Hi Everyone,

We are still having crazy weather, it is still cool outside.

Tonight we are enjoying our favorite Spaghetti and Meatsauce. This is a robust sauce, meaty, red, and full of flavor. This is not wimpy sauce, this is SAUCE!! Served with garlic bread and a salad and you have arrived!!

Tomorrow I am planning on having another favorite, Grecian Chicken. I will post it and it's accompaniments...

In April, my grandmother turns 100 and the family is planning a party so the cousins have been busy planning...

Keep Warm! Gina

Mama Pacetti's Spaghetti with Meatballs and Sausage
This is an authentic recipe from the old countryside. Delicious!!!!

Meatballs:
1 lb. ground sirloin
1 onion, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup fine dry bread crumbs
1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. black pepper
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
1/4 tsp. oregano
2 Tbsp. olive oil

Mix ground sirloin, onion, garlic, parsley, Parmesan, bread crumbs, egg, salt, pepper and herbs. You can add a little water if too dry. Shape into meatballs and brown in olive oil before adding to sauce.

For Meat Sauce:

Brown the sirloin, drain and set aside. Continue making the sauce as directed below and instead of adding meatballs, add the browned meat and stir to blend well.

Sauce:
1 large onion, chopped
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 red bell peppers, washed, cored and chopped
3 Tbsp. olive oil
1-2 pork chops or pork rib
1 lb. mild Italian Sausage cut into 2-inch pieces
2 (28 oz.) cans crushed tomatoes with puree
1 Tbsp. fresh basil or 1 t. dried
1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley
1/2 tsp. crumbled thyme
1 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
2 tsp. sugar
1/4 tsp. crushed dried red pepper
1 (6 oz.) can tomato paste
2 (8 oz.) cans tomato sauce
1/4 tsp. oregano
1/4 tsp. marjoram
1/4 tsp. rosemary
1 bay leaf
1 tsp. Italian seasoning
12 oz. cooked spaghetti
freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Brown the sausage and set aside. Saute onions, pork chops and garlic in large pot. Add tomatoes, paste and sauce and bring to a boil. Add next 13 ingredients, the browned meatballs, the browned sausage and simmer uncovered for 2 hours, stir occasionally.