What's for Dinner?

These really are great. They actually rival my grandmother's recipe which is famous in my family. Try them, you won't be disappointed. Oh and I used the "meatloaf mix" that my grocery store carries. It's all 3 meats ground together in one package. Makes 8 servings.

Ingredients
1 pound ground beef
1/2 pound ground veal
1/2 pound ground pork
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs
1 cup freshly grated Romano cheese
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped Italian flat leaf parsley
salt and ground black pepper to taste
2 cups stale Italian bread, crumbled
1 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1 cup olive oil

Directions
Combine beef, veal, and pork in a large bowl. Add garlic, eggs, cheese, parsley, salt and pepper.
Blend bread crumbs into meat mixture. Slowly add the water 1/2 cup at a time. The mixture should be very moist but still hold its shape if rolled into meatballs. (I usually use about 1 1/4 cups of water). Shape into meatballs.
Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Fry meatballs in batches. When the meatball is very brown and slightly crisp remove from the heat and drain on a paper towel. (If your mixture is too wet, cover the meatballs while they are cooking so that they hold their shape better.)

I made this in the crock pot without the ground pork because I couldn't find it at the store. I was skeptical at first because for the first few hours, all I could smell was wine. But after it slow simmered for a while, it turned out delicious. I served it over spaghetti wtih some garlic bread. Mmmm! Makes 20 servings.

Ingredients
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 pound ground pork
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
1 clove garlic, crushed
3 cups red wine
2 pounds fresh mushrooms, sliced
1/4 teaspoon dried rosemary
4 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano
1/4 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme
3 (29 ounce) cans tomato sauce
1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Directions
In a large skillet, brown beef and pork over medium heat until no longer pink; set aside.
In a large skillet, warm olive oil over medium heat and saute onions and garlic until tender; add about 1/2 cup of wine; mix well.
Add mushrooms, rosemary, oregano and thyme to skillet and add another 1/2 cup wine; saute until tender.
Add browned meat, tomato sauce and tomato paste to mixture; simmer for 1 hour and add the remaining 2 cups of wine.
Simmer sauce on low for 2 to 3 hours, stirring occasionally; serve.

This a great pasta sauce and it makes a ton. The 3 of us had big portions and then I froze the rest that will be more than enough for another entire meal! It's really chunky, has a lot of vegetables and so much flavor! Makes 9 servings.

Ingredients
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 slices bacon, cut into 1/2 inch pieces
1 large onion, minced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 pound lean ground beef
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
2 carrots, shredded
1 stalk celery, chopped
1 (28 ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes
6 ounces tomato sauce
1/2 cup dry white wine
1/2 cup chicken stock
1/2 teaspoon dried basil
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
salt and pepper to taste
1 pound pasta


Directions
In a large skillet, warm oil over medium heat and saute bacon, onion and garlic until bacon is browned and crisp; set aside.
In large saucepan, brown beef and pork. Drain off excess fat. Stir in bacon mixture, mushrooms, carrots, celery, tomatoes, tomato sauce, wine, stock, basil, oregano, salt and pepper to saucepan. Cover, reduce heat and simmer one hour, stirring occasionally.
Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
Serve sauce over hot pasta.