Letting Gnocchi Shine

 Usually gnocchi are drenched in sauce. Pesto or tomato cover them, almost making their unique  flavor. Yet they can shine on their own with just veggies and mushrooms in a very light sauce.The dense flavor and testure works well with the fresh greenness the others impart.

I had wanted to make a different gnocchi recipe like this for a long time. I had two packs of them Lidl.

I have to admit they are delicious on their own but I still love their taste without any sauce drenching them.A few days before I sauteed sliced baby Bella's for a  risotto dish and I love the taste. If you are sauteing mushrooms, this  should be your trinity of ingredients for a good and flavorful saute.

Cover the pan 's bottom with olive oil (I use Lidl's" and a good tablespoon or two of Country Crock plant butter. I used a good pinch of garlic powder also from Lidl. Keep in mind  that this can be used for any saute, from tomatoes to broccoli along with mushrooms/

It only takes ten minutes to cook up , brown golden and delicious.  I wanted veggies with this and I had a package of microwavable baby carrots ,yellow and green beans from Lidl's Peak Harvest brand. 

This was a quick six minutes in the microwave and an easy blend with the baby Bellas.

This is a great gnocchi dish. All the ingredients complimented each other and the gnocchi's flavor was highlighted by the mushrooms, carrots and green and yellow beans. I will be making this again , possibly with the slightest , tiniest bit of pesto - just to see what it would taste like.

Gnocchi shouldn't be drenched in sauce. They should be allowed to shine and complement veggies. This dish is proof that they can be the highlight of a tecip

Weddings Now

October was usually the time for lovely fall weddings however that's all changed. The pandemic has forced us to look at how we gather and throw parties.It's not a question of what shall we serve but rather how can we do it without getting guests sick. There are ways of maneuvering  around the restrictions. 

In the old pre-pandemic days there used to be wedding receptions full of endless courses.There was the sushi bar followed by the pasta buffet. Everyone took from bountiful trays of hors d'ouevres and appetizers. a fun idea would be different food trucks set up along the street or in the wedding venue's parking lot. This is a plus because everyone likes what food trucks produce, The bride and groom can have their favorite foods served, whether it''s pizza or tacos. Several trucks can be set up because they're not that expensive per person. have hamburgers and corn dogs along with pizza and bulgogi, if you want a truly international affair. As for dessert, ice cream trucks are fun but just a bit messy. People will be wearing relatively fancy dress and the last thing anyone wants is a drippy cone or Popsicle. A better idea is a cupcake truck that doles out mini wedding cakes. These can be a variety of flavors too or the happy couple's favorite ones. You can also have already made meals that have been boxed in fancily decorated cardboard containers or plastic tubs. Fill them with  filet mignon sandwiches or lobster rolls. For a side think a small cup of grape tomatoes with a side of dressing. As for the cake, it can be cut in front of everyone and then instantly boxed to take home.

Can there be a relatively normal sit down dinner? Yes but keep it very small. Limit it to the immediate family and the  bridal party. This is reminiscent of weddings of the past where only a few were invited. The family can become involved , especially if the reception is held in the parents' backyard. You could bake a large ham or roast beef and serve it cold, if you 're involved in the wedding. leave it to rest for thirty minutes  - about the length of the ceremony. Slice it right away so that not too many people handle it or are around the meat. As for sides , think scoops of potato or macaroni salad in individual ramekins to cut down on contact.If you want some kind of salad, think hollowed out Roma tomatoes filled with cottage cheese. The cheese be glammed up with the addition of chopped red, yellow and green peppers along with oregano. Decorate with parsley sprigs. Should you have a traditional cake  with just a small group? Yes!!!! Bake a simple two layer with just butter cream frosting and flowers. If you feel it's not enough . then go for a southern tradition and bake a groom's cake. as well. This is usually the groom's favorite flavor, namely chocolate but it could be any flavor - except the wedding cake's. It can be decorated with the groom's favorite team colors or reflecting his hobbies.

Weddings and how we celebrate them will be different for the course of the pandemic. Make the best and most of the day with delicious foods. They can be from food trucks or from your kitchen. What matters is that they celebrate a day full of love and hope.

Happy 100th year wedding anniversary to my grandparents, Joe and Rina Helble.