Leave the gun take the cannoli

The movie(s) The Godfather a GREAT movie......  I love the lines, the story, the violence, and of course the FOOD!

Last night we had a full on Italian Feast........ Here's the rundown on what was on the Menu from start to finish, and worth every damn calorie !

Fried Ravioli with a Marinara dipping sauce
Homemade Gnocchi with Basil Pesto
Homemade Gnocchi with Arriabata Sauce
Grilled lemon shrimp
Cannoli with Mascarpone chocolate chip filling drizzled in chocolate
AND Peach Bellini's (for Adults only that adult being me!!)

I will mostly focus this posting on THE GNOCCHI ............ little edible pillows brought down from Heaven.

3-4 Russet potatoes
1 1/2 cups flour
1 large egg
salt and pepper

Boil Potatoes until tender, peel and run your potatoes threw a food mill or mash them really good with a potato masher or fork. Sprinkle your counter with flour , then take your mound of potatoes and make a well in the center. Add your egg in the middle of the well, then sprinkle flour, salt and pepper all around the mound. Incorporate all together until a firm like dough forms (if too sticky add more flour, if too dry add a couple drops of water)knead about 4 minutes ... then break off a tennis ball size off .... roll out into a 3/4-inch dowels, and cut into 1 inch pieces. Roll the pellets on the back of a fork to get the indentations. Drop into about 6 cups of boiling water. The gnocchi will float to the top once ready. Takes about 4 minutes. Serve immediately by tossing with your sauce of choice... I chose to make a fresh Basil Pesto for the kids, and a Spicy Arriabata for the adults ... Both AMAZING *drool*

"The trouble with eating Italian food is that five or six days later you're hungry again." - George Miller. ~ AMEN to that!      Mi piacerebbe visitare l'Italia un giorno di questi!