Quick Gnocchi with Tomato Sauce

this one comes from 30 minute meals.....it's a quick 'gnocchi' with tomato sauce


8 slices day old, good quality Italian bread
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 3 turns of the pan
2 tablespoons butter, cut into pieces
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups (2-ounce cans) tomato sauce
3 small plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped
Several fresh basil leaves, torn
2 cups shredded mozzarella, smoked mozzarella or provolone cheese


Preheat broiler.

Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Chop bread into bite size pieces. Add extra-virgin olive oil, butter and garlic to the skillet. Melt butter into oil then add the bread. Season the bread with salt and pepper. Toss and cook the bread 7 to 8 minutes then add the tomato sauce and fresh tomatoes. Turn to coat and warm the tomato sauce, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the bread gnocchi and tomatoes from heat and transfer to a casserole dish, top with basil then cover the dish with cheese. Place the casserole under the broiler and cook 2 to 3 minutes, until the cheese browns and bubbles. Serve immediately.

for the kids....

its play time!! The creators of Zolo have devised a series of toys that are educational and aid in certain developmental skills. Kushies come in a variety of styles, colors, and although they tend to be on the expensive side of the spectrum, I only have one thought....I don't have any kids, so it's much easier to rationalize spending mondo amounts of money on toys for my friend's children.

Antipasto Salad

from everyday italian ... antipasto salad, what a perfect summer dinner


Red Wine Vinaigrette:
1 bunch fresh basil, stemmed and leaves chopped (about 2 cups)
1/4 cup red wine vinegar
1 clove garlic
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil


Antipasto Salad:
1 pound fusilli pasta
1/2 cup hard salami, cut into strips (about 3 ounces)
1/2 cup smoked turkey, cut into strips (about 3 ounces)
1/4 cup provolone cheese, cut into strips
1/4 cup grated Asiago cheese
2 tablespoons green olives, halved and pitted
2 tablespoons roasted red peppers, cut into strips
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper


Vinaigrette:
In a blender, add the basil, vinegar, garlic, mustard, salt and pepper. Blend until the herbs are finely chopped. With the machine running, drizzle in the olive oil until the dressing is smooth.
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the pasta and cook until tender but still firm to the bite, stirring occasionally, about 8 to 10 minutes. Drain pasta.

In a large bowl, toss together the cooked pasta with the remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle with dressing and toss to coat. Serve.


YUMMO!

fun times with photoshop....

Always wonder how graphic designers manage to astound us with their photo editing skills?? Well wonder no more....Jessica Sprague has started a blog (Photoshop Friday) in order to enlighten the average person on how to create masterpieces from ordinary photos.

New threads appear every friday and contain very detailed instructions on how to turn your boring photos into images you would see Pottery Barn use a sample photos.

Technology is a grand thing......

get the creative juices flowing...

Always wondered how people get those great little quotes or saying 'painted' onto their walls? Well wonder no more.....and it's an [O] thing suggests

Wonderful Graffiti

There are tons of ideas to choose from.....or if you are feeling impulsive, create your own. The best part.....when you become tired of it (if you ever do), its completely removable.

Shining crystal clear

.....and that's a (diamond studded) [O] thing!!



Available from Divine Diamonds (the kind that won't break your pocketbook), this ring is engraved ah to represent an available and happy woman and can even been worn by married ladies to portray their attached and happy status.

Either way, I can't think of any single or married lady who wouldn't enjoy a diamond ring.

Forgetful....

I'm not really sure what my problem is lately, but I am having the darndest time trying to remember to pay my bills. And I think that Pottery Barn has the solution for me.




Talk about a wall-size calendar! Forget post-it notes....I'm moving on to the big league, folks!

tuesday tuesday tuesday

Alright, so I'm behind again. Who knew keeping this updating would be challenging? Certainly not me. Anyways, here's another and that's an [O] thing....




Looking for a personalized gift, but you are tired of a simple monogram? Look no further, the creators of Sticks and Stones have created a great personalized keepsake that can be hung anywhere in your home.

A little behind....

Been a long week..... :(

Anyways, promised to keep and that's an [O] thing going....I believe these were featured in both Oprah's magazine as well as Real Simple.





The together book binds pictures you have already developed, but haven't had time to organize into photo albums. For around $30 (before shipping), you can create an album of 100 (or less, but you must have at least 25) pictures for a keepsake or gift that is modern, yet classic. Who wouldn't enjoy receiving a completed album??

And that's an [O] thing!

Sorta like Martha's, "...and that's a good thing." I've decide to find one quote, website, item, page, music selection....something that I'm enjoying for the day and share it with you.

For today - A solar powered home address plaque ... and that's an [O] thing!

Sorta celebrity status

We're celebrities!!

Visit our photographer's website to see some of our wedding photos highlighted in their gallery.

My Wedding Photographer