Easy Gnocchi with Chicken and Baby Spinach

I am a fan of cooking shows and I have a passion for food, I don't think my family understands, they just see another greedy person haha. Whenever I see something different I always challenge myself to give it a go and when I get the best results I feel untouchable...

I had never had gnocchi before mum says it's potato dumplings :) pinning it back to her childhood.
I have seen different chefs/home cooks on the telly make it and I decided to give it a go by incorporating their different techniques and trying to make it as easy as possible as well as to be able to use the ingredients at home. When  I went into the supermarket I saw that they have refrigerated packs  of gnocchi (for those that don't like slaving in the kitchen haha) I chose to make mine from scratch and it tasted amazing, I wont be buying any frozen gnocchi.

I made two dishes the gnocchi and the chicken and then I combined the two at the end.
To save time while the potatoes are steaming you can be tackling the chicken..

LETS GET STARTED!

GNOCCHI 

•  4 medium potatoes
• 2 cups plain flour
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 egg ( slightly beaten)
• salt & pepper
• 1 1/2 tbs butter

1.  Steam potatoes 15 min or until soft (cut in half)
2. transfer in to a bowl use a fork or potato masher add salt and pepper
3. once cooled add egg use wooden spoon to mix, sieve 1 cup of flour in add cheese mix it all together
4. add the rest of the flour in batches.
5. flour surface area and hands so that the dough doesn't stick (if dough is to soft add flour)
6. Knead dough until smooth (don't over work it) divide dough into 4 equal potions
7. roll 1 potion into a 2 cm diameter log and lightly use a floured knife to cut 2cm pieces (repeat process to the rest of the pieces) you will have cute little 2cm pillows.
8. lightly flour your hands and use your thumb to press each pillow over a floured fork and place on a try with baking paper.
9. Bring saucepan of salted water and 1 tsp of olive oil to the boil over medium heat.
10. Add the gnocchi in batches onto the base of the pan to avoid them sticking together ( don't overcrowd). cook for 3 minutes or until they rise to the surface, use slotted spoon to drain and transfer to a bowl and cover with foil to keep warm. Repeat with the remaining gnocchi. 
11. Melt 1 tbs spoon of butter on a hot pan add gnocchi and saute it on both sides to give it depth in flavor and a nice golden color

                  *Mix with chicken & baby spinach sauce and serve*

CHICKEN & SPINACH SAUCE

• 1/2 cup chicken stock
• 1 whole red onion sliced
• 1 whole white onion slices
• 3 cloves of garlic chopped/minced
• Chicken thighs cut in strips
• 3 sups baby spinach
• 1 tsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp tomato paste, sweet soy sauce and chilli sauce
• (dry or fresh spices/herbs of your choice) oregano, basil, parsley, mixed herbs and all purpose seasoning. 1 tsp
• frozen veges of your choice ( thawed)

1. Wash chicken and pat dry. rub salt and pepper.
2. heat pot then add oil
3. add chicken cook till golden on both side (turn once) to seal in  moisture.
4. Add onions, garlic and spices and seasoning cook until onions are caramelized
5. Add tomato paste and frozen veges
6. Chicken Stock  ( cover and leave to  reduce then simmer on low heat)
7. 20 min later  (or when you at the gnocchi boiling stage) add baby spinach 
8. Add gnocchi mix everything cover and simmer for 5 min Allow gnocchi to pack in flavor
9. Serve  and sprinkle Parmesan cheese

 Serves: 4 people
 Skill: Easy
Time: 90 min.                                                     

PS; you can add a lot more of the baby spinach. & *taste as you go*
Don't be afraid to play with your favorite spices and seasoning allow time to mature when simmering.

                   "Follow your inner moonlight: don't hide the madness" 
                                          Allen Ginsberg 

New Camera!

My camera died and I felt lost without it. I bought a new camera and I'm inlove!!! It's an upgrade from the one I had . I had the Nikon d5200 pretty good camera I liked it and the flash stopped working, it wasn't focusing either, so I got my money back because they couldn't replace it with the same model. I was annoyed and had no idea on what to get, I didn't want to downgrade and I was worried about how much extra I was going to pay so I did my research and I did seek help. Cameras can be pricy and you better off investing in something you really like. I looked into the nikon d5300 and d5500 obviously the d5500 is the latest release so I was leaning on the d5300 with the 18-55mm lense coz it was a lot cheaper when I compared online and I was willing to pay extra . Can we say God is good!! Living in Australia has so many benefits one being, the country is always behind with technology  . The day I went into the store with my mind made up, they were shelving the d5500 and it was the same price as the d5300 *introductory price* AMEN! So I scored myself a d5500  with two lenses yey me. I haven't opened it yet but I will soon. I'm excited can't wait to take photos!

