Light Meatball Primavera Food

KITTENCAL'S ITALIAN MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl.
• Shape into small meatballs (at this point you can place on a jelly-roll/baking sheet and freeze to use later, or cover with plastic wrap refrigerate up to 24 hours before using).
• Drop the meatballs into simmering pasta sauce, do not stir for at least 20 minutes or you will risk breaking the meatballs.
• Continue cooking in the simmering sauce for another 20 minutes (depending on how fast your sauce is simmering 40 minutes total should fully cook the meatballs).
• After the 40 minutes cooking time continue cooking your sauce with the meatballs in for as long as desired.
• **note** you may also bake the meatballs at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until cooked through.

LIGHT AND FLUFFY MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a skillet. Add onion, cooking until soft but not colored, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and cool slightly.
• Combine bread and milk in a bowl to soak for 5 minutes. Squeeze excess milk from bread and finely chop. Add chopped bread to the bowl with onions. Add all the remaining ingredients except the tomato sauce. Gently fold with hands to incorporate ingredients, but do not overmix or meatballs will be tough.
• Bring tomato sauce to a simmer in a large deep-sided skillet. Pinch 1/4 cup of the meat mixture and gently form a ball with wet hands. Drop the meatballs, as they are formed, directly into the sauce. Cover and simmer, stirring carefully a few times until meatballs are cooked through, about 30 minutes. Serve meatballs with sauce and grated Parmesan cheese.

MY EASY ALFREDO PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to directions on package, drain and keep warm.
• Heat a large skillet or wok over high heat for 3 minutes. Add Olive oil and vegetables and stir fry for 3 - 4 minutes. Add garlic and stir-fry for 1 - 2 more minutes.
• Season, if needed, with salt and pepper. I use Natures Seasonings.
• Stir in Alfredo sauce and about 1/2 cup water. Stir mixture over high heat and bring to boil.
• Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 more minutes.
• Serve the Alfredo mixture over the hot pasta and top with fresh chopped basil.

LIGHT PASTA PRIMAVERA

Steps:

• Cook pasta according to package directions.
• Prepare vegetables; julienne cut the carrots, chop broccoli, snow peas, asparagus. Whichever vegetables you like will work wonderfully in this dish.
• Steam the vegetables for a about 5 minutes.
• In a very large skillet (or even a wok), saute the mushrooms and garlic in the butter for about 4 minutes.
• Add the steamed vegetables to the sauteed mushrooms.
• Add the broth, lemon juice, sugar, pepper flakes, basil, and salt and pepper to the skillet and toss for a minute or two.
• Add the cooked and drained pasta, incorporate with the vegetables.

LIGHTER SPAGHETTI & MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Line a baking sheet with foil and brush with 1 tsp oil. Mash the lentils in a bowl with the back of a fork to break down a bit, but not completely. Stir in the pork, rosemary, mustard, garlic, some pepper to generously season, and mix well with the fork to distribute the lentils evenly. Divide the mixture into 4. Form each quarter into 5 small balls - to give you 20 in total - squeezing the mixture together well as you shape it. Lay the meatballs on the foil and roll them around in the oil to coat all over. Bake for 15 mins until cooked and lightly browned. Remove (leave the oven on) and set aside.
• While the meatballs cook, heat 2 tsp of the oil for the sauce in a large non-stick frying pan. Tip in the shallots and garlic, and fry on a medium heat for 3-4 mins until softened and tinged brown. Pour in the remaining 1 tsp oil, lay the tomatoes in the pan so most of them are cut-side down (to help release the juices), raise the heat and fry them for 3-4 mins or until the tomatoes are starting to soften and release their juices. Don't stir, or they may lose their shape. Splash in 125-150ml water so it all bubbles, and gently mix in the tomato purée. Lower the heat and simmer for 2 mins to create a juicy, chunky sauce. Season with the chilli flakes, oregano, pepper and a pinch of salt, and give it a quick stir, adding a drop more water if needed - you want it thick enough to coat the meatballs.
• Pour the sauce into a casserole dish, add the meatballs and spoon the sauce over them to coat. Cover with foil and bake for 10 mins while you cook the spaghetti.
• Boil a large saucepan of water. Add the spaghetti, stir and bring back to the boil. Cook for 10-12 mins, or following pack instructions, until al dente. Drain well, season with pepper and serve with the meatballs, sauce and a light sprinkling of oregano.

CELERY SOUP

Steps:

• In a dutch oven melt the butter with the olive oil. Add the onions and potatoes and cook over medium heat for about five minutes. To the potato and onion mixture add the celery and shallots and cook for an additional five minutes.
• Slowly pour wine into the vegetables and bring to a boil. Boil for about three minutes than add chicken broth. Cover dutch oven and simmer for approximately one hour or until the vegetables are tender.
• Remove from heat and let set for about 20 minutes or until mixture is cool. Pour soup in batches into a blender and blend until smooth. Return blended soup to the dutch oven and heat to a simmer. Add half and half, stirring until well combined. Season with salt and pepper to taste and serve with a crouton garnish.