SPAGHETTI With MEATBALLS …!!

 

 

 

A smiling big Hi to all of you out there ,hoping all are in pink of your health ,fighting Monday blue’s  with enthusiasm n energy..I am doing good and back after almost a week.Many of you checked me out,whether I have disappeared from here totally n thanks a lot for that,really feel glad to hear that I am missed..;)..It was nothing but many things coming together,that make me take breaks from here..Some healthy routines are on the run,n we now move around a lot more than before..playing shuttle,strolling around n all that..n so am not in front of system all the time,which is good in one sense as this eats a lot of time n blesses me with some extra fat..:D..But whenever possible,I do peek into my reader n check out all your new posts..In my kitchen,not much experiments going around as well..I have to restart my menu planning as before ,when I used to include atleast a few new dishes ,on each week’s plan..

So how was your weekend? Here ,I am so glad to say ,it was perfect.Saturday went on with shopping n rewarding myself with more of girlie stuffs n bla bla..:P..n yesterday was a hot day n after wandering places we came back tired,n it became dull gradually with the onset of evening,n with occasional outbursts of thunder,showers came.. bliss..!..It was one hell of a beautiful sight n I just cuddled in my patio chair with goose-bumps all over,sipping my fav Bru coffee,n watched the meadows getting drenched..Bunnies huddled under the nearby tree and seemed to enjoy getting wet..Rain is always beautiful n u know what I love the most..stepping on that drenched thick green blanket after a rain...!..It feels so good when the tingling coolness creeps in through your feet to every part of your self.I think that is something that we miss,once we are away from home.The touch..feel of earth..!..Try it sometimes..:)

   

 

Ha..enough n more of digressions right?..Spaghetti with Meatballs is the star of today..Its so simple and self-explainable..:)..Even though I had seen n read it all the time,the first time I felt like,I GOT to try this was after reading Reeni’s version..She has explained it so delightfully with all her old memories associated to it,like from an old nostalgic Italian kitchen,that you suddenly feels this urge inside you to get into your kitchen n start cooking..:).. I have pretty much  followed the same recipe,except for few changes here n there..Thanks dear Reeni n once again,that poem is super-cute n I luvvv it..!:)

 

Cook the Spaghetti as per package instruction till Al dente.

For  the meat balls:

I mixed 1/2 lbs ground chicken(as he don't eat beef),1/3 cup of my herb-grain Bread soaked in some whole milk,1 beaten egg,1.5 Tbsp Italian seasoned Bread crumbs,1/4 cup minced shallots,2 cloves garlic minced,1/2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley,1/2 tsp Italian seasoning,1/2 tsp basil,1 Tbsp black pepper powder,1/2 Tbsp chilli pepper flakes,lil corn flour and salt.

Mixed them thoroughly n with wet hands(it’ll be super sticky..:D) n  made meatballs.Sprinkled with some more bread crumbs on top.

You can either deep fry them or as I did bake them in 425 F preheated oven for 15 mins.I broiled last 2 mins for a brown crust.

So yummy meat balls are ready..!

 

For the gravy:

In a large Saute pan add butter + olive oil and saute cinnamon,bay leaves and cloves.

Throw in 2 minced cloves of garlic,1/2 cup minced shallots,1/3 cup chopped green n red peppers and saute till soft.

Throw in 1 medium sized tomato chopped with all the juices n 1 Tbsp Tomato paste.(I reduced it to half a tomato n added a few Tbsps of Marinara sauce as I was in a hurry.That sauce had some brandy in it,so it gave some additional flavor)

Simmer n saute till the tomatoes are all blended well.

Season with enough salt,pepper powder n chilli flakes.

Throw in some fresh chopped basil n parsley and Italian seasoning,some dried rosemary n sprinkle some sugar.

Sprinkle the pasta water whenever the gravy gets dry.

To add to thickness,I added a tbsp of corn flour water to the pan.

To this,drop the meat balls ,cover with the gravy n simmer for as long as possible from 30 mins to an hour,with an occasional stir now n then.

After switching off,add more of herbs n seasonings and shredded Parmesan.

Pour this gravy with meat balls over the cooked pasta and top with a lot of shredded Parmesan/Parmeggiano Reggiano.

 

 

Now take your fork n twist of over some gravy soaked spaghetti with a chunk of meatball and play it with your tongue..haa..!:D..Spot a flax seed in there..could you?.Its from my bread..:P

We had it hot,with some chilled  light Amaretto-raspberry smoothie..Pasta with  smoothie is not a famous combo..but that's like me..I loved it..:D

 

On a different note,this may sound interesting to some of you..World was created by a big Spaghetti monster n we all are his creations..Makes any sense? Na..Not my word or view though..Check out...:D

 

Have a great week ahead all of ya n keep your smiles,

hugs