Gnocchi with Spinach, Ricotta, and Portobello Mushroom Sausage

For better or for worse, this whole growing our own vegetables thing has dramatically reduced my trips to the grocery store. I love that I can figure out a whole meal simply by walking outside. But, at some point, you need some basic ingredients to actually pull together a dinner. Tonight I opened up the cupboard to some rice, a granola bar, a few canned goods, a bag of pasta, and a bag of gnocchi. I turned to the fridge…butter, yogurt, salad dressing, some ricotta cheese, half a jar of pasta sauce…sigh. The freezer was equally disappointing with a few frozen vegetables, a couple of leftover sausages, and a carton of ice cream. In the past, I’d just shrug it off, make us some pasta, and call it a night. But, tonight, I couldn’t deny it any longer. I was having that dreaded, “what’s for dinner?” moment, and I could see it in Andrew’s eyes too, not boring pasta again, please not pasta again. Okay, okay, I’ll search my recipes and find something.  I approached this task with skepticism, but sure enough, you really can make something out of nothing.  I found this recipe on the BBC Good Food web site: www.bbcgoodfood.com, added some chicken portobello mushroom sausages and viola!  It was delicious.  I had to use frozen spinach rather than fresh, but it didn't seem to make much of a difference.  If I made it again, I might throw in some roasted zucchini to add another dimension.  But, if you are looking for a tasty and simple dinner, this is your recipe. 

Serves 4

2 cups tomato basil sauce

1 Cup fresh spinach

1 package gnocchi, cooked

1/3 Cup ricotta cheese

2 chicken portobello mushroom sausages, grilled and sliced

parmesan cheese, grated

Preheat the broiler.  Heat the tomato basil sauce in a sauce pan until warm.  Add the spinach and simmer a couple minutes until the spinach wilts.  Season the sauce if needed.  (I usually add some Italian seasoning and garlic powder to sauce that comes out of a jar.)  Meanwhile, cook the gnocchi as directed on the package and grill the sausages on the barbecue untill browned.  Mix the gnocchi, sauce, and sausage and put into an oven-proof dish.  Spoon small bits of ricotta cheese onto the top.  Sprinkle with grated parmesan cheese and put in the broiler for 10-12 minutes, or until golden brown.  Serve immediately.