Gnocchi with Zucchini Ribbons & Parsley Brown Butter

For this recipe, convenient store-bought potato gnocchi are tossed with delicate ribbons of zucchini, shallots and cherry tomatoes that have all been sautéed in nutty browned butter.

4 servings, 1 1/2 cups each | Active Time: 20 minutes | Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

1 pound fresh or frozen gnocchi
2 tablespoons butter
2 medium shallots, chopped
1 pound zucchini, (about 3 small), very thinly sliced lengthwise (see Tip)
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon grated nutmeg
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

Preparation

Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Cook gnocchi until they float, 3 to 5 minutes or according to package directions. Drain.
Meanwhile, melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook until the butter is beginning to brown, about 2 minutes. Add shallots and zucchini and cook, stirring often, until softened, 2 to 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, salt, nutmeg and pepper and continue cooking, stirring often, until the tomatoes are just starting to break down, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in Parmesan and parsley. Add the gnocchi and toss to coat. Serve immediately.

Tips & Notes

Tip: To make “ribbon-thin” zucchini, slice lengthwise with a vegetable peeler or a mandoline slicer.

From EatingWell: June/July 2006

Bacon Bow Tie Pasta

This easy, heart-warming pasta recipe has minimal ingredients and maximum flavor. Enjoy it for dinner tonight.

Yield: Makes 4 servings
Cook time:25 Minutes
Prep time:10 Minutes

Ingredients

1/2 (16-oz.) package bow tie pasta
1/2 pound bacon
1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
2/3 cup milk
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

Preparation

1. Cook pasta according to package directions; drain. Keep warm.

2. Cook bacon according to package directions; drain well, and crumble.

3. Beat cream cheese, butter, and Italian seasoning in a medium-size microwave-safe bowl at low speed with an electric mixer until smooth. Gradually add milk, beating until mixture is smooth.

4. Microwave cream cheese mixture at HIGH 3 minutes or until thoroughly heated, whisking every 30 seconds. Pour cream cheese mixture over warm pasta, tossing to coat. Top with crumbled bacon and 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese.

Lightened Bacon Bow Tie Pasta: Substitute reduced-fat or turkey bacon, 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, and 2% reduced-fat milk. Proceed as directed.

Recipe from Southern Living April 2007

Pasta with Pumpkin Sausage Sauce

Cook Time: 45 minutes

The original source of this recipe was from the cookbook, “Frankie at Home in the Kitchen” by Frank Curtiss, I’ve made a few modifications. What I love about it is of course, it’s another cozy dinner, but it also uses different flavors. It’s also an easy dinner to multi-task as you are cooking. Once you’ve thrown the sauce together and as the noodles cook, make a salad, help with homework, break up a fight, yell at someone to “step away from technology,” separate a much needed Lego piece, and just enjoy your typical evening as you transition back into the kitchen and unwind.

Ingredients

1 Pound Ground Italian Sausage – I prefer to use spicy
½ Yellow Onion, chopped
3 Cloves Garlic, chopped
1 tsp dry sage
1.5 cups or 1 Split of Dry White Wine (Pinot Grigio works well)
1 Can Pumpkin Puree (15oz)
1.5 Cups Chicken Broth
Salt and Pepper to taste
Pasta – go for any of the fun shaped noodles, not spaghetti.

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In a large skillet, brown the sausage, breaking it up a bit as it cooks so you have small pieces. When half your sausage is browned, add the onion and garlic. Continue cooking until the sausage is no longer pink.

Add the sage, and wine, scraping up any brown bits. (If you are using a non-stick pan, there won’t be many brown bits.)

Stir in the pumpkin and chicken broth. Bring it up to a boil, then turn down the heat to an easy simmer as you cook the noodles. Let your sauce simmer for at least 20 minutes.

When ready to serve, you can either add the cooked, drained pasta to the sauce, or plate the noodles and spoon the sauce over. Enjoy!