The first recipe Gia chose was the Crispy Gnocci with Morels and Spring Peas. I knew we were going to make this for close to 3 months, so I had my morel radar on every time I was out. I found them at Whole Foods for $17.99/1 oz. package dried, and decided to hold out for fresh or bulk. Right before we left for Memorial Day vacation, I found them fresh for $49.99/lb, and I was thrilled. Of course $50/lb is expensive, but I needed an ounce, so that was only going to be about $3-4. I knew I'd go back as soon as we got back from vacation to buy the morels. Can you see where this story is headed? Of course, just my luck, they were gone 5 days later! I couldn't bring myself to purchase $17 worth of morels, so I decided to use dried porcini mushrooms that I had on hand.
For the gnocci, I have never made them with ricotta rather than potatoes, and fried rather than boiled. I have to say I really enjoyed these gnocci. Though they were fried, they seemed to be lighter than traditional potato gnocci. They also were much easier to make than the potato version. I did cut back on the butter and used a little porcini stock.
Gia's other selection were these sausage stuffed peppers. I used Anaheim peppers, which were spicy but also sweet when roasted. I used a homemade sauce I had on hand, and spicy Italian chicken sausage from Whole Foods. These were simple to make, and delicious! I would definitely make these in mini peppers and serve them as an appetizer in the future!
Tasha's Gnocci (check out Tasha's blog for the complete recipe!)
Joanne's Peppers
8 comments:
Of course the Morels were gone! That's how my luck is at least! But porcini looks like a great substitute. YUM!
We really liked the gnocchi. I completely forgot about the peppers until a couple days ago and just never got to buying the stuff for them, but everyones look so good I think I'll have to try them soon!
Everything looks so delish. I need to try crispy gnocchi some time soon.
Gorgeous. Yeah, morels are one of those things that as soon as you see them, you have to get them. I saw them at the grocery store but didn't have a plan in mind so I passed them up and now I'm kicking myself as I think the season is over and I am SOL.
I grew up in Southern Indiana, one of the few places where morels can be found wild in the spring. We used to go out and hunt them for hours when I was younger and my mother would cook them, we always had a few pans worth. I never realized until I got older and moved away that they were such a delicacy. They're like no other, really. As much as I don't like frying things, morels sliced in half, with an egg and flour coating, and pan friend was the staple way of cooking them. Sometimes we would hit the jackpot and come up with a 5 gallon bucket of them, such amazing eating!
Awesome round up! I think this has been my favorite rotation of recipes so far. The next one has some big shoes to fill.
I love this idea of ricotta gnocchi! How unique! I'll have to try it :)
I loved this experience of pan frying the gnocchi - such fun!
Learning so many great techniques with you guys. Thanks for the round-up!
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