Recipe(tried): Italian Sauce with Potato Dumplings

Italian Saucw with Potato Dumplings

Basic Sauce Recipe

1# lean hamburger
1# Italian sausage
1 sm onion
1/4 tsp ea. chili powder, onion powder, parsley,
oregano, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes
1 sm clove garlic, mashed
1 st. celery, finely chopped
1/2 c water
3 cans tomato sauce
1 can tomato paste
2 fresh tomatos, finely chopped
2 tbsp butter

In a large skillet, brown the hamburger, sausage onion and garlic. Drain. Add water and remaining ingredients. Transfer to a large pot, add tomato sauce, paste and fresh tomatos and bring to a boil. Add butter.
Let boil for 10 mins. Reduce heat to simmer. Prepare the dumplings while the meat sauce is simmering.

Dumpling Recipe
(make the mashed potatoes ahead of time to allow for cooling)

4 4-6" potatoes, boiled, mashed and cooled
2 eggs
flour (about 2 c)
10c boiling water with salt added

To cooled mashed potatoes, add 2 eggs and mix well with a mixer. Use hand to fold in flour. Keep hands floured for easier handling of dough. Use enough flour to form a firm soft dough. Tear off clumps (about the size of a small egg) of dough and pattie it out in your hand to about a 1/4" thickness, tear into thirds and drop into the boiling water. Be sure to keep the water boiling at all times. When the dumpling comes to the top of the water, use a slotted spoon and turn the dumpling over. Cook in boiling water for another 3-5 mins. Remove individual dumplings w a slotted spoon and allow excess water to drain. Gently place into the simmering meat sauce and FOLD the dumpling into the sauce. Potato dumplings are fragile if not handled w care. Repeat making the dumplings and placing them into the meat sauce. After all the dumplings are made and placed in the sauce, allow it to simmer to allow the flavors to mix well. Garnish w a parsley sprig and parmesan cheese or shredded cheese. Serve with a garden salad and garlic bread. This is a fantastic recipe for large gatherings. This can be made ahead. Leftovers may b frozen for later use.