Gnocchi Scampi

This is a quick and delicious- lemony and garlicky- one-pan dish. I now realize that I prefer pan-seared gnocchi over boiled. It was crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Great.

This recipe was adapted from The New York Times, contributed by Melissa Clark. I used a 12-inch cast iron skillet, modified the method, and doubled the garlic. It was a perfect meal served with a big green salad. We didn’t have any leftovers!

Yield: Serves 3 to 4

• 3 T extra-virgin olive oil, divided, plus more for serving
• 1 pound gnocchi (fresh, frozen or shelf-stable) (I used Trader Joe’s shelf-stable)
• 2 T unsalted butter
• 4 to 8 garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
• 1/2 cup cup dry white wine, clam juice, or stock (I used chicken stock)
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1/8 tsp red-pepper flakes, plus more for serving
• 1 pound large or extra-large shrimp, shelled (I used tail-on 21-25 count)
• 1 lemon
• 1 cup flat-leaf parsley, chopped (about 1/2 cup chopped)

1. In a large, preferably nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high. (I used a 12-inch cast iron skillet.)
2. Add gnocchi to the pan, breaking up any that are stuck together. Cook for 8 to 12 minutes, tossing every 1 to 2 minutes, so they get golden and crispy all over. Transfer to a bowl or plate. (I reduced the heat to medium half-way through this step.)
3. In the same skillet over medium-high, add remaining 1 tablespoon oil and all of the butter, letting it melt for a few seconds.
4. Add the minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
5. Add wine/stock/clam juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper and all of the red-pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer, and let the liquid reduce by half, about 2 minutes.
6. Add shrimp and sauté until they just start to turn pink, 2 to 3 minutes, depending on their size.
7. Return gnocchi to the pan and add another 1/4 teaspoon salt. Using a Microplane or other fine grater, quickly grate the zest from the lemon into the pan.
8. Add chopped parsley, tossing well. If your pan looks dry, add a splash of water, 1 tablespoon at a time, tossing to combine, then remove pan from the heat. (I didn’t have to add any additional liquid.)
9. Cut the zested lemon in half and squeeze in the juice from one half, gently tossing to combine. Taste and add more salt if you like. Cut the remaining lemon half into wedges for serving.
10. Drizzle with more olive oil and more red-pepper flakes, if desired, and serve with lemon wedges on the side.

One-Pan Farro & Cauliflower Parmesan

I love vegetable-loaded comfort food. 🙂 This casserole dish also has farro, a favorite, and cheese, of course. My husband said he would have loved it even without the fresh mozzarella on top! Absolutely delicious.

The recipe was adapted from The New York Times, contributed by Sarah DiGregorio. I doubled the amount of cauliflower, omitted the olives, used Trader Joe’s 10-minute farro, and modified the method and proportions.

We ate the casserole as a main course with garlic bread and green salad. It could also be served as a hearty side dish. The recipe is very adaptable and could be easily modified to incorporate other vegetables.

Yield: Serves 8

For the Farro and Cauliflower:

• 1 large head of cauliflower, florets and tender stems cut into large bite-sized pieces
• 8.8 oz bag Trader Joe’s 10-minute farro
• 1 (28 to 32-ounce) jar good-quality marinara sauce (I used Rao’s)
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 1/2 cup pitted kalamata or black olives, roughly chopped, optional (I omitted them)
• 10 large garlic cloves, smashed and chopped
• 3 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino-Romano (about 3/4 cup finely grated)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons onion powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano or dried basil
• 1 teaspoon balsamic or sherry vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, or to taste
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
• freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup stock (can substitute water)
• 2/3 cup water

For the Topping:

• 1 cup panko
• 2 ounces grated Parmigiano-Reggiano or Pecorino Romano (about 1/2 cup finely grated)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 8 to 12 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced into rounds (I used 12 slices)

1. Heat the oven to 425 degrees. (I set my oven to convection roast.)
2. In a 9-by-13-inch pan, combine the cauliflower, farro, marinara sauce, olive oil, olives (if using), garlic, grated cheese, onion powder, oregano or basil, vinegar and red-pepper flakes. Season with the salt and a generous amount of black pepper.
3. Pour in 1 cup stock and 2/3 cups water and stir well to combine. (can substitute with 1 2/3 cups water)
4. Cover the pan tightly with foil and bake in the oven for 40 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, in a small bowl, make the topping: Stir together the panko, grated cheese and olive oil.
6. Uncover the pan and stir.
7. Evenly cover the top with the panko topping.
8. Top with the fresh mozzarella rounds.
9. Continue baking uncovered until the farro is tender and chewy, the sauce is thick, the topping is browned, and the mozzarella has melted, about 10 to 15 minutes more. (I baked it for an additional 12 minutes on convection roast.) (I also put my garlic bread in the same oven at this point!)

