Providence//Gnocchi recipe

I got back yesterday from a visit to Providence for the long weekend. It was really nice to get out of the city and see Jeff. I didn't take many pictures, but I did document our eats. When Jeff and I get together we eat, seriously eat. On Friday night we made gnocchi based off the baked gnocchi from Osteria Santo Spirito, which you might remember from this post. I bought the actual gnocchi pre-made from Faicco's on Bleeker, but we made the four cheese truffle oil sauce. Other foods include turkey clubs and breakfast foods, Jeff and my favorite. Here is the gnocchi recipe adapted from this recipe for four-cheese, truffle oil and mushroom mac & cheese.

Ingredients:

1 package of premade gnocchi (or make your own)

8 tbsp. (1 stick) salted butter

7 tbsp. flour

2 cups heavy whipping cream

2 cups half & half

1/2 cup havarti

1 cup Jarlsberg

1 cup Gruyère

1/2 cup grated parmesan

1/2 cup white wine

2 tsp. white truffle oil

3 tsp. salt, plus more or less to taste

1 1/2 tsp. white pepper, plus more or less to taste

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add gnocchi until slightly aldente, about 2-3 minutes. Strain gnocchi then return to large pot.

In a large saucepan, melt butter and flour over medium heat until bubbly and thick, but not browned, about 2-3 minutes. Add whipping cream and half & half. Stirring constantly, let mixture thicken, about 8-10 minutes.

Add four cheeses, salt and pepper, and continue stirring. Pour cheese sauce into pot of gnocchi and stir together. Add truffle oil. Season with salt and pepper as needed. 

Place gnocchi in a casserole dish and bake for 20 minutes.

Lately

1. Homemade eggs benedict

2. Jimmy's Birthday cake made by Ella and me

3. Homemade spicy chocolate gelato by Ella, Jeff and me

4. Cuddling and watching tv on my iPad

5. Diner pancakes

6. Leftover Steak and eggs

7 & 8. Skiing at Hunter Mountain with Molly

9. Lunch at Red eye with Jeff - turkey, brie, pear and avocado

10. Cuddling with Butchie

11. Brunch crepes with Jeff: Smoked salmon, goat cheese, avocado and onion

Birthday celebrations

Yesterday was David's 21st birthday. The festivities started on Sunday where I cooked a breakfast inspired by this youtube video. Obviously I didn't do everything that epicmeal time did. I did however make chocolate chip, bacon, beer pancakes (masterfully cooked by Chloe), french toast stuffed with bacon and cream cheese and cheesy eggs. It was delicious if I do say so myself!

Yesterday I went to the oil shoppe with David, Hannah and Chloe. I went in between my art class which was meeting at the Bargello and my Italian class. I got a sandwich with sausage, cooked onions, provolone and bbq sauce! Dinner was also indulgent. David, Chloe, Grace and I went to the Diner and I got a burger with gorgonzola and caramelized onions. I felt gluttonous, but so satisfied. After we went to Sam's apartment for cake and drinks. We listened to music and failed to play any sort of game. After we went out dancing. I was wearing the best dancing dress in the world! I accidentally stole it from Francesca when I visited her in Paris, it was her mom's in college. It's the most fun dress to twirl in and twirl I did. Happy Birthday David!

Iggy Pop & the Stooges

Last night I went to see Iggy Pop who was performing for free in Piazza della Repubblica with Chloe and Olivia. I spent the day stressing about planning my fall break and used the concert as an excuse to let loose and relax. The crowd was surprisingly pushy! I stayed in the back because there was no chance I'd be able to see him anyway. He played my favorite song, the Passenger and it was so good (also the only song I know...). After the concert Chloe and I went out to Lion's Fountain and bonded for a long time.

This morning I went to The Diner with Hannah, Grace and Chloe. Italians don't really sit down to breakfast, but we were all craving an old-fashioned American breakfast. I got chocolate pancakes with bacon and a cup of coffee. Since I've gotten used to drinking espresso, it was nice to take my time drinking a large mug of coffee. This is the first real breakfast I've had in Italian and I'll definitely be going back, especially anytime I'm homesick. I spent the rest of the day running errands and being lazy!