balls

Spaghetti and meatballs--what did you think I meant?

I feel pretty horrible, which is not surprising, being a failure and good-for-nothing and general waste of human space little bit blue and all; but for someone of limited ability and potential, I'm a reputable cook; and I thought that making spaghetti and meatballs might make me feel better. As I type this, Howie is taking over the rudimentary boiling-the-pasta part of the process, while I record for you the recipe. I really wanted to post the wonderful illustration of Frances the badger eating her plateful of spaghetti and meatballs from Bread and Jam For Frances, but we haven't bought a scanner yet, so no luck there--google did not come through for me this time.

This is not a particularly inventive recipe, and I will brook no complaints about the authenticity of this or that ingredient. I'm not forcing anyone to make this, especially because it contains cruel, cruel veal. So leave the damn veal out if you're not interested in torturing your fellow creatures! I do recommend, however, finding a guaranteed-BSE-free source of meat. I may be lax about generating nasty karma, but I am fairly vigilant about limiting potential prion consumption.

And another thing. Like some of my other recipes (which can be viewed all in a slice by clicking the 'nourish thyself' category), you may note that amounts recorded have a tendency to be imprecise. And that is because I cook by sight and intuition, and don't measure much ... so perhaps that might be a signal that, even though I have a reputation for being a cook of some substantial talent (which reputation has been promoted principally by myself), I might not be the best source for recipes. I've not had any feedback on this matter. In fact, you might say that when I offer a recipe, it's so useless as to amount to nothing more than unsubstantiated boasting and vainglorious self-celebration of my putative gastronomic achievements. Crowing over my culinary prowess. Etc. That's as may be, but at the moment I'm going to have to settle for that, because I need some bucking up; so I beg your indulgence.

Later note: this did come out tremendously tasty, and it cheered me up for about an hour, but then I fell back down and I still can't get up. So I think that dashes any hope I had about marketing Meatball XR 750mg as the next miracle mood disorder remedy: the SMRI (Selective Meatball Reuptake Inhibitor).

Tomato Sauce with Meatballs
3/4 lb. 'meatloaf mix' (equal parts ground veal, beef and pork)
1 egg
about 1/2 c plain dry breadcrumbs
a few generous grindings of fresh nutmeg
many generous grindings of fresh pepper
1/2 tsp salt
1 oz. freshly grated parmesan cheese
1 small clove garlic, through a press

1 small onion, finely chopped
virgin olive oil
1 28 oz. can crushed tomatoes

Thoroughly mix meat with crumbs, eggs, seasonings, cheese and garlic.

Heat a generous amount of olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and stir until fragrant. Form meat mixture into small balls, the size of a walnut, and brown in the olive oil. The onion will brown as well. Add tomato and bring to a lively simmer; reduce heat and simmer, covered, 20-25 minutes. Makes enough meatballs and sauce for 1 lb. of spaghetti or linguine, serving 4-5 adults generously.

Comments

[anne]

i cannot eat of the meat, because the meat doesn't like me, but i still think you should write a cookbook. i really do. i like the points on which you are willing to compromise (not insisting that the tomatoes be ripe from my garden, for example) and the points on which you are not (freshly ground nutmeg). it says a lot about you. in particular, it says: write a cookbook.

[Amber]

Oh, I love veal! So sue me! But I DO live in Europe!

[Jen]

The recipe looks damn tasty, and I may attempt it soon with ground turkey (heresy!). Thanks, too, for referencing the best children's book series ever. Where else can you find badgers & meatballs coexisting so happily?

[Bob]

A variant of the meatloaf mix that I've seen around here uses lamb instead of veal. It adds a different dimension of flavor (a bit more middle-eastern) and avoids the maltreated calf meat.

[scott]

Hope this means you've got your mojo back...

[Katherine]

Hi there, came here via Mindy's (and am also a rancho relaxo contributor). I HAD to comment when I saw you mentioned Bread and Jam For Frances, that was one of my favourite childhood books. I think my mum bought it because I was a fussy eater. Have you seen the other Frances books? The ones that I know of are A Baby Sister For Frances and Best Friends For Frances, they became family favourites and I still quote 'I know a girl who gets 15p pocket money a week' every so often.

And how I wanted a packed lunch like Frances! Will come over and have a read more often.

[savtadotty]

A Bargain for Frances is my favorite; it has everything - friendship, betrayal, greed, jealousy, deception, revenge, and Good Counsel From Mother!
http://savtadotty.blogspot.com/2004/11/somebody-compose-this-opera.html

[Gary M.]

Sounds great ... just for grins, try cooling the cooked onion and adding it to the meatball mix.

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