Sweet Potato Gnocchi and Home Sweet Home

The following are yesterday's verbatim forecasts from weather underground for two cities where I have lived. I still live in one. Can you guess which?

A. Freezing rain...sleet and periods of freezing drizzle...then rain...freezing rain...snow and freezing drizzle with possible sleet. Precipitation may be heavy at times. Snow and sleet accumulation around an inch. Lows in the mid 20s. Temperature rising into the mid 30s. Northeast winds around 5 mph...increasing to 10 to 20 mph. Chance of precipitation near 100 percent.

B. Sunny. High 73. Light winds.

I'll give you a hint. It's not A.

How do you decide where to live? Is it the weather? The quality of the public schools? Or is it based on the proximity to her mother's house? (Or for him, the distance from her mother's house?) Jeff and I have sacrificed things to live here in San Diego -- primarily family and finances. It sometimes seems like the right choice, and other times, not.

Take this weekend for example. We have all heard ad nauseam how the housing market is tanking. However, when Jeff and I talked to some realtors in San Diego, we learned that there are "micro-markets which are exempt from the decline."

Beautiful. 3.5 million square miles of dropping real estate in the US, and Jeff and I picked the 40 square feet where prices are still going up.

Unlike Jeff and me, Peabody's house hunting days are over. She and her husband have a lovely new home, and to celebrate, Peabody is hosting a housewarming party. I'm bringing her homemade Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Maple Cinnamon Sage Brown Butter. I know, that's the longest name ever, but it's not mine, it's Giada's.

When my parents were here for Thanksgiving, they gushed so much about Giada's sweet potato gnocchi that I surprised my dad and made them for his birthday. Honestly, they were delicious. Made with baked sweet potatoes and creamy fresh ricotta cheese, these gnocchi are pillowy and comforting. I especially love the way the fragrant, sweet, maple sauce clings to the grooves.

Here is Giada's recipe for Sweet Potato Gnocchi from her show Everyday Italian on the Food Network. For a copy of the recipe only, click here. I made the following changes:

• I substituted Garnet yams for sweet potatoes.
• I used pretty purple sage instead of green.
• I used about half the butter Giada called for, but that's up to you.
• I added toasted pecans on top because what's maple syrup without pecans?

See these posts for nice step-by-step photos on how to hand-make gnocchi.

Elise's guide for Potato Gnocchi
Coothink's guide for Sweet Potato Gnocchi with Gorgonzola
Bea's guide for Potato Gnocchi with Sauteed Mushrooms

I also like:
Simona's post and article about gnocchi
Katie's recipe for Pumpkin Gnocchi
Chow's recipe for Chestnut Gnocchi with Robiola Cheese Sauce
By the way, thank you Andrew of Spittoon for taking the time to add my Eat Christmas Cookies event to IMBB. I've put in a good word to Santa for you.

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Life is a Bowl of Cherries, but You Have to Pay for Them

I think most people who shop at farmers’ markets are willing to pay a little more for produce because it’s fresher. There are certain items, however, that are notorious for causing people to balk, such as passionfruit, figs, and, currently, cherries.

These fruits all share common traits: they are unique in flavor and appearance, their season is maddeningly short, and they elicit awe in their viewers. Seriously. This past Sunday, I was expecting harp music to start emanating from the cherry table. It’s no surprise; who can resist gushing over fresh cherries? Both kids and adults are smitten by their cheerful color and juicy sweetness. In fact, one farmer was generously offering samples of bing cherries (pictured above) and was practically sainted by grateful market-goers. It doesn’t take much to make us happy.

Despite our love affair with this precious fruit, some people can’t help but haggle over the price, which is about $6-8 per pound. Let me tell you something: No amount of pleading or applauding will get farmers to budge on the price. Why? Because cherries are difficult to grow. They are highly susceptible to insect damage and disease and need to be carefully monitored. They are also highly dependent upon good weather. In fact, several cherry farmers in California have noted markedly smaller harvests this year because of inclement weather. Even if the cherries make it to fruition, they are prey to birds that are attracted to their bright red color and sweet juice, and typically need to be protected with netting or cheesecloth. Finally, they must picked carefully and are highly perishable, since they do not ripen once harvested. This all adds up to a labor intensive and expensive fruit to produce, which is why the price is high.



But, once you’ve tasted a fresh cherry, there will be no doubt that they are worth every penny. Since cherry season lasts only 3-4 weeks, we buy them each week and savor every last one. We usually prefer to eat them plain, as they are perfect in their unadulterated state.

Yet, this past Sunday, Jeff suggested how much better they might be with some chocolate cake. Yes! Chocolate cake and cherries! I had to have it! But then I remembered -- I hate baking. Ugh. While unpacking the produce from the market, I suddenly remembered a dessert I had seen in a recent issue of Bon Appetit. Practically running Jeff over to get to the coffee table, I flipped the pages frantically until I found it: Quick Chocolate-Cinnamon Mousse with Cherries. Brilliant.



The recipe called for heavy whipping cream, and I considered using lite Cool Whip to reduce the calories; that is, until Jeff brought me to my senses. I’m still thanking him, and it’s been 4 days. You will too after you taste this dessert. Though the recipe gives suggestions for different ingredients, I used cherry preserves from Trader Joe’s, port wine instead of cherry juice, and Ghiradelli 60% dark chocolate.

This is a decadent dessert, one that you should savor, slowly and patiently. The mousse is both pillowy light in texture and densely chocolately in taste. And the cherries, which are infused with port and cinnamon, are not-to-sweet, slightly tangy, and lusciously rich. Even better, it’s simple to make.

I am submitting this post to the entertaining Ellie of Kitchen Wench, host of this week's Weekend Herb Blogging.



Quick Chocolate-Cinnamon Mousse with Cherries
This is Dave Lieberman’s recipe from the June 2007 issue of Bon Appetit.
Print recipe only here.

Cherries:

8 ounces fresh Bing cherries, pitted
1/3 cup black cherry preserves or other cherry preserves
1/3 cup ruby Port or cherry juice

Mousse:

1 1/4 cups chilled heavy whipping cream, divided
1/8 teaspoon (generous) ground cinnamon
4 ounces bittersweet or semisweet chocolate, chopped

For cherries: Combine cherries, cherry preserves, and Port in heavy small saucepan. Bring to boil over high heat. Reduce heat to medium and boil until juices thicken to syrup consistency, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat. Transfer to small bowl and chill until cold, about 3 hours. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and keep chilled.

For mousse: Combine 1/4 cup cream and cinnamon in small saucepan; bring to boil. Remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Transfer chocolate mixture to large bowl. Using electric mixer, beat remaining 1 cup cream in medium bowl until soft peaks form. Fold 1/4 of whipped cream into lukewarm chocolate mixture. Fold remaining whipped cream into chocolate mixture in 3 additions just until incorporated. Divide mousse among 4 glasses or bowls. Chill until set, about 4 hours. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover; keep chilled.

Spoon cherries with syrup atop mousse and serve.




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