While I share a few of Stefania's frustrations with Trader Joe's, on the whole, I adore the store. It doesn't hurt that I live only a few blocks away, and I've been known to while away idle afternoons there noshing on free samples and oogling over whatever was the new product to hit the shelves that week.
This week, my favorite new product is the Mediterranean potato gnocchi in a vacuum-sealed pouch. I was skeptical, sure, but it was only $1.29. I took a risk.
The verdict? The texture is lovely, creamy and not too gummy. It cooks in a few minutes (just like the package claims). The flavor is simple, potatoey, not harsh or chemical-flavored (as some other packaged gnocchi I've sampled). It's filling and such a great choice for a quick, fresh, "homemade" meal.
Yesterday, for instance, I made:
gnocchi with garlic, Italian sausage, sage and Asiago cheese
Cook gnocchi according to package directions; drain. Rinse gnocchi pot and heat up a few tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil. Throw in lots of chopped garlic (I used five or six cloves) and a large spicy Italian sausage, squeezed out of its casing.
Cook, stirring frequently to break up sausage, over medium heat, until sausage is cooked through. Add a couple pinches of rubbed sage, or several leaves fresh, chopped sage, a good amount of cracked black pepper, and coarse salt to taste. Toss with gnocchi, adding olive oil as necessary, and cover with lots of freshly-grated Asiago cheese. Serves two or three.
Oh yes, and this meal? Costs approximately $3.00 for two big bowls of delicious gnocchi. Now that's frugal.
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