Autumn

Autumn

Friday, March 2, 2012

Just Another Friday

The clocks ticks, and ticks, and ticks as I wait for the morning ritual of the nurses visit...now they send two for some odd reason. One more day of this and I'm free. Oh, forgot, visit the surgeon on Monday for my official pass off base. If I were a drinking man I'd hit the first bar in town and get rip roaring drunk. But in reality I'll just drive around and enjoy the beauty of our fully bloomed Azaleas. Everywhere I look I see reds and pinks and purples, nice.

Yesterday I went to market and bought the ingredients for a nice Italian dinner. I wanted to do something nice for my lovely wife. She's been through hell the last two months. So I made her a fine dinner, from scratch mind you, of meatballs and spaghetti with bruschetta and a nice fresh salad. I don't do canned or jar sauces. I begin with Roma tomatoes and pace myself for a long day of hard work. It paid off. She smiled all evening. By the way, a small block of imported Parmigiano Reggiano, a very small chunk, cost eleven dollars.

Sweet Wife asked if I thought I could make the meatballs a little bit bigger than normal....sarcastically. Seems I made some whoppers. I used a pound of lean ground beef and one pound of Italian sausage. They turned out very tasty. And before you ask - to the meat add two eggs, garlic, a nice grated mound of the aforementioned cheese, spices, and good quality bread crumbs...mix well. Brown in olive oil. On all sides, and for the love of all that is holy, keep them round. Be gentle when you turn them. I use a slotted spoon.

Your red sauce, a traditional one please, should have been simmering for at least an hour. Then add the meatballs.


Bruschetta, under construction.

And then served.

I went simple and used very good olive oil, crushed fresh garlic (not that canned crap please) fresh basil and plenty of freshly grated Parmigiana cheese. Melt the cheese before you add the other ingredients, it only takes about ten seconds under the broiler.

About the time I was deep into my preps I received a text from my son with a request I run and pick up my Little Bit from school. Afterwards she walks into the house and said, "Papa, it smells so good in here."
She runs in and rummages through my knifes and selects a small one and turns to me with, "Okay, Papa, I'm ready to chop."  Love that girl, I do.


Have a great day.

Stephen

17 comments:

  1. Mmmm, sounds delicious. It looks like something that would tempt me to fall off the gluten-free wagon. I can almost smell the garlic :-)

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    Replies
    1. Sue, give it a try...just pretend it's a gluten free meal...thanks.

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    2. Sue, maybe try it with rice noodles to avoid a lot of the gluten. There are also gluten-free bread crumbs. All the yumminess is in the sauce and meat, so you won't be missing much.

      Stephen, Oh my goodness. You're trying to hurt us over here. That sounds incredible.

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  2. It's a dadgum shame we can't smell via blog ... looks wonderful.

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    Replies
    1. Isn't it a fact, sniff anyway. It was good. Thanks, my friend.

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  3. Lucky Sweet Wife!

    You've put a smile on my mug for the day.

    Good news too about being very close to the end of the hard road. Glad to hear that.

    Winston

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    Replies
    1. Glad I could put a smile on your face, Winston. Yes, I'm excited about my freedom too. Thank you very much.

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  4. How do you transition from a story about a fine meal to a picture of Little Bit sitting in McDonald's. Somehow seems a little sacrilegious.

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    Replies
    1. If I had the time, trust me, I'd cook her a meal every morning. I do the best I can for the child, so....bite me. See you soon, Bubba.

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  5. Looks delicious. FYI - We buy fairly large wedges of Parmigiano Reggiano at BJ's. Usually about $15 each.

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    Replies
    1. Shucks, I use Costco, but will check...it's about twenty miles from my home and about a thirty minute drive..thanks for the tip.

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  6. dear sweet one - yummeh - i love the whole meal!!! i make big meatballs too. and sauce is always from scratch! oh and i love bruschetta! glad your wife had such a nice dinner and i am glad that you will be getting out soon!

    your friend,
    kymber

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    Replies
    1. Official, nurse signed off this morning...now the doctor and I'm free.

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  7. woohoo buddy - i am soooo happy for you!

    your friend,
    kymber

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