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Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Gnocchi Chicken Minestrone


I, my friends, am just hours away from leaving this sunny place I live in, to head to yet another sunny place, that is Southern California!  We are taking our kids on a last minute surprise trip to Disneyland and I could not be more excited!  Mostly I can't wait to see their sweet faces tomorrow morning when they realize where we are and what we are doing!  If this trip had not been planned last minute, I never would have been able to keep it from them!  I have just about spilled the beans a dozen or more times!  Speaking of beans, I have a tasty soup to share with you today, chalk full of hearty and healthy things like beans, peppers, zucchini, chicken breasts, peas, and potato gnocchi.  In case you are not privy as to where in the grocery store gnocchi is found, as I was not, you can find look for it in the pasta or frozen foods section.  So for those of you who are not leaving one sunny place for another, and are still stuck behind closed doors because of freezing temperatures and/or inches of snow, (I'm talking to you my hometown folks in good old Pocatello, Idaho), then this soup is for you!  Served up with some Parmesan bread sticks, this is the perfect cold-weather, comfort meal.  

PS...I have heard so much about the fantastic food at Disneyland, and even though I have been there more than half a dozen times, I have yet to discover any of these culinary treasures.  Does anyone have any recommendations for must-eat meals or restaurants in Disneyland?!  Please let me in on any secrets you might have!!  Thanks a million!  


Gnocchi Chicken Minestrone

1-1/4 pounds chicken tenderloins or breasts, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
3/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
2 Tablespoons olive oil, divided
1 small green pepper
1 small red pepper
1 small yellow pepper
1 medium zucchini, finely chopped
1/3 cup chopped red onions
1/3 cup chopped prosciutto or deli ham
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans (14.5 ounce each) chicken broth
1 can (14.5 ounce) Italian diced tomatoes, undrained
3.4 cup canned white or kidney or cannellini beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup frozen peas
3 Tablespoons tomato paste
1 package (16 ounce) potato gnocchi
1/2 cup shredded Asiago or Italian blend cheese
8 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

Sprinkle chicken with oregano, salt and pepper.  In a skillet, saute chicken in 1 Tablespoon oil until no longer pink.  Remove from pan and set aside.  In the same pan, cook the peppers, zucchini and onion in remaining oil until tender.  Add prosciutto and garlic, and cook 1 minute longer.  Transfer vegetables to a soup pot.  Add the broth, tomatoes, beans, peas and tomato paste and chicken.  Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.  
Meanwhile, cook gnocchi according to package directions.  Drain and stir into soup.  Garnish each serving with cheese and basil.  

Recipe Source:  Adapted from Taste of Home

I like to link up to some fun parties!  Check them out here!

18 comments:

  1. Gnocchi is one of my favorites! I found you at a link party, and I'm definitely going to try this sometime.

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  2. This sounds absolutely delicious! I made hundreds of gnocchi earlier this year and froze them. Now I absolutely MUST make your recipe! Thank you for sharing.

    If you haven't already, I'd love if you'd come join my How To Tuesday link party, too.

    http://housewifehowtos.com/link-party-2/how-to-tuesday-link-party-10/

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  3. The Monte Cristo Sandwich at Disneyland is delicious! Also, the make ice cream sandwiches between fresh baked cookies at the ice cream shop!

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  4. Hi Heather,
    I am just stopping by to let you know that I nominated you for The Liebster Award. For more information check out http://sarahmschultz.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-liebster-award.html

    Have a great day
    Sarah

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  5. This looks great. Thanks for sharing with us at In and Out of the Kitchen Link Up Party
    Dawn co host
    http://spatulasonparade.blogspot.com

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  6. Ohmygosh that looks so great - I've followed you so I can see what other yummy things you post!

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  7. This looks so good, I love gnocchi! Found your blog through Bloom Designs and I'm a new follower!!

    Christi
    http://the-not-so-perfect-momblog.blogspot.com

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  8. This immediately made my must-make list. Yum! Your amazing photos sold me on it right away. :)

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  9. The soups looks amazing and warm...sounds great! I hope you and your family had a great trip to Disney. I used to be a flight attendant with Horizon Air...we flew in and out of Pocatello... too funny!
    Have a great weekend.
    KC

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  10. So jealous that you went on a trip to Sunny California and to Disneyland! How fun :) I bet your kids were super excited when they found out.

    As for me, yes I am stuck in cold Utah and will have to give this soup a try. I'm thinking I will love it!

    Thanks for sharing last weekend @The Weekend re-Treat!

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  11. saw your soup at Mandy's linky party. it looks delicious.

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  12. I LOVE Gnocchi... seriously the best! Your photography is beautiful too. Thanks for coming to (link) party with me at Super Saturday Show & Tell :) xoxo~ Ruthie

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  13. I love Gnoochi and have never made it before! Sounds delish! We would love to have you join us at Saturday Show & Tell on Cheerios and Lattes every weekend! I know my readers will love your recipes too!
    Mackenzie :)

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  14. Stopping by from Back for Seconds - pinning to share :)

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