damn... has it really been this long?

well hello kids! it's so nice to see you after such a long absence!

i hadn't cooked anything spectacular in weeks. who knows. maybe i was afraid of going off on a rant, cuz much of wot's been going on in the world lately is really pissing me off. don't be too surprised to read all about it though... soon as i get some perspective.

but tonight's dinner is...!

pork ragu with potato gnocchi

1.5 lbs pork loin (i got mine in 4 1" thick boneless chops)
1 28 oz can crushed tomatoes
1 medium onion, diced
2 stalks celery, chopped fine
2 carrots, chopped fine
1-2 bay leaves
1/2 c dry red wine
1/2 t dried rosemary
1/2 t dried thyme
1/2 t lemon zest
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 T olive oil
kosher or sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
1 17 oz pkg delvecchio potato gnocchi, cooked per pkg instructions


heat olive oil over med to med-hi heat in a 3-4 qt heavy saucepan or dutch oven. season pork with salt and pepper and brown on all sides, being careful to not overcrowd the pan. remove to a plate. turn heat down to med-lo to med and add onions, carrots and celery. sweat till the onions are translucent, add garlic and cook one more minute. add red wine to pan and scrape whatever bits are remaning stuck to the pan. add pork and juices back to pan, and add tomatoes, rosemary, thyme and lemon zest.

cook partially covered over low heat for an hour or so. taste for seasonings, and add salt and/or pepper and more of the herbs, if desired. remove lid and cook until pork begins to fall apart. when it does, break into smallish bite sized pieces.

serve over cooked gnocchi.