Spicy Spagetti and Meatballs

 Meatballs

1 lb ground beef

1 lb ground pork

2 eggs

1/2 cup pesto

1 cup bread crumbs

1-2 cups parmesan 

3 tbsp parsley

2 chopped serrano's 

1-2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2  a large yellow onion chopped

1 tsp oregano 

1 tbsp garlic powder

1 tbsp onion powder or granulated onion 

1/4 cup roasted garlic

Method

If using whole parmesan, which you should, cut into small cubes and pulse in the food processor until very fine. Remove and remeasure, at this point you can combine all the dry ingredients and mix well to ensure the spices do not clump. Add the serranos and onions to the food processor and blend, then add in the pesto and roasted garlic and pulse a few times until smooth. If you have a stand mixer with a dough hook you can use it to make your meatballs other wise grab the biggest mixing bowl you have and combine all the ingredients. You want to mix it together as well as you can without overdoing it, because the meatball will become very dense if you over mix. The meatballs can be any size you want just bare in mind that they will shrink so make them bigger than you want the finished product. Next pour 1 cup or 1/2 up the side of your skillet, heat oil on medium and add meatballs in batches. It should take about five minutes on each side or until browned.

The Sauce

2 large cans of tomato sauce

1 small can of diced tomatoes

2 large carrots

2 large celery stalks

1 large onion

2 tbsp balsamic reduction

1 tbsp crushed red pepper

1 tbsp oregano

A handful of fresh basil chopped

5-10 garlic cloves at your discretion, minced

1 cup white wine

salt and pepper to taste

1 tbsp olive oil

Method

Peel then finely dice the carrots and celery. Chop onions to desired size, I like to see the onions in my sauce so I leave them a little bigger than most. Heat the oil and saute carrots, onions and celery for about 5 minutes or until onions are clear and browning. Add spices, garlic, wine and diced tomatoes and saute for another 5 minutes then add the rest of the ingredients. Bring liquid to a simmer, add in the meatballs, then turn to low and cover. Cook for 30-45 minutes.

Prepare your favorite kind of pasta, mix with the sauce and enjoy!