Jul
13
2014

Potato Gnocchi with Chicken and Wild Mushroom Ragu

A garden-fresh pasta dish your family will love

Potato Gnocchi with Chicken and Wild Mushroom Ragu

The summer months bring so much fresh local produce at the grocery store. Backyard gardens are ripening with fresh vegetables and herbs. This tasty ragu recipe uses wholesome ingredients you can be proud to serve to your family. Pillowy soft gnocchi that your kids will love and a filling and flavourful sauce they'll devour.

Second helpings please!

Ingredients:
1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
1 1/2 cups boiling water
3 tablespoons olive oil, divided
8 ounces sliced cremini mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
Kosher salt
2 1/2 cups dry white wine
1 pound boneless chicken breast, cut into 1/2 inch cubes
2 ounces smoked meat, chopped into 1/4 inch cubes
6 ounces fresh, mild Italian sausage or similar, casings removed (about 2 links)
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 carrot, peeled, finely chopped
1 celery stalk, finely chopped
2 cups crushed tomatoes
1 cup chicken broth
2 bay leaves
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil
2 pounds potato gnocchi
 
 Place dried porcini mushrooms in medium bowl; pour 1 1/2 cups boiling water over. Let stand until mushrooms are soft, about 45 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer mushrooms to cutting board and chop coarsely. Reserve soaking liquid.
 
 Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add cremini mushrooms and garlic, sprinkle with salt and pepper and sauté until beginning to soften, about 2 to 3 minutes.
 
 Add 1/2 cup wine and simmer until mushrooms are soft, about 4 minutes. Set aside (there may still be some liquid). Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to pot and sauté until browned in spots, about 6 minutes.
 
 Using slotted spoon, transfer chicken to medium bowl. Reduce heat to medium, add sausage and cook until brown, breaking into small pieces with back of spoon, about 3 minutes. Add smoked meat and stir 1 minute. Add onion, carrot, and celery. Cover pot and cook vegetables until soft, stirring occasionally, about 8 minutes.
Add remaining 2 cups wine, bring to boil, scraping up any browned bits.
 
 Simmer until almost all liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, 1 cup broth, bay leaves, reserved chicken, and porcini mushrooms. Pour in reserved porcini soaking liquid, leaving any sediment behind in the bowl. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer uncovered until chicken is tender, about 30 minutes.
 
 Meanwhile prepare the potato gnocchi. Add gnocchi to boiling water and simmer until gnocchi float to surface.
 
 Stir cremini mushroom mixture into the ragu. Season with salt and pepper. Gently stir in basil. Divide gnocchi and ragu among bowls.
 
Serves: 6 to 8
 
Adapted from bon appetit
 
Try this other delicious pasta recipe for Nut-free Basil-Ricotta Pesto Pasta!
Jul
01
2014

Basil-Ricotta (Nut-Free!) Pesto Pasta

A nut-free pesto sauce your family will flip over

Basil-Ricotta (Nut-Free!) Pesto Pasta

Backyard herb gardens are a wonderful way to try out your green thumb and an easy way to save money at the grocery store. However, many herbs grow as quickly as weeds and you'll quickly find yourelf with an abundance of the stuff ready for pruning. This year I have basil growing at a record pace so I was keen to make a fresh-herb pasta dish.
 
In our home pesto has always been a popular choice but when my wife was diagnosed with severe tree nut allergies I had to come up with an alternate to traditional pesto, which uses pine nuts. To thicken up this delicious basil-based pesto I used some Italian ricotta cheese. The flavours in this dish are so wonderfully summer-fresh and will be an instant favourite with your family or guests. 
 
Ingredients:
500 grams spaghetti
2 cups fresh basil
2/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 cup ricotta cheese
salt pepper to taste
 
 Prepare spaghetti al dente as per instructions. 
 
 In a food processor, pulse the basil leaves with the oil and garlic until finely chopped. In a large bowl combine the basil mixture and remaining ingredients. Season with salt and pepper to taste.  
 
 Transfer the spaghetti into the bowl and toss to coat. Serve immediately.
 
For a traditional pesto with pine nuts check out this delicious version for pesto made easy.
Or for another nut-free pasta dish try this kid-friendly baked ziti recipe