Official "Frank DeCaro Show" Must-Make Thanksgiving Recipe #2

Mama Cupcake’s Sunday Gravy and Meatballs

(Even though it’s Thanksgiving – We ALWAYS start our dinner with macaroni or lasagna.)

Gravy 

• 1 28oz can crushed tomatoes
• 1 29oz can tomato sauce
• 1 8oz can tomato paste
• 1 med onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup red wine
• 1 tbsp  white sugar
• ½ tsp salt – black pepper to taste
• ¼ cup olive oil

In 6 qt Dutch Oven: Over medium flame:

• Crushed Tomatoes

• Add Tomato sauce with I can water (measured in same can)

In Large Frying Pan: (To  be used later to fry meatballs)

• Sautee/Brown Chopped onion and garlic in olive oil. Remove from oil with slotted spoon and add to tomatoes. Put pan and left over oil aside.

Meatballs (Makes about 8 -10 )

• 1lb beef chopped meat
• 2 eggs
• ½ cup Italian seasoned Bread Crumbs
• ¼ cup Lucatelli Romano Italian Cheese
• ¼ cup whole milk
• 1 small finely chopped onion
• 1 clove chopped garlic
• salt and black pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients by hand.  Mixture should not be too loose or too firm. Add breadcrumbs or water to adjust. Shape meatballs and fry in olive oil till brown. Don’t cook all the way through. (This lets the tomatoes soak into the meat while simmering in the gravy.) Pat with paper towel before adding to tomatoes. After meat is done, once cooled, pour out most of olive oil left in frying pan. Add tomato paste and one can of water measured in same can to frying pan. Stir and bring to a light boil. (This adds more of the leftover flavoring from the meat to tomatoes.)  Add paste to gravy. Add wine and sugar to gravy. Let simmer over medium to low heat for  1 to 1 ½ hrs, stirring every 15 min until any oil rises to top. Skim oil before serving over favorite macaroni! J