Gnocchi w/ Pesto Cream Sauce

I love getting into the seasons and holidays. I wish the hubby and I had a bigger place, really a house (which is not possible since I am still in school, and I know we still have got some moving around in our future) -- because I want to buy tons of holiday decor. Fall (as much as it can be Fall in Texas) is here. Today was the first cold day of the season. I whipped out my winter boots and long sweaters :) Can't wait till it gets a little cooler so I can wear my scarves (I bought a ton while in Asia that I love). Although it does not happen here, I love the leaves changing colors, being wrapped up in a blanket on the couch, eating soup and wearing house socks.

Living in a small college town, does not always provide me a foodie scene that I was used to in Los Angeles or Houston. But I have found some amazing little finds, that I have fallen in love with. One restaurant is called Cenare's. I went there last month for a dear friend's 40th birthday. She is in my cohort and so we started graduate school together. She has grown into a wonderful friend that makes my time in graduate school so much better :) Well, even though she turned 40 she looks 20! I am in complete awe and envy of not only her youthful looks but her amazingly youthful and sweet personality. I wanted to do something special for her 40th birthday and so I hosted a surprise birthday for her. She loves spaghetti and so I knew I wanted to host this party at an Italian restaurant.

And I am so glad I found Cenare's. The food was mouthwatering! I could eat everything on their menu. And unlike other Italian chain restaurants, they make their food fresh. And you can taste this freshness. Every single person that came, loved their meal. I chose the gnocchi with cream sauce and I was hooked. It was so creamy and the Italian sausage that came with it, was a perfect pairing. Ever since then, I have been craving this recipe. So I decided to figure out how to make it myself :) It is so, so yummy! I am a huge fan of gnocchi. The recipe is easy to make, and would make a perfect meal for a date night with the boyfriend, fiance, or hubby. You're gonna love this!

GNOCCHI W/ PESTO CREAM

A For the Love of Dessert Original Recipe

INGREDIENTS 

1 (16oz) box of gnocchi
2 tbsp. butter
1 tbsp. garlic
1 c. heavy cream or half and half
1/2 c. of Parmesan cheese
3-4 tbsp. pesto sauce
salt and pepper to taste

2 Italian sausage links, sliced

DIRECTIONS 

In a medium pot of salted boiling water -- cook pasta according to package directions. Drain excess water and run cold water through pasta to prevent sticking. Keep pasta in colander. Do not return to pot. 

In the medium pot, melt butter over medium heat. Once melted, saute garlic until golden brown and fragrant. Increase heat to medium-high and whisk in heavy cream -- constantly stirring -- and bring to a boil. Reduce to simmer, and stir in Parmesan cheese. Continue stirring until cheese had melted. Mix in pesto sauce, followed by salt and pepper. Allow sauce to simmer for an additional 3-5 minutes on low heat, occasionally stirring. Once sauce has thickened, fold in gnocchi until completely covered in sauce.

While prepping sauce, in a medium skillet over medium heat, cook Italian sausage until browned. Top gnocchi with Italian sausage.

Enjoy,
Chika

Gnocchi with Butter Beans and Spinach

The infamous Bucket List. Things to aspire to, want to do, to accomplish, see, or become all before- so to say- you "kick the bucket." Interesting really- if you think about it. I mean it is basically a Life To-Do-List. I can see why people have them--either written down or in their heads. It is nice knowing that throughout our life we attain little dreams we've had or have things we never dreamed of come true! I decided I wanted to make a bucket list. A list I will probably and will hopefully add to as life goes on.

This list is in no way complete-- and there are many things that I have already accomplished or done that I would have written on my bucket list-- had I not waited till I was so darn old ;) Like, going to college/graduate school, going to a concert, living on my own, getting married, owning a pet, living somewhere other than California, learning to become independent, starting my own blog! But here are some others:

1. Have children (happy, healty, cuties)

2. Visit the following places: Costa Rica, Peru, Fiij, France, Italy, Greece, Thailand, China, Japan, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, South Africa, Egypt (I'll just group these for now)

3. Get my Ph.D. (almost there....)

4. Buy a home

5. Learn to crochet 

6. Go on a cruise

7. Have a facial (yes, I have never had one- and though small, I really want to have one)

8. Learn to ride a bike (do not judge me :)...I just never learned

9. Run a marathon (even just a tiny little 2.5k one :)

10. Learn Sign Language

11. Open a bakery (Duh! Cannot believe I did not think of this right away)

That seems like a nice odd number to end with....for now ;) Have any ideas?! Please share! Alight, let's now enjoy a nice dish for those rainy, Texas days!

GNOCCHI WITH BUTTER BEANS AND SPINACH

Adapted from WebMD

INGREDIENTS

1 (16 oz) box of Gnocchi (I got Tri-Colored)
1 chicken breast, diced*
3 tbsp. olive oil
1/2 c. onions diced*
10 oz. Spinach
14.5 oz. can of diced tomatoes
16 oz. can of butter beans
Salt and Pepper to taste
1/2. shredded cheese or Parmesan cheese

*The original recipe did not use chicken or onions. I added chicken, onions and just a touch of garlic for the hubby. But not necessary if you do not have it

DIRECTIONS

In a medium pot, bring water to a boil over high heat. Once boiling, add Gnocchi and reduce to medium-high heat. Cook for 3-5 minutes until Gnocchi begin to float. Drain excess water and set aside. It is very easy to overcook Gnocchi, so be careful not to overcook.

In a large skillet, heat 1 tbsp. of olive oil, over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until tender and no longer pink in the middle- remove from skillet and set aside. Then, either in the same skillet (wiped down) or a new skillet- heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Once hot- add onions and cook until clear. Then add and saute spinach for 2-4 minutes. Next add in tomatoes and beans and cook for an additional 3-5 minutes.

Combine veggies with with Gnocchi and chicken- incorporating all the ingredients well (I used a spatula and "folded" the ingredients together gently). Toss with a little salt and pepper for flavor (as much as you prefer). Top with either shredded or Parmesan cheese.

Enjoy,
Chika