Gnocchi With Spinach and Ricotta

• 1 (1-pound) package potato gnocchi
• 1 cup fat-free half-and-half
• 1 teaspoon flour
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon pepper
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 (10-ounce) bag prewashed baby spinach leaves
• ½ cup nonfat ricotta cheese
• 1 cup shredded part skim mozzarella cheese

1. Preheat the broiler and move top oven rack 4 to 6 inches from heat.
2. In a large pot of lightly salted boiling water, cook the gnocchi according to package directions (gnocchi will float to surface when done). Drain and set aside.
3. Meanwhile, in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, combine the half-and-half, flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg, stirring well to mix with a wire whisk. Bring mixture to a boil. Continue to boil for 2 minutes, whisking frequently.
4. Add spinach in handfuls and cook, stirring frequently until wilted, about 2 to 4 minutes.
5. Remove from heat, then add gnocchi, stirring to mix well.
6. Spoon ricotta over gnocchi in five large dollops and sprinkle with mozzarella. Broil until cheese is lightly browned and bubbling around edges, about 3 minutes.

Courtesy ParentsConnect.com

Buttermilk Cream with Strawberries

Serves 8

* 1 1/4 teaspoons unflavored gelatin (from a 1/4-ounce envelope)
* 3/4 cup sugar
* 1 cup low-fat buttermilk
* 1 1/2 cups heavy cream
* 1 pound strawberries, hulled and quartered
* 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

Directions

1. In a small saucepan, sprinkle gelatin over 3 tablespoons cold water. Let stand until softened, about 5 minutes. Heat over low, stirring, until gelatin has dissolved, about 30 seconds.
2. In a large bowl, whisk 1/4 cup sugar with buttermilk until dissolved. Whisking constantly, add gelatin mixture in a very thin stream. In another large bowl, beat cream and 1/4 cup sugar until soft peaks form.
3. With a rubber spatula, gently stir half of whipped cream into buttermilk mixture; fold in remaining whipped cream. Divide among eight 6-ounce ramekins. Refrigerate until set, at least 6 hours (or up to 1 day, covered with plastic wrap).
4. When ready to serve, toss strawberries with 1/4 cup sugar, lemon juice, and 1 tablespoon water. Let stand until juicy, about 5 minutes. Run a paring knife around edge of each ramekin and dip each briefly in steaming hot water; invert buttermilk creams onto serving plates and top with strawberries.

(from MarthaStewart.com)

One-Pot Tuna and Mac

2 1/2cups (625 mL) water
2 chicken or vegetable bouillon cubes (or 1 tbsp/15 mL bouillon powder)
2cups (500 mL) small pasta shells (or elbows or other small pasta shape
1cup (250 mL) milk
2cups (500 mL) fresh, frozen or canned green beans, peas or broccoli, cut into 1/2 in. (1 cm) pieces
1/4tsp (1 mL) black pepper
1 1/2cups (375 mL) cheddar cheese, shredded
184g can chunk tuna, drained


1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and bouillon cubes or powder to a boil over high heat. Add the uncooked pasta and bring back to a boil, stirring. Lower the heat to medium-low and cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the pasta sticking to the bottom of the pot. Add the milk, veggies and pepper and continue to cook, partially covered, for another 5 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove from heat, add the cheese and tuna and stir just until the cheese is melted.

Spinach Artichoke Pasta Sauc

(This is a Rachael Ray recipe apparently, not mine.)

1 10-oz box frozen spinach
2 tablespoons EVOO (extra-virgin olive oil), twice around the pan
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
3 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small onion, peeled and halved
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 cup chicken stock
1 cup heavy cream
1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg (eyeball it)
1 14 ounce can artichoke hearts in water, drained and chopped
A couple handfuls grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano cheese
Salt and black pepper
1 pound cheese tortellini or flavored tortellini, such as wild mushroom

Bring a large pot of water to a boil to cook the pasta. Microwave the spinach on high for 6 minutes to defrost.

Heat a deep skillet over medium heat with the EVOO and butter. When the butter melts and is hot, add the garlic. Using a box grater, grate the onion directly into the skillet. Saute the onions and garlic for 5 minutes. Sprinkle the flour into the skillet and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the stock, then the cream, and bring the sauce to a boil. Season the sauce with nutmeg and reduce the heat to low.

Place the defrosted spinach in a clean kitchen towel and wring it dry. Separate it as you add it to the sauce. Stir in the chopped artichokes and a couple handfuls of cheese, then season the spinach-artichoke sauce with salt and pepper.

Salt the boiling water and cook the tortellini according to the package directions, about 3-5 minutes. Drain it well and toss with the spinach artichoke sauce. Serve immediately.