3.30.2011

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans

My Italian taste buds are dancing with satisfaction upon making this monster of a dish! I feel like I've died and gone to the best Italian Restaurant EVER... and it only takes about 30 minutes to make in the comfort of your own home!! Love, Love, LOVE it!!
I found this AMAZING recipe on EatingWell.com (January/February 2009 archives! Mmmm! Enjoy!

Skillet Gnocchi with Chard & White Beans

From EatingWell: January/February 2009

In this one-skillet supper, we toss dark leafy greens, diced tomatoes and white beans with gnocchi and top it all with gooey mozzarella. Serve with a mixed green salad with vinaigrette.

6 servings | Active Time: 30 minutes | Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 16-ounce package shelf-stable gnocchi, (see Tip)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 6 cups chopped chard leaves, (about 1 small bunch) or spinach
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings (Del Monte Diced Tomatoes w/ Basil, Garlic and Oregano)
  • 1 15-ounce can white beans, rinsed
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese

Preparation

  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add gnocchi and cook, stirring often, until plumped and starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
  2. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and onion to the pan and cook, stirring, over medium heat, for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and water. Cover and cook until the onion is soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Add chard (or spinach) and cook, stirring, until starting to wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, beans and pepper and bring to a simmer. 3. Stir in the gnocchi and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 3 minutes.

Nutrition

Per serving : 325 Calories; 7 g Fat; 2 g Sat; 3 g Mono; 8 mg Cholesterol; 55 g Carbohydrates; 14 g Protein; 6 g Fiber; 616 mg Sodium; 360 mg Potassium. 3 Carbohydrate Serving. Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 lean meat, 1 fat

Tip: Look for shelf-stable gnocchi near other pasta in the Italian section of most supermarkets.

I found this at Wal-Mart: Whole Wheat Gnocchi w/ Sweet potato!

3.21.2011

2 New Set of Wheels....

Saturday was pretty cool...
Justin's new road bike arrived! He got a pretty sweet deal from his buddy in Utah, who's Bro has a shop... and needed to move the 2010 models out... :)

Will, got his bike... wanted to go riding with daddy!

...AND Caitlin got a new set a wheels also!
Saturday morning...Sydney and Claire's Dad (aka King of the Rink) took ALL 4 kids skating!! (Sydney, Claire, Caitlin and Will!) What a fun day these kids had and followed it with some lunch! Sydney gave Caitlin her old skates... and Caitlin has not taken them off!! She LOVES to skate... i have a feeling we'll be going there often!! I'm excited, give me an excuse to bust out my roller blades! ya-baby!


wow. just had one of those...holy cow. i have a 6 year old... and she's wearing skates... moment.

Mom and Son Sweetheart Date

Friday night, Will and I went to the Mom and Son Sweetheart Dinner and Dance!! We had a lot of fun together... A few pictures before our date:


When we got there, Will made me a paper flower and a card!
...and all the Boys got a cute little Airplane Jet... (they were all petty happy about that!)
Thanks Will for being my date! Love you!

3.14.2011

Spring...

Oooh... Spring is in the air...and we couldn't be more excited!! Here are a few things we've done to get ready for this favorite time of year...

Spring Cleaning...
Will helped me clean all the handles and door knobs around the house with Clorox wipes!

He was a "Super" Helper!!
First Grill of the season!
Saturday we fired up the grill for some Veggie Burgers and Hot dogs.
Caitlin and Will getting ready for our picnic!

Brinley LOVES the sand box.

happy dirty baby, (two words: bath night!)
Spring Planting!
Today Will helped me plant some flowers... Handsome little guy holding his flower pot.


Happy Spring!

3.12.2011

Unicorn BIRTHDAY Party!!

Monday was Caitlin's 6th Birthday, and after school we stared the celebrations.... Invitation to our guests...
When Auntie Amy and Grammy were in town she helped us make (Via La Cricket!)these cute place mats for Caitlin, Will, Brinley, Sydney and Claire. The kids loved them...
boy unicorn...
We used a 'horse' cricket design and added a horn. This not only decoration but served as our game... for "Pin the Horn on the Unicorn" game. do we know how to party or what??
take home goody boxes!
This is what a Unicorn Birthday party looks like... (Justin and I decorated it Sunday night so when Caitlin woke up... it was fun for breakfast!!
Roses for our "Rosie Rose"
Will and I set up a Tea Party in the play room for right after school snack. We were just about to head to the bus... when i heard will in there clanking around the cups... he was having a super hero tea party... ha!
"Holy Pink Tea Cup, Batman!!
"It's clobbering tea party time!"
It's Party Time! with Claire and Sydney!
Best Friends!

Will could not wait to give Caitlin her gift from him... so we opened it!
Shawn the Sheep DVD!!
Tea Party


Dinner Time: Papa Johns Pizza and Chicken Strips. (all using their place mats!)

Game: Pin the Horn on the Unicorn!

The CAKE!! Rainbow Unicorn Cake!
I used a white cake mix. used food coloring and flavorings (almond, Cherry, Lemon)

Finished Product!

I found this horse in the toy section at Wal-mart, added a horn made out of a part of a hot glue gun stick.


Mmm. Rainbow happiness...


blurry... but present time happened.
ThE eNd!