Why this blog??

Why this blog?? I often find myself stressing over what to make for my family for dinner. We live a busy life and some meals need time to prep, cook and let's not forget shopping for everything you need. I love cookbooks and websites, but there are so many recipe's at times it is overwhelming. The recipe's I will be posting are things I actually made. I will tell you if they are easy or more time consuming. I will also tell you if they are good. Most of these are recipe's I have made for years and continue to make because they are easy or quick and my family loves them and i know yours will too! I will also try to at least once in a whlie try a new recipe I've found on line or in a book and honestly rate it. I always encourage others to send me their favorite recipe's as well! I am a mom... not a chef. But I am a mom who enjoys cooking for her family and making a somewhat healthy meal (some days more healthy than others:) ) In each recipe I will share how I recommend serving it, any substitutions I can think of that are also good, or ways to prepare ahead of time to make the cooking part seem quicker! I am not a photographer, as you can see... most of these pictures are taken from my phone camera, so may not be the best! I love to hear from others who have made these recipes and what they have done to change the recipe... please post comments! Thank you! To "like" me on facebook, go to this link... It's What's Cookin

Saturday, November 12, 2011

Fancy Gnocchi


I grew up in a town full of amazing italian food! My favorite dish was gnocchi in a hearty marinara sauce. I moved to AZ and anytime I would go to an italian restaurant that served gnocchi, it came in a alfredo or pink sauce. At first it was weird and I wasn't sure I liked it, but it grew on me. I now make gnocchi at home in a pink sauce with cheese! This is semi homemade since I buy the gnocchi (it's important to buy a good brand) and I use preggo sauce... shhhh!! :) I have made red sauce home made in the past, but for this dish, you use so little, it just isn't worth it to me.  The white sauce I make homemade though and the cheese just makes it EXTRA special:)

*1 bag (15-20oz) of FROZEN gnocchi (I like Tony's brand found in some grocery stores here in AZ. Back home in WI I would get mine at Tenuta's!!)
*4 T Butter
*2 T flour
*seasonings (your choice... i use black pepper, italian seasonings and garlic salt)
*1 pt heavy whipping cream
*Fresh grated parmesan cheese (i don't measure... i just grate) :)  (Optional)
*1/3 cup of your favorite red sauce (I use Preggo Traditional)
*2 sticks of Mozz string cheese (pulled apart into strings)

1. I start by putting my pan of water on the stove top on high heat (this will be for the gnocchi once it comes to a boil.) At same time, i put my butter in another pan and on medium melt the butter. I also preheat oven to 250.

2. Once butter is melted, slowly add flour and whisk together. This should start to get thicker. I also add some seasoning at this point (black pepper, garlic salt, italian seasonings about a generous pinch of each)

3. Slowly add heavy whipping cream, stirring the whole time. I like to add half, stir and cook on medium till thickens (about 3-5 minutes) and then add the other half, again stirring and cook another 3-5 mins till thickens. I sometimes add about a handfull of fresh grated parmesan cheese if I have it on hand.

4. Place half of the cheese strings in the bottom of a baking pan (as shown below). At this time your water should also be boiling. Pour gnocchi into the boiling water. (It's important to wait to add gnocchi until water is at a rapid boil). You will only cook gnocchi for about 2 minutes tops... They should start to float. After 2 minutes (or less if they are all floating)- drain water.

5. Pour 1/3 of the white sauce into the bottom of the glass pan on top of the cheese. Next, pour your drained gnocchi on top of the white sauce- spreading them out in pan (again, see below).

6. Add your red sauce to the remaining white sauce still in the pan. Stir well. Sauce should be pink. Pour this sauce on top of the gnocchi in the pan. Top with the remaining cheese strings.

7. Place in oven for 5-7 minutes (or until cheese looks melted)

Serve hot! YUM  We serve ours with a side of garlic bread or cheesy rolls and a side salad!
Add butter to hot pan. Melt

Slowly add flour and mix well

Add your cream and keep cooking, stirring occasionally till thickens.

Add half of cheese strings to bottom of pan

Thickened white sauce, i sometimes add parmesan cheese here too

This is the gnocchi I buy in my store


Pour about 1/3 of the white sauce into the pan over the cheese.

Add your cooked gnocchi


Add a little red sauce and stir to make your pink sauce


Pour pink sauce over top of gnocchi

Top with rest of cheese strings (and more parmesan cheese if you wish)

After cooking for about 7 minutes


1 comment:

Star Spangled Mamas said...

This looks so good!!!! And gnocchi is GF most of the time!!!! I am so going to be making this!!!!!!!