Gnocchi with Fresh Basil & Italian Parsley

per·fect gnoc·chi (according to Brooke), n.

1. Light, delicate, billowy dumplings. Crisp on the outside. Creamy, buttery, rich on the inside.

2. A little bit of heaven.

All I want to say today is this: If you can make perfect ricotta, you can make perfect gnocchi.

It's just about that simple.

And then all you have to do is throw in a few handfuls of fresh basil and fragrant parsley and you've got yourself a little bit of gnocchi heaven.

Just sayin'.

Notes: This recipe is best when made with fresh ricotta (as we made here), but I don't see why store-bought wouldn't also work in a pinch. Just keep in mind that the cheese from the grocery store is not as moist as homemade, so I'd start with a little less flour so the gnocchi don't end up too dry or tough. Also, you can serve the gnocchi with whatever toppings or sauces you fancy. I love the simplicity of fresh herbs to really showcase the creamy, buttery flavor of the gnocchi while letting the herbs have a bit of a shining role, too. Any kind of pesto would dress the gnocchi up nicely, as well, or perhaps a simple garlic, tomato, and prosciutto sauce. The possibilities are endless, really, so experiment with whatever your heart desires. One final thing: If you would like to freeze the gnocchi for later use, do so just after cutting the dumpling pieces. Arrange the gnocchi in a single layer on a baking pan and place the pan in the freezer. Freeze until solid, about 3 hours. Place the frozen gnocchi in an appropriate container. To cook, boil as directed below, with no need to thaw the dumplings.

Adapted from a recent Instructional Dinner I attended at one of my very favorite restaurants. 

Ricotta Cheese

I've heard it said that cheese is milk's attempt at perfection. Frankly, I think cheese does a pretty fabulous job at perfecting milk... Not that milk is totally imperfect (a tall glass of whole milk is amazing, yes? Especially when paired with one of these bad boys.), but the right kind of cheese easily spells out perfection to me.
That said, the ricotta cheese at the grocery store doesn't do a very good job at trying to be perfect milk. Store-bought, generic ricotta simply holds nothing to the homemade stuff. It is f-a-r from perfect. Sure, the store-bought stuff works in a pinch or if it's not the star of the recipe, but if you haven't ever tasted homemade ricotta, you haven't tasted perfect ricotta. This stuff is so rich and creamy you'll probably think you're dreaming.
Please taste it. It will change your life... Or at least your understanding of perfect milk.
Notes: This makes a whole lot of ricotta. I haven't tried freezing it, but I have heard it might work... You could easily half the recipe, but you'll probably be like me and love the stuff so much that you'll find every excuse to use it. For example: Smeared on toast with a drizzle of honey and a pinch of salt, as a sandwich spread, dolloped on a plate of pasta, or made into gnocchi (one of my absolute favorites!).
Adapted from a few sources and my head :)

Chicken & Shrimp Curry with Peanut Drizzle

Sunday afternoons are pretty relaxing around our house. You can usually find someone lying on the couch with the day's newspaper and another curled up close by with a nice thick book. The little ones will usually occupy themselves with their favorite toys in some remote corner of the house or by running around out back with the puppy. As for me, I'm usually taking advantage of the workless day to create something delicious in the kitchen. Something delicious - like this.

This is one of our favorite dishes for a Sunday afternoon dinner.

At first glance, it seems a bit intimidating by the long list of ingredients, but don't be fooled - it all comes together within an hour or so. And it is worth every minute of that hour, I promise. The peanut sauce takes this curry dish over the top. (As we've determined previously, peanut butter is excellent in just about any form.) With a few fresh vegetables, a bit of rich coconut milk, and some plump shrimp, you've got yourself a comforting meal for a relaxing Sunday afternoon. Or any afternoon, for that matter.

Notes: Be sure to read through the entire recipe before beginning so you know what to expect. (i.e. There are a few garnish items that need toasting, which can be done in a few minutes in a pan set over medium heat.) Also, this method of cooking rice is my favorite. It is fool-proof and produces fluffy, perfect rice every time. And finally, this dish can easily be made vegetarian by simply omitting the chicken and shrimp. It'll still be fabulous, I'm sure.

Loosely adapted from here, where it is known as "Bang Bang Chicken & Shrimp"


This post linked to Real Food Wednesdays

Avocado & Tomato Tartine

Sometimes the best things are simple things, yes? Actually, I might argue that usually the best things are simple things.

Like a slice of fresh, piping-hot bread from the oven smeared generously with salted butter.

...or a just-picked tomato, eaten like an apple.

...or a halved avocado in one hand and a spoon in the other.

...or the smell of fresh feta cheese.

Over-complicating is totally over-rated.

Avocados and tomatoes are pretty simple and we all know that feta is what makes the world go 'round. So why not combine the three for a delicious tartine? Well, I did just that and what I'm sharing with you today is a humble, not-quite-recipe that is a favorite of mine.

I've enjoyed this tartine equally well for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. I suppose you could even go for all three on the same day. Now, how's that for simple!? Believe me, I've been tempted. One bite and you'll know what I mean.

Notes: This tartine is amazing when made with this sandwich bread, though any fresh whole-grain bread will do. Also, of course the best tomatoes are those just picked - either from the garden out back or the Saturday market. Nothing beats wonderful summer produce!

A Flour Sack original

Avocado & Tomato Tartine

1 ripe avocado, peeled
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
Pinch of fine-grain sea salt, to taste

2 slices whole-wheat sandwich bread, toasted
1 fresh tomato, sliced
A bit of crumbled feta cheese

In a small bowl, mash the avocado with the lemon juice and salt.

Spoon the avocado mixture on each slice of toasted bread and spread to the edges. Top each tartine with a few tomato slices and sprinkle generously with feta cheese.

Yield: 2 tartines

This post linked to Real Food Wednesdays and The Nourishing Gourmet

Oatmeal Pancakes with Blueberry Maple Compote

What were you doing at 4 am this morning? Sleeping, I hope.

I'm usually sleeping at that hour, too. Not today, though. Nope, I wasn't asleep.

I was awake. Do you ever wake up early (as in, super early), still exhausted as can be, with a million thoughts running through your head? And you lay there for hours upon hours mad at your silly little noggin' for being so rude to keep you from your beauty sleep? I do. That's why I was awake at 4 am this morning.


Well, as it happens, one of those million thoughts running through my head was something like, "Hmmm.... Since I'm just laying here with nothing to do (heaven forbid I actually sleep!) in my pitch-black room, what'll be for breakfast today?" A few things crossed my mind but I promptly settled on oatmeal pancakes with blueberries because, well, it sounded scrumptious. I eventually made my way up to the kitchen (still pitch black out, yes), pulled out a few bowls and the griddle, and made a batch of my favorite pancakes.

Lending moisture and texture, the cooked oatmeal in these pancakes makes them extra-tasty. A bit of molasses compliments the nutty oats quite nicely. And when served warm with a bit of blueberry compote, you've got yourself a pretty good reason to get up early (meaning 7 or 8 am, not 4).

Notes: You can use all-purpose flour instead of the whole-wheat pastry, if that's what you have in your cupboard. Also, frozen or fresh berries will work equally well in the compote.

Pancakes adapted from Good to the Grain, Blueberry-Maple Compote a Flour Sack original

This post linked to Read Food Wednesdays and The Nourishing Gourmet