Masked Marshal...

Well...perhaps that was a bit of an over-statement..I tend to become a little  enthusiastic from time to time...In fact, I am bordering on and close to...essentially and for all practical purposes, even...a masked marshal, in case I lost you...I suppose I just have the Wild West on the brain...and those of the legendary variety...hmmmm...So, I was fortunate enough to stumble upon this treasure...a prize, in fact...ahhh, The Fred Meyer...again, they really do have everything!

In addition to simply being a Masked Marshal Replica Series Cap Pistol Set, it rocked.  It was a complete and utter hoot...hysterical, in fact..it made me giggle...This toy had me at "WARNING:'.....Kinda like boys...they come with warning labels, no???...hahahaha...Did you know that THIS product may be mistaken for an actual firearm by law enforcement officers and others AND if I were to brandish this weapon in public, it is considered to be a crime...jeesh..the pressures and stress one undergoes when innocently purchasing a toy cap pistol...I can't risk an arrest...from what I hear, mug shots are equally as horrible as driver's license photos...again, that is just what I have heard....Anywho...the worst part, yeah...it gets EVEN worse...the mask with which I allegedly could have concealed my identity while tracking down Wild West bandits and bringing 'em to justice, well...it didn't fit...it was too small!

"Ya know, Mama...I don't really want to be the one to say this out loud...however, I believe the mystery has been solved..you know, that one regarding an ill-fitting, identity concealing mask....It is too small because you have a ginormous head...oh, and it is rather bulbous..hahahaha..JK...for reals!  See..I can be ambiguous, too!  Do I make myself clear??? haha..get it???...I really do crack myself up!"

See...I AM a Marshal...just minus the mask..tisk-tisk...it's all about this super-duper authentic and realistic looking badge, is it not???  Oh, well maybe that and the benjamins..regardless, I was warned, by the bright orange label this could be mistaken for an actual badge..yup...can you believe it????   So I must use it carefuly... the drama...

Shall we proceed to a Thursday evening meal..a thirsty Thursday if you are so fortunate...tee-hee...Lemon Gnocchi with Spinach and Peas and Prosciutto...

 

I made my own light potato dumplings...AKA gnocchi...potato, egg and flour...simplicity at its best...hahahhaa..not really..Proceed to roast your potato then mash....and smash...

Mashed potato, flour and egg...all you knead for gnocchi...hahahahahaa...these puns..puns really are fun...I just love them.....but then again, I am a colossal nerd..shhhh...

Combine to form a ball of dough....it's a little messy...but what else are you REALLY going to do???  You can totally shake bootie...and, I am sorry...I still am stuck on Bowling for Soup...although I may or may not have listened  to this cute guitar playing guy with lots of tattoos and a super-cool belt...hmmmm.....vague, no????

Roll your dough into long snakes....although, at this point, it more resembles a segmented worm...like annelids, don't you think???  I'll stop...using words like snakes and worms and annelids in the same sentence with dinner and food isn't exactly the greatest idea...Nor is it very colloquial...I strive to be colloquial, doesn't everyone??  hahahaha...SO...yeah, roll your dough out and cut into pieces...

Once cut, place on waxed paper and form a slight indentation on each piece...apparently it allows the gnocchi to catch the sauce...it worked...I found that suggestion on The Google...it is a plethora of useful information!

"So, Mama..Gnocchi, Gnocchi..???"  Who's there, Eves???  "Italian"  Italian who?? "Italian you for the last time...let's eat!."  She is filled with sass..quick witted...sharp as a tack..

Once your gnocchi is ready to go, you can begin to assemble the rest of the dish..it was really quick and simple..I am never one to mince words...and, coincidentally I did mince a little garlic...did a little grating, which is always great..as you know..hahahahaaha...I have zero self control...zilch...shhhhh....

Spinach, peas, parmesan, crushed red pepper, lemon juice and zest, garlic and cream..

Combine 1/2 cup of frozen peas, 1/4 tsp of crushed red pepper and 1/4 cup of heavy cream...use a skillet of justice..it is the right thing to do...again, I do speak from experience...

This scene is absolutely riveting...go ahead, admit it...I cross my heart I won't say a word....After five minutes have passed with your peas and such, add a couple of cups of spinach and prosciutto..the recipe did not call for prosciutto, but I found it in the fridge...it was calling out to me..what can I say..I'm a sucker for Italian stuff...But, it really did add to the dish...critical, in fact...IMHO, of course...tee-hee

Once the spinach has wilted, remove from heat, add lemon juice, lemon zest, cooked gnocchi and your great grated parmesan cheese...stir to combine...painless...FunTastic one might even say...hahahahaa

Lemon Gnocchi with Spinach and Peas and Prosciutto

Here we are...the pinnacle of our evening...point of culmination, if you will...hahahahaha....this exaggeration affliction is rather enjoyable...Well, it doesn't take much to entertain my teeny brain...it's a puddle of mush..thanks to spreadsheets, telecom bills and martinis...oh, and cute boys..can't forget them..yup..shhhh...You should make some lemon gnocchi...the zing of fresh lemon does enhance your peas and spinach...and the dish itself is bolstered by soft pillows of potato gnocchi...I wish I could take credit for that...I really do...It is late...oh, wait...we can't forget garden states and benjamins and such... OH, and as long as you do your pilates before your kamikaze's..all will be a-OK...hahahahaha...and please join us tomorrow...There will be no mincing of words, in case you were concerned...I really only mince edible plants or parts of plants...maybe a fingertip or two.....Don't forget to hug your annelid!.  They are rather loyal and will love you forever....I'll stop...G'night!