This basic potato gnocchi recipe costs under £2 to make and will feed a family of four to six people. Use this plain potato gnocchi as a base for any sauces you wish to add, or eat as it with a side of vegetables or salad.

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

1kg potatoes

3 eggs

400g plain flour

salt and pepper

Method:

Peel potatoes and place in a pan of salted, boiling water. Cook for approximately 30 minutes until soft. Drain, mash and then set aside until cool.

Once potatoes have cooled sieve flour into a large bowl, then add potatoes and seasoning to them.

Crack the eggs into a separate bowl and beat together.

Pour eggs into the flour and potato mixture.

Use your hands to combine the mixture until a dough is formed. Depending on the quality of the flour used you may need to add a little more to the mixture to prevent it sticking.

Once the dough is the right consistency (not too dry and not too sticky), break off a piece at a time and roll into a log the width of approximately two fingers, upon a floured surface.

Cut each log into 2cm long pieces. Use a fork to gently press the top of each piece, leaving an indentation of the prongs on one side. This is done to enable the gnocchi to ‘grip’ onto the sauces.

Bring a large pan of salted water to the boil and gently drop the gnocchi pieces into it. They will sink to the bottom but, once cooked, they’ll rise to the top.

Serve immediately with salad or vegetables.