Gnocchi Al Forno (and the Broiler virgin)

Kellie from Pansies Posies Sweet Tea shared with me her Gnocchi Al Forno with Spinach & Italian Turkey - Kellie Style recipe and since my hubby is a gnocchi fan, I decided to try it out myself, especially since it contains ground turkey and Neufchatel cheese! Yum-o! I changed some of the ingredients around but not much. I didn't have Italian seasoning per say, so I used some oregano, basil, and onion and garlic seasonings. And I also topped it off with a sprinkle of shredded mozzarella cheese as well. Hey, I love cheese, what can I say!


I have to say I was a bit nervous about using the broiler. I've never used it before and have heard horrifying rumors that it can blow up, don't walk away from it, can burn your face, leave it open an inch- hence my anxiety with even pressing the broiler button! I asked Kellie for some help and if you could have seen our text messages going back and forth yesterday about her calming me down about the silly broiler. Alas, I used it, and succeeded without a burn mark, house blowing up, or burnt food! 


The starting line up is:

• 1 Pkg Gnocchi ( I used Bellino, only $1.99)
  
• 1 Pkg ground turkey (approx. 1 - 1.5 lbs.)
• 1 Jar of choice Marinara (I actually made my first marinara using Giada De Laurentis recipe)
• 4 oz. Fresh Spinach, roughly torn
• 8 oz. Neufchatel Cheese (1/3 less fat cream cheese), Room Temp.
• 3/4 cup shredded Parmesan Cheese (I used BelGioioso )
• 1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• Garlic Salt to taste
• Oregano to taste
• Basil to taste
• onion and garlic seasoning to taste
• Drizzle of  Olive Oil
• Salt/Pepper to taste

Add a drizzle of olive oil to frying pan on Med. High Heat. Add Turkey Meat and seasonings/spices to taste (ie. Garlic Salt/Oregano, Basil, OnionGarlic seasoning/Salt & Pepper), cook all the way through, drain the fat, then turn down to low heat and add jar of marinara, cover and let simmer. 

In a seperate pot, boil well salted water and add Gnocchi. Boil Gnocchi for approx. 2 minutes until Gnocchi floats to the top, drain and set aside. 

Add torn spinach to your turkey & marinara then cover for approx 2-3 min until spinach is slightly wilted.

Preheat your oven on the High Broil setting. (Make sure oven rack is 6-8 in from heating element)

Combine Gnocchi with your Turkey, Spinach and Marinara mixture, mix well. Empty contents of this mixture into a 10 - 12 in. pie plate or baking dish. (I used a a baking dish)

Take a spoon and add "blobs" of Neufchatel cheese all over the top of your baking dish mixture. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over top of everything and then sprinkle the mozzarella on top for another layer of deliciousness. Place into the broiler for approx 3-5 min or until top is golden brown and bubbly! Serve with some garlic bread and a glass of wine, and you have dish that is absolute Italian divine!

*I did leave my oven open an inch with my eyes on it for those 4 minutes it was in there, it browns quickly!

Creamy Potato Bake

I don't know about you, but this Spring weather just makes me want to be outside ALL THE TIME! I'm also training for my 11K in Atlantic City in a few weeks so when I run after work in the nice weather, it kind of cuts into my dinner prep by the time I get home. Hence, I've really become inspired watching Rachael Ray's new show "Week in a Day" and have even tried myself the last two weeks to plan/grocery shop/cook ahead and I gotta say, it really helps!

I've also really been into casseroles lately-it helps make my workweek dinners quicker and easier. I used to think casseroles were always filled with comfort fat filled foods but you can make it as healthy or unhealthy as you want, hehe! You can also just have a casserole dish with a side, so you just have to whip up chicken or steak, etc and cuts down your cooking time.I had some leftover yukon potatoes and a pork loin in the fridge that I wanted to use this week and then I came across this recipe came from Simple Daily Recipes (Loaded Potato Potluck favorite). Who doesnt't love mashed potatoes? Then add some crumbled bacon and ooey gooey cheese baked in the oven! Yum! So, decision was made. Peppered pork loin, salad, and loaded baked potato potluck for dinner on Thursday night. I did change up some of Simple Daily Recipe's recipe and I added some Basil Bee influence in this and used turkey bacon (to stay a little bit on the healthier side) and also added some Kraft Savory Garlic cooking creme to this recipe. I love garlic to much and we all know I am in love with the new cooking creme's from the last few of my posts!

Here's the starting line up...

• 8 medium potatoes (about 2 1/2 to 3 lb. total), peeled and cut into 1-inch chunks
• 1 cup CARNATION Evaporated Milk
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
• 2 cups (8-oz. pkg.) shredded cheddar cheese, divided
• 6 slices cooked turkey bacon, crumbled, divided
• Sliced green onions (optional)
• 1 tablespoon Kraft Savory Garlic cooking creme

Place potatoes in large saucepan.  Cover with water; bring to a boil.  Cook over medium-high heat for 15 to 20 minutes or until tender; drain.
Preheat oven to 350ºF.  Grease 3-quart casserole dish.

Return potatoes to saucepan; add evaporated milk, sour cream, cooking creme, salt and pepper.  Beat with hand held mixer or mash by hand until smooth.  Stir in 1 1/2 cups cheese and half of bacon.  Spoon mixture into prepared casserole dish

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until heated through.  Top with remaining 1/2 cup cheese, remaining bacon and green onions.  Bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.  Makes 16 servings.

A BEE'S TIP
This casserole can be assembled ahead of time and refrigerated.  Cover with foil and bake at 350ºF for 40 to 45 minutes or until heated.  Uncover; top with cheese, bacon and green onions; bake for an additional 3 minutes or until cheese is melted.