Salmon and Dill Gnocchi Bake

This is a creamy and moreish salmon pasta bake that is a real crowd pleaser. 

I use half fat creme fraiche, but you could use full fat, and I've made this with smoked mackerel before, as well as bacon and chicken - it's a versatile base but I would change to thyme if making with chicken. 

The below is enough for 4-5 people and is a great make-ahead meal for mid-week.

Salmon and Dill Gnocchi Bake

Here's how:

• 3 spring onions
• 1 clove of garlic
• 300ml half fat creme fraiche
• 1 lemon 
• Half a side of salmon (or about 450-500g)
• 200g peas
• 150g spinach
• Handful fresh dill
• Drizzle olive oil
• Salt and black pepper
• 20g grated Cheddar or any other hard cheese
• 1 pack gnocchi

Pre-heat the oven to 180 degrees and place a large pot of water on to boil. 

Drizzle the olive oil into a large frying pan and place on a low heat.

Finely chop the spring onions and mince the garlic and add to the pan. 

Once they are soft add the creme fraiche and give a gentle stir. 

Zest the lemon and add to the sauce, then cut the lemon in half and add the juice of 1/2 the lemon to the sauce, again stirring. Season with salt and black pepper and then add the peas and spinach stir through and remove from the heat.

Now cook the gnocchi accordingly, if fresh it usually takes just two minutes and in the meantime chop the salmon into bite-sized pieces and add to the sauce mixture. Take about half of the dill and chop or pull apart and add into the sauce and give a final stir through.

Drain the gnocchi and add to the sauce and give a good stir to ensure it gets a really coating and then pour or spoon everything into an oven-proof dish. Try to distribute as evenly as possible and then give a final seasoning, scatter over the grated cheese and the remaining dill. 

Salmon and Dill Gnocchi Bake

Place in the oven for twenty minutes. Enjoy!

Baby Bites Salmon and Dill Potato Pancakes

These are lovely, soft and fluffy potato based pancakes that go great with a squeeze of lemon and some natural yoghurt. Perfect as a weekend lunch for baby but with the addition of a big pinch of salt, these work as a great brunch dish for the grown-ups too.
Once cooked, allow to cool, and cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces and they make a great finger food for little one. The below makes approximately 5-6 pancakes.

Salmon and Dill Potato Pancakes with Lemon Yoghurt

1 large potato
1 fillet of salmon
1 egg
1 heaped tbsp plain flour
1 heaped tbsp fresh chopped dill
1 tbsp chopped spring onions
1 tbsp Greek natural yoghurt
1/2 lemon

Pop the oven on at 180⁰C (ish), prick the potato all over and place into the oven to bake for 30-40 minutes or until the inside is soft and fluffy.

For the last ten minutes of cooking, wrap the salmon fillet in some tinfoil, pop into an oven proof dish and cook in the oven.

Chop the dill and spring onions whilst everything else is cooking.

Once the potato and salmon are removed from the oven and have cooled slightly, scoop out the soft potato filling into a bowl and gently mash with a fork, allowing some texture to remain.

Flake in the salmon and mix in with the spring onion and dill until nicely combined.

Beat an egg in a separate bowl and add to potato and salmon mixture stirring with a wooden spoon.

Add a little bit of the flour at a time, mixing in, until the mixture resembles a dough.

Drizzle a little oil into a frying pan and place on a medium heat.

Using a large tablespoon, scoop out equal amounts to make each pancake, and place into a hot pan in a round shape.

Fry on each side for about 3-4 minutes, or until golden brown on the outside and completely warmed through.

Remove from the pan and remove excess grease/oil by patting with some kitchen towel.

Squeeze a little drizzle of lemon juice over each pancake.

Squeeze the remaining lemon juice into the yoghurt and serve alongside the pancakes.

Allow to cool slightly, break into pieces your baby can handle, dip into the yoghurt then pass to baby to feed him or herself and let the fun begin.