People immediately think of Sichuan food as being hot, sour, sweet, and salty; using fish sauce; or having a strange taste. Actually, these flavors were introduced only in the last 100 years ...

This indulgent gnocchi dish, unusually spiked with Sichuan peppercorns, is perfect for a late summer or early autumn all-in-one dinner – addictively good. Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.