Monday Night Dinner - Going Italian With Smoked Meatballs

[ArnieM]

I go simple during the week.  Linguine with red sauce (gravy for the Italians) meatballs and salad.

Meatballs - 1.5 pounds of 80% GB mixed up with Penzy's dried minced garlic and onion.  Added some chopped cilantro, CYM, S&P and grated parm.  They got an hour of oak and then finished in the oven at 425.  Thirteen MB's total.

Sauce - Minced garlic and onion with a bit of red pepper flakes and a pinch of salt sweated for about 45 minutes.  Added a can of San Marzano whole tomatoes.  I love the feel of crushing them up in the pot  :D  Added some dried oregano and fresh chopped basil.  I let it reduce for a while to thicken the sauce. 

Salad - Green leaf lettuce, arugula, tomato and avocado with (naturally) Italian dressing.

Really pretty simple and I didn't have to cook it for 24 hours  ;D

[squirtthecat]

I'll be right over!

[KevinG]

I always said, if I ever get married it'll be to an Italian woman - love the food. Hope you're not wearing a dress Arnie.  :D

[seemore]

ARNIE.............. that looks great
seemore

[ArnieM]

squirt - c'mon over any time.

Kevin - I'll introduce you to Julie.  Loves to cook, clean and party.

seemore - Thanks.  I like good and simple.

[StickyDan]

Yum!

[ArnieM]

Just a quick note on the sauce. 

I first heard about the San Marzano whole tomatoes in a post from Deb for her pizza sauce.  I tried them.  They're a little pricey but I'm sticking with them.  They are simply great.  If you want to try them get the Italian cans, not CA.  No offense to the CA people but the Italian pack is superior.

[hal4uk]

Looks gooood, Arnie!!!
Me n Squirt might have to forego one of our excursions to our favorite Mob Eatery in STL, and drop by your house!

[ArnieM]

Looks gooood, Arnie!!!
Me n Squirt might have to forego one of our excursions to our favorite Mob Eatery in STL, and drop by your house!

You're both welcome.  Pick up squirt and his cats.  His three and my three should have a FINE time  :D

Just give me some notice so I can thaw out the tofu  ;D

[StickyDan]

I love frozen tofu!!! ;D

[SnellySmokesEm]

Personally I dont think there's enough Italian on this site.  ;D  I love making my own sauce too.  Good Job!

[ArnieM]

I'll have to figure out how to work some smoke into Italian and Asian cuisine.  I've seen a couple of recipes for Asian-style smoked pork.  I'll have to check them out.

Debbie's girlfriend Julie is bringing her dad over for lunch tomorrow.  He was born in Italy and has been in this country for about 60 years.  But, danged if I can understand him.  Maybe I can get some ideas with Julie translating  :D