Showing posts with label gnocchi. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gnocchi. Show all posts

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

Corso

After wining/whining the day away, we settled in Richmond and went to Berkeley to grab some dinner. Corso was recommended by our host, Marcia. I was pretty tired and a little sick but very excited to try a new restaurant. When we walked in the host said that they were full, unless we wanted to sit at the chef bar. He made it sound like it was a bad thing! The chef bar is really a fun place to sit; you get to see all of the food being made and it gives you a first hand idea of what to order. Plus they can't spit in your food (not that they would).

Best part of sitting at the chef bar? Special treatment. Jeff and I were both staring (maybe with our mouths open) at a risotto the chef was making. He had dumped a whole spoonful of truffle butter in a sizzling pan. HEAVEN! I guess our staring was not so secretive, because the chef made us a tiny plate of extra for us to try. MMM, so glad we got to.
Caprese  house-pulled mozzarella- heirloom tomatoes- pesto- bread crumbs: Wow! I have never had a caprese like this before. I have a new rule: bread crumbs make everything better. I have never thought of using a pesto as the "basil' component of a caprese. Kodus for creativity.
Watching the cooks work. They also feature a chicken that is fried in a pan of butter. Amazing? I think yes.
I got a gnocchi with braised pork. This dish was very savory and the gnocchi was soft and delicious.
Jeff got some kind of sausage with some kind of orange vegetable....descriptive, I know. He loved it though (he rarely hates anyting).
Panna cotta vanilla bean custard- fresh berry sauce: Imagine the center of a creme brule, with a melt in your mouth perfectly smooth consistancy and a light vanilla bean flavor. Then top it off with a little sweetness from grapes. One of the best desserts I have EVER had.I would highly recommend this restaurant if you ever find yourself in the Berkeley area.

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

Fontina-Gruyere Basil Gnocchi


This recipe is heaven in my mouth! I went to grocery store and did something that a rarely do...I didn't have a plan. I didn't have a recipe or list, no thoughts or convictions....just a shopping bag and my credit card. I did have a strong desire to use cheese...and boy did I ever. I created a masterpiece: Fontina-Gruyere Basil Gnocchi.

I am not sure on exact amounts but I will do my best to instruct you....

Fontina-Gruyere Basil Gnocchi (Heaven in my mouth)
-A package (or two) or Gnocchi - The kind I got only requires that you boil it for 3 minutes
-1/2 block shredded Fontina Cheese (in the fancy cheese area)
-1/2 block shredded Gruyere Cheese (in the fancy cheese area)
-Milk
-Butter
-Corn starch or flour
-Fresh basil leaves

Melt about 1/4 of a stick of butter in a sauce pan. Once melted add a few hefty splashes of milk. Coat the mixed shredded cheeses with corn starch by tossing it in a bowl. The cheese should have a light dusting. Slowly add the cheese into the butter and milk mixture until melted on low-medium heat. Pour over the cooked Gnocchi and top with fresh basil leaves.

Enjoy!