Spaghetti and Meatballs

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             FOOD FUNNY
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This one is as old as the hills, but I still get a kick out of it.
Thanks to Caryn from Manalapan, NJ for sending it in.

Four brothers left home for college and they became successful doctors
and lawyers and prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having
dinner together. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their
elderly mother who lived far away in another city.

The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama."

The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house."

The third said, "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."

The fourth said, "You know how Mamma loved reading the Bible and you
know she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this
preacher who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It
took twenty preachers and 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to
contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was
worth it. Mamma just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it."

The other brothers were impressed.

After the holidays Mom sent out her thank you notes. She wrote: "Milton
, the house you built is so huge I live in only one room, but I have to
clean the whole house. Thanks anyway. Marvin, I am too old to travel. I
stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes.
The thought was good. Thanks. Michael, you gave me an expensive theater
with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people but all of my friends are
dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it.
Thank you for the gesture just the same."

Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give a
little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."

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             TODAY'S RECIPE
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Although meatballs do exist in Italy, you're not likely to find them
served on spaghetti. One theory of the origin of this dish has American
social workers chastising Italian immigrants for not having enough
protein in their healthy pasta and tomato and olive oil Mediterranean
diet. Pasta is rarely served as a main dish in Italy, but the
Americanized version of this dish, with its gargantuan portions of meat
and sauce (by Italian standards), could never be served any other way.

Spaghetti and Meatballs

For the meatballs:
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) soft bread cubes from sliced white bread (about 2 to 3 slices, including crusts)
1 egg
1/3 cup (80 ml) milk
1 lb (450 g) ground beef or beef and pork mixture
1/2 cup (125 ml) freshly grated Parmesan cheese, plus additional for garnish
2-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/4 cup (60 ml) finely chopped parsley
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

For the sauce:
3 Tbs (45 ml) olive oil
1 medium onion, finely chopped
2-4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1/2 tsp (2 ml) dried oregano
1/4 tsp (1 ml) red pepper flakes, or to taste
4 15-oz (420 g) cans Italian plum tomatoes with their liquid
2 Tbs (30 ml) tomato paste
2 Tbs (30 ml) chopped fresh basil or parsley
1 tsp (5 ml) red wine vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

1 lb (450 g) spaghetti or other thin noodle, cooked according to the package directions

Combine the bread, egg, and milk in a mixing bowl, stirring to combine,
and let rest for 15 minutes. Mash the bread mixture with a fork to make
a smooth paste. Add the remaining ingredients and stir to combine. Form
the meat into balls about the size of golf balls (or larger if you like)
and place them on a greased baking sheet. Bake in a preheated 400F
(200C) oven until browned, about 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the oil in a pot over moderate heat and
saute the onion until tender but not brown, about 5 minutes. Add the
garlic, oregano, and red pepper flakes and cook for 2 minutes. Add the
tomatoes with their liquid, crushing the tomatoes with your hand as you
add them. Add the tomato paste, basil, vinegar, salt, and pepper and
bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer uncovered for 20 to 30
minutes. Add the meatballs and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes.

To serve, toss about 1 cup of the sauce with the drained spaghetti and
divide it between 4 to 6 serving plates. Top with the meatballs and
remaining sauce and serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
Serves 4 to 6.
Received on Sun Jun 21 18:25:33 2009