Health & Wellness
Jo Knows Nutrition
Cauliflower Gnocchi Packed with Veggies and Easy on the Wallet
Cauliflower does an impressive impersonation of potatoes in this stick-to-your-ribs dish that stretches your grocery dollars and is loaded with veggies. Using minimal ingredients, cauliflower gnocchi is practically failproof and the simple act of kneading the dough can be an almost meditative experience. Double or triple the recipe as this cauliflower gnocchi freezes well for future meals in a pinch.
INGREDIENTS
500 grams (16 ounces, 5 cups) frozen or fresh cauliflower
1/2 to 1 cup (125-250 ml) flour
4 tablespoons (60 ml) olive oil
1 teaspoon (5 ml) salt
Suggested Toppings
Parmesan cheese
Marinara sauce
Fresh basil leaves, torn
Fresh sage leaves, fried
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the cauliflower in a pot, cover completely with water and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium and cook for 8-10 minutes-if frozen or 15-20 minutes-if fresh. Be sure that the cauliflower is very tender before draining.
- Set aside to cool and then, lay the cauliflower on a clean dish towel and squeeze out as much excess moisture as possible.
- Put the cauliflower in a bowl and mash until almost smooth. Add the flour, half the olive oil, salt and mix with a fork until well combined. Alternatively, add the cauliflower, olive oil and salt to a food processor and puree until almost smooth.
- Use your hands to knead the dough 5 to 6 times or until it forms a sticky ball. Don’t overwork the dough.
- Dust a work surface with flour and transfer the dough. Divide it into 4 or 5 equal sections. Roll each section into a 3/4 inch (2 cm) thick rope. Cut each rope into 3/4 inch (2 cm) pieces to make the gnocchi.
- Gently, add the gnocchi to a pot of lightly salted boiling water in batches. Be sure not to crowd the pieces. Cook until the gnocchi float to the surface. Remove them with a slotted spoon and transfer to an oiled serving bowl. Serve with the desired toppings or go to the next step to fry the gnocchi.
- Heat the remainder olive oil in a large pan over medium heat. Cook the gnocchi on both sides until golden brown. Serve with the desired toppings such as marinara sauce, parmesan cheese, torn basil leaves, or fried sage leaves.
ENJOY!
Joanne Nijhuis MSc, RD is a consulting, media and culinary dietitian in Simcoe Grey Bruce on a mission to entertain and educate through her love of food. In addition to recipe development and writing for several publications, Joanne offers cooking demos/classes and individual counselling – in person and online via Zoom Health. For more information, email Joanne at jo.knows.nutrition@outlook.com
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Did You Know?
Cauliflower is incredibly versatile and a great alternative to grains in many recipes. A member of the cruciferous family of vegetables that includes broccoli, cabbage, turnips and Brussels sprouts, cauliflower contains substances that may protect against certain cancers. To boot, low calorie cauliflower is filling due to its high fibre and water content and is a good source of choline and vitamins C, K, B6 and Folate.
Boosters Offer Kids 5-11 Years The Best Protection Against COVID-19
Mar. 6, 2023 -SIMCOE MUSKOKA – The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) reminds parents and caregivers that maintaining you child’s COVID-19 immunizations by getting the bivalent booster they are eligible for is the best way to protect them and to prevent them from passing the virus to grandparents or others who can get seriously ill.
For children aged five years and over, staying up to date with their COVID-19 vaccination means they have completed their primary series (first and second doses) and have received a booster dose in the last six months. The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) recommends that children aged five to 11-years receive a bivalent COVID-19 booster six months from their last dose, with a minimum interval of three months.
Getting a booster helps to restore the protection that may have decreased since their last dose. Even if your child has had COVID-19, it is recommended to get a booster six months after infection to protect against reinfection or severe illness.
As with any vaccination, children may experience mild to moderate side effects and reactions following their booster. These will subside and are part of their body’s efforts to build immunity to COVID-19 following vaccination. Short-term side effects can include soreness and swelling or redness at the injection site, fatigue, headache, chills, muscle aches and loss of appetite.
While side effects usually pass within a few days, you can help your child feel more comfortable by applying a cool, damp cloth where the vaccine was given to help with soreness and swelling. If needed, speak to your healthcare provider about over-the-counter pain or fever medication, which may help with side effects such as headache, muscle pain and fever.
The benefits of being protected against COVID-19 far outweigh the risk of any side effects from the vaccine. To support parents and caregivers in making an informed choice, more information is available on the health unit’s website, including how and where to get the vaccine, answers to frequently asked questions, and resources about making vaccination a positive experience.
Children aged five to 11 may receive their booster by walk-in or appointment at the COVID-19 Immunization Clinic at 29 Sperling Dr. in Barrie, or by appointment at the health unit office immunization clinic locations in Midland, Orillia, Cookstown, Collingwood, Huntsville and Gravenhurst. Appointments are also available at health unit run pop-up clinics and GO-VAXX bus mobile clinics. Vaccines may also be available at select local pharmacies, and primary care providers and Family Health Teams may also offer the vaccine as part of their regular clinical practice.
For more information about COVID-19 vaccination, dose eligibility and booking an appointment, please visit www.smdhu.org/GetVaccinated.
