Gravy with Sausage and Meatballs

Emily

ingredients

Meatballs

1 1/2 pounds of 80% lean ground beef
1/2 loaf of Italian or French bread torn up or 1 cup of breadcrumbs
1 large egg
1/2 to 3/4 cup of grated Romano cheese
parsley
garlic powder or liquified garlic (put it in the blender with some water or milk) to taste
3/4 to 1 cup milk or water
salt and pepper to taste

Gravy

Two bone in pork chops or 1 pound country style pork ribs.
Oil (one or two tablespoons)
crushed fresh garlic to taste (2-3 large cloves)
Dried oregano to taste
two dried bay leaves
two big cans of San Marzano tomatoes (1 crushed and 1 whole that you have broken up)
Water
Salt and pepper
basil (fresh)
Good Olive Oil

directions

for the meatballs:

1
Soak the bread in milk or water. Add the meat, garlic, parsley and cheese. Very little salt (Romano is salty) and pepper. Fold everything together until just combined. It should be firm like meatloaf. If it’s too wet, add more bread. Form meatballs (I do golf ball size, my mother does baseball size)
2
Preheat oven to 350. In a large roasting pan, place sweet or hot Italian sausage that you’ve cut into 1 to 2 inch pieces. Bake in over until brown. Drain most of the fat. To that pan add the meatballs and place in the oven to bake about 20 to 30 minutes. If you’re afraid they’re going to stick, add some veg oil. It’s okay to use alot because you will drain them on paper towels after they come out. Or you can fry them and if you do, use alot of oil to prevent sticking.

for the Gravy:

In a large deep pot heat the oil on medium. Add the pork and brown it. When you turn it over, add the garlic. When the garlic just starts to turn golden, add the tomatoes, season with salt and pepper. Add oregano and bay leaves. Add sausages and one can of water. Bring this to a boil and then simmer on very low heat. After about 1/2 an hour to 45 minutes, add the drained meatballs and continue to simmer until the gravy turns from bright red to a rusty, darker red. Use a wooden spoon to stir it and only once in a while. I usually grab the pot by the handles and just shake it gently. Add basil and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil at the end. If you like rosemary and have some fresh you can add a sprig of that too.

Source: RayRayRetch