Gnocchi: Ricotta ones!!

I was pleasantly surprised when my brother in law(who saw that I was a blogger)told me that his cousin(also my husband's cousin) had made Ricotta gnocchi's and that he was making them that weekend and he would tell me how they turned out.  To coin his phrase...Dellish!!!!

I have made Potato gnocchi but was eager to try something that might be somewhat easier and was it....:
Here is the Recipe:

1 -15oz. whole milk ricotta
Equal amount flour
1 egg slightly beaten

11/5/15

In a large bowl, put ricotta,(make a well in center) beaten egg and flour..Knead until it is worked into a ball..If dough is sticky add more flour..I added about 1/2 cup extra flour to mine ..I cut mine a little too large so next time I'll make them smaller but I wanted to score them(picture with fork)( I enlarged picture to show scoring) so I gave myself some room to try this new way to make them so the sauce seeps in the center of  the gnocchi.

 In a large pot bring lightly salted water to a boil..add gnocchi and cook until gnocchi come to top...Boil about 10 minutes and drain.. I used a meat sauce to top them and some Pecorino Romano cheese... Delicioso Pasta!!!!!


6/21/11
3/7/13
1/15/14

Braised Chuck Roast with wine and tomatoes!

 Happy Cooking Bloggers!  This recipe really appealed to me when I saw it in the newspaper. It's going to be our Sunday dinner.  I am using a chuck roast (good value at the market) and honestly I don't make many chuck roasts so we'll see how this one turns out.

1 lb. boneless Spencer chuck roast (that's what it said on the package)
1 tablespoon olive oil
salt and pepper
1 large onion, cut into medium pieces
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. dried thyme
2 tablespoons flour
1 cup each red wine and chicken broth
1 can petite (14.5 oz.) diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon brown sugar(optional)
2 tablespoons cornstarch (optional)

Set oven to 350 degrees. Toss roast with olive oil, salt and pepper..Set aside..In a large heavy bottom Dutch oven over medium high heat..place roast...Cook and turn roast to brown about 5 or 6 minutes..Take roast out of pan and set on a dish.  Add onion to drippings and saute' until lightly browned...Add garlic and thyme, saute' about a minute..Stir in flour, then wine, followed by chicken broth and tomatoes..Put roast back in pot. Place pot in oven with cover and cook approximately 1 1/2 hours or until roast is tender. ..Serve with vegetable of choice..(I am serving it over rice)

My new cast iron Dutch Skillet!  I did the above in it..From stove top to oven..Love it!

Note:  I roasted some carrots to add to roast..Also make sure your roast is not too fatty..Marbled slightly to make it tender.. I added brown sugar to mine to make it a bit  sweeter and made a cornstarch paste to the liquid to thicken it....I am serving it over rice...Enjoy!  Happy Cooking from my kitchen to yours............



12/11/11

Meatloaf ! Pan gravy or Healthy Hint+ Try topping it with salsa

Healthy Hint on bottom of post!  My hubby likes a good meatloaf on occasion..

I use myMom's recipe but I have made some suggestions to help make your meatloaf with a bit less fat content.  I think you can do it with not altering the taste..

Be sure to add plenty of chopped or grated onion and possibly some seasoned breadcrumbs.   Enjoy!

This recipe for gravy can be used for the regular meat loaf.. Gravy has always been a bit of a stress to me so I wrote down exactly what I did and got the results I had hoped for..

1/2/12

First I  use Wondra, quick mixing flour.  It has been sifted and is much finer than regular flour and you are less likely to get lumps..If lumps occur just strain the gravy..

Here is what I do:

I take 5 tablespoons flour
1/2  cup cold water
Mix together thoroughly.

Using approximately 2 cups cold water scrape bottom of pan to get a nice color, strain any pieces that are left, add flour mixture a bit of salt and pepper and cook over medium heat until it thickens..Boil for a minute or two..

Healthy Hint for this recipe!  If you didn't jot down the recipe I'll give it to you again!  Substitute 90% or better ground beef or turkey and substitute skim milk and egg whites for regular milk and whole eggs to cut down the fat content ..


1 lb. ground pork (substitute lean beef, turkey or chicken)
1 lb. ground chuck
2 cups breadcrumbs, plain ( substitute seasoned if you would like)
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
2 eggs 

2 medium onions finely chopped
1 T dried parsley
1/2 to 1 cup milk . (You can substitute skim milk)

Mix all ingredients together.. Shape into the shape of a meatloaf and place in a lightly sprayed meatloaf pan .

Bake 350 degrees approx. 1 1/2 hours..  Cover for 1/2 hour and then take cover off.. You can easily top this meatloaf with diced tomatoes or salsa for some added flavor..Bake additional 15 to 20  minutes or more uncovered..  Add a veggie or side salad for a healthy meal..

Note:  If using smaller amount of beef or turkey, cooking time will be less..This recipe is easily cut in half.

Note: You can always use all ground beef when making meatloaf. Here's what it looks like when I used l 1/4 lb. ground beef, 1 medium onion grated, 1 egg, 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper, 1/2 tsp. dried parsley.

 I topped it with 2 T. ketchup after first baking it for one hour. 
I did not add any liquid to this recipe and baked it at 350 degrees for 1 hour uncovered and then added the ketchup to the top and covered it for another ten minutes..

This recipe works really well for cold meatloaf sandwiches....

From my kitchen to yours,

1/2/12

Berry Glazed Spiral Ham

 I lost my copy of my Better Homes and Gardens magazine so I am going to do this recipe from the top of my head since their recipe is nowhere to be found.

1 spiral ham approx. approx. 10 lbs.
1 cup orange juice
1/2 cup raspberry jam
1/2 cup honey
1/2 cup fresh raspberries(optional) to add to glaze
1/4 cup chopped jalapeno

Place orange juice, raspberry jam and honey in saucepan over low heat.  Cook until blended and syrupy. . Set aside

 Brush ham with slight amount of glaze and cover loosely with foil and bake 325 degrees for 1 1/2 hours or until warmed through occasionally basting with glaze.  After one hour or so take foil off ham and baste with remaining glaze(add raspberries to glaze and jalapeno)  and bake at 425 degrees for an additional 10 minutes or until crispy.  Let stand for an additional 10 minutes and serve. 

4/21/14

Ambrosia: Quick and easy!

12/29/11

If you need a quick and easy dessert, this ambrosia recipe might do the trick! Enjoy!!!

1 pkg. miniature marshmallows
1 can pineapple(crushed or tidbits) RESERVE SOME JUICE TO THIN AMBROSIA)
1 small can mandarin oranges (drained)
1/2 jar maraschino cherries ( reserve some juice)
1/2 cup flaked coconut
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 small container sour cream

Place marshmallows in large bowl, add drained pineapple, drained mandarin oranges, cherries and coconut..For added color add some cherry juice and for a little more pineapple flavor add a small amount of pineapple juice also. Add sour cream to all ingredients and toss gently...Refrigerate for 1/2 hours or more. Stir and serve... 


Happy Easy Baking from my kitchen to yours,

12/29/11