Skillet Greek Chicken with Orzo, Tomatoes & Feta

This was a super quick and delicious skillet dinner that was absolutely packed with flavor. I loved the colorful and fresh tomato topping. We ate it with a green salad but it truly could have been a complete meal on its own.

This recipe was adapted from Half Baked Harvest, contributed by Tieghan Gerard. I used chicken thighs, dried oregano, and capers. I also modified the method and proportions. Next time, I may substitute 10-minute farro for the orzo. Great.

Yield: Serves 6

For the Chicken & Orzo:

• 4 T extra virgin olive oil
• 1 3/4 to 2 pounds boneless skinless chicken thighs, cut into 1 1/2 to 2-inch pieces (about 4 large)
• 1 T dried oregano
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 T balsamic vinegar
• 8 cloves garlic, sliced
• 1 bell pepper, sliced (I used a yellow pepper)
• 2 cups dry orzo pasta
• 2 T capers, drained

For the Tomatoes & To Serve:

• 2 1/2 cups mixed heirloom grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 T extra virgin olive oil
• 1/3 cup fresh basil, chiffonade
• 2 cloves garlic, grated or put through a garlic press
• kosher salt
• 1-2 pinches/dashes red pepper flakes, to taste
• 1 cup crumbled feta cheese, for serving

1. In a large skillet, toss together the olive oil, chicken, oregano, paprika; season with salt and pepper. (I used an enameled cast iron pan.)
2. Cook over medium-high heat until the chicken is browned all over and cooked through, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in the balsamic vinegar and garlic, cook another minute. Using a slotted spoon, remove the chicken from the skillet.
4. Add the bell peppers to the drippings in the skillet. Cook until soft, 2-3 minutes.
5. Add the orzo and 2 1/2 cups water. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring often until almost all the water is absorbed, about 5 to 10 minutes. Taste the pasta for doneness; add water and continue to cook until tender, if necessary. (I added 1/2 to 3/4 cup additional water after 5 minutes.)
6. Stir the chicken and capers into the orzo. Allow the chicken to warm through, about 3 minutes.
7. Meanwhile, toss the tomatoes with olive oil, basil, and garlic in a bowl. Season with salt and red pepper flakes.
8. To serve, spoon the tomatoes over the chicken and gently toss. Top with feta cheese.

Oven-Baked Pearl Couscous with Roasted Tomatoes, Chickpeas & Feta

I have served this flavorful dish as a vegetarian main dish served over baby spinach and as a side dish with rotisserie chicken, roasted cauliflower and green salad. So versatile! I also love that it is made in one pan.

The recipe was adapted from The New York Times, contributed by Melissa Clark. I used Trader Joe’s Harvest Grain Blend with Couscous with Quinoa, Orzo, and Garbanzo Beans and modified the proportions and method. Nice.

Yield: Serves 4 as a main dish or 6 as a side dish

• 1 pint (2 cups) grape tomatoes, halved (or a combination grape & small Campari- quartered)
• 1 large shallot, halved and thinly sliced
• 1/4 cup sliced scallions, for garnish (about 2 large)
• 2 T extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1 T balsamic vinegar, plus more for drizzling
• 2 to 3 large garlic cloves, finely grated or minced
• 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more as needed
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, plus more for serving
• 3 oregano, rosemary or sage sprigs
• 2 cups vegetable stock or water (I used 1 cup chicken stock and 1 cup water)
• 1/3 cup chopped cilantro, dill or parsley, plus more for serving
• 1/2 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1/2 lemon)
• 3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 8 ounces pearl couscous (1 1/2 cups)(I used Trader Joe’s Harvest Brain blend)
• 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 1/2 cups feta, crumbled (about 6 ounces)
• 1/3 cup freshly grated Parmesan (1 1/2 ounces)( I used Parmigiano-Reggiano)

