Easy Peasy Meals: Cheesy Gnocchi

It's not necessarily a natural instinct, but as a forced habit I try to make a new recipe every week.  More often than not they're modified from the original, either because I have my own twists, or because I give up.  This week's was completely of my own creation.  Is it it something of culinary mastery?  Not quite.  However, it is something anyone can do, and best of all it's a dish everyone would like.  

So here it is...

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat gnocchi
• Londener cheddar cheese
• Garlic
• EVOO
• Breadcrumbs
• Grated parmesan

Steps:

1. Bring gnocchi to a boil as directed
2. Chop Londener cheddar into small cubes
3. Heat cheddar with EVOO to a melt
4. Dice and mix in garlic
5. Combine gnocchi with softened cheese; add parmesan
6. Top with breadcrumbs
7. Cook at 400 degrees for around 20 minutes
8. Pairs well with a bottle of Vouvray
9. Enjoy!

Tasty Treats

Let's face it.  Being healthy is not all that fun.  At least not for the average spunky girl.  Yet there's nothing worse than feeling you over-indulged in your day.  Today though may have been one of the best foodie days I've had in awhile.  Knowing that treats are usually brought in for my morning meeting on Wednesday, I made a plan with myself.  A simple but filling salad from Mariano's fresh bar for lunch in exchange for half of a Dinkel's donut.  And you know what?  I didn't feel guilty once the rest of the day!

{Image Credit: Whole Living, Pinch of Yum}

You Are What You Eat

It's no secret (I've never been good at keeping my own anyway).  Cooking is not my forte.  Or rather, I never let it be.  You see, we're all born with inherent gifts, but many of the things we become great at are because we take interest in them.  I've never taken much of an interest in cooking, and unfortunately I let that become a part of me.  Just a few days ago that fact started to bother me.  I pride myself on finding something interesting in most any facet and chore of life.  Cooking should be no different.  Especially when I look at it for what it is.  That being the preparation of food.  Its a process-something that goes through steps to then become something else.  In other words, you have the ability to control what it looks like (er, well, for the most part), how it tastes, and how it makes you feel.  Meals and eating are a critical part of your day.  They fuel you and contribute to your health.  You should find what you're eating appetizing and attractive.  More importantly you should make a personal contribution of your effort to it.  It all gives you more flavor.

Images: 1. What Katie Ate  2. Lonny  3. Apartment 34 

Always Treat

It's not often I get the urge to bake. In fact it's next to never that I want to do anything involving being around kitchen appliances. However, if there is one thing I've learned while being in the workforce it's that people like bringing in their prized fresh-from-the-kitchen goods into the office to share. Now while I've made it quite clear to all my coworkers that I'm not the domestic type, I can't help feeling bad being the "dollar roll" girl on the Birthday potluck lunch days. So while making my weekly stop for grocery items at my local Target (because I'm far too undomestic for an actual grocery store) I came across a wonderful idea: Pillsbury Ready to Bake cookies. Perfect for the girl on the verge of kitchen anxiety. Just like a little school girl, I was so excited about having a Halloween treat to bring in for everyone that I almost completely forgot about the one essential item. The baking sheet. Once back home while taking out the box of pre-cut cookie dough, I was 99.7% sure I had never purchased anything of that nature while doing my home shopping. As luck would have it though someone, somewhere along the line must have tried to drop a hint (one that was never taken, I might add) and left one in my cabinet. So all was saved and I was able to take part in the joy of baking by placing the slices in a tidy design. Pathetic attempt? Possbily. I think one little pumpkin man even shed a tear at my puny confectionary skills. The important thing though is I can now say I am a bonafide member of the workplace. Step aside deluxe carrot cakes with homemade icing and egg souffles, I'm coming through!

Get It While It's Hot!

With the recent cold front moving through the area, I've become reacquainted with an old friend. Coffee and I had to part ways some time last year due to the fact that I did not understand the meaning of "moderation." I often would brew a whole pot, telling myself my roommates would have a cup when they woke up or on their way to class. Most of these times though my roommates were already gone, or were hours from waking up. Yet, the pot would usually always be near to or completely gone. So when I finally noticed my hands were no longer able to lay out steady and that my temples were needing a good rub more than usual, I decided it was time to cut some ties. The coffee pot joined my other kitchen appliances, in the cabinet, out of sight and out of mind. Similar to the situation of the other appliances, it had been replaced by convenience. Diet Pepsi was just easier to grab out of the fridge and go. No brew time or simmer time necessary. Not to mention DP came in the limited quantity of a can. Once it was gone, it was gone.

With long work days and cool weather though, it seems it has come time to give a second chance. After all, as the Girl Scouts say "Make new friends, but keep the old ones. One is silver and the other is gold." Well in the past couple of weeks I have definitely rediscovered the value, variations, and joy of coffee.

Here's the top five reasons why a steaming cup of coffee can be so cool:

1. Starbucks: Coffee, latte, cappuccino; tall, grande, venti; vanilla, hazelnut, mocha and usually 24 hours
2. McDonald's: Fast, condensed menu but still offers variety, you'll have some money left over to get a bite as well
3. Keeps you warm, keeps you calm, keeps you "here"
4. Frank Sinatra's "The Coffee Song"
5. Familiar smells, smooth sounds, and a bold taste

*Where caffeine is everyone's friend, visit Bourgeois Pig in the Lincoln Park area of Chicago