Spaghetti and Meatballs evolved

bananas, eggs, Pamela’s Chocolate Cake Mix

Today I am feeling ambitious. Let’s see how long it lasts after I get into the kitchen and on my feet. First I want to put a dessert in the oven. I’ve found tons of recipes I like, but I have a gluten free cake mix that I love and think I’ll try a recipe I found on artsyfartsymama.com.

brown meatballs in a cast iron skillet.

Next I’m going to make meatballs. The original plan for supper was spaghetti and meatballs but I don’t have any pasta sauce or canned tomatoes. Anyway, since going dairy free, Italian dishes aren’t as good without Mozzarella and garlic bread. So I opted for these delicious looking mushrooms and meatballs.

As a side dish for the family it’s sweet orange carrots. (because I don’t eat cooked veggies) Don’t worry readers. I’ll get my veggies in a smoothie form. (Spinach, celery and peppers, add ice and water in the Ninja)

This dish evolved as it went along. I rarely follow a recipe to the T. I started out with my own ingredients for meatballs and browned them in a cast iron skillet. Next I intended to add mushrooms but it seemed to me that I should have started in my dutch oven so that is where I browned the onions, garlic and mushrooms. Finally, I added beef broth and placed in the browned meatballs. Simmered for about half an hour. Regret: should have started in the dutch oven and cooked slowly for over an hour. The liquid would have thickened and the onions caramelized. Then I would have put the mushrooms in last.

My first thought was how good this dish would be with mashed potatoes but then I decided that Polenta would add a nice texture and flavor.

finished dish

finished cake with a garnish of fresh raspberries.

Turns out I am motivated to cook but not to clean. I hope the family is up for the challenge of the messy kitchen. My feet hurt I’m putting a movie in.

Stay tuned for my review of McFarland USA

List of Ingredients in Dish:

Meatballs: Ground beef, ground pork, chopped onion, chopped garlic, gf bread crumbs, salt, pepper, Italian seasoning

Sliced mushrooms, chopped onions, chopped garlic, salt, pepper, beef broth

Polenta: cornmeal, beef broth, water, salt

Cake: Pamela’s Chocolate Cake Mix, 5 super ripe bananas, 1 egg