Name: Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Yellow Squash and Spinach
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Yield: 4-5 servings
Ingredients: 14 oz. gnocchi; 1 lb. ground, mild Italian sausage; 2 T. olive oil; 2 diced yellow squash; 3 diced garlic cloves; 1/2 bag of baby spinach; 1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes; Salt and Pepper; Shredded Parmesan

How to Build a Savory Charcuterie Board

December 14, 2020 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

Why is it that charcuterie boards are all the rage these days? They are trending in a big way on Pinterest and if you’ve glanced at any foodie’s Instagram feed, you’re likely to see a colorful board built of various finger foods.

The answer is simple — charcuterie boards are a fabulous way to serve others a beautifully assembled meal without cooking a single thing! Better yet, designing a charcuterie board is a blast because you’re literally playing with food to arrange it in an eye appealing way.

So, how do you know what items to source for your board? The key to building any savory charcuterie board is to think in categories when selecting the items to include: 1.) briny or acidic foods 2.) creamy and hard cheeses 3.) sliced deli meats. You want the items selected to complement each other in taste and texture. For example, pickles or artisan olives are a great follow to a rich cheese and cracker combination.

For my ultimate savory charcuterie board, I added another layer of interest. Some of my items are sourced from Kansas farmers or small food businesses while the others came mostly from Trader Joe’s. I’m passionate about supporting small business and several of the below mentioned companies were nice enough to gift me with their items.

What locally sourced gourmet foods could you add to your board?

I went BIG on this spread! The quantity of ingredients in this board could easily feed 2-4 people. We like to substitute a beautiful charcuterie platter for our usual dinner meal a couple Friday evenings a month because I don’t want to cook at the end of the week!

Here’s a rundown of the assorted items and where to buy them:

CRACKERS:

Brioche Toasts (Trader Joe’s) covered in roasted garlic from Orie’s Farm Fresh
Pita Bite Crackers (Trader Joe’s)
Golden Rounds (Trader Joe’s)
Great Value Rosemary Crackers (Walmart)

CHEESES:

Sliced Medium Cheddar (Walmart)
Cream Cheese Spread mixed with Cajun Marinade from Kansas Flavor
Honey Goat Cheese (Trader Joe’s) covered in Beesponsible Wildflower Honey
The Laughing Cow Garlic & Herb Cheese (Walmart) topped with fresh baby dill
Sliced White Cheddar (Private Selection from Kroger)

PROTEINS:

Smoked Salmon Slices (Walmart)
Salami (Trader Joe’s)
Prosciutto (Trader Joe’s)
Pepperoni (Trader Joe’s)

NUTS & CRUNCH:

Salted Pistachios (Trader Joe’s)
Toasted Corn Nuts (The Farris Wheel)
Cheese Pizza Gourmet Popcorn (Kernel’s Popcorn Express)

FRUITS & VEGGIES:

Pickles Brussel Sprouts (Urban Prairie)
Sliced Tomatoes sprinkled with Smoked Garlic Salt (Orie’s Farm Fresh)
Jalapeño Mustard (Urban Prairie)
Fig Jam (Trader Joe’s)
Blue Cheese Stuffed Olives (Trader Joe’s)
Artichoke Hearts Segments (Trader Joe’s)
Clementine Orange Segments
Pink Lady Apple Slices
Dried Cranberries

I recommend a dry red wine to enjoy with it such as a Cabernet Sauvignon. We sipped on 2018 Happy Camper while nibbling on the delightful spread.

In the market for a serving board? I used a bamboo cutting board and a pizza board with a handle, which worked perfectly!

While the specific items chosen for our charcuterie board appeal to us, you should customize your selection to your taste. It’s really just an excuse to try new gourmet foods paired with your tried and true favorites.

Have a delightful time shopping for ingredients and designing an epic board of your own!

4 Small Kitchen Appliances Every Cook Needs

November 24, 2020 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.

Getting a meal on the table is hard enough with all of life’s daily demands, so there is no shame in maximizing the convenience of small kitchen appliances to get the job done quickly. The four timesavers that I can’t live without are listed below and I really think you’ll find that they make preparing meals easier.

Alright, I’m breaking down this short list based on each piece of equipment’s affordability and efficiency. Let’s dive in.

BLACK AND DECKER TOASTER OVEN

Most people consider this counter appliance to be one used by college students or individuals who don’t cook much. A toaster oven is incredibly versatile and a HUGE timesaver when you want to cook or reheat a meal. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used it to prepare nachos, small pizzas, open-faced sandwiches, and even roasted garlic.

Life happens. You don’t always have the time or energy to prepare full meal and the Black and Decker Toaster Oven is the solution.

Cost $43

FOODSAVER VACUUM SEALER

If you’re like me and you want to buy extra steaks when they’re on sale for later use, using a Foodsaver Vacuum Sealer is the best option to freeze them and keep frostbite flavor at bay. I also use it to store airtight packages of fresh items from garden tomatoes (great for sauces!) to soup leftovers.

You’ll find that even though you are initially spending money on it and the roll of sealer bags, you save money overall by purchasing groceries on sale and storing them for later use. Later, you can just shop your freezer instead of heading back to the store!