1. Heat oven to 425 degrees. (I set my oven to convection roast.)
2. In a 9×13-inch baking dish, cake pan or gratin dish (I used a ceramic 9×13 baking dish), toss together tomatoes, shallot, 2 tablespoons oil, 1 tablespoon vinegar, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, pepper and rosemary, oregano, or sage sprigs. Roast until tomatoes are tender, about 15 minutes.
3. While tomatoes roast, heat the stock (or stock and water) until it boils, then stir in remaining 1 teaspoon salt, adding more to taste. (You want a well-seasoned broth here to flavor the couscous.)
4. Stir in cilantro, lemon zest and cumin.
5. Remove tomatoes from oven and fold in couscous, chickpeas and hot stock mixture. Cover pan tightly with foil, and return to oven for 20 minutes.
6. Remove foil and fold in the Parmesan and about 3/4ths of the feta (save the rest for garnish). Bake uncovered until feta starts to melt, another 5 minutes.
7. To serve, pull out and discard herb sprigs if you like, and spoon couscous into bowls. (I served it in the baking dish as a side dish.)
8. Top with remaining feta, more Parmesan, scallions, more herbs, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil and balsamic vinegar, as desired.

Roasted Chicken Thighs with Cauliflower & Cilantro-Yogurt Sauce

This is another quick and easy weeknight dinner. I love sheet pan meals! The yogurt sauce was absolutely essential- we all gobbled it up dolloped over both the cauliflower and the chicken. The spice blend, especially the smoked paprika, gave the chicken a great depth of flavor. Nice.

This recipe was adapted from The New York Times, contributed by Yossy Arefi. I used boneless, skinless chicken thighs and modified the proportions as well as the marinating and cooking times. I served it with roasted potatoes (made simultaneously in the same oven) and crusty sourdough bread.

Yield: Serves 4 to 6

For the Roasted Chicken Thighs & Cauliflower:

• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon Aleppo pepper flakes
• 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
• 3 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, divided
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 10 boneless, skinless, chicken thighs (about 2 1/2 pounds) or 6 bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs (about 3 pounds)
• 1 small head cauliflower (about 1 1/2 pounds), cut into 2-inch florets (about 5 cups)
• 3 shallots, quartered lengthwise (about 1 heaping cup)

For the Herbed Yogurt Sauce:

• 10 oz (about 1 1/4 cups) Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh flat leaf parsley or mint
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, plus more for garnish
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice, plus more for serving (I used Meyer lemon juice)
• 1 garlic clove, finely grated (I used a garlic press)

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the coriander, paprika, Aleppo pepper, and red pepper flakes with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and a big pinch of salt and pepper.
2. Pat the chicken dry and trim excess fat.
3. Add the chicken to the bowl and toss to coat in the oil and spices. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator at least 30 minutes and up to overnight. (I marinated the chicken for 2 hours.)
4. Heat oven to 425 degrees and set a rack in the center. (I set my oven to convection roast.)
5. Arrange the chicken, “skin-side up”, on a large parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
6. Add the cauliflower, shallots, remaining 2 tablespoons oil, and a sprinkle of salt and pepper to the bowl with the residual marinade. Toss to coat, then arrange the vegetables in a single layer surrounding the chicken.
7. Bake until the chicken is deep golden brown and cooked through and the cauliflower is browned, tossing the vegetables once or twice, about 20 to 25 minutes for boneless and up to 40 minutes for bone-in. The internal temperature should read 165 degrees on instant read thermometer. (If the chicken is done before the cauliflower, transfer the thighs to a plate, cover, and continue cooking the cauliflower until golden brown.)
8. While the chicken bakes, prepare the yogurt sauce: Whisk the yogurt, parsley or mint, cilantro, lemon juice and grated garlic with a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Cover and refrigerate until serving. (I made the sauce after making the chicken marinade and let it sit in the refrigerator during the marinating time as well.)
9. Transfer the chicken and vegetables to a platter and top with any juices left on the sheet pan and a squeeze of lemon juice.
10. Serve with yogurt sauce on the side, sprinkled with fresh cilantro, if desired.

Vegetarian Skillet Stuffed Shells

This one-pan, stovetop recipe turns cheesy stuffed pasta into a weeknight dinner. It was a perfect crowd-pleasing dish to serve on a chilly evening. Jarred marinara is used as a shortcut- enhanced with buttery sautéed garlic and red pepper flakes. Great.

