gnocchi
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun 1. A type of Italian pasta or dumpling, typically small and soft, made from a dough of potato, flour, or semolina. It is cooked by boiling or baking and is traditionally served with a sauce (such as tomato, pesto, or a butter-based sauce) or with grated cheese.
Usage
- As a mass noun: "Gnocchi" is typically used as an uncountable noun referring to the food in general.
- For dinner, we made homemade gnocchi with a sage butter sauce.
- This restaurant serves excellent potato gnocchi.
- Referring to individual pieces: While less common, it can be used in a plural sense to refer to individual dumplings.
- The gnocchi were light and fluffy.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- Types of Gnocchi: The base ingredient defines the type.
- Potato gnocchi is the most common variety outside Italy.
- Semolina gnocchi (often called "Gnocchi alla Romana") is made from semolina flour, baked, and cut into rounds.
- Ricotta gnocchi uses ricotta cheese in the dough for a very tender result.
- Culinary Context: The word is almost exclusively used in culinary contexts to describe the specific dish.
Variants and Related Words
- Gnocchetto (n): A smaller, sometimes different shaped version of gnocchi.
- Gnocchi alla Romana (n phrase): A specific baked dish made with semolina gnocchi.
Synonyms
- Dumpling: A broader term for a small mass of dough cooked in liquid. Gnocchi is a specific Italian type of dumpling.
- Pasta: A general term for Italian dough-based dishes. Gnocchi is considered a type of pasta, though its primary ingredient is often potato.
Idioms and Phrases
- (No common idioms directly use "gnocchi." It is primarily a culinary term.)
Noun
- (Italian) a small dumpling made of potato or flour or semolina that is boiled or baked and is usually served with a sauce or with grated cheese