THANK GOODNESS Tuesday is over!! As I mentioned yesterday, I hate Tuesdays. This Tuesday was no exception! For some reason, my students are nearly always nutty on Tuesdays which makes for a long school day. I did, however, have a great workout at Jazzercise and feel MUCH better after burning 650 calories! I got home from class, and Adam said “I got you something!” and handed me a Barnes and Noble bag. Inside, was a new cookbook!!
Expect to see some new Indian recipes in coming weeks!!
We had decided that dinner tonight would involve, somehow, the gnocchi we bought last week. I didn’t want just marinara sauce, because I knew that I’d get hungry soon after eating. I figured I’d just go to the grocery store and see what struck me. As usual, I wandered around the produce section to see what looked good, and lo and behold there were cheap packages of fresh basil. Another insight into my thought process:
- Hmm… gnocchi and basil sound good.
- ooh look cheese!
- I like cheese
- Can I get away with making cheese fondue? NO! GNOCCHI!
- Goat cheese is on sale, I like goat cheese
- I still want an avocado (see yesterday’s post)
- basil, goat cheese, and… baby tomatoes! We have baby tomatoes
- Can I do avocado? NO! Ok, cheese it is.
Upon walking through the proteins section of the market, I found that there were frozen pre-cooked shrimp on killer sale. Usually, I wouldn’t have bought them, but I really trust the protein at this place. It’s always been good! I went home with a small bag of goodies and my ideas reeling about what exactly to make.
Gnocchi with Pesto Chavrie and Grape Tomatoes
Ingredients
1 package potato gnocchi
1 pint grape tomatoes
4 oz. chavrie (soft mild goat cheese)
1/2 c. basil leaves
1 Tbsp. plus 2 tsp. olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, peeled, 1 crushed
1 lb. frozen cooked shrimp, thawed
1 Tbsp. fat free half and half
salt, pepper, and oregano to taste
Directions
Place the basil, 2 cloves garlic, and 2 Tbsp. olive oil in the bowl of a food processor, or a container for an immersion blender. Puree until basil and garlic is a fine paste. Add the chavrie and gently combine. Set aside. Heat the remaining olive oil in a large non-stick skillet and add the remaining garlic (crushed). Add the tomatoes and spices and cook, shaking the pan occasionally to get even cooking. While the tomatoes are cooking, start cooking the gnocchi. Add the shrimp to the tomatoes, and heat through. Then, add the goat cheese/basil mixture, and stir until evenly coated, and then add the fat free half and half. Drain gnocchi, and serve shrimp and tomatoes on the gnocchi.
When I finished cooking, I asked Adam if he wanted to eat. He said he’d have “a little”. I told him he may want more than just a little. He asked me if that was a challenge… and I said “no, dinner is just THAT good!” And boy was it ever!! This is one of those dishes that if I’d put it on a prettier plate and served it with a glass of wine, it would be one super fancy meal! I’m quite happy with the results, and am even happier that I served myself half a portion so I can go have MORE! I’ll definitely be having some of my new obsession too: Simply Decadent Coconut Milk Ice Cream. It’s far too delicious!
Remember a couple weeks ago when my friend Jessie did a guest post? I mentioned that I was going to be doing a post for her blog on a slightly different subject than food… and my post is up here today! Check it out! Its um…interesting.
QOTD: Who and where are you??? This is something I’ve wondered for a LONG time now! There are 400+ of you that look at my blog every single day, and I’m wondering who you are! You don’t have to give major identifying information, but the time has come… DE-LURK YOURSELVES!!!!! (You don’t have to, I’m just super curious!) Oh, and to get you started: I’m Mara in Hoffman Estates, IL
It’s Biggest Loser night, so I’m going to park myself in front of the TV and enjoy the stink glow from my workout!
That looks SO GOOD. Grrr.. my stomach is growing. I’m really hungry. But I have to do my couch-to-5k first, then dinner, THEN I can watch Biggest Loser!!
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Hi Mara,
I found you on Twitter and you share two of my loves: cooking delicious healthy food and Jazzercise. I bought tri color gnocchi in Target of all places for 1.74 per package. I baked it with artichoke hearts, olive oil, garlic, and of course I finished it off with parmigiano reggiano cheese. It contained all the ingredients of an artichoke pesto, but I cooked it all in one aluminum pan in the oven. I am sometimes lazy, but I love good food! Your recipes and photos always make me hungry!
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Mmmm. Goat cheese. Look awesome Mara!
Victoria´s last blog post..Kashi Product Review
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In all fairness, I’ve only been lurking for a couple of weeks
I’m Diana from TX (transplant, not originally)
I’m diggin the recipies! You make some intersting stuff. I may have to try this dish for sure.
Diana´s last blog post..Birthdays
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Oooh, love gnocchi!!
You know who I am
VeggieGirl´s last blog post..Three Steps
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Hi Mara! We were in Amy’s wedding together.
I read your blog daily on my Google Reader. Umm…you made me hungry….
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I think I found your blog the first time on the weight watchers boards (is that possible?) and then came across it later when I had started my blog and was looking through other blogs for inspiration. I enjoy your blog every day through Google Reader.
Teri @ Make A Whisk´s last blog post..Chosen for Photograzing!
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Adam is the sweetest. Major points for this Tuesday gift
Great job at jazzercise tonight. That’s awesome that you burn 600+ calories each session!
I am Rose from Washington, DC, and we know each other well! You are one of my fav bloggers fo’ show.
Rose´s last blog post..An Update for Google Readers
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I’m Christina in Orland Park, IL. I discovered your blog from the BSI contest and started following you in my blogger account so I can read when you post new things!
Christina´s last blog post..Easter Bunny Cake
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MD here!
looking forward to see indian dishes!
coco´s last blog post..Not as planned: work overload!!
