Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Pear Feta Sauce

Before I get to this awesome dish I wanted to share something disturbing I heard tonight at the gym - a conversation between two teenage girls in the dressing room.
When I went in to retrieve my bag from the locker after my walk I overheard two young ladies discussing "diets" and weight. One of them was lamenting that she was too fat and that her mom told her she wasn't. She said she's trying everything to lose weight, including only consuming 900 calories a day, like another friend had suggested to her. The other girl asked her what she ate to only get 900 calories a day and her reply is what shocked me. She said that she bought the "100 calorie" snack packs and counted out 9 packs a day and ate only those along with water! I wanted to say something to her, but didn't want to intrude on their conversation. Besides, would they really listen to an old gray-haired lady over their friends?
Overhearing this conversation and realizing the impact of an impending eating disorder can have on these girls' future bothered me greatly. How do we get the message out about healthy eating, balanced exercise, and nutritional knowledge? So sad... I wish I had more influence in this area.

 
I bought some sweet potato gnocchi at Whole Foods the last time I went and have been excited to try it. I've eaten regular gnocchi, which is similar to a dumpling most often made with potatoes. It can also be made with squash, cheese, polenta, or even sweet potatoes!

 
I found this brand in the area where the special cheeses are sold.

 
This package contains two servings and I shared it with Stephen, as he stopped by on his way home for a short visit.

For sweet potato gnocchi, I knew that this dish needed a special sauce - more fruity or sweet than savory. In browsing the internet and searching through blogs I found the following recipe a few months ago (but didn't record where it came from - I'm horrible about that :(

 
Sauce ingredients. Now, the soy milk and spelt flour can be substituted if those are not to your liking.

Pear Feta Sauce

1 T. Olive oil
1 medium Bartlett pear, cored & diced
1 c. plain soymilk
2 tsp spelt flour
2 T. butter
8 oz Feta cheese, crumbled

In a large saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add pear and cook stirring occasionally for 10-15 minutes or until pear begins to carmelize.
 
This was one of my favorite parts - the aroma of the pear and olive oil as it cooked!
Remove from heat; set aside.
In same pan, heat milk and flour over medium heat, whisking together until well mixed. Add butter and stir until melted. Cook for 3-4 minutes or until liquid starts to bubble and reduce.
Add cheese and pear - cook, stirring occasionally until heated through.

 

Serve over gnocchi.

 
The sauce recipe made more than two servings (and it's also a little higher in calories than a basic marinara sauce would be).

This would also be good served over a butternut squash ravioli dish, too!

Let me know if you try this and what you think!

Comments

[Adrianne@ Flex-appeal]

That conversation you heard is SO disturbing. It makes me so sad!

[barb hendrickson]

Wow, that is incredibly sad. You just never know how God will lead; maybe even to speak to her if you see her again. Just be ready...you know how God is. ;)

be blessed,
barb hendrickson

[Jo]

That's the problem with kids nowadays, they are so concerned of how they think they look that they tend to try almost anything even if it concerns their well being just to stay "in".
That looks like a very healthy meal you prepared with those sweet potato btw. Thanks!