Pumpkin Gnocchi and Mushrooms in Sage Butter Sauce

This week I saw pumpkin gnocchi on the shelf at Wegman's, and with no recipe in mind I just couldn't resist. Throwing a few things together in the kitchen, and making some homemade garlic bread on the side, the product certainly did not disappoint...

Pumpkin Gnocchi and Mushrooms in Sage Butter Sauce

1 package pumpkin gnocchi
1/2 cup small mushrooms
1/4 cup pepperoni, sliced into thin slivers
4 tablespoons butter, or butter alternative
2 teaspoons sage
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

1. Cook pumpkin gnocchi as recommended (usually 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 minutes in boiling water). Do not overcook! Drain.
2. While cooking gnocchi, melt butter on low heat in medium skillet or wok.
3. Add all remaining ingredients and saute 3-5 minutes until lightly browned.
4. To butter mixture, add gnocchi. Gently mix gnocchi thoroughly into butter sauce. Serve warm.

Ham w Lingonberry Sauce

This is another strikingly simple one. The hard part (unless you happen to be in Norway) is finding the fresh lingonberries...

Ham w Lingonberry Sauce (serves 2)

~1 lb ham steak
1 cup fresh lingonberries
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup water

1. Combine lingonberries and water in small saucepan and bring to simmer.
2. Slowly mix sugar into lingonberries.
3. Continue to simmer 5-10 minutes until sauce thickens and becomes slightly syrupy.
4. Cut ham steak(s) into roughly 1/2 lb portions. Heat directly on skillet 4-5 minutes on each side until thoroughly cooked.
5. Top ham steaks with lingonberry sauce and serve warm.

Chicken Tacos w Mango-Avocado Salsa

Here's a meal I made a few weeks ago that is quite simple, but fresh and delicious. The cool island salsa mixes well with mild, warmly spiced chicken...

Chicken Tacos (serves 4)

3 chicken breasts, sliced into 1-inch strips
~1 teaspoon cumin
~1 teaspoon curry powder
1 teaspoon parsley
1-2 dashes cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper
4 large tortillas

1. In medium bowl, thoroughly rub chicken breasts with spices until evenly coated.

2. Cook chicken thoroughly in greased skillet.
3. Warm tortillas less than 1 minute on separate skillet, or in microwave.
4. Serve with salsa, below.


Mango-Avocado Salsa

1 large mango, sliced into cubes
1 avocado, pitted and cubed
1-2 small vine tomatoes, cubed
1/4 small onion, finely diced
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 small garlic clove, finely chopped
1-2 tablespoons honey or agave nectar
2 teaspoons lime juice

1. Gently mix all ingredients together in large bowl. Serve cool.