Sunday, July 16, 2006

gnocchi are gnummy!

Well, I cleaned out my fridge today. That was a major bummer -- due to the heat and my complete lack of interest in cooking this week, I had to throw a few (ahem) things away. I hate, hate, hate throwing out food. I also noticed that many of my herbs and other fresh produce need to be used up soon, so I decided to cook myself some dinner tonight.

I sauteed a thinly sliced shallot, four sliced mushrooms, a minced clove of garlic, and half a zucchini, sliced, in a big glug of extra virgin olive oil until they were all soft, then stirred in two seeded, roughly chopped tomatoes a small handfull of mixed herbs, minced (parsley, basil, rosemary, and thyme,) some salt and pepper, and a package of gnocchi that I had boiled until they floated up, just like the directions told me to. Voila -- dinner in under fifteen minutes.

This is my first time cooking gnocchi, and boy are they gnummy! (And no, I don't mean "gummy" -- I mean "nummy," said in a silly way.)

These little potato dumplings will definitely be a repeat visitor to my kitchen!

11 comments:

Amy O'Neill Houck said...

Selma called them "yoki" when she was little, they're still a favorite of hers... I should make some soon.

Carrie™ said...

I had to throw some things out too and am determined to use what I have and not let anything else spoil. So, I also cooked despite the heat. Sometimes even when it's hot out, I still want a hot meal.

Anonymous said...

I too went through my fridge today and planned out a weeks worth of menus that won't involve me going to the store and will hopefully use up all the produce. I hate having to throw food away. Your gnocci dinner sounds like a terrific idea.

Eat Peace Please said...

I've always wanted to try them and I got a potato kind from Trader Joes one time and it was the worst thing ever. What kind do you have since you liked it so much?

Throwing out food does suck. I go through a whole guilt-production while doing so.

Catherine Weber said...

Amy -- "yoki" is cute!

Carrie, I really didn't want to cook, nor did I want to eat anything hot, but wanting to use up some of the food won out. I bet the gnocchi and veggies will taste ok cold! We'll see.

VV, what are you planning on making?

Leslie, I used "Cucina Viva Gnocchi with Potato." They were pretty good! The texture took a teeny bit of getting used to -- gummy could have been an accurate descriptor. I may have slightly overcooked them, but after one or two bites, I really liked them! Regarding throwing out food, what it usually does to me is make me hurry up and cook everything I have left. It also helps me figure out what I need to make LESS of next time, so I don't waste it. (i.e., I need to make less Hoppin' John next time, because I threw out a serving's worth, etc.) I am horrible about eating up leftovers . . . half the inspiration for Party of One!!

funwithyourfood said...

Gnochhi are great. What kind do you buy?

Teddy

Jody from VegChic said...

Catherine,

I love, love gnocchi too. They are super easy to make from scratch too. I haven't had them in awhile. Maybe this week, who knows...

I'm up for testing any of your vegan recipes as long as their are know raisins in them. No need to even ask, just drop me an email with the recipe.

Jody

MeloMeals said...

Sounds delicious..

I hate throwing away food, too. I had to throw away a bunch of cilantro and, 4 zukes and a bag of potatoes the other day.. and the rest of my asparagus, sweet potato salad.. oh well..

jess (of Get Sconed!) said...

<3 gnocchi! I was cleaning out my cabinets and found a pack that expired in January - oops!

karen said...

I love gnocchi too! I usually make it in chunky tomato sauce with veggies and vegan parm- yum. Chris from eat air makes lots of yummy sounding dishes with gnocchi- he doesn't even cook it separately- he just add broth or water- puts a lid on and gets them cooked with whatever he makes.

Catherine Weber said...

Teddy, I used "Cucina Viva Gnocchi with Potato."

Jody, I'd love your "from scratch" recipe! Thanks for the recipe testing offer -- I may shoot a couple more your way next week, once the weather cools off a little more. It's WAY too hot to cook on my end right now.

Melody, I know. I always beat myself up so much when I have to throw out food. But I guess, once it's spoiled, there's nothing I can do about it. I used to be able to compost it at least, but now that I've changed jobs that's not an option. Grrrrr . . . I hate waste!

Jess, I didn't realized they expired! I suppose everything does. :) I'll have to keep an eye on mine!

Karen, your gnocchi sound good! I wanted to use pasta sauce, but since I had all of this fresh produce to use up, I figured that had to go first. They were even good cold for lunch today!