Welcome to Casa Cassandra and the Blue Plate Special of the day. I've been editing a short story for inclusion into a charity anthology and there is a scene where the heroine, Eva, is making spaghetti and meatballs with garlic bread. I realized this would be the perfect opportunity to introduce readers of my blog to a new featurette I'll be posting every other Tuesday. The blue plate special will host recipes either from scenes in books, or in the back of books, or include dishes themed around a book's setting. I hope ya'll will enjoy your visit to Casa Cassandra and think about some of your favorite book-inspired meals.
Recipe from: When Eva Gets Even by Cass Curtis
(Part of the Romance Divas Charity Anthology coming August 2014)
Eva's Truth Or Lie Spaghetti and Meatballs
Ingredients:
Meatballs:
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup skim milk
• 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1/2 cup finely chopped onion
• 1 clove garlic, smashed, minced
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
Sauce:
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/2 cup chopped onion
• 2 cloves garlic, smashed and minced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon dried leaf oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried leaf basil
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 large can (28 to 36 ounces total) crushed Italian tomatoes
• 2 cans (6 ounces each) tomato paste
• 16 ounces thin spaghetti
• Parmesan cheese
Directions:
In a medium sized mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk and bread crumbs until well mixed. Let stand for approx. 5 minutes. Now add ground beef, onion, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Mix gently until well blended then shape into about 18-20 meatballs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place meatballs in a well greased large shallow baking pan. Bake meatballs at 450° for 25 minutes. Drain off excess grease if needed.
Sauté diced onion in extra virgin olive oil in skillet until tender and begins to turn golden. Add remaining ingredients for the sauce in large pot and then bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Add meatballs then cover and simmer 50 to 60 minutes longer, stirring occasionally.
Cook spaghetti according to the package's directions, then drain using strainer.
Ladle meatballs and sauce over cooked noodles and sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese as desired. Spaghetti and meatballs serves 6.
Attention book readers & bloggers!
If you'd like to send us a recipe or two along with the name of the book that inspired your creations, you'll be part of the Blue Plate Special Contributors club and eligible for a $25 Amazon gift card to be given away during my Reader Appreciation Week in November.
The recipe directions should be in your own words, not copied off the internet. You will retain all rights to your recipes and any accompanying photographs, but in submitting them for consideration/contest entry, you are giving Cassandra Curtis express permission to their use. All recipes/entries along with any accompanying photographs should be sent digitally c/o assistant @ cassandracurtis [dot] com (no spaces), with the subject line: Blue Plate Special Recipe Entry.
Authors, do you have an upcoming book or a recently released book you'd like to feature, that has a scene with a recipe and want to share? For more information, see the above or contact assistant @ cassandracurtis [dot] com (no spaces), with the subject line: Blue Plate Special Recipe inquiry.
Must
be 18+ to enter. The odds of winning depend upon the number of
participants. Contest void where prohibited by law. I strive to make my
prize winners happy, however, as with all my contests, it is the
participant’s responsibility to check the blog to see if their name is
announced as a winner, and/or to respond to winning notification emails
in order to claim your prize. Prizes must be claimed within 30 days of
contest winning announcement. If not claimed within 30 days, the prize
will either be added to another contest, or a second chance drawing at
my discretion. Not responsible for lost/stolen mail.
No comments:
Post a Comment