Cost $60

MAGIC BULLET BLENDER

When you want to blend a fruit smoothie, mix a batch of dressing, or finely chop vegetables, the Magic Bullet Blender is your go-to appliance. The beauty of it is that you tote your mixed beverage with you using the handle cup and drinkable lid or simply store it in the refrigerator for later use. I once thought tiny drink blenders were only for people who mixed their morning protein or muscle powder smoothies. Wrong. You’ll love it’s practicality for everyday use and its small size requires minimal storage.

Cost $39

CUISINART FOOD PROCESSOR

The big daddy of all the small appliances, the Cuisinart Food Processor should be in every home cook’s kitchen. No matter the task, it delivers. I’ve used it to prep vegetables for a week’s recipes, mixed up fresh dough, and made large batches of sauces and dressings. If you’re committed to your kitchen and love donning an apron to prepare recipes, you deserve the functionality of a food processor.

Cost $150

These four small kitchen appliances are a food lover’s dream because they make preparing a meal a joy. Eliminate long hours standing over a hot oven or prepping ingredients and invest in kitchen gadget that simplifies the job. You’ll be happy you did.

While these are my favorite appliances, I’m eager to hear what appliance you think I should have included on the list. Comment below with your suggestion!

How I’ve Stayed Happily Busy During the Pandemic

November 15, 2020 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

This stay at home thing isn’t ending anytime soon. During my time at home, I’ve found myself reviving old hobbies, experimenting with new things, and well, cleaning and eating a lot.

How have you kept yourself from going stir crazy while stuck at home?

Maybe an activity or recipe below will inspire you to cross something off your fun to-do list OR perhaps it will simply leave you with the feeling that only being productive can bring. If you’re like me, you want to keep yourself busy!

COMFORT FOODS

Chocolate Chip Cookies
Scalloped Potatoes
Egg Salad
Banana Bread
Fruit Cocktail Cake
Peach Dump Cake
Smoked Pork Ribs
Apple Salad
Rasta Pasta
Vodka Sauce
German Potato Salad
Buttermilk Ranch Dressing
Biscuits and Gravy
Garlic Rosemary Chicken Thighs
Sautéed Red Cabbage
Italian Stuffed Peppers
Green Tomato Relish
Stuffed Summer Squash
Sesame Kale
Hamburger Soup

MUSEUMS & ATTRACTIONS

OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES

Leaf Peeping
Bird Watching
Chiminea
Dog Walks
Sidewalk Chalk
Raised Bed Gardening
Stargazing
Landscaping
Biking
Neighborhood Litter Pick Up

HOME ACTIVITIES

DIY Dog Bandanas
Clean Garage
Clean Grill, Traeger Smoker
Deep Clean House
Clean Car
Declutter Drawers and Closets
Game Night
Classic Movie Night
Spa Treatments
Living Room Dance Party
Mail Cards to Loved Ones
Puzzles
Paint a Room
Coloring Book
Reading
DIY Wooden Bead Garland
Blogging
Indoor Gardening
Online Shopping
Dehydrate Herbs

TV SHOWS (I’ve watched every episode of these series.)

Masterclass
Growing a Greener World
Somebody Feed Phil
Hart of Dixie
Hollywood Reporter Actor’s Round Table
Get Organized
The Chef Show
The Ranch
Grace and Frankie

What has inspired you to stay active during the pandemic? Share an idea with me in the comments below! Together, we’re going to get through this time.

How to Make Wood Bead Garland

September 10, 2020 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.

Why buy wood bead garland on Etsy for upwards of $30 when you can make it yourself for dollars less?

I’d like to teach you how to craft your own version in less time than it would take you shop for it online and have it shipped to your house. If you can find a strand of wood bead garland at a home decor store like At Home or Hobby Lobby, you’ll save much more money than if you bought multiple bags of beads ($7-9 each!). I bought 12′ of holiday wood bead garland (see below) for $5.99 from At Home.

The finished garland looks beautiful when displayed with farmhouse design or draped against bohemian decor.

Roll up your sleeves. Let’s get crafty!

SUPPLIES AND TOOLS:

Wood bead holiday garland
Jute twine
Jute tassel
Wood tag
Black chalkboard paint
Paint brush
White chalkboard marker

STEP 1: Remove the wood beads from the roped garland and remove any tags. (I bought this strand from At Home for less than $6 and it had enough beads for three wood bead garland projects.)

STEP 2: Cut a length of jute twine to the length of garland you want. (I simply made a rough estimate of my bead quantity and cut the twine to suit that length.)

STEP 3: Attach the jute tassel by knotting the twine to it. (I found these tassels at Joann’s for less than $3 each.)

STEP 4: Slide each wood bead one-by-one down the length of twine. The first 1-3 beads will cover the tassel’s leftover loop hiding it from view. Continue adding beads until you have approximately 3-4 inches of twine left as excess at the end of your DIY garland.

STEP 5: Using the remaining length of twine beyond the last bead, loop it into the wood tag and knot it firmly. (I wanted to use black chalkboard paint on the tag I used to eventually hand script a word on it. To do so, brush on one coat of chalkboard paint, allow to dry, add another coat of paint, and once dried you can use a white chalk marker to script a word on our tag.)

