Hey Everyone!
How are you doing- a quick check in.
We are on week 4 of lockdown here in California. The past few weeks have been physical and emotional roller coaster ride. I have good days where everything is normal then days I get anxious and the reality of things get the better of me. I don’t know about you, but my grocery store trips have become a stressful 3 hour chore. What used to be an exciting normal job is now an emotionally exhausting ordeal. Sanitizing, safe distancing, waiting in line to get in the store. Even before Covid I was an obsessed cleaner and now everything I touch from the car to the grocery bags, door knobs, handles, light switch, fridge door, food containers, produce, kitchen counter has to be sanitized and I shower and doing all that just to feel safe and clean. Yes I wipe down everything thing.
Social quarantining is going reasonably good under the circumstances. Feeling very blessed everyone is healthy, safe and happy. The kids are home so it is good to catch up and do everything together like old times. Big meals, lots of loud discussions, movie nights, long walks and meditations. Our kitchen island / dining room table is our new work space / mealtime space/ board game space, like everything. Feels comforting.
The pace of life has slowed, as a human race we are all dealing with so much. Taking care of the family, homeschooling, working from home. Then the perpetual bad news of new cases, death, unemployment, people on the frontlines risking their own lives to save the infected, hospitals running out of PPEs, ventilators and so many people risking being out helping the economy going. I want to say so much, its a long, right now I have so much work Ill continue this conversation in the next blog post.
Here’s my skillet baked semi homemade Cauliflower Gnocchi with Chicken Ragu. Yes I know I rarely post chicken here, that’s because I cook chicken only when kids are around. Essentially hubby and I eat dairy free pescatarian-Vegetable centric diet. If you want to keep it vegetarian use equal amounts of cooked lentils or vegan mince( I’m not fond of fake meats personally but its your choice)
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 pound store bought or homemade frozen cauliflower or regular gnocchi
- 1 pound organic chicken or turkey mince
- 2-3 cloves garlic minced
- 1/4 – 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes
- 1 32oz jar marinara sauce of your choice
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ teaspoon oregano, wild preferable
- salt and pepper to taste
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella
- ¼ cup shredded Parmesan
- Fresh basil, for garnish
DIRECTIONS:
- Preheat your oven to 350 °F.
- If using frozen store bought, defrost in the microwave based on the instructions on the package.
- Pat the gnocchi dry with a paper towel to get rid of any moisture.
- Heat a cast-iron skillet to medium heat and add the olive oil. In batches sauté the gnocchi until crispy about 2-3 each per side. (Be sure to not over cook because they will become rubbery). Set aside
- In the same skillet cook the ground chicken till brown. Add olive, garlic, oregano, chili flakes, sea salt, and pepper. Cook the chicken for about 5-7 minutes or until no longer pink and slightly caramelized.
- Add the cauliflower gnocchi to the skillet with the browned chicken and gently toss.
- Spoon the marinara sauce over the top along with mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake until golden and bubbly about 25 minutes.
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