gluten free vegan pumpkin gnocchi

I saw a recipe for pumpkin gnocchi in the nytimes.com last week for Thanksgiving.  I liked the idea of it except for the eggs.  So I changed it (what else is new, right?)

Gluten Free Vegan Pumpkin Gnocchi

16 ounces pumpkin puree (NOT pie filling)

1 teaspoon salt

2 ounces potato starch

1 ounce tapioca flour

1 ounce sorghum flour

1ounce amaranth flour

1 teaspoon xanathan gum

Mix everything together.  I just start from the top of the list and work down.

I take a teaspoon of dough and roll into a ball.  I let this dry overnight.  That was not the plan.  I was only going to let them dry for a couple hours but plans changed.

Bring a large pot of water to a boil.  Drop in the gnocchi and cook until they float to the top.

I served them with a tomato vodka sauce.  The texture was absolutely fabulous.  Russell really liked them.  I should have remembered that I am not usually very found of the pumpkin or squash pasta.  Good but will probably not make again for myself.  I like my pumpkin sweeter and/or spicier.

vegan picadillo

I am very aware that picadilllo is a meat hash.  But when you feeding someone with food allergies, you figure it out.  

Vegan Picadillo

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 potato, chopped into chunks

1 sweet potato, peeled and chopped into chunks

1 cup frozen mixed vegetables

1/2 to 1 cup raisons

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/8 teaspoon cayenne

In a large skillet, over medium heat, pour the oil.

Dump in the potatoes and sweet potatoes.  Add in the raisons.  I usually let this brown up a bit and give it a good stir and cover.  I check back in ten minutes to see how everything is going and then add in the frozen vegetables if the potatoes seem about half way done.  I cover again.  In ten minutes or so, I add the spices.  Stir REALLY well.  Cover and let meld for a few minutes.

I serve this with flour or corn tortillas.

This is a kitchen sink recipe.  Sometimes I add onion and garlic. Sometimes there are no mixed vegetables.  Sometimes it is every vegetable in the refrigerator that needs to be used.  Just no meats.

under the weather

I have been under the weather.  It is due to allergies but it makes it difficult.  Especially since there is always so much to do.

I have been cleaning out beds and putting in winter vegetables.  This is the back bed and I got lettuce, kale, cabbage, chard, broccoli, rosemary, and lavender in.

The front bed has gotten broccoli, kale, and cabbage.  I need to clean out more weeds and sweet potatoes because I have broccoli to put in.  One step at a time.  I enjoy this greatly but it does not help my breathing at all!

There was the day I made four loaves of bread because Russell had a store potluck.  I baked for my work's end of year potluck.

I am taking every chance I can to spin.  I am making hats for Christmas and I really wish to use the yarn that I have spun.  It is very peaceful and centering.  

Russell has been working on the roof.  It is hard to see in any of the pictures but there is cob half way around to the roof.  This is such a lovely space.  I thought about sitting in here this afternoon but there were too many tasks and I was feeling like poo.  Maybe this weekend.

gift from Russell

It has been a long day and I am tired but I wanted to share this with you.  Finally!  I know I am slow.  Russell forged this blade and made me this knife.  It works like a dream in the kitchen.  I like how the handle feels.  He tweaked it until he got it just right because I did not like the original handle.  The blade comes from the first blade workshop he took.  It slice horizontally through on onion like a dream.  In many ways, that is my litmus test.  All my knives are sharp enough to cut tomatoes well but do they cut onions horizontally?  This one does.

Another reason to smile.  Maybe I will be feeling more creative tomorrow.

mended apron

My daughters puppy jumped on me and tore my favorite apron.  So I decided to mend it instead of remaking it into something else.

I found some lovely lace to use.  I also decided that I wanted to do a bit of embroidery.

I have been feeling of the need of all the protection I can get every time I step out of the house so I decided to go with a Native American style bear.  I seem to be drawn to them and I have been gotten told that I am protective as a mother bear.

I decided to make a six inch muslin square.  I was thinking about making it brown linen but decided not to.

After lots of stitches, I know have a mended bear apron.  It is beautiful.  Yes, I know it will get dirty but I that is okay.  Using a lovely thing is pretty fabulous.