A Word From The Other Parsimonious Chef...: Stay Calm There's No Need For Panic.... A Last Minute Gourmet Soiree. Spaghetti With Muddled Tomato

Spaghetti with Muddled Tomato - Pepperoni Sauce & Meatballs

Panic is as Panic does, or is it, "Life is like a box of chocolates?" For this matter they mean the same thing, you try some things and keep trying them until you get the result that is favorable to you. Well, for me today was like that. I received a last minute call that some of the fellas were in town and wanted to do something low key, fun and involving great but hearty food. We were all about trying out all of the new haunts in the DC area when two of my boys called me up and reminded me that the "lowest of keys" was for me to cook for all of them and then we could sit back and watch Monday Night Football, knock back a couple of good drinks and enjoy a fine Napa Valley Syrah from 2003 that I've had since 2006.

When planning a last minute function, food - wise, it's best to keep it simple, this way you won't feel the added pressure of assuring that everything is perfect. My suggestion is to go with a proven winner that is simple to make, easy to tweak, assured of yielding positive results and lasting compliments.

On the menu today: Spaghetti with Muddled Tomato Pepperoni Sauce & Meatballs.

Italian Sausage Meatballs & Beef Meatballs

Muddled Tomato & Pepperoni Sauce

When I am pressed for time and concerned about finicky eaters I look for things with universal appeal. In that respect what's more universal than spaghetti? Maybe Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese but we are talking about a crew of dudes that are all 40 plus in age and have had my cooking before. This means I have to do something that will have bite, character and eye appeal, trust me I know these guys, I don't care how new wave my grilled cheese is (and that recipe is coming up in about a month) these dudes are expecting a hearty meal, good laughs and some stories about my time in Iraq, Dubai, Amsterdam and Germany and good drinks. Bottled tomato sauce is good but it's so easy to make and much better when it is fresh and when you add the muddled tomatoes, fresh basil and pepperoni it is the nectar of the gods, No Joke!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

For the Muddled Tomato & Pepperoni Sauce we need:

Roma Tomatoes (8-12 each)
Garlic (2 Tbs)
Fresh Basil (1 bunch)
Salt & Pepper (T T)
Red Wine (1/4 cup)
Olive Oil (1 Tbs)
Pepperoni (2 oz)

Start by dicing the tomatoes, basil, pepperoni and mincing the garlic. Add the olive oil to a sauce pot and add the garlic once the pan is heated allowing the garlic to cook until slightly browned on medium heat and then adding the diced pepperoni. Once browned add the red wine to deglaze and reduce by half then add the tomatoes, and basil and reduce the heat and cover allowing to cook for 20 minutes to loosen the sauce. Use a hand mixer to mix chop the tomatoes thoroughly or you can leave country style as seen above and below.

Muddled Tomato - Pepperoni Sauce

For the Spaghetti follow the directions on the package.

Italian Sausage & Beef Meatballs

For the Meatballs Two Ways we will need:

Italian Sausage (1-2 lbs)
Ground Beef (1-2 lbs)
Thyme (4 Stalks)
Garlic (2 Tbs)
Onions (1/2 each)
Salt & Pepper (T T)
Dried Oregano (T T)
Italian Parsley (2 Tbs)
Egg (1 each)

Cut the Italian sausages into 1 - 2 inch pieces and roll into a ball then add to a heated skillet. Once browned turn and place into an oven preheated to 325 for 20 minutes or until done, setting aside for later use once done.

Italian Sausage Meatballs

Take the garlic and oregano, parsley, onion and mince then sauté. Once done add to a bowl with the raw ground beef and mix together and add salt, pepper and 1 raw egg, mixing together until fully incorporated. Roll the mixture into ball and saute in the same fashion as the Italian sausage, placing in the oven to cook for 10 - 15 minutes or until done.

Beef Meatballs

For the Garlic Toasted Baguette we need :

Baguette (1 each)
Garlic (1 Tbs)
Olive Oil (1 Tbs)
Salt (T T)
Italian Parsley (1 tsp)
Parmesan Raggiato Cheese (1/8 cup)

Toasted Baguette w/ Parsley & Shaved Parm.

Slice the baguette and place the minced garlic and olive oil on the top of the bread and in the slits, placing in an oven on 325 to warm for 7 minutes. Garnish with parsley and shaved cheese once it is ready to be served.