Josie
The writer, cook and photographer behind Your Ultimate Menu
Ingredients
Tray Bake
- 1 eggplant
- 1 large capsicum (any colour)
- 1 small red onion
- 4 cloves garlic
- 250 g cherry tomatoes (8.8oz)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 500 g chilled or shelf-stable gnocchi (1lb 2oz)
- 50 g basil pesto (1.8oz)
- 3 Tbsp olive oil
To Serve
- 100 g baby or Mediterranean rocket (3.5oz)
- 100 g feta cheese (3.5oz)
- 50 g basil pesto (1.8oz)
- 1 large handful fresh basil leaves (optional)
- 1 lemon, cut into wedges (optional)
Instructions
1. Preheat Oven
Preheat oven to 200ºC (390ºF) fan bake and line two large oven trays with baking paper.
2. Prepare Ingredients
Dice eggplant and capsicum into roughly 2cm/0.8in pieces. Slice onion into thin wedges and quarter peeled garlic cloves. Place prepared veggies onto one of the oven trays with the cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with oregano and season with salt and pepper.
3. Prepare Gnocchi
Place gnocchi on second tray. Stir together pesto and oil. Drizzle half over the veggies and half over the gnocchi. Toss to combine.
4. Bake the Gnocchi
Bake (placing gnocchi tray below veggie tray) for 20 minutes, until veggies are roasted and golden, and gnocchi is slightly crisp on the edges.
5. Assemble and Serve
Divide rocket between individual serving plates or bowls. Top with veggies and gnocchi. Crumble feta over the top and drizzle with pesto. Scatter basil leaves on top and serve with lemon wedges, if using.
Recipe Notes
- Wine Match: A Sauvignon Blanc.
- Gluten-Free Option: Choose gluten-free gnocchi.
- Ingredient Notes / Swaps: Not keen on eggplant? You could use 2 x zucchini or 1/2 cauliflower instead.
- Made it Meaty: Meat lovers could add some diced chorizo to the veggies before baking.
- Storing and Reheating: This meal is best prepared and eaten fresh. Leftover tray bake ingredients can be covered with foil and reheated in the oven, gently reheated in a frying pan, or microwaved (options listed in order of preference!). Add other ingredients just before serving.
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A bit more about the master chef behind this recipe…
Cooking, baking and creating recipes have always been Josie’s passions. She has a Bachelor of Food Technology and works as a freelance recipe developer, food stylist and photographer.
Josie launched her website, Your Ultimate Menu, as a way to help others solve the dreaded “what’s for dinner?” question. Each week she provides recipes for three easy meals together with an organised shopping list.
Her sister’s recent diagnosis with coeliac disease has inspired Josie to provide gluten-free options for all of her recipes.
Like this recipe? Check out Josie’s website for more cooking inspiration! https://www.yourultimatemenu.com/
