Chicken Pesto Gnocchi

Gnocchi with Chicken, Pesto, and Fresh Mozzarella

 The pictures really don't look that great, but believe me, this is delicious.  And, oh, so, simple!
The prepared pesto, gnocchi, and fresh mozzarella can be purchased at Costco and you'll have enough to make this twice (four times for the fresh mozzarella.)  I even got the chicken at Costco- but you can get all of those things at a regular grocery store as well. 

Chicken Pesto Gnocchi
About 1 Tablespoon oil
1  boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut up or 1 package chicken tenders, cut up
About 1/4 cup chicken broth
8 oz. (or so) pesto
1 pkg. potato gnocchi (about 12 ounces)
1/2 roll (about 4 ounces) fresh mozzarella

Salt and pepper the chicken.  Heat the oil in a skillet and cook the chicken until done.  Add the chicken broth and cook for a few minutes. Turn off the heat and add the pesto sauce.
In a large saucepan, heat water to boiling.  Add the gnocchi and cook until they float to the top.  It doesn't take very long- about three minutes.  While the gnocchi are cooking, cut up the fresh mozzarella into chunks. 
When the gnocchi are done, pour the water through a strainer, or, using a slotted spoon take out the gnocchi and put them in the skillet.  After adding all of the gnocchi, stir together, then add the Mozzarella chunks.  Stir in, then let sit for a couple of minutes to let the cheese melt. 

Cool as a Cucumber Sandwiches

When it's hot outside, these cool cucumber sandwiches hit the spot!

Cucumber Lemon Cream Cheese Sandwiches
Bread for 4 sandwiches
8 oz. Cream Cheese
Lemon rind, about 1 teaspoons
Pinch of sugar
Salt and Pepper
Fresh lemon juice, about 2 Tablespoons
Chives, fresh or dried (or you could use a little bit of green onion)
Cucumber, sliced thin
Ham (optional)
Soft butter

Mix together the softened cream cheese, lemon juice, lemon rind, sugar, salt, pepper, and onion or chives.
Spread butter on bread, then the cream cheese mixture.  Top with cucumber and ham.  For fancy sandwiches, trim off the crusts and cut into squares. 

Raspberry Cream Pie

We planted raspberry starts 2 or 3 years ago and this year we are getting our first really good crop. So, I looked online to find a yummy raspberry dessert. This pie is what I decided to try. It was definitely delicious, though I would have liked it better in a graham cracker or Oreo crust.

What do you like to do with fresh raspberries?

Homemade Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns

Want to make your own buns for your 4th of July barbecue?  These are easy and delicious.  And you can make them any size you want.  I made them little for tiny hot dogs.  You could do the same for hamburger sliders.  This recipe makes 8 regular- sized hamburger buns.  It made about 60 baby hot dog buns.  The rule of thumb is to form the dough into about the size of the hot dog or hamburger you are putting on it.  It will rise and be just the right size.

Homemade Hamburger or Hot Dog Buns

1/4 cup warm tap water
1 Tablespoon yeast

3/4 cup milk
2 Tablespoons butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt

1 large egg plus another egg separated
3 1/2 cups (or so) flour

Mix the water and yeast together in a cup and let work while you prepare the milk mixture.  In a microwave-proof measuring cup, mix the milk, butter, sugar and salt.  Microwave until warm and the butter is mostly melted.  Put the flour in a large bowl and add the milk mixture.  Put in 1 egg.  Separate another egg, saving the egg white in cup for later.  Put the yolk in the mixture.  Add the yeast mixture and mix well.  Knead for a few minutes until you have a smooth, elastic, soft dough.  Cover and let rise until double in bulk.  Punch down and knead for a minute.  Form the buns into desired size and place on a sprayed baking sheet (or use a silicone baking sheet or oven paper)  Brush the buns with the egg white mixed with a little bit of water.  Sprinkle with sesame seeds.  If you prefer, you can brush them with melted butter. 
Let rise until puffy and about double.  Bake at 375 until golden brown.  The big hamburger buns will take about 15 minutes, the baby ones, only about 7 or 8 minutes. 

These little hot dogs were the hit of the party. 

4th of July Popcorn

Want a fun treat for the Fourth of July?  This is so easy and delicious. It is sweet, salty, and buttery and crunchy.   And you probably have all the ingredients!

4th of July Popcorn
3 bags microwave popcorn, buttered variety
1 cup sugar x3
2 Tablespoons butter x3
1/4 cup water x3
Red and blue food coloring

First pop the corn according to the package directions.  Lay out waxed paper on your countertop or in large cookie sheets.  In a large kettle, combine 1 cup of sugar, 2 Tablespoons of butter and 1/4 cup of water.  Bring to a boil and boil for about 3  1/2 -4 minutes (If it starts to brown, take off heat immediately.)    Take off of the stove.  Mix in 1 bag of the popped corn.  Stir and stir until all the popcorn is coated.  Lay the candied corn out on the waxed paper.  Cool completely while you wash the pan.  Put the candied corn in a very large bowl, leaving the waxed paper for the next batch.  Then do the 2nd batch.  This time add a few drops of red food coloring after you take the cooked mixture off the stove.  Be sure to add enough that it makes red and not pink.  Then repeat with the third batch, this time adding blue food coloring.  Be sure to add enough color so the colors are vibrant!    Mix the three colors together in the large bowl, then store in an airtight container. 

4th of July Taco Salad

I saw this cute idea on Pinterest.  It's just a taco salad with layered ingredients instead of mixed together.

4th of July Taco Salad
1 lb. ground beef
1 onion, diced
1 can tomato paste (or 1 can tomato sauce)
1 can water (don't add the water if you use the sauce)
1 package taco seasoning mix
Shredded lettuce
Grated Cheese
Sliced olives
Cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
Tortilla chips
Guacamole and/ or ranch dressing
Salsa
Tabasco Sauce

Brown the ground beef and onion together.  When browned, add the tomato paste, water, and taco seasoning.  Add about 1 teaspoon of sugar.  Simmer for a few minutes while you prepare the rest of the ingredients, stirring occasionally. 

In a tray or 13x9 pan or casserole dish, layer the ingredients.  First, the hamburger mixture, then completely cover that with the shredded lettuce.  Leaving a square in the corner for the stars, make stripes, alternating the tomatoes and cheese.  Put sliced olives in the square, representing the stars.  Put tortilla chips all around the edges.  You can make a layer of tortilla chips below the hamburger mixture if you would like, as well.  Serve with guacamole (mashed avocado mixed with salt and pepper and lemon juice), salsa and tabasco sauce.

Yogurt Smoothie

I've been eating a lot due to being pregnant and this is one of my favorite healthy snacks.

Ingredients:

2 large scoops of plain yogurt

2 large scoops of flavored yogurt (raspberry is my favorite)

1/2 cup of milk or grape juice

1/4 cup frozen blueberries 

1/4 cup frozen strawberries 

Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth and a little frothy. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Yields: 1 serving