Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Sage Butter

Note: I did not make my own gnocchi because pasta is an item I refuse to waste time making :) I bought this gnocchi hand made at a market, which made it cheap and easy! I paid $3 for a half pound which was the perfect amount for two people as a side. C and I had this with short ribs and a salad. Sage is an herb that i rarely use, but it surprises me every time that I do. Enjoy this recipe, it's one of my new favorites. Serves 2 as a big side

Ingredients
1/2 lb sweet potato gnocchi
1/4 cup good butter
7 large pieces of fresh sage
1/4 cup walnuts, chopped into 4ths
1 tsp olive oil

In a large pot, bring water to a boil
Add the gnocchi in batches, cooking for 5-6 minutes
Drain and place in a bowl

While the gnocchi is cooking, create the buttery goodness
In a medium pan, melt butter over medium heat
Stir for 5 minutes with a whisk
The milk fat will separate and that's okay
Add 5 pieces of sage and walnuts
Stir for about 5 more minutes

In another pan (sorry lots of pans!), heat oil over medium high heat
Add sage and cook for 1 minute per side to crisp
Remove with tongs and lay on a napkin to drain

When all gnocchi is cooked, pour sauce over it and toss
Crush the crispy sage over the dish and serve!

Black Truffle Butter Popcorn

My market has a large vat of black truffle salt and after smelling and sampling it, I decided to buy some and concoct something. I also was in the mood for popcorn and have greatly enjoyed truffle popcorn at a restaurant near by. I knew Barefoot Contessa had a recipe for truffle popcorn, but it called for truffle butter and I could not find any. This was a great/cheaper substitute as long as you get upscale butter (still only costs about $3 per stick). With only three ingredients, this recipe is easy, simple, and very yummy! Serves 4

Ingredients

Microwave popcorn with no butter or salt added

1 tbsp truffle salt

1/2 tbsp butter

Cook popcorn in the microwave as directed

Meanwhile in a pan, heat butter over medium low heat

Once all butter is melted, but not boiling, add salt

Whisk together

In a large bowl pour a little of the truffle butter

Add half of the popcorn and stir with a large spoon

Add remaining popcorn and top with remaining butter

Stir the popcorn and enjoy for up to two days!

Gluten Free Friday-Creamy Dill Salmon over Quinoa

I find myself buying salmon because I know it's healthy, but I never get excited to actually eat it. This recipe was made for me by a good friend (shout out to Jessica) and now I cannot wait to make it for my guests. It's easy, beautiful, and a great way to dress up boring salmon filets!!! Serves 2

Ingredients
2/3 lb salmon filet, skin removed and cut into four pieces
A hand full of dill, chopped
5 spring onions, finely chopped
3 tbps creme fraiche
1/2 cup dried quinoa, cooked


Put dill and onions on a plate and roll salmon in it
Place salmon in a pan over medium heat
Cook for 10-15 minutes
Meanwhile cook quinoa
Place quinoa on two plates
Cover with salmon
In a pan, heat remaining onions and dill over low heat along with creme fraiche
Stir until all creme fraiche has melted
Pour over salmon and enjoy!

Israeli CousCous and Chicken Curry Soup

 I was given a great cookbook for Christmas called 365 Days of Soup. It has great recipes for each day of the year based on the produce in season. I saw a recipe for Israeli couscous (bigger than normal couscous) with chicken and decided to try it with some twists. This soup is aromatic, easy, and tastes great. Serves 4

Ingredients
1 cup Israeli couscous
5 cups chicken broth
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 clove garlic, chopped
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 cooked chicken breasts*, chopped
*from a rotisserie chicken or you can cook it yourself
2 cups baby spinach with stems removed
1 tsp tumeric powder, 1 tsp curry powder, 1/2 tsp cumin


In a pot, bring 1 1/4 cup water to a boil
Add 1 cup Israeli couscous and bring back to a boil
Once boiling, put heat to simmer and cover for 8-10 minutes
Until water is absorbed

Meanwhile, in a large pot heat oil on medium
Add onions and garlic, cooking for 5 minutes
Add spices and stir for 2 minutes
Pour in broth and bring to a boil
Add chicken and couscous
Simmer for 10 minutes then add spinach

Eat up!