Once upon a time, my mother and I were making meatballs for dinner. I don't often eat beef due to my love cows, which stems from a childhood family dairy farm, so these were turkey meatballs. Everything was perfect. The onions were sautéed and folded inside the meatballs along with egg and breadcrumbs. They were cooked in a large pan and finished off with oregano and love. We set them on the counter to cool for a minute as my mother and I did something on the computer in the other room. But when we came back moments later, we found only two meatballs left where there had been at least two dozen. Jack a.k.a. Meatball was sitting on the floor happily licking his lips, from the no doubt very hot meatballs that he had just consumed.
What a jerk. Dinner was ruined that night but now I can't make turkey meatballs without thinking of this beautiful Springer Spaniel puppy. True to form, last night I thought of Jack as I made turkey meatballs once again. And this time I was lucky to be surrounded by two very handsome (non-meatball consuming) dogs. Sunday evening, I drove to Gray for a homemade dinner of turkey meatballs with red sauce and sautéed asparagus on the side, plus a brownie sundae (eaten on Sunday!!!) with ice cream and fudge sauce for dessert. All this combined with a warm fire and playing cards created a flawless evening.
My morning had started off perfectly as well. I had gotten up early and found I had a craving for Holy Donut. I walked down and chose a vanilla glazed donut with mocha drizzle and a maple-tinged donut with cheddar and bacon inside. Holy hells they were good. The latter is the fuel that got me on the road two years ago for my month-long road trip. That and Indigo Girls...
Monday brought an opportunity to visit Bayside Bowl for a charity event. They were donating 5% of their food and drink profits to Maine Audubon so I had to go. It's for the kids!!! I love visiting this place, despite my inability to actually bowl. Someone ordered nachos (topped with jalapenos, cheese and veggies) and I ordered tater tots ("Hey, give me some of your tots!") and veggie chili with pulled pork and cheese on top. Mmmmm add-ons. Others from work ordered a Caesar salad, the Pepper Burger and assorted beers.
As for the lonely extra picture, after laundry Monday morning, I had a "need" for cookies from Aurora Provisions. They are incredible people who make incredible food and drinks. If you need anything catered, a pick-me-up latte, dinner or just a damn cookie, stop by Aurora Provisions on Pine Street!
Meatballs recipe
One pound lean turkey
onion and garlic (cut small)
olive oil
oregano
bread crumbs
one egg
kale
bell peppers
pasta of choice
Sautée onion and garlic in olive oil until cooked/slightly brown. Add half to a bowl with ground turkey, one egg, and oregano. Add breadcrumbs slowly and combine until mixture is non-gooey. But don't over mix or they will be tough.
Put a pan on the burner and add olive oil. Create small meatballs and put them into warmed pan. Cook for a couple minutes until brown and turn. Meanwhile, sautée bell pepper and kale until tasty and cook pasta.
When meatballs are perfectly brown, add cooked veggies and top with sauce to warm.
Serve atop fresh and Texas home-made basil and garlic pasta or boring boxed pasta and eat with a paper towel stuck in your shirt like a bib. Or not...