Brrrrr……here is something to warm you up!!

Today has been a great day to make a big pot of soup.  I have a fire going (in the fireplace).  A cake in the oven.  The scene is set.  Now, onto the soup I’m craving . 

A couple of days ago, I went with a friend to Olive Garden.  We both got soup and salad.  You know its a new year. We were trying to make better choices. HA!  With that in mind, we decided to try the Chicken and Gnocchi Soup (not the healthiest).  It was DELISH!!!  Months ago, another friend, had posted a recipe for this soup.  I thought I would give it a try and see how it turned out.  My first obstacle was finding the gnocchi.  It was NOT at my local grocery.  I had to send Michael to another grocery store that has specialty items.  This product is a type of dumpling.  This is a quick recipe  and makes a big pot.  Give it a try!!

Olive Garden Style

Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

Ingredients

3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and diced

4 cups chicken stock

2 cups half-and-half 1 stalk celery, diced

1 garlic clove, chopped

1/2 carrot, shredded

1/2 onion, diced

1 cup fresh spinach, chopped

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 teaspoon thyme

salt and pepper

16 ounces potato gnocchi (gnocchi is usually in the spaghetti section at the grocery store) 1 tablespoon cornstarch (optional)

Directions 1. Saute the onion, celery, onion, garlic, carrot in oil over medium heat until onion is translucent. 2. Add chicken, chicken stock, half and half, salt and pepper, thyme. Heat to boiling, then add gnocchi. Gently boil for 4 minutes, then turn down to a simmer for 10 minutes. 3. Add spinach and cook for another 1-2 minutes until spinach is wilted. 4. (Heat to boiling and add cornstarch dissolved in 1-2 Tbsp water at this point if you want a thicker soup.). 5. Ladle into bowls and serve!