Photography - Absolute Beginner

I've taken a new hobby and I love it!!
Been teaching myself and just getting out there and being hands on, I must admit I'm not very creative but I'm guessing its something one can learn haha.
I haven't downloaded or bought any software to edit my images on. I currently have the veiwnx2 the  Nikon software, obviously comes with the camera. I actually don't edit my pictures reason being it's  learning progress and my edits don't look as good and I'm slowly but surely getting there.

Here are a some snaps I took using natural light....

Thanks to my models :) Instagram : @hun_hunie & @_Poetic_Sarcasm_ @mysticflower_16
Feel free to leave constructive criticism I'm here to learn.

xox....

About a Year ago!

Its 2015 and the days are flying, we already in the month of February its crazy, that means in a few weeks I'll be back at uni! this feeling reminds me of back in the day when the back to school ads would come on and I would start crying because no more staying up till late at night and living life with no school work. Uni is a lot different and I hope this year would be better than last year.

Biggest Accomplishment of 2014

Completing my first year with good grades! I never did any science subjects in high  school and having to do anatomy & physiology was hell on earth, I had to work double time on that subject, I neglected the other subjects and didn't think I was going to do well . Praise God!

Best Memory of 2014

Wow 2014 was good to me in producing the best memories I can't pick one so got a few highlight images...

                                         SYDNEY        

                                     PERTH

                                   BRISBANE

                              WHITSUNDAYS

Even though there were a few dramas, I still look back to those moments and I am grateful for the new friends I made, the new people I met, the lessons I learnt and also the friendships that ended during that period, there was a reason for it all. I wouldn't change anything.

Biggest Obstacle of 2014

My procrastination! the amount of time I put into studying but wasted it on YouTube or food is sad. I would drive to the library or study groups and I didn't gain much, I would procrastinate and take way to many breaks. I would have been sitting on High Distinctions but procrastination got in the way.

Favorite Beauty Product 2014 (concealer)

MatchMaster concealer by MAC. I love this I bought it when I went to Perth, a friend of mine was looking for concealer and I was sold I had to get it. it's light and it's creamy it doesn't feel dry, it doesn't crease and it blends well. Best for under eyes  and other blemishes.

Regrets 2014

How some of my friendships ended.

Most Memorable Phrase

I guess the basic music phrases and stuff e.g

"I woke up like this"
"about a week ago"

Most Embarrassing Moment

I was with a friend at scabarough beach in perth, we were siting on the grass and we decided to move coz the seagulls were being mean to us so we decided to go sit on the concrete block. As I was trying to put my leg over the concrete block to sit down I felt myself losing balance and I didn't do anything about it, in my head I had to somehow protect my camera and I tipped over and I landed on the ground I LOLed  while laying on the ground and saved a man from coming to get me up  although he kept staring. Thank goodness the hot surfer dudes were not in sight lol

Lessons learned In 2014

I learnt that I should stay true to myself, people come and go, I should not expect anything and  leave room for disappointments. As well as that I should put God first in every decision I make and every action I take *I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Philippians 4:13*

Goals for 2015

• Get stronger in my walk with God and grow Spiritually 
• Solo travel to a place I know no one or just solo travel to my favorite cities and explore
• Achieve even higher grades *put in work* 
• Make new friends 
• Live healthy 

What I'm Looking Forward to In 2015

I'm looking forward to seeing the person I truly am. I'm growing everyday, I'm learning new things I've dedicated myself into tying new things, Sharing God and I want to be the best person I can be. I am very excited about this year. It hasn't been perfect, some friendships haven't worked out since the beginning of the year and I'm looking forward to meeting new people and trying to make new friends . This is not my year to find a bae lol but a year to love myself.

Xoxox...

Pizza of the week

Having a lifestyle change is not an easy thing especially if you live with people that are happy with what they been eating and also happen to be the main person that has to prepare the meal, IT'S TOUGH! I have tried to become a vegan and I am proud to say the longest I lasted was 3 weeks haha, maybe it's because I picked the wrong timing because it was a few weeks before Christmas.

Truth is I love food! at one time I reckon I was addicted to having take aways at least twice a week,, if I didn't have any, my body would feel like its missing something, #silly!

I still get the cravings but I am working on it because I realized that I was feeding a really bad habit and I was lucky enough to meet someone who was cleansing his life and getting rid of his bad habits in order for him to grow and become the best person he could be and that really inspired me to check myself.

 My cravings have not completely vanished, now if I want something I make it, so I made a chicken mushroom pizza, I didn't make my own dough there was a special at the supermarket and I managed to grab a packet with two bases. I tried to make the meal as healthy as possible and it tasted better that the one i usually get at dominos! The best thing when making a pizza is that it is your own creation you can just throw whatever you want on. I fried my chicken inn olive oil and i just sprinkled spices and salt and then I constructed my pizza, I tried to make it as colorful as I could and I was pretty happy with the result.

