Originally, I was going to suggest making this dinner for Valentine’s Day. I was going to make heart shaped meatballs. Then I tasted it and it was so yummy and delicious and full of garlic. I love garlic. But, maybe it isn’t the best thing for Valentine’s Day? Unless you’re both eating garlic? Maybe? You can make an educated decision on this one. I started shaping the meatballs, but they kinda just looked awkward, and not really like hearts. So they are just round.
My new idea: just make this. Make it today. Make it for dinner. Or lunch. Is it lunchtime now? I think that’s a perfectly good time to eat Spaghetti and Meatballs.
The meatballs are simple. Since the rest of the meal has lots and lots of flavor, I didn’t feel the need to add too much to these guys. A little mustard, some lemon juice, garlic, yeah, more garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. They cook up pretty quickly and are nice and tasty. Oh and PS: You could easily flatten them and turn them into sliders (hello Oscar party idea!).
In today’s episode, there are quite a few veggies that co-star. Things like napa cabbage, Korean daikon radish, carrots, and kale… (You could chop them as small as you’d like, or purée them, making them hide-able, if you have any picky eaters in your home.)
I paired it with some Caesar Salad. I could eat this salad for every meal. Ummm, maybe not breakfast. Might not go so well alongside my cereal… but if I’m having eggs and toast??! No. Stop… The Caesar Salad that I make as a side for our dinners is my usual recipe, sans chicken and fava beans.
We had this for dinner last night. Here’s Tim’s response after a few bites, (almost yelling) “Is there more of this?!!???” Be still my heart.
Add pasta to salted, boiling water. Cook according to package directions. Reserve 2 C pasta water before draining*.
Heat skillet. Add 1 T olive oil. When it's hot, add onion, carrot, radish, salt, and pepper. Cook for 10 minutes over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Add garlic and balsamic vinegar, cook 1 minute more. Add kale, cabbage, herbs, cayenne, tomato sauce, and pasta water. Stir, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer for 5-10 minutes. Add more water if needed.
Combine beef, salt, lemon juice, dijon, garlic, and a drizzle of olive oil. Using hands, mix (but don't over mix). Divide in 8. Shape each of the 8 pieces into a ball. Heat skillet, add 1 T oil, when hot, add meatballs and flatten ever so slightly. Cook, covered, over medium heat for 5 minutes. Flip and cook, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes more (or until internal temperature of meatball reaches 160F).
Top pasta with sauce, meatballs, parmesan, and basil.
Notes
*If pasta is finished cooking before sauce and meatballs, drain, return to hot pot, toss with olive oil, and cover to keep warm. This works best with whole wheat and not as well with rice pasta.
1 watermelon radish (or 1/4 Korean daikon radish), quartered
1 rutabaga (or 1 large turnip), peeled, if desired, cut in 6 pieces
2 T butter
1 T olive oil
1-2 t salt
pinch pepper
pinch cayenne
pinch nutmeg
pinch ginger
1 C milk
5 C water (or vegetable stock)
1 t maple syrup
2 t lemon juice (or balsamic vinegar)
croutons, for topping
parmesan cheese, for topping
Instructions
Pre-heat oven to 350F. Drizzle garlic with olive oil and wrap in foil. Toss remaining veggies with olive oil. Place on two baking sheets and roast (flipping once partway through, if desired), for 60-75 minutes (radish, garlic, yams, onion, and rutabaga may take the lesser amount of time). Remove from oven and let cool slightly. Scrape squash pulp from skin, squeeze garlic from skin.
Heat soup pot. Add butter and brown (watch it so it doesn’t burn). Add veggies to browned butter, along with olive oil, and seasonings. Cook 3-5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Add water and bring to a boil. Turn heat off, add milk, maple syrup, and lemon juice. Blend with hand blender (or in a regular blender – be sure to remove the plug from the lid and cover with a clean towel) until smooth. Add more water if it’s too thick. Taste, adjust seasoning if desired. Return to heat and cook a few minutes more, but don’t boil.
Serve topped with croutons (cubed bread, tossed with olive oil, salt, and pepper, baked at 350F for 10-15 minutes).