This recipe was adapted from epicurious.com, contributed by Anna Stockwell. I modified the proportions and method, and used dried oregano. I recommend eating it with crusty bread or garlic bread to mop up the sauce.

Yield: Serves 4 to 6

• 20 jumbo pasta shells (about 6 to 6.5 oz)
• 1 tsp kosher salt, divided, plus more to taste
• 2 T extra-virgin olive oil
• 8 to 10 oz crimini mushrooms, thinly sliced
• 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup dry white wine or vermouth (I used Pinot Grigio)
• 5 oz baby spinach
• 6 to 9 large garlic cloves, thinly sliced
• 2 T unsalted butter
• 24 to 28 oz jarred marinara sauce (I used 28 oz Rao’s Marinara)
• 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 cups (15 to 16 oz) whole-milk ricotta
• 3 oz finely grated Parmesan (about 1 cup), plus more for serving (I used Parmigiano-Reggiano)
• 2 T finely chopped fresh oregano or 2 tsp dried oregano
• fresh parsley or oregano, chopped, for garnish, optional
• crusty bread or garlic bread for serving, optional

1. Cook shells in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until very al dente, about 9 minutes; drain. Run under cold water to stop the cooking; drain again. (I cooked 22 shells just to be safe but only used 20.
2. Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet (with a lid) over medium-high. (I used a large, wide enameled cast iron pan.)
3. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until they release juices, then are dry again and nicely browned, 5–10 minutes; season with black pepper and 1/2 tsp salt.
4. Reduce heat to medium, add wine, and cook, stirring, until reduced by half, 30 seconds to 1 minute.
5. Add spinach, stir, cover, and cook until beginning to wilt, 1–2 minutes.
6. Uncover and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is completely wilted and most of the liquid is evaporated, 2–4 minutes more. Transfer mushroom mixture to a large bowl; reserve skillet.
7. Add ricotta, Parmesan, 2 T fresh oregano or 2 tsp dried oregano, and remaining 1/2 tsp salt to mushroom mixture and stir to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning, to taste.
8. Spoon about 2 T ricotta mixture into each shell. The shell should be filled to capacity but not overstuffed. (I used a cookie scoop to ration the filling.)
9. Cook garlic and butter in reserved skillet over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until garlic is fragrant and beginning to brown, 2–3 minutes.
10. Add marinara sauce and red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer over low heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until warmed through, 6–8 minutes.
11. Nestle stuffed shells into hot sauce in skillet.
12. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until shells are warmed through, 5–6 minutes.
13. Remove from heat and let sit 5 minutes.
14. Sprinkle with Parmesan and chopped fresh parsley or oregano. Serve with crusty bread or garlic bread, as desired.

One-Pan Orzo with Spinach & Feta

This is another weeknight dish loaded with spinach. I also incorporated my CSA turnip greens. It features many of the flavors of my favorite Greek dishes, including lemon zest, feta, and fresh herbs. I used parsley from my CSA share as well.

This recipe was adapted from The New York Times, contributed by Melissa Clark. It was very quick and easy to prepare. I used a large, wide enameled cast iron pot. I increased the amount of garlic and modified the cooking method.

Yield: 3 to 4 servings

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 4 large scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced, divided
• 2 to 4 large garlic cloves, minced
• 8 ounces baby spinach leaves (8 cups), coarsely chopped (I used 6oz spinach and 2oz turnip greens)
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 3/4 cups chicken or vegetable stock
• 1 cup orzo
• 1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
• 3/4 cup crumbled feta (3 ounces), plus more for garnish
• 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
• 1 cup fresh dill, or use parsley or cilantro, chopped

1. Heat a 10-inch skillet over medium, then melt butter, 30 seconds to 1 minute. (I used a large and wide enameled cast iron pot.)
2. Stir in about three-quarters of the scallions (saving some of the green parts for garnish) and garlic, and cook until softened, stirring frequently, about 1 to 2 minutes.
3. Stir in stock and bring to a simmer.
4. Stir in orzo, lemon zest and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat until orzo is nearly cooked through and most of the liquid is absorbed, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once or twice.
5. Stir in spinach (and other greens, if using), adding in batches if it doesn’t all fit in the pan at once, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until spinach is wilted, about 2 minutes.
6. Stir in cheese, peas, and dill/parsley/cilantro, cover the pan, and cook for another 1 minute, to finish cooking and warm the peas.
7. To serve, sprinkle with more cheese and the reserved scallions.