Gnocchi with Chicken, Tomatoes & Mozzarella
Photo © Anne-Marie Minhall
There's been a long journey home from Whitstable after a family gathering to celebrate a birthday with a zero in it.
Post-party I set off early on Sunday morning because I knew what lay ahead.
Train | Bus | Train | Tube | Bus
In total, a journey of around three & a half hours when usually it would be about two hours.
I've had my organising head on though & waiting for me at home is a chicken to cook plus Jersey Royals.
I keep this thought to the front of my mind as we navigate roadworks in a double decker bus & pick up someone with an irritating loud cough at Gillingham Station. Headphones go in & it's a chance to catch up with The Archers omnibus.
There's a routine once home when I've been away. It doesn't waiver whether or not I've been away for a weekend or a few weeks.
Washing machine goes on with some holiday clothes within
The rest of the bag is decanted
Fridge is checked for contents
Backtiming begins for eating
A sit down before cooking ..
Roast Chicken ..
Monday comes around so soon & then post-work it's time to decide what the juicy & delicious leftover chicken will become next.
Pasta time.
Cupboard check.
Broccoli Florets
250g Fresh Gnocchi
Olive Oil plus that jelly from your Roast Chicken
Leftover Breast & Thigh Meat
1 Small Onion sliced
1 Small Red Chilli sliced
2 Garlic Cloves crushed
200g Chopped Tomatoes (fresh or tinned)
50g Fresh Mozzarella, roughly chopped
Steam the broccoli over a pan of boiling water for 4-5 minutes until just tender & remove to drain on kitchen paper
Add the gnocchi to the hot water & cook according to packet instructions, usually 8-10 minutes
Drain & set aside
Put a large ovenproof frying pan over a medium heat & add the oil plus chicken jelly before adding the onion, chilli & garlic
Cook for 7-8 minutes until softened
In goes your torn up chicken breast & thigh meat
Tomatoes go in next with some water if the mix looks like it needs thinning a little & simmer for 5 minutes
Stir in the broccoli and gnocchi, season and heat through
Preheat the grill before adding the mozzarella to the frying pan & popping it under the grill for 2-3 minutes, until the cheese begins to melt
Satisfying, sweet, juicy.
I ate it with a spoon.
AMM