STEP 6. Tuck any excess twine inside the first and last beads on the garland, and you’re done!

Now, where will you drape your garland to adorn your interior design?

Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Yellow Squash and Spinach

August 24, 2020 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

Do you shop at the farmers’ market in your town? Lately, I’ve traveled downtown to the market looking for locally grown vegetables and Kansas sourced meat to use in new recipes. Since becoming a gardener, I’m more interested in knowing where my food comes from and how it is treated before I eat it.

The benefit of shopping local is ten-fold, but some of the primary reasons I enjoy it is because 1.) The produce is organic, larger in size and better in flavor 2.) I’m supporting the livelihood of Kansas farmers and 3.) I enjoy making friends with fellow foodies and talking about recipes.

I prepared Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Yellow Squash and Spinach after purchasing two yellow squash and a box of fresh pasta from market vendors. Inspired by the ingredients and similar recipe by Gordon Ramsey, I prepared an easy, weeknight meal that was full of flavor and layered in texture. The pasta dish turned out to be scrumptious! I loved the pillowy soft gnocchi (made from potatoes!) with the chunky veggies and sausage crumbles. Consider making it for your family this week!

One Delightful Life

4-5 servings

Gnocchi with Italian Sausage, Yellow Squash and Spinach

A hearty and healthy meal perfect for using up fresh vegetables.

15 minPrep Time

20 minCook Time

35 minTotal Time

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Ingredients

14 oz. gnocchi
1 lb. ground, mild Italian sausage
2 T. olive oil
2 diced yellow squash
3 diced garlic cloves
1/2 bag of baby spinach
1/2 pint of cherry tomatoes
Salt and Pepper
Shredded Parmesan

Instructions

Brown the ground sausage on medium high until broken down and caramelized.
Remove sausage from the pan and drain on a plate of paper towels.
In a separate pan, add the olive oil over medium heat.
Add the diced yellow squash and stir occasionally until the squash is softened.
Add the diced garlic and stir until incorporated.
Add the spinach, tomatoes, and stir.
Add the drained sausage to the squash, garlic, spinach, and tomatoes. Stir until well mixed and turn the stove on low.
In a large saucepan, bring salted water to a rolling boil.
Add the gnocchi and stir it occasionally for 2-3 minutes until the pasta floats. Using a slotted spoon, drain the gnocchi by the spoonful and add it to the pot of sausage and vegetables. Gently fold it all to incorporate the ingredients.
Add salt and pepper and sprinkled Parmesan on each serving while hot.

Nutrition

Calories

1945 cal

Fat

83 g

Carbs

195 g

Protein

106 g

Click Here For Full Nutrition, Exchanges, and My Plate Info

You could also sprinkle a few ribbons of fresh basil on top of your warm bowl of pasta. I didn’t choose to do that since the gnocchi I purchased was already flavored with spinach and sun-dried tomatoes. If you love tomatoes, add more! Wish this recipe included mushrooms? Don’t have yellow squash but zucchini instead? Trust yourself to swap or add ingredients!

If you make this recipe for two people, you’ll have at least two servings leftover for the next day’s lunch! Of course, let me know what you think of this yummy weeknight meal in the comments below.

Oh, and if you LOVE squash, try my recipe for Buttery Spaghetti Squash with Garlic and Feta. It’s a delightful side dish for any fall season meal.

Bubbly Strawberry Mint Mojito

July 20, 2020 by Vanessa Whiteside Leave a Comment

When I polled my Instagram audience if they wanted this recipe after previewing it, the answered was 100% YES. I completely understand why because and it is indeed 100% REFRESHING! Bubbly Strawberry Mint Mojito is the summer drink you’ve been craving. You just didn’t know it!

Like a lot of gardeners, my mint plant is growing faster than I can use it up. A mojito recipe is the perfect way to make use of the summer herb, and its herbaceous flavor adds a cooling effect to this cocktail. Not a gardener? The mint sold in your local grocery store’s produce department will suffice — just remember to keep it refrigerated until use.

This recipe is for one cocktail but you could easily maximize it to make a pitcher to serve guests at your brunch or outdoor summer party. It’s so good thanks to its fresh ingredients and the bubble’s effervescence.

Have you ever heard of “muddling” herbs? You may have seen a bartender do it when crafting a cocktail. By using a cocktail muddler, or in my case the end of a wooden spoon, you simply press and twist the mint in the bottom of a sturdy wine glass. Just in case you would like a visual for how to do it, here’s a helpful instructional link.

I used strawberry flavored Waterloo Sparkling Water for extra fruit flavor in combination with sliced fresh strawberries. You will also need sugar, lime wedges, and aged silver rum over ice.

Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com.

I know you’re going to adore this recipe for Bubbly Strawberry Mint Mojito! Appreciate fruit cocktails? You’ll also like my recipe for Blackberry Mint Fizzy Mojito! Want a similar drink but without the booze? Check out this recipe for Cucumber Mint Raspberry Detox Water.

Salude!