Chicken and mushroom 

Ingredients

 After 10 min in the oven 

Pizza base 

Pizza sauce 

Mozzarella cheese

Green, red and yellow capsicum 

mushroom 

carrots 

cherry tomatoes 

Chicken

Preheat oven to 200 degrees

When i checked after 10 min i didn't like the color so I left in for a bit longer to brown.

* try different flavors and feel free to share what you did different!

Cottage pie for dummies

I live for food and travel and whenever it's my turn to prepare dinner I always make sure that I cook something i like or I've been craving and sometimes I do take special requests from my niece :)
I only learnt how to cook a few years ago, reasons for not doing so earlier is because I learnt at a boarding school and food was well provided. I love cooking and I love challenging myself and sometimes my results are not so pretty but I always try to make it work and practice makes perfect, I'm almost hanging on the perfect side  #Yassssss





Cottage pie for DUMMIES it tastes good looks good and simple to make. had it with a coleslaw salad with green apple it added some sweetness to the meal, add garlic bread or any bread.
I usually boil my mince first to kill the beefy smell before browning it.
Let's create

MASH
potatoes 7
milk 1/4 cup
Cheese 1/2 cup
bread crumbs 1/3 cup

• boil potatoes is salted water until soft
•  drain and place in a bowl, 
• add butter and milk then  mash,
•  add breadcrumbs and cheese mix 

MINCE
1 chopped onion
1 chopped shallot
mushroom
1/2 red &green pepper
diced tomatoes
frozen veges (optional)
salt & pepper
1 cup beef stock
1tsp nutmeg, turmeric, basil, parsley paprika

• boil or brown mince move in to the side, add olive oil. onion spread evenly on the pan until cooked,
•  add mushroom, shallots, red and green pepper, frozen veges stir,
•  add tomatoes and all the spices mix,
•  add beef stock cover and simmer for 10 min.

Preheat oven conventional 220 degrees C

Grease casserole dish, sprinkle bread crumbs and rosemary leaves on the sides as well.














Add the mash around the edges using a fork.
add the mince mixture in the middle and sprinkle breadcrumbs over the mince.













Add the mash over the mince and spread gently and evenly, ensure there are no gaps.
Use a fork for the edges to seal the mince under.

I added a bit of cheese and breadcrumbs to achieve a pretty gold color.

20-25 min or  until golden



*Make sure you taste as you go to balance the flavors.










VIOLA :)

Good thing with cooking is that you can create absolutely anything. Experiment with flavors and spices, if you make a mistake, next time you will know what you did wrong....



Serves: 4-6 people
Skill: Easy
Time: 40 min.

Chicken macaroni cheese using shell pasta with tomato mint salad

Yes I still have my xmas tree  up, i'm sooo 2014! I never really concluded my year on this blog and i'm still behind. Moving on, here is a nice tasty recipe you can pretty much use everything in the fridge and only make 2 pots and 1 casserole dish dirty #winning.

You can use any preferable pasta, I was out of macaroni and I had to pick between pasta screws and pasta shells, Pasta shells it was I still haven't discovered a way to prevent them from sticking. If ya'll have any tips please inform me, thanks in advance.

  Ingredients 

1. 250g Medium pasta shells 
2. Chicken breast or boneless thighs chopped
3. 1 cup Mushroom, 1 clove garlic
4. Half red & green Capsicum, 1 onion, 
5. 1 tsp Spices dry ( pepper, basil, parsley, paprika)
6. 1 tsp olive oil
7. 40g butter
8. 3tbsp plain flour
9. 2 cups Milk
10. half cup Cheese of your choice (cheddar)
11. Salt

Salad

1. 1 large Carrot
2. 5 leaves Mint
3. 1/2 large Red onion 
4. 2 tbs Balsamic vinegar
5. 1 Tomato

Instructions 

• Prepare pasta according to packet
• Stir fry chicken in olive oil, salt and season with spices, set aside in a plate once browned
• Stir fry mushroom, capsicums, onions, garlic and set aside in the same plate as the chicken, reduce to medium heat
• preheat oven 175 degree C or 350 degrees F
• White sauce--> same pan, melt the butter add the flour cook for 3 min until mixture is bubbly, add a pinch of salt  
• add milk slowly and whisking or stirring to prevent lumps, until its smooth then add the rest of the milk, continue stirring to avoid sticking and burning
• When mixture starts to thicken add the pasta and stir fried food turn the stove off and add the cheese, continue stirring until cheese has melted then spread mixture evenly on to casserole dish
• slice tomatoes lay on the pasta and add cheese over the tomatoes then put casserole in oven
• bake for 35 min in a preheated oven

Salad

• Slice onions
• grate carrot
• chop tomato
• Clap the mint (just like you clap your hands) before breaking it this infuses the mint smell and flavor
• Mix in a bowl and balsamic vinegar 
• All ready to serve

Serves 4-6 Total time: 60min Level: Easy