Gnocchi with roasted vegetables

I will admit my husband did not try this dish. There are way to many vegetables for him. He decided the leftovers sounded good. However, my kids loved it. My daughter and I tried a similar dish at CRT a few months ago. I figured I would try to replicate the dish. The original dish did not have asparagus but I figured I would add some. My daughter said it was her favorite vegetable of all. My son liked the summer squash the best. I liked the servings of vegetables my children were eating. Now, how to get my husband to eat more vegetables is the hard part.

Gnocchi with roasted vegetables
1 eggplant
2 summer squash
1 zucchini
1/2 red pepper
1 bunch of asparagus
8 oz. button mushrooms
1/2 large red onion
1 Tbsp olive oil
salt and pepper for taste
2 cups arugula
1 package of gnocchi 
2 Tbsp aged balsamic vinegar
1/8 cup shaved Parmesan cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 450 degrees F.
2. Chop the vegetables into bite size pieces.
3. Arrange the vegetables onto a baking sheet.
4. Toss the vegetables with 1 Tbsp olive oil and spread into a single layer.
5. Season with salt and pepper. 
6. Roast the vegetables for 15 minutes.
7. Stir the vegetables and bake for another 15 minutes or until desired tenderness.  
8. In a large skillet, heat 1 Tbsp olive oil over medium heat.
9. Add the gnocchi and cook until golden brown. 
10. In a large bowl, combine the gnocchi and roasted vegetables.
11. Drizzle the balsamic vinegar over the gnocchi and vegetables. Lightly toss.
12. Top with the shaved Parmesan cheese.

Inpired by the Cinderella's Royal Table dish.

One year ago...............................I made Chocolate Chip Oreo and PB cups Cookies.
Two years ago.............................I made Rice Pilaf.

Did you already know....................
-In 1971, the Cinderella Castle's restaurant was called King Stefan's Banquet Hall.
-In 1997, the restaurant's name was changed to Cinderella's Royal Table.
-There are over 40 coats of arms displayed in the restaurant.

Roasted Vegetable Panini

We just started to decorate for Halloween. I have several containers full of spooky stuff. I even have some of my sister's decorations. I had stored her scarey crows away and the kids thought they were great. I did have to remind them that she will want them back. Instead, they decorated my house with them. When I saw them, I told my husband the bad news how some black crows had actually entered our home. He said he saw them and didn't know how our cat was going to take the news. It wasn't our cat that we should have been worried about but our dog. He kept staring at them. My husband thought it was funny to make one chase our dog while making cawing noises. Our dog retaliated by jumping up on him. Don't worry the crow is safe.

My youngest daughter calls these broccoli sandwiches. I guess she is right. I think of them as roasted vegetable sandwiches. I tried to make the photo look like claws. The kids thought it looked scarey or acted scared.

Ahhhh..........

Roasted Vegetable Panini (aka Scary Claw Sandwich)
2 cups broccoli, cut into small florets
1 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and black pepper
1 cup cremini mushrooms
1 red bell pepper, seeded and cut into 1/2 inch strips
1 zucchini, thinly sliced
4 oz. butter
1 clove of garlic
 8 thick slices of french bread (I ask the bakery to slice the loaf)
4 slices of provolone cheese

Directions:

1. Preheat broiler on high.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Toss the broccoli with the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Place the broccoli on the parchment paper and broil for about 5 minutes.
5. Remove the baking sheet.
6. Add the mushrooms, bell pepper, and zucchini to the broccoli. Toss.
7. Broil the vegetables for about 5 more minutes, tossing once while in the oven.
8. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
9. In a small microwave safe bowl, add the butter and garlic.
10. Microwave the butter for 1 minute or until melted.
11. Brush two slices of the bread with the melted butter.
12. Place the slices in a heated panini press or skillet.
13. Top the bread with the vegetables and a slice of cheese.
14. Place another slice of butter bread on top.
15. Cook until golden brown and the cheese has melted.

Recipe adapted from Annie's Eats.

One year ago I made...............Black Forest Cherry Torte. 

Did you already know...
-The old English word wicce (witch) meant wise women. 
-It is said that witches held meetings on Halloween.
-Witches is a popular costume in the U.S.

Does she convince you that she is scared?