(adapted from Epicurious.com)

The other day we had a MAJOR cleaning day at the house. Our early spring cleaning/pre-baby deep clean where you do everything you normally wouldn't... Like the blinds! 
Anyway, I worked up quite the appetite, and (as usual) that day I had not eaten enough. 

I was CRAVING swedish meatballs! But, not the microwave lean cuisine kind that you can get at your local grocery for 2/$5.00. I wanted the kind like Ikea serves. If you have ever been there & eaten before or after you've shopped, you know that they are the epitome of meatball excellence, but have a much different flavor or texture than an italian meatball. I wanted all of that! With gravy and egg noodles and the comfort that comes from a full belly. Mmm... So, the recipe below is one I found on Epicurious and just adapted to fit my kitchen and style of cooking. My hubby, who had never before tasted swedish meatballs, and our son LOVED it and wished there was more when it was done. Worth the time and effort-- trust me!





 
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This was DIVINE!! 

Here I am with the flu and a fever... the works! And my hubby, Jon, went along with my plan for dinner. All I assisted with was relaying directions. We altered the original recipe a bit, but it came out tasting like a dryer version of my mom's vegetarian soup; a definite favorite of mine! Hence, why this recipe was so close to home.



I obviously didn't want to fool with the fresh ingredients and infect the rest of my lovely household so I sent hubs to the store to get what I needed for dinners for the rest of the week. Less than $20 and I have everything I need til Friday! I don't make it a habit to cook on the weekends...

If you need a quick 30 minute recipe (under 400 calories) during the week, this is a definite top 10 go to. I found this on pinterest so it does have an actual link, but since we added a few things differently, I'll post the version we made here. (excuse my over-exposed instagram pic) 

SKILLET GNOCCHI WITH KALE & WHITE BEANS

  • 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
  • 1 16-ounce package shelf-stable gnocchi, (see Tip)
  • 1 medium yellow onion, thinly sliced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 small bunch of Kale
  • 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes with Italian seasonings (or you can use plain diced tomatoes and add enough dry Italian seasoning to taste)
  • 1 15-ounce can white beans, rinsed
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  • 1/2 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese
  • 1/4 cup finely shredded Parmesan cheese
PREPARATION
  1. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add gnocchi and cook, stirring often, until plumped and starting to brown, 5 to 7 minutes. Transfer to a bowl.
  2. Add the remaining 1 teaspoon oil and onion to the pan and cook, stirring, over medium heat, for 2 minutes. Stir in garlic and water. Cover and cook until the onion is soft, 4 to 6 minutes. Add kale (or spinach) and cook, stirring, until starting to wilt, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in tomatoes, beans and pepper and bring to a simmer. Stir in the gnocchi and sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan. Cover and cook until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, about 3 minutes.

 
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(Photo courtesy of bhg.com)
{These were eaten too fast for me to take a photo of my own!}

Ever since my husband I got married, I am always trying to find new & healthful ways to feed a grown man who could be satisfied very easy with a baked potato and a cup of chili every night! *Sigh* The life of a bachelor...

I have ALWAYS loved ANYTHING with pesto. I'm such an Italian at heart! The sandwich was literally an entire Italian meal between a couple pieces of AMAZING ciabatta bread! Hubby was eating so fast I had to make him slow down before he choked! But, all of that flavor for less than 500 calories... could you blame him? Pinterest, I tell you; it knows the way to people's hearts!