Sweet Potato and Gnocchi Soup with Vegetables

I enjoy cooking with sweet potatoes all year long. Sweet potatoes are loaded with beneficial nutritional value. I admit that I've never cooked anything with kale before and was curious to try; and it turned out wonderful to my delight. 

Sweet Potato and Gnocchi Soup with Vegetables

1 cup sliced carrots

1 diced chicken breast

4 cups chicken broth

1 sweet potato peeled and diced

1 bay leaf

Salt and pepper to taste

Sage sprinkles

Cook the above in a Crockpot until chicken is cooked and potatoes are tender.  (High for 3 hours) Stirring occasionally.

Then stir in:

4 greens onions chopped

1 portabella mushroom cap diced

1 cup thinly chopped kale

1 cup chopped spinach

1-cup water

1 tbsp olive oil

16 oz mini gnocchi

¾ cup milk

½ cup heavy cream

Let this all cook together until the kale is tender and the gnocchi is done.  If you want to thicken up this soup, completely stir in 2 tbsp flour after you have added the gnocchi (and the contents of the Crockpot are all warm).   Let the soup stand for a few minutes and then serve.  Serves 6.  

The Winslow Market Tote

After admiring this tote (of the Alewives blog)Alewives and having the supplies for weeks I pulled out my copy of this Winslow tote pattern by Kathy Mack and "got to work on it".

Here is a picture of my finished product:

I found it extremely useful to use an industrial size sewing needle in my Singer sewing machine while completing this project.  I also used organic canvas as the interfacing and I added reenforcement stitching to make this tote extra sturdy.

I mailed this tote off to my sister-in-law this morning as a birthday present!  Happy birthday Joy!!!

Cornish Game Hen with Potatoes and Herbs

I remember my mother making amazing Cornish Game Hen recipes while I was a child. Here is a recent recipe I came up with using a Cornish Game Hen. It tasted delicious!

Cornish Game Hen with Potatoes, Tomatoes and Herbs

1 Cornish Game hen

4 red potatoes

1 large tomato

¼ loose cup of fresh basil

½ tbsp fresh rosemary

2 tbsp fresh oregano

1 small sweet white onion

4 whole garlic cloves peeled

1-cup water

¼ cup melted butter

 Salt and pepper to taste

1.     Place one Cornish Game hen (with empty insides) into a deep covered baker.  Place sliced potatoes around the Cornish Game hen. 

2.     Place sliced tomato, white onion and garlic cloves on top of the potatoes. 

3.     Pour 1-cup hot water and melted butter over chicken and potato mixture. 

4.     Sprinkle basil, oregano, rosemary, salt and pepper over chicken and potato mixture.  

5.     Put cover on baker and place into a preheated oven on 400F for 1 hour and 20 minutes. 

6.     Check chicken and potatoes.  When both of these ingredients are cooked completely you can remove from oven.

7.      Let stand for a few minutes uncovered and serve.  Serves 4.