If you’re navigating cancer treatment, recovery, or simply striving to nourish your body well, comfort food can still have a place on your plate! The key is choosing ingredients that offer both flavour and nutritional value.
We’ve discovered a healthy sweet potato gnocchi recipe that is a wonderful example of how wholesome ingredients can come together to create a satisfying and nourishing meal. It features naturally sweet sweet potatoes, antioxidant-rich mushrooms, leafy greens and a creamy dairy-free sauce. This dish feels indulgent while supporting overall wellbeing.
What Are The Nutritional Benefits?
For many people affected by cancer, maintaining a healthy relationship with food can be challenging. Taste changes, reduced appetite, treatment side effects and fatigue can all impact eating habits.
Recipes like this offer a balance of nourishment and enjoyment. The soft texture of the gnocchi can be easier to eat than some heavier meals, while the creamy sauce provides comfort and flavour. Importantly, it reminds us that healthy eating doesn’t have to mean giving up the foods we love.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes are rich in beta-carotene, a plant compound that the body converts into vitamin A. They also provide fibre and slow-release carbohydrates, helping to support steady energy levels throughout the day.
Mushrooms
Mushrooms contain a range of beneficial compounds, including antioxidants and beta-glucans. They also add a delicious savoury flavour that makes meals feel satisfying and comforting.
Spinach
Spinach contributes folate, vitamin K and plant-based antioxidants, making it an easy way to boost the nutritional value of a meal.
Coconut Cream
For those looking to reduce dairy or who find dairy difficult to tolerate, coconut cream creates a rich, velvety sauce while keeping the dish dairy-free.
Healthy Sweet Potato Gnocchi Recipe
Serves: 2
Preparation Time: 30 minutes
Cooking Time: 30 minutes
Ingredients:
Sweet Potato Gnocchi
- 1 medium sweet potato, peeled and cut into chunks
- 1 cup cassava flour
- 1 organic free-range egg
Creamy Garlic Mushroom Sauce
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 spring onion, chopped
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 anchovy
- 1 cup Swiss brown or cremini mushrooms, sliced
- 1 cup baby spinach leaves
- ½ cup coconut cream
- Pinch of unrefined sea salt
- 2 tablespoons Brazil nut parmesan (optional)
Method:
- Cook the sweet potato in boiling water for 10–12 minutes, or until tender.
- Drain and allow to cool slightly.
- Mash until smooth and free from lumps.
- Combine ¾ cup of the cassava flour with the mashed sweet potato.
- Make a well in the centre and add the egg. Mix until a dough forms.
- If the dough is sticky, add more flour gradually until workable.
- Divide the dough into quarters. Roll each piece into a rope approximately 1 inch wide and cut into gnocchi-sized pieces.
- Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil. Cook the gnocchi in batches for 2–3 minutes, or until they float to the surface.
- Meanwhile, heat the olive oil in a pan and sauté the spring onion, garlic, and anchovy for 1–2 minutes.
- Add the mushrooms and spinach and cook for a further 1–2 minutes.
- Stir in the coconut cream and season with salt.
- Add the cooked gnocchi to the sauce and gently toss to coat.
- Serve topped with Brazil nut parmesan if desired.
Make-Ahead Tip
If energy levels are low or you’re meal-prepping for the week, the gnocchi can be frozen before cooking and used later for a quick and nourishing meal. This can be particularly helpful during busy periods or when fatigue makes cooking from scratch feel overwhelming.
This healthy sweet potato gnocchi recipe demonstrates that nourishing food can also be comforting, flavourful and enjoyable. By focusing on whole-food ingredients and simple preparation methods, it’s possible to create meals that support wellbeing while still feeling like a treat.
The original recipe was found via Food Matters.
At Together Against Cancer, we often welcome guest speakers to the Wellness Centre to support your healing journey, including nutritional guidance and ways to easily maintain an optimum diet during a healing journey. Keep an eye on our events page for an updated schedule of workshops over the coming months: https://www.togetheragainstcancer.org.uk/events/
