Sunday Prep- meatballs and spaghetti and meatloaf

We bought a 5lb. package of ground turkey from Smart and Final. 2 lbs. went to meatloaf and 3 went to our meatballs. Here are the recipes. You might think that carrots are a funny addition, but you're using them to add natural sweetness so you don't have to add any refined white sugar. None of our recipes are exact. Throw things in and see what happens, it's usually just fine.

Meatloaf

1 meatloaf seasoning packet

2 lbs ground turkey

1 cup of milk

1/2 cup shredded  cheddar

3 chopped green onions

1 carrot, use a peeler to peel the whole carrot and then chop fine

Mix with your hands.

Put in two small loaf pans.

Bake at 350 for 1 hour.

It will make it’s own gravy.

We prefer this cold on sandwiches with ketchup and mayo, but you can serve it hot with mashed potatoes and honey glazed carrots.

Rose Natoli’s Meatballs

1 lb.  ground meat

1 handful shredded cheese (parmesan and romano)

1 tsp. parsley

salt and pepper

2 cloves garlic

2 eggs

3 slices bread (dampen with water)

Mix with hands

Roll into balls

Fry, bake or microwave. Turn meatballs to cook outside evenly.

Nealeo’s Spaghetti Sauce

(This is a double batch recipe)

Cook

1 lb. Sweet Italian Sausage (If frozen, they are easier to peel the casing off of while they thaw)

quarter the sausage and fry in the skillet.

Set aside. Don’t clean pan.

Saute  the following in your grease and/or in olive oil:

1 chopped onion

2-3 carrots chopped small

2 cloves garlic, minced

Here's a photo:

While that cooks, puree the following in the blender:

1-2 (28oz.) cans tomatoes

Pour in with sautéed onion mixture

Add 2 bay leaves

1 cup red wine

1-2 cans tomato paste, add to thicken

1 handful of leftover fresh tomatoes, depending on the season. If you have a lot from the garden, add more.

Add spices to taste:
Approx. 1 tsp of each:

garlic powder

basil

rosemary

oregano

pepper

Let simmer 2-3 hrs.

When making Mussels Marinara, don’t puree.

Use less tomato paste because you want it thin.

Add red pepper flakes to kick up the spice.

Serve family style with chunks of sourdough.