Spaghetti and Dragonballs
by Galanoth

For some reason, the name of this recipe troubles me, though I could not think of any better way to describe it.

 

From what I am told, the original recipe upon which this is based comes from the Italian cooking tradition. Where this place called “Italy” is, I don't know. I couldn't find it anywhere on a map of Lore.

 

Ingredients:

 

1 lb. dry spaghetti noodles

 

For Dragonballs:

 

1 1/2 lb. ground meat (any mixture of beef, pork, veal, chicken, or turkey will do nicely)

1 egg

1/2 cup grated parmesan cheese

1/2 cup bread crumbs

1/2 cup finely dice green pepper

1/2 cup finely diced onion

1/2 cup diced tomatoes

1 tbs dried basil or 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves

1 tsp dried oregano/marjoram

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (Spicy! Double this to make them spicier, triple it to make them truly dragon-like!)

 

For sauce:

 

64 oz of diced canned tomatoes

4 oz can of tomato paste

1 tbsp olive oil

3 cloves garlic

1 tbs dried basil or 1/3 cup fresh basil

1/2 tsp salt

1 tbs sugar

2 tsp vinegar

 

 

Directions:

 

Add olive oil to large and deep hot skillet. Crush garlic cloves and dice them up into fine bits. Toss into olive oil along with basil. Saute for 10 seconds and then add tomato paste. Stir and saute for 30 seconds and then add all the canned tomatoes, salt, sugar and vinegar.

 

Turn the heat down to simmer, then cover the skillet and let it go while you make the dragonballs.

 

To make the dragonballs, just mix ALL the dragonball ingredients together in a bowl with your hands. Wear gloves if you don't want to feel the mixture squishing through your fingers, or use a sturdy spoon if you just don't like to play with your food.

 

Form the mixture into balls of whatever size you like. Or any shape you like, really. Little logs, squares, patties, etc.

 

You can either saute the dragonballs in a pan with a little olive oil, or bake them in your oven at 350 degrees F. for 30 minutes. Or you can put them right into the sauce. Either way, carefully place each dragonball into your simmering sauce so you don't splash any around.

 

The dragonballs will need to simmer in the sauce for about an hour, so just leave them alone for a while.

 

After 30 minutes are up, put a big pot of water on to boil, with a tablespoon of oil and a tablespoon of salt in it. When it's boiling, add the spaghetti noodles. Cook following the box directions.

 

When the noodles are done, the sauce should be too. Plate it up and sprinkle on some parmesan or grated mozzarella, or both!

 

Some fun variations for the sauce:

 

1 tsp red pepper flakes to make it spicy!

1/4 cup cream cheese to make it cheesy!

1/4 cup heavy cream to make it creamy!

Extra sugar and vinegar to really give it some strong flavor!

 

(Note: Many dragons were harmed in the formulation of this recipe.)