Malfatti de la Abuela Graciela

A family favorite, Grandma Graciela’s Malfatti is a rustic Italian-inspired dish paired with white rice, Pomodoro sauce, and a cheesy gratin.

Ingredients

Malfatti

• 4 bunches of spinach
• 1/4 cup parsley
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1 egg
• 1 slice of bread or 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (soaked in milk)
• Milk (just enough to soak the bread)
• Less than 1 cup flour (for binding)
• Salt, pepper, and nutmeg (to taste)

Accompaniments

• 1 1/2 cups white rice
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1/4 cup Gruyere cheese (grated)
• 1/3 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)

Pomodoro Sauce

• 1 onion
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 can whole peeled tomatoes
• 1 1/2 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp sugar
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Instructions

Step 1: Pomodoro Sauce

1. Heat oil in a pan, sauté onion and 1 clove of garlic for about 20 minutes.
2. Add the canned tomatoes, sugar, salt, and pepper. Let it simmer while preparing the Malfatti.

Step 2: Malfatti Preparation

1. Blanch spinach, drain and squeeze out excess water. Chop finely and place in a bowl.
2. Add parsley, finely chopped garlic, egg, soaked bread or breadcrumbs, salt, pepper, and nutmeg to the spinach. Mix well.
3. Add enough flour to form a stable dough. Shape into small balls, roll them in flour, and set aside.

Step 3: Assembly and Baking

1. Cook rice and spread it in an ovenproof dish.
2. Add Pomodoro sauce over the rice, place Malfatti on top, and drizzle with heavy cream.
3. Sprinkle Gruyere and Parmesan cheese over the top.
4. Bake at 400°F (200°C) until the cheese is golden and bubbly.