Eat Something Good

All right, the recipe is actually called “Easiest” spaghetti & meatballs but I had to change it.  I changed it because we all know the absolute easiest thing to do is to open up a jar of tomato sauce and throw in some frozen meatballs.  That would be the easiest.  But this recipe was pretty straightforward.  It’s actually Martha Steward’s recipe.  I don’t know if I’ve ever used one of her recipes.  I usually don’t have the sometimes fancy & necessary ingredients to use her recipes.  There was nothing odd about this one.

First, I have to tell you about my obsession with meatballs.  I’m not sure when it began but it occurred in childhood.  My mother would always buy those Swanson frozen meatballs in brown gravy with mashed potatoes.  I don’t think she bought any other kind of frozen entree.  She ate them with frequency as well.  Then I graduated to italian meatballs.  I’m always tempted to get a side of meatballs when I’m doing italian.  They can be tricky though.  And for every damn good meatball, I’ve had a really bad one.  Some are so flavorless and use too much breadcrumb with little or no seasoning.  I don’t know how any food establishment could be proud of such a product.  Anyway, I love meatballs, all meatballs.  But my experience is limited in variety.  I’ve been wanting to try Ukranian meatballs for over a decade.  I used to go to Veselka’s (NYC) often.  I usually got breakfast but I always wanted to try their balls.  I will one day.  But let’s get back to the balls of italians

spaghetti & meatballs

To make the meatballs, I combined ground beef chuck, garlic (minced), plain breadcrumbs, fresh flat leaf parsley (chopped), freshly grated parmesan cheese and s & p.  Oh and an egg.  So ya gotta get your hands dirty for this one.  I try not to overmix meat.  It ruins the texture and I don’t like for my hands to be touching raw meat for any longer than it has to.  So I formed little balls, smaller than the way Steve’s mom would make them.  I like her size better but hey, this was my first time ever making my own spaghetti with meatballs.  Yes, I’m a novice.  So, now you’ve got balls frying away over a medium heat.  And Martha Stewart says to throw a can of crushed tomatoes with puree over it.  That sounds simple enough, doesn’t it?  Actually, I punched up my sauce with the usual garlic (minced) and bay leaves.  But I did basically the same thing otherwise.  And I’m assuming you guys already know how to boil up a pot of spaghetti.  I generously salt the water.

I served the dinner with these mini garlic bread loaves or sticks.  I threw them in the oven and served it hot.  Steve loved the meatballs.  He didn’t say they were better than his mom’s, but he liked them.  I thought they had a similar taste.  A little parmesan cheesy, some salt, some garlic - a nice meatball.  But her’s are a better size, hold up better and she does a much better job of frying than I do.  You can’t tell from the picture or maybe you can, but my being a meatball novice had its consequences.  Some fell apart a little.  Only half remained somewhat round and they were unevenly sized.  I knew that they were even before I threw them in the everday pan.  I didn’t care til afterwards.  Steve didn’t care at all, he ate it all up and enjoyed it thoroughly.  And crushed tomatoes with puree makes a nice sauce.  I use the same thing when I run out of our homemade stuff.

I tried to make jokes about balls throughout this blog.  I hope I didn’t offend anybody.  I was taking a suggestion from my brother and trying to make my blogs a little funnier throughout so they’re easier and more interesting to read.  So I heard a stupid joke many years ago, high school I think - it was so stupid that I always laughed and have remembered it for all these years.  Okay, here it is:  Q: Have you ever smelled mothballs?  And the person answers yes because everybody’s closet must have one or two, right?  So then ya say: How did you get their little legs to open?  That’s enough from me.  Take care guys and as always, Eat Something Good!

Martha Stewart’s recipe for Easiest Spaghetti & Meatballs.