Quick and simple panini sandwiches that pack in lots of flavor!

I find that pasta is like a backup singer. It supports the star without being in the spotlight, fills in where needed and makes the show complete.
 
Sometimes, the backup singer becomes the star, or maybe even better. Such as the chili flavored pappardelle I found recently at World Market!

Like just about everyone else, I love fried foods. They’re just so crispy, savory, and delicious! But I don’t love frying them.

I’ve had a slow cooker for as long as I can remember. I think I got it as a wedding gift many years ago (no longer married, btw), but I never used it until a couple of years ago. Although I love using it, I don’t as much as I should.
 
Why? Because you have to think ahead and well, let’s just say that’s not my strong point. Every now and then, though, I manage to think beyond just the next hour of my life and manage to get something put together in the crockpot. And I’m always thrilled when I do.

Every place has its regional specialties, which became very obvious to me after moving to Texas. Certain dishes – like Red Velvet cake – I was aware of in California, but had no idea they were so very prevalent in other areas. And some things I’d never even heard of until I moved here.
 
One of those is King Ranch Chicken.

I’m a mean pseudo-stepmom (we’re not married, but we live together, so…). Most nights, I do not cook for my boyfriend’s son. He is forced to fend for himself.
 
Why, you may ask, would I be so unkind? Well, Morgan is about the World’s Pickiest Eater and I mean that sincerely. Not only is he uber-picky, but he’s fickle too. On some nights, he will refuse to eat things that he normally loves – pizza, for instance. If he’s not in the mood, you can just take your meal and….well, you know.

I have a confession to make. Some nights, I’m too tired to really cook. Some nights, I just don’t want to. I’m sorry! I WANT to be that person who makes everything from scratch every single night, I do! But sometimes, I’m just not. That pesky day job (and the second job, the kid, the pets, the man, the house, sometimes pure laziness….) just really gets in the way.
 
The problem is, on those nights, I still don’t really want to get fast food or order in, either. What’s a girl to do? Well, I try to keep a few basics on hand for nights like those.

Ah, gnocchi. Have you tried it? I hadn’t until about last year sometime, when I found some at the local Sam’s Club. I’d seen lots of recipes to make it, but I rarely have time for things like making fresh pasta, so hadn’t yet had a chance to try it.
 
Even though I’d never tasted it, I bought the economy pack of over 3 pounds. I mean, after all, it’s potatoes – starchy, fluffy, filling potatoes. What’s not to like? Let’s just say that 3 pounds did not go to waste.
 
Dried gnocchi cooks very fast. It takes a lot longer for the water to come to a boil in the first place than it does for the gnocchi to cook in it. Consequently, gnocchi has become a go-to quick meal staple. Boil some gnocchi, top it with a jarred or homemade sauce, add in some grilled chicken, sausage and/or veggies and it’s a filling, yummy one pot meal.

Fajitas are a staple here in Texas.

Yesterday, when I saw a reference to B’stilla go by during my online travels, I became obsessed with making it at home.