Gnot Your Average Gnocchi June 7, 2011
Posted by cirellih in Dinner, Food.Tags: Gnocci, Handmade, Pasta
add a comment
Today I tried my hand at making pasta! This was venturing into the unknown… but incredibly fun! I decided to start out on my pasta adventures with gnocchi. I can’t tell you how fun they are to make! As an added bonus, there were only four ingredients involved!
- 4 russet potatoes
- 2 1/4 cups of flour
- 1 beaten egg
- pinch of salt
They’re even ingredients that you usually have on hand. How can you beat that?
The making of the gnocchi wasn’t too difficult:
Boil the potatoes in their skins until tender. Once they are no longer too hot to handle the skin just slides off. I used a cheese grater to shred the potatoes. The recipe called for a potato ricer, but I am not in possession of one of those. Next, mix in the flour, egg and salt. Knead the ingredients together until you have a workable dough. I had to add in a bit more flour as my dough was a little sticky.
Next, divide the dough into smaller balls. Roll out the dough into 3/4 inch logs. Cut the logs at inch long intervals.
After the pieces have been cut, use a fork against the working surface to make impressions in the gnocchi dough. One side should have a finger print, the other tine marks.
They all just look so cute and happy! Makes me want to eat the right away. When you’re ready to eat them, just put them in boiling water until they float. So easy!
Not bad for my first try, eh?
Edit: Upon eating my pasta, I would highly suggest salting the water. They needed a little more oomph, so maybe that would have helped a bit.
It’s Not Easy Being Green June 4, 2011
Posted by cirellih in Dinner, Food.Tags: Asparagus, Chimichurri, Grilling, Mashed Potatoes, Steak, Summer Squash, Zucchini
add a comment
Goodness, today has been fantastic. Going to the zoo and good food… I am a lucky girl!
When we got home, Chris decided that it was a grilling type of night. It was definitely the perfect summer weather for it. Originally we were going to try slow cooking ribs, but upon perusing the selection at the grocery store, Chris opted for a steak option instead. I definitely can’t complain as it turned out to be absolutely delicious.
The steak had paprika, coriander, turmeric, cayenne, brown sugar, garlic and onion powers on it as a dry rub. Chris made chimichurri sauce for dipping (the green stuff in the ramekin in the picture), mashed potatoes and then I grilled up some asparagus, zucchini and summer squash.
I’m pretty sure the dinner encapsulates summer on a plate. Perfect, if you ask me!
It Comes in Pints? June 4, 2011
Posted by cirellih in Food, Goals, Lunch, Motivation, Planning, Weight loss, Weight Watchers.Tags: Basmati Rice, mango smoothie, Naan, saag gosht
add a comment
I had my Weight Watchers meeting today, and I am now past the 20 pound mark!!! 21.6 to be precise. Very exciting! This week has not been so exciting food wise, lots of eating up leftovers by way of bean burritos. I made sure to track all my points, eat lots of veggies, drink lots of water and exercise several times this whole week. It’s nice to see when planning pays off.
To celebrate, a mango smoothie was definitely in order. In my handy-dandy blender two mangoes, four ice-cubes and a splash of milk was added. It probably could have done with a bit more milk and some kind of sweetener, but it came out smooth and delicious (if not a little tart) none the less.
A whole pint of mango smoothie for zero points. Makes it even more delicious to sip on!
Chris and I had Indian the other night, but I managed to forget to take any pictures of the dish to put up. The leftovers were fantastic. My dish was saag gosht… a spinach and broccoli puree with a side of basmati rice and naan. Scrumptious!
Now were off to the zoo! I can barely contain my excitement! Eeeee!!! I can’t to see the seals and giraffes and cheetahs and penguins…yay!
Healthy Heath 