I think this trick would have been pretty neat-o if material was even, I get a battery with check or I trade the knight defending f5 for the bishop.

Battery it is, then.

My rook and knight are more active, but I have to figure out a way to win the material back.

?? This is not an outpost, I'm going to chase the knight away, and now he's left with a weakened pawn structure around his king.

I want to get on the 7th rank, but I still have to wait for the knight to move.

Much better.

?? This here move is a solid favor for me, now I get to move my knight and create the treat of Nxf6+.

Forced before I move my horse, of course.

? I would have played f5 here, the check is pretty worthless if it doesn't win back material.

Rd7 would have may have been much more effective.