Food is the ingredient that binds people together. Every meal should be a small celebration.
Food is a universal language that transcends cultural and social boundaries. It has the power to bring people together, spark joy, and create lasting memories. Whether it’s a birthday party, a wedding, or a religious festival, food is often the center of observance worldwide. Food is not just fuel for our bodies; it’s an expression of love, a symbol of culture, a means of sustenance, and an integral part of connecting with others. Every meal is a banquet and every day is a blessing
Every day, we break our bread. We eat together, we eat alone, in offices, in restaurants, outdoors, on the floor, at the table, on the couch, in reception halls, and around the fire. We eat to sustain ourselves on long, hard days of work, and we eat to revel in the days of celebration and rest.
The food of work is the food of the everyday. It is patchwork dinners for the family in a noisy house, big pots of soups and stews, generous portions for hungry bellies. As meals are made most often, the food of work carries comfortability, routine, and memorized recipes. Though sometimes made quickly, they are not made carelessly. From the birthday cakes of childhood to food left on gravesides for loved ones lost, celebratory food equates to love. The end of harvest is celebrated with festivals and food, a fast is broken with a feast, and milestones, and achievements all call for special dishes to be shared.
The food we celebrate with has the power to unite us. In work and play, food is the common thread that weaves through each of our days. It is the intersection between heritage and ecology. Food is necessary to keep living but perhaps it can also make life worth living. Throughout life, the food of work and the food of celebration offer the opportunity, again and again, to link the happenings of life with vital nourishment.
Food is not just energy for the body, it is the language of love we express to others. In any family gathering, a wedding, or any event, food is the manifestation of the host’s care and love. In addition to taste, food is also the projection of our identity, relating it to cultures and religions. A feast without food is like a book without pages. In every culture and every religion, food is an integral part of the festive experience. Beyond enjoyment, food strengthens relationships, offering an occasion for conversation and co-creation of unforgettable moments.
After all, shouldn't every moment of your life be worth celebrating?
Creamy Gnocchi with Spinach & Sun-Dried Tomatoes
INGREDIENTS
- 16-ounces potato gnocchi
- 3 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons oil from 1 (8-oz jar) California Sun-Dry Julianne Cut Tomatoes with Herbs
- 1/4 cup California Sun-Dry Julianne Cut Tomatoes with Herbs, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 small yellow onion
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream (double cream)
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- 1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
- salt and black pepper to taste
- 4 ounces cream cheese
- 1 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
- 2 loose cups baby spinach leaves
- Garnishes: red pepper flakes, shaved parmesan, and fresh basil
INSTRUCTIONS
- Heat oven to 375F.
- Cook the gnocchi according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
- In a 10" skillet, melt the butter over medium heat. Add the oil from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes.
- Add onions and sauté for 2 minutes or until translucent. Add garlic and sundried tomatoes; sauté for 30 seconds or until fragrant.
- Pour in the whipping cream and bring to a simmer. Add cream cheese and mix well.
- Add smoked paprika, Italian seasoning, dry mustard, and one cup Parmesan cheese, stirring until the sauce is smooth. Taste and add salt and pepper if needed.
- Stir in spinach and cook until just wilted. Add cooked gnocchi and toss until they are well coated. Top with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake in oven for 15 minutes (optional).
- Garnish with red pepper flakes, Parmesan cheese, and fresh basil. Serve immediately. Enjoy!
