dinner

Valentine’s Ideas

February 4, 2021 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

Even though Valentine’s day will look different for most of us this year, there’s no reason we can’t make it fun and festive! Whether you’re celebrating with a significant other or family or a few close friends, I’ve got you covered with recipe and wine ideas!

To make it feel extra festive, why not buy a course, like an appetizer or dessert to support your favorite local restaurant and then make the rest. I also love the idea of ordering dinner from your favorite restaurant and making a fancy dessert!

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Crispy Gnocchi with Roasted Butternut Squash and Caramelized Onions

January 25, 2021 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

Have you ever pan fried gnocchi so they’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside? It’s my favorite way to eat gnocchi! I’ve been making gnocchi this way for a years – I posted a recipe for crispy gnocchi with pesto, roasted tomatoes, and goat cheese back in 2017, which I still love.

I have to say, there’s something about the combination in this recipe that I love. Cozy yet sophisticated, this is a dish I would be happy to get out at a restaurant. So bring the restaurant to your kitchen tonight. Pour a glass of wine, turn on some of your favorite music, and make this for dinner!

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Zucchini Ricotta Roll-ups

September 3, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

Zucchini is hands down one of my favorite, if not my favorite vegetable. I love how versatile it is and how it takes on the flavor of however you prepare it. It’s one of those vegetables that I always have in the fridge because I can throw it in tacos, soups, pasta, or just roast it in rings and eat it straight off the pan (guilty…).

This recipe truly highlights just how versatile it is. It’s one of Rich’s and my favorite dishes and while it’s good all year long (hello cozy comfort food), it’s particularly amazing now when zucchini is at it’s peak. Just make sure you make plenty – it’s one of those dishes that everyone wants seconds and it makes amazing leftovers for lunch the next day.

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Summer Burrata Pasta

July 21, 2020 by Gretchen Blazer Thompson

This weekend the farmers market had the most gorgeous deep ripe tomatoes that I couldn’t resist. Tomatoes this time of year are good on anything, toast with a little goat cheese, just sliced with olive oil and crunchy sea salt, or my personal favorite with burrata and pasta.

I’ve been making a version of this pasta for years, but this version is definitely my favorite. Using the best ingredients at the peak of the season make this simple dish exceptional! The burrata starts to melt into the tomatoes and olive oil to create the most delicious sauce. The best part, it’s super simple and quick, perfect for hot summer days when you want to spend as little time in the hot kitchen as possible.

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