Italian Spaghetti and Meatballs

"He that can have patience can have what he will." ~Benjamin Franklin 


Man, is this ever true.  Life has been pretty good to me, and in retrospect, I believe that it's partly due to the fact that I have always had enough patience to wait for the right people, the right timing, or right ideas to come to me.  This isn't to say that I have been completely passive over the years... I've worked hard, I've pursued my goals and dreams, but if I hit a roadblock, patience was always the vehicle that found the necessary detours to bigger and better things. 


For those of you who follow this blog, you know that I lost my job at the end of the last school year.  After seven years with the same district, I was another victim of our depressed economy.  Once the pain and shock wore off, I set my mind to finding and beginning the next chapter in my life.  I told myself that I had fulfilled my purpose for this period of time, and that now must be the time for me to help other students elsewhere.  Never have I claimed to be a follower of any particular religion, but I do believe that there is a Plan for all of us; and if we are patient enough, we will all hear the calling we are meant to hear. 


(Suuuuurre.  It's easy for me to say this now. But when I was interviewed, then subsequently denied, by several other districts, it wasn't very easy to sit back and wait for the Plan to happen!) 


As it turned out, I did land another teaching job, one that is very different than my old experiences.  But it's a new beginning with fresh new faces, philosophies, and challenges; one that has given me more opportunities to mentor young adults and share my love of reading, writing, and learning.  Patience persevered again. 


So to celebrate patience, here's a simple (yet time-consuming) recipe that has landed a permanent spot in my recipe box.  All good things come to those who wait, and you will have a delicious meal (or three!) if you're willing to wait a couple of hours for dinner. 


Source: allrecipes.com


Ingredients


Sauce: 
1/2 onion, chopped
5 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 c. olive oil
2 (28oz.) cans whole, peeled tomatoes
2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. sugar
1 bay leaf
1 (6oz.) can of tomato paste
3/4 tsp. dried basil
1/2 tsp. ground black pepper


Meatballs: 
1 lb. lean ground beef
1 c. bread crumbs
1 T. dried parsley
1 T. grated Parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 egg, beaten


Directions:


For the meatballs-- 


1.  Combine all ingredients and mix well with hands. 
2.  Separate and roll into 12 large balls. 
3.  Refrigerate (covered) till needed. 


For the sauce-- 
1.  Saute onion and garlic in olive oil over medium-high heat till onion is translucent. 
2.  Stir in tomatoes, salt, sugar, and bay leaf.  Bring to a boil. Reduce to low, simmering for 90 minutes. 
3.  Stir in tomato paste, basil, pepper, and meatballs.  Simmer another 30 minutes. 


Verdict: Keeper! 


This is one of those meals you can make on a Sunday and reheat multiple times for quick meals on busy weeknights, because the flavors blend so well over time.  


If I change anything, I may try Italian breadcrumbs instead of the plain.