Gnocchi only needs a light touch with sauces such as the following ones. Sage Butter Sauce (Version 1) 12 Tbsp. unsalted butter 8 large fresh sage leaves (or the equivalent if leaves are smaller) Freshly ground black pepper This will make enough butter sauce for 1 batch potato gnocchi Put butter into a sauté pan […]
Archives: Recipes
Asparagus With Poached Eggs Tuscan Style
This delicious egg dish can be served for a brunch, lunch or a light main coarse. It’s very good! Makes 6 Servings 2 lbs. asparagus, trimmed (see below) 6 thick, large slices of country style bread 1 Tbsp. vinegar 6 eggs 6 Tbsp. eggs, slightly softened 1 cup Parmigiano Reggiano, shaved very, very thin Method: […]
Pesto With Hazelnuts, Almonds, Pine Nuts or Pistachios
This recipe for pesto uses roasted hazelnuts, a nice change. Local hazelnuts are always available at Farmer’s Markets in the Lower Mainland. But you could use toasted slivered almonds, or Mediterranean pine nuts (they are pricey) or pistachio nuts. I can’t recommend using Asian pine nuts due to their weird, unpleasant aftertaste. The addition of […]
Tomato Sauce For Gnocchi
A simple Tomato Sauce that is the perfect thing to dress either potato or ricotta cheese gnocchi. But…don’t hesitate to dress other pasta with it too. I like it on “shapes” (my name for short pasta). 2 cups tinned Italian plum tomatoes, chopped 2-3 Tbsp. each EVO & butter 1 small clove garlic, minced 2-3 […]
Basic Potato Gnocchi
Up until I received “Lidia’s Italy” cookbook as a Christmas gift a few years ago, I had never tried to make gnocchi. We used to buy gnocchi from an Italian store/deli made by the owner’s wife. Delightful little pillows; so no need for me to! Sadly the closed and we were forced to give it […]
Barley Risotto With Leeks and Peas
Quite simply, I love barley whether in soups or a casserole or in my version of barley risotto. It is creamy and dare I say it, “good for you”. Makes 4 – 6 Servings 1 cup pearl barley, placed in a bowl & covered with cold water for up to 6 hours 1 cup leeks, cleaned […]
Phyllis’ Leek and Bacon Tart
Similar to my ramp (wild leek) tart but this tart has nutmeg instead of herbs. Not only is it delicious in the spring, but also in the fall and winter months when the new leeks become available. A citrus salad would go so well with the tart. Makes an 8″ or 9″ Tart Pre-baked pie […]
Stinging Nettles Tart
Stinging Nettles have become one of the very welcome early “greens” of spring. Foragers and cooks alike look forward to the many ways they can be used. Making this tart seems the right thing to do and excellent it is! Makes an 8″ or 9″ Tart Pre-baked pie shell (see below) I prefer to use […]
Frittata With Stinging Nettles and Onion
I was inspired to make this frittata when I saw stinging nettles at the Farmer’s Market. We ate the frittata for dinner and made panini with the leftovers the next day. Tasty! Make sure you were rubber gloves when handling raw stinging nettles; they really do have a sting! Have all the ingredients ready before beginning […]
Ramp (Wild Leek) Tart
Ramps aka wild leeks/wild garlic, grow wild in the Northeast and Midwest of Canada and all the way down the U.S., into the Appalachians. They are a treasure only found in the spring. Only occasionally have I seen ramps that have been foraged, at our Farmer’s Market. They have a slight garlic flavour to them […]