On the Menu
Main Course – Slow Cook Italian Beef with Gnocchi
Dessert – Chocolate Rum and Raisin Ricotta Cake
The menu for my Home Restaurant Date Night #3 came about because I had some gnocchi in the cupboard and I wanted to try something different. I scoured the internet and came upon a recipe for Slow Cooker Italian Beef with Gnocchi which sounded delicious and easy because with a slow cooker once it is prepped you can forget about it.
Slow Cook Italian Beef with Gnocchi
Who doesn’t love a slow cook? Even though the weather has been hot and humid!
You can find the recipe on the taste.com website HERE is the link
Chocolate Rum & Raisin Ricotta Cake
The combination of flavors are some of my favourites so I had to make this one. I like using ricotta as it is a healthier option.
Find the recipe HERE
How did the recipes rate?
Slow Cook Italian Beef with Gnocchi
✰✰✰✰✰ – Easy to make once you have browned the meat and veggies the slow cooker takes over – so it is set and forget. It will definitely be a winter favourite in our house.
✰✰✰✰✰ – Tasted delicious and I would make it again. Using a cheaper cut of meat certainly helps with the budget. In Australia, at the moment the cost of living is out of control.
Chocolate Rum and Raisin Ricotta Cake
✰✰✰✰✰ – Easy to make – the longest part is the cooking time although as my oven is hot it didn’t take as long as the recipe suggested.
✰✰✰✰✰ – Taste was not to sweet and the addition of yogurt and strawberries added just enough sweetness to the dessert.
Would you try these recipes?
14 Comments
Hello Sue – yum! I would definitely try the Slow Cook Italian Beef and Gnocchi recipe. I love a slow cooker recipe and this one sounds and looks delicious! It’s also quite different to any of my current slow cooker recipes. The Chocolate Rum and Raisin and Ricotta Cake looks delicious too but I’m snacking too much lately and feeling blah so I’ll have to stay away from that one for now. Definitely adding the slow cooker recipe to my list for the cooler months ahead! Have a great day! xo
Hi Min, I love a slow cook recipe and this one will certainly be repeated during river. I used low fat Ricotta in the cake to help lessen the ‘guilt’ and it wasn’t too sweet either. If I was you though I would be saving myself for the beautiful produce in NZ when you visit. x
These sound delicious Sue, you really are a whizz at your home restaurant date nights! The dessert sounds just up my alley, with rum and raisin flavours, but I’m not sure about the coffee, although I hear it’s good for bringing out other flavours during the cooking process. I bought some lamb shanks yesterday so will use the slow cooker to cook them up later this week. Our weather is wet and cool so a good choice!
I really enjoy cooking and spending Saturday afternoon prepping. I don’t do it every week as I would probably tire of it, so a couple of times a month is my plan. I do love lamb shanks in a slow cooker. It is the best piece of kitchen equipment I own. xx
Hi, Sue – I love your Home Restaurant and wish that I lived closer. I might ‘accidently’ drop by on Home Restaurant night. This meal looks (and all of your others) looks absolutely delicious!
Hi Donna, we could make it a Home Restaurant Double Date Night!! xx
The slow cooked beef one would be a winner here Sue…..it’s not much different to my usual one….which now the cooler weather has arrived will be on the table more often. Don’t think I’ll bother with the dessert tho…..I might want/enjoy it but I don’t need it (on my body via my mouth)😊. Thanks for sharing though
Take care
Cathy #WW&P
The beef was delicious and the slow cooker made the less expensive cut of meat so tender. I’m only make desserts a couple of times a month so we can indulge but not every day. x
Oh, I’ve actually got gluten-free gnocchi in my cupboard and wondering what I might have for dinner. I don’t like rum or raisins but I do like chocolate and the cake looks so moist!
I had the gnocchi sitting there too, Deb and I was pleasantly surprised with the result. The cake wasn’t sweet but did taste delicious. I’ve been using Ricotta more and enjoying the flavour. x
That looks really tasty, Sue!! And the cake – wow! When I followed the link to the recipe I realised I need that cake in my life for when I’ll have some sweet treat. Hope you are doing well!
Hi Susanne, both recipes were easy and tasted delicious so another win for my Home Restaurant Date Night. Have a lovely weekend. x
My eyes liked that post, Sue. I can see a slow cooked meal coming from your recipe. As it is getting cooler here now, I reckon the slow cooker can come out of the cupboard soon. As always, I am grateful that you shared your post for Wednesday’s Words and Pics. See you again next week, when no more daylight saving in Australia for 6 months, means Eastern States will be all on same time! Denyse.
I’m enjoying trying new recipes, Denyse and yes the slow cooker will definitely be getting a workout through winter. xx