For the gnocchi:

• 4 large potatoes (about 550g)
• 150g Maizena Cornflour + extra for dusting
• ¹⁄3 cup finely grated parmesan cheese
• salt and pepper
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• olive oil for frying (optional)

For the sauce:

• 2 tsp olive oil
• 100g bacon, diced
• ½ an onion, finely chopped
• 1 tsp minced garlic
• pinch of chilli flakes
• 1 x 400g tin diced tomatoes
• 50g tomato paste
• ½ cup chicken stock
• ¼ cup cream
• small handful of fresh basil, roughly chopped
• salt and pepper
• fresh basil to serve

1.) Place the potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to the boil and allow to cook for 20-30 minutes, or until the potatoes are cooked through. Remove the potatoes from the pot and allow to cool slightly.

2.) Once the potatoes are cool enough to handle (but not cold) peel the skins off. Halve the potatoes and mash in a bowl until smooth. Allow to cool.

3.) Add the Maizena Cornflour and parmesan to the mash. Season well with salt and pepper. Add most of the beaten egg and mix until everything comes together into a soft and ever so slightly sticky dough. If the dough is a bit crumbly add the remaining egg to make a cohesive dough.

4.) Divide the dough into four balls. Dust your work surface with a little Maizena Cornflour and roll each ball into a long log approximately 2cm in diameter. Cut each log into 2cm pieces. Set the gnocchi aside on a baking tray while you start the sauce.
Optional: use a fork dipped in cornflour to make indentations on the gnocchi.

5.) Heat one teaspoon of olive oil in a frying pan. Add the bacon and fry until cooked and starting to crisp. Transfer to a small bowl and set aside.

6.) Heat the other teaspoon of olive oil in the same frying pan. Add the onion, garlic and chilli flakes and sauté for 3 minutes. Add the tin of tomatoes, tomato paste, chicken stock, cream and basil. Season with salt and pepper and simmer for 10 minutes until thickened.

7.) Check the seasoning of the sauce. Blitz in a food processor for a few seconds and then stir in the bacon. Set aside.

8.) Bring a pot of water to the boil. Add the gnocchi to the rapidly boiling water in batches and cook for 2-3 minutes until puffed up and cooked though. You can usually tell when the gnocchi is cooked because the pieces will float to the top. Use a slotted spoon to remove the gnocchi and set aside in a warm place.

9.) Optional step: heat some olive oil in a large frying pan. Add the cooked gnocchi and fry until golden on the outside.

10.) Heat the sauce up if it has cooled down slightly. Dish the gnocchi onto warm plates. Top with sauce and some fresh basil leaves. Serve immediately.