Why didn't I think of that?

Came across this recently. All I can say is brilliant. Although, your pies need to be baked at the same temperatures and times. Perhaps it could be used for the same pie but maybe one with raisins or one without, one with chocolate chips and one without... and so on.

Homemade Gnocchi Rocco Style

I was happy to receive Rocco DiSpirito's new cookbook: Now Eat This! for Christmas this year- thanks Mom. Tonight I'm trying one of the recipes... Sweet Potato Gnocchi. Looks terrific. I've done the gnocchi and it's waiting in the fridge to be cooked. Pictures to follow.


Here is the recipe:


2 Large Sweet Potatoes
Freshly grated Nutmeg
Salt & freshly grated Pepper
About 1.5 cups whole wheat pastry flour (I did not have this so I split regular whole wheat flour with all purpose flour)
1 cup low-fat chicken broth
4 garlic cloves, minced
4 cups small broccoli florets
1/2 cup greek yogurt- fat free (I'm using fat free sour cream)
1/2 cup grated parmigiano- reggiano cheese.


Prick skin of sweet potatoes with a fork and microwave for 12 minutes turning over halfway through cooking. Cool. Run through ricer or food mill into bowl.


Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper.


Mix in 1/2 cup at a time the flour until forms a light dough. 


Using a piping bag and large plain tip pipe dough into 3/4-1" thick logs on back of a cookie sheet.
(I used cling wrap on the cookie sheet before piping)
Freeze for 30 minutes.


cut logs into 1" wide dough pieces and roll out gnocchi using flour and fork. Place rolled gnocchi pieces onto floured cookie sheet and cover with cling wrap. Refrigerate until ready to cook. May freeze for two weeks.


Bring a very large pot of salted water to a boil.


Meanwhile, in a large skillet, bring the broth and garlic to a boil over high heat. Add the Broccoli to the skillet. Season with salt and pepper to taste, cover and cook until tender, about 3 minutes.


When the water comes to a rolling boil, add the gnocchi and stir gently with a rubber spatula to keep them from sticking to one another. Cook the gnocchi just until they rise to the surface, 4 to 6 minutes: then drain.


Transfer the hot broccoli to a large bowl. Stir in the yogurt until the mixture is creamy. Add the gnocchi and the cheese to the bowl, and toss gently to coat. Season with salt and pepper to taste, if desired and serve.

Cranberry Cosmopolitan

So, the cranberry liqueur is finished and I have two lovely bottles to try.
I made cosmos the other night-- very festive with a lime slice as garnish.

Here is the recipe:


Cranberry Cosmopolitan
1/2 cup Cranberry Liqueur
1/4 cup Cointreau
2 tablespoons lime juice
Mix with 1 cup crushed ice; strain into martini glass. 
Makes 2 cocktails.

Roasted Broccoli with Garlic

I tried this recipe the other night. I was looking for something a little more tasty than the usual boring steamed broccoli. It's very easy to roast broccoli and it tastes wonderful.

Here is the recipe:

One head of broccoli-- or more if you desire.

One clove of garlic

Salt & Pepper

Little Olive Oil

Take the broccoli and cut into pieces. Then drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Take the crushed garlic clove and mix it in as well. Spread out on a baking sheet and roast at 425° for about 20-25 minutes.

You can also add some lemon zest, pine nuts and even parmesan cheese to the mix. It's super delicious.

Mercury Glass Obsessed

On my way to TJMaxx the other day I scored a set of mini mercury glass ornaments! Twenty of them for a mere $7! They'll go nicely with my larger mercury glass acorn ornaments I got a few years back. Can't wait to put up the tree...

Cranberry Liqueur Gift Idea

I was thinking about what I could make with the bottles I found at Homegoods over the Summer. And I came across the great recipe from Cooking Light for Cranberry Liquor. It's super easy. The only drawback is that the whole process takes three weeks.


Here is the recipe:

2 cups sugar

1 cup water

1 (12-ounce) package fresh cranberries

3 cups vodka

Directions:

Combine sugar and water in a medium saucepan; cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until sugar dissolves, stirring constantly. Remove from heat, and cool completely.

Place cranberries in a food processor; process 2 minutes or until finely chopped. Combine sugar mixture and cranberries in a large bowl; stir in vodka.

Pour the vodka mixture into clean jars; secure with lids. Let stand 3 weeks in a cool, dark place, shaking every other day.

Strain the cranberry mixture through a cheesecloth-lined sieve into a bowl, and discard solids. Carefully pour liqueur into clean bottles or jars.

Note: Liqueur can be stored refrigerated or at room temperature for up to a year.

I found this ( 34 oz.) jar at IKEA for a little under $4 to house the mixture until I strain and pour into my bottles. I'll let you know if it's good-- with a Cranberry Cosmo post!

Pilar Olaverri

I just came across this wonderful sculptor, Pilar Olaverri. Her work is delightful in every sense. And she makes jewelry as well! It's just breathtaking. Modern yet earthy --I love it.