan cheese is then stirred in, melting into the sauce, to impart a savory depth and a subtle nuttiness that complements the other flavors beautifully.

This dish is a testament to the art of cooking with intention. Each ingredient is selected and prepared with care to contribute to the overall flavor profile. The use of extra virgin olive oil for browning the lamb, carefully reducing beef stock to concentrate its flavors, and precise seasoning with dill and lemon zest all play crucial roles in achieving a perfectly balanced dish.

The Tender Lamb and Dill Gnocchi with Creamy Parmesan Sauce is not just a meal but an experience. From the first bite, the textures and flavors meld together in a comforting and luxurious way. The lamb’s succulence, paired with the gnocchi’s softness and creamy, fragrant sauce, creates a dish that is both sophisticated and deeply satisfying.

This dish is ideal for a cozy dinner on a chilly evening. Still, it also shines as the centerpiece of a special occasion meal, promising to impress even the most discerning palates. It is a celebration of flavors and textures, a testament to the joy of cooking and the pleasures of the table. Serving this dish is not just about nourishing the body; it’s about creating memories around the table, sharing a meal crafted with love and savored with appreciation.

Rustic Slow-Cooked Lamb Gnocchi with Dill Cream Sauce

Recipe by Kyle Taylor
5.0 from 1 vote
Course: MainsCuisine: FusionDifficulty: Medium
Servings

4

servings
Prep time

30

minutes
Cooking time

2

hours 

30

minutes
Total time

3

hours 

The Rustic Slow-Cooked Lamb Gnocchi with Dill Cream Sauce is a comforting and aromatic dish that combines tender, slow-cooked lamb with a pillowy gnocchi, all draped in a creamy dill-infused sauce for a hearty embrace of rustic flavors.

Ingredients

  • 1 pound lamb stew chunks

  • 16 ounces gnocchi

  • 1 large onion, diced

  • 3 cloves of garlic, minced

  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

  • 1 cup heavy cream

  • 3 cups beef stock

  • 1 bay leaf

  • 2 tablespoons dill, freshly chopped

  • 1 teaspoon lemon zest

  • 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, grated

Directions

  • Brown the Lamb:
    Heat the olive oil over medium-high heat in a large skillet or Dutch oven. Season the lamb chunks with salt and pepper, then add them to the skillet. Cook until browned on all sides. Remove the lamb and set aside.
  • Sauté the Onion and Garlic:
    In the same skillet, add the diced onion. Cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the minced garlic and cook for an additional minute until fragrant.
  • Slow Cook the Lamb:
    Return the lamb to the skillet. Add the beef stock and bay leaf, ensuring the lamb is mainly covered. Bring to a simmer, then reduce the heat to low. Cover and cook for 90 minutes to 2 hours or until the lamb is tender.
  • Reduce the Sauce:
    Once the lamb is tender, please remove it from the skillet. Increase the heat to reduce the beef stock by about half.
  • Cook the Gnocchi:
    Add the gnocchi directly to the skillet. Cook according to the package instructions. The gnocchi will absorb the rich flavors of the sauce during cooking.
  • Add Cream and Lamb:
    Lower the heat and stir in the heavy cream, lemon zest, and dill. Add the cooked lamb to the skillet, allowing it to reheat and mingle with the other flavors.
  • Combine and Finish:
    Once the gnocchi is cooked and the sauce is creamy, stir in the grated Parmesan cheese until it’s melted and smooth. Adjust seasoning with salt and ground black pepper.
  • Serve:
    Dish out the gnocchi and lamb, ensuring each serving has a generous helping of sauce. Garnish with more fresh dill and a sprinkle of Parmesan cheese before serving.

Notes

  • If the sauce seems too thick after adding the cream and cheese, you can thin it with extra beef stock or water. Conversely, if it’s too thin, let it simmer slightly to reduce to your desired consistency.
  • Taste and adjust the seasoning right before serving, as reducing the sauce and adding cheese will affect the overall flavor balance.
  • If lamb chunks are unavailable, you can opt for a lamb sirloin or similar cut and cut it into chunks to achieve the desired tenderness and flavor.

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