Imitation is the highest form of flattery...

The old saying states that "imitation is the highest form of flattery" and I must admit that I concur. I must also admit that this saying could not be more true in the food world. When something delicious appears on the table at a pot-luck lunch or a gathering of friends, the creator of the dish is not going to leave the get together without first being asked (sometimes multiple times) for the recipe for the dish. This clearly means that the dish was enjoyed and that the other guests would like to duplicate it in their owns kitchens. Occasionally you will run into someone who does not want to share their "secret family recipe", an excuse that usually means that the cook is afraid that 1.) If everyone finds out how easy the dish actually is to make, he/she will look like an amateur in the kitchen, or 2.) If other people learn and master their prized recipe, the original cook will not longer be the only person able to make whatever the coveted dish may be. Most people, however, are more than happy to share their recipes, regardless of how "secret" they may be. These people understand the concept behind imitation being the highest form of flattery. 

There is one situation, however, where leaving with a delicious recipe may not be so easy: restaurants. Restaurants obviously make money by creating delicious dishes that diners can only enjoy in the comfort of a pleather booth. That being said, restaurant recipes are top secret. Thankfully, there are people and websites like CopyKat Recipes that are devoted to creating dangerously similar recipes for virtually all of our favorite restaurant dishes. I have used this site for a couple of recipes and they have all turned out pretty much identical. Back when it was still chilly outside, I got a craving for Olive Garden soup, salad, and breadsticks. Being in college, however, I did not want to shell out $10.00 plus a tip to go eat at Olive Garden. And that's when it hit me; "I'll bring Olive Garden to my very own kitchen!" Okay, it wasn't quite that cheesy. However, I did decide to look and see if I could find a recipe for my favorite Olive Garden Soup, chicken and gnocchi, and guess what? I totally found it. Guess what else? It was scary close to the Olive Garden version. Actually, I think it was exactly the same. 

As I said before, CopyKat Recipes is an amazing site filled with hundreds thousands of restaurant recipes. So, naturally, that is where I turned when looking for the perfect chicken and gnocchi soup.  Here is the link to the original recipe from CopyKat. Below is my modified version.

Olive Garden Chicken and Gnocchi Soup

• 4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin coconut oil
• 1 cup finely diced onion
• 1/2 cup finely diced celery
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 quart half-and-half
• 14-ounces free range organic chicken broth
• Salt
• 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
• 1 cup finely shredded carrots
• 1 cup coarsely chopped fresh spinach leaves
• 1 cup diced cooked chicken breast 
• 1 16-ounce package ready-to-use gnocchi (Don't be scared. This is available at Aldi and Kroger and it is cheap cheap cheap.)

Method

Get out a big soup pot and melt your oil. Although I listed coconut oil because it is amazing and so good for you, feel free to use olive oil as well. Add the oil and butter and wait until butter is melted. Then add the onion, celery, carrots, and garlic--sauté until tender. 

Add the flower and whisk it together with the oil and vegetables and cook for about a minute. Be sure and cook it that long so that your soup won't have a floury taste. Now is a good time to cook your gnocchi. Just throw it in a pot of boiling water and cook it until they puff up and are all floating on the top--it doesn't take long. Now add your chicken broth to the soup; I listed organic free range broth because that is what I prefer to use; however, if you want to make your own broth using chicken base or you prefer the canned stuff, go for it. Then add the half and half and let it all simmer for about a minute. Now it is time to add all remaining ingredients, including the gnocchi. Now let it simmer on low for about 15 minutes or until it is the right thickness*.

*If it does not seem thick enough, just add about two tablespoons cornstarch to half a cup of water and add a little bit at a time. Be careful because just a little bit will thicken the soup up quick. 

There you have it. It's that easy. I don't have to tell you to serve it with salad and breadsticks, right?

Thanks to CopyKat Recipes for this awesome recipe and of course to Olive Garden for being so delicious. Also, if you are curious about gnocchi and what it even is, here's a little run down on the italian dumplings.