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1. Gnocchi is my favorite food.
2. We live in a goat cheese only home because Dave is a lactard.
3. Grape tomatoes are amazing.
4. I’m making that tomorrow.
Oh, and I’m Wiggs in Chicago, but I don’t think I count as a lurker.
Wiggs (The Beholder)´s last blog post..The Beholder Playlist Project
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lovin that gnocchi! YUMYUMYUM
In case you need a reminder: Shannon, Cleveland, OH – def not a lurker
Shannon (The Daily Balance)´s last blog post..Daily Delish – A new woman has captured the Mister’s heart – AMY!
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oh how sweet of adam to pick you up an indian food cookbook! can’t wait to see what your talented hands create next!
Pearl´s last blog post..Pecan Nut Butter
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I have never had Indian food but I would love to try it sometime.
Hubby and I tried gnocchi a while back and it was good but not sure if I would buy it again. BUT your meal looks tasty.
I’m Angie in McHenry, IL
DVR’d Biggest Loser so I’ll have to watch that tomorrow. Off to bed!
Angie (Losing It and Loving It)´s last blog post..Bloggy Love: Roni’s Weigh
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It is sorta of terrible that we all just cruise through and read all about your life without every saying a thing, isn’t it?! I’m a former points counter trying to learn to be an “intuitive eater” as the counting made me crazy. I’m a California transplant in Georgia, doctoral student. Thanks for the always interesting and delicious looking meals!
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Gnocchi is sooo good! And so is goat cheese and tomatoes and basil and shrimp…basically I’m in love with that meal!
I’m Tyler in Athens, GA! But I’m not really a lurker…I like commenting
Tyler (Raspberry Runner)´s last blog post..Tequila Tuesdays
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Hallie from San Diego here! But I too am not a lurker…just a fellow Jewish food blogger…or I guess food blogger who is Jewish is more accurate
(P.S. 400+ followers a day! What’s your secret?? Other than your awesomeness, claro)
Hallie´s last blog post..Seasonal Selections: Awesome Asparagus
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I love that you can walk through the produce secction and come up with such a delicious recipe! I need to work on my skills. i would be more like.. hmm, avocados..guacamole sounds good.
Oh and Im Elizabeth and from Utah.. but I think you knew that!
Elizabeth (thelongweigh)´s last blog post..Sugar Rush.
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Am Divya from India. I presently stay in LA!! Love ur blog..:)
Divya Vikram´s last blog post..My Quick Breakfast Smoothie
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Hey Mara! I’m from Alaska but you knew that
laura´s last blog post..Best. Pie. Crust. Ever
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Hello!! I’m Susan from New Brunswick, Canada (not New Jersey!) I’m a new reader but I’ve been really enjoying your blog!! I’m not gonna lie, it was Cute Food Saturday that lured me in
Susan´s last blog post..Raw timbits and an outdoor slog
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Hi Mara!
Tania from Toronto, Ontario here!
You always have such great and creative dinner ideas!
p.s. your egg bread looked fabulous!
Tania´s last blog post..It all started innocently enough
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goat cheese used to be a big weakness of mine. looks fantastic!
celine´s last blog post..Brownie Bites Cookies. And they like it.
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Wow! This is a truly amazing recipe that is making me hungry at 10 in the morning! I work with Chavrie and this is the ultimate of recipe development…. I love the way you carried us through how you created a such a lovely dish.
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I’m the core-bie formally known as kiwinica
I found you on Beadie’s site and put you in my reader. I’ve been meaning to comment for awhile. Hope you’re doing well!
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I love cook books! Yay!
I never say no to avocado though. Tehe, it’s a problem
Dinner looks fab!!
Erin´s last blog post..The Best Hummus EVA
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My name is Rachel and I am a lurker. Right now I’m in the impressive and magnificent state of Delaware doing undergrad, but I’m originally from North Carolina. And I love your blog!!
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Too funny that I visited on the day that you demanded de-lurking! I’m Vanessa, I blog over at Last Night’s Leftovers, and I believe I found you via twitter.
Great blog!
Vanessa´s last blog post..Good Eats
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Hi Mara,
I just found your blog recently when you wrote a guest post for MizFit. I love your blog. And I love gnocchi. My friends actually make fun of me because I ALWAYS order them when I see them on a menu… And I also make them quite often at home. I have to try your recipe. It sounds and looks delicious!
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Yay for Indian food! I’ve not yet tried to make recipes from this cuisine at home, but I’d like to.
Lauren´s last blog post..A *Sweet* Dinner
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My name is Jenn, and I’m in Chicago, IL! I know, it’s shocking
I can’t wait to make my gnocchi!! Perhaps I will be referring back to this glorious recipe.
eatingbender´s last blog post..¡Ensalada!
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Hey! I’m Linda from the Bay Area. I stumbled across your blog a few weeks ago after seeing your comments in other places. Really enjoy your writings.
Scoop´s last blog post..Chicago – my kind of town
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I’m Janine from Chicago. It is so great to read a local blog!
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Oooh, fun cookbooks! That would be a great surprise present
And an Indian Food cookbook, even better 
Your gnocchi dish sounds pretty good, except for those pesky tomatoes
Oh, and I’m from the Great White North – except it’s hardly ever white here in Victoria, BC!
Marianne´s last blog post..Ga-Ga For Groceries
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That’s an awesome cookbook! I have that one and one of her earlier ones, you won’t be disappointed. And yes, I look forward to seeing what you cook out of there.
Spiceaholic´s last blog post..Yay for 4-day weekends!
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[...] Planning was oddly kind of difficult! Usually, I’ll see what looks good, or piques my interest (Chavrie gnocchi anyone?) and then cook off of what I have. This was like my “normal” in reverse… but we did [...]