Stop Blogging and Cook

DAILY POST APRIL 28th: LITTLE ITALY BECKONED

GLUTEN-FREE & VEGAN

S H O P

BUTCHER
Sweet Italian sausage in casing

GROCERY
Olive oil
Tomato sauce or puree, with no added salt, sugar or preservatives
Oregano
Basil
Thyme
Black pepper, freshly ground
Kosher or salt
Reggiano

GREEN MARKET
Onion
Garlic
Carrot
Green pepper
Mushrooms - cinnamon cap or enocki

T I M I N G

SERVES 1
COOKING TIME:20 min

1. Brown meatballs.
2. Saute vegs; add tomato sauce, mushroom & herbs; simmer.
3. Add meatballs to marinara sauce.

C O O K  /  P R E P A R E

INGREDIENTS
2 TBSP olive oil, divided
1/3 lb sausage
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 carrot, sliced thin
Few slices green pepper, chopped
Dozen whole cinnamon cap or enocki mushrooms OR 2 button mushrooms, sliced
8 oz marinara sauce
Generous pinch oregano
Generous pinch dried basil, or 1/8 c fresh, chopped
Pinch of thyme
Dash salt
Dash black pepper, ground
1/8 c Reggiano, grated

COOKING

1. Heat olive oil in small skillet.
2. Remove sausage from its casing, about an inch at a time.  Squeeze the sausage out of the casing by pinching between two fingers and pulling on the casing until a meatball-shaped amount comes out.  Do that with the rest of the sausage.  You should have about 5 meatballs.
3. When oil is hot (when a flick of a water drop sizzles in the oil), brown the meatballs on all sides, turning with tongs (don’t pierce).  If you prefer, they can also be cooked in a hot oven (400ºF).  Cook well, until  hot in the middle, at least 10 min.  Remove & drain.
4. While meat balls are browning, heat oil in a lidded skillet, sauté onion until brown.  Add garlic, carrot, green pepper & saute until tender.
5. Add marinara sauce, mushrooms, herbs, salt & pepper; heat until bubbly.  Lower heat & simmer until rest of dinner is ready.  Add meatballs & (if necessary) heat until hot throughout.

S E R V E

Ladle over pasta or rice. Sprinkle w/cheese.  Serve w/tossed salad & garlic bread.

W O R K P L A C E   L U N C H

Steep the mung bean or rice noodles in hot water; if necessary, put in the microwave or 1 min, drain well. Heat meat balls & marinara separately. Top noodles w/meat balls, spoon marinara over.  Serve w/garlic bread.