This meatball recipe is from Chef Michael Symon

• 1/2 lb Ground Pork
• 1/2 lb Ground Beef
• 2 C. Ricotta Cheese
• 1 Egg, Beaten
• 1 C. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1/4 C flatleaf Parsley, chopped
• 1/8 t Nutmeg
• 1 T Salt
• Flour for “dusting”
• Olive oil for Frying

Mix the above Ingredients to form into balls.  I make them large enough to fill my palm.  Then roll the ball in flour to give it a light coating. Place in the hot olive oil to brown on all sides.  Set aside to drain on a paper towel

• 2 Cans (28 oz size) San Marzano Tomatoes
• 3 cloves Garlic, sliced
• 1 Med Onion, diced
• 4 oz Red Wine
• 2 oz Olive Oil
• 2 T Red Pepper flakes
• Salt

In a pot sweat the Onions and Garlic. Deglaze the Pot with the Red Wine and allow to reduce by half
Add the Canned Tomatoes and Red Pepper flakes. Bring to a simmer. Add Salt to taste
Nestle the meatballs down into the liquid until submerged and allow to simmer for 30 minutes

Serve with crusty bread and a salad.

Marinated Cucumber, Onion and Tomato Salad

• 3 Med Cucumbers, peeled and sliced 1/4″ think
• 1 Med Onion, sliced and cut into rings
• 3 Med Tomatoes, cut into wedges
• 1/2 Cup Red Wine vinegar
• 1/4 C Sugar
• 1 C Water
• 2 t Salt
• 1 t fresh course ground Black Pepper
• 1/4 C Olive Oil

Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and mix well.
Cover and place in fridge to marinate and chill

Marinate the thin cut boneless pork chops with a dusting of Lemon-pepper for the Protein and accompany with..

• 1 small spaghetti squash (about 1 1/2 pounds)
• Olive oil
• 1 pound of asparagus
• 1 lemon
• 3/4 cup ricotta
• 1 clove garlic, unpeeled
• Olive oil
• 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves from 4-5 sprigs
• Salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Carefully cut the squash in half, scrape out the seeds, and brush with olive oil. Place cut side down on a baking tray and place in the oven to roast for about 35 minutes. Meanwhile, prep the asparagus by snapping off the woody ends and slicing the stalks on a diagonal into 2-inch pieces.

Using a microplane or zester, remove 1 teaspoon of lemon zest from the lemon, and then cut the lemon in half and juice it. Pick the leaves and soft, thin stems from the thyme until you have about 1 teaspoon.

Combine the lemon zest, 2 tablespoons of lemon juice, thyme leaves, and ricotta in a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and several grinds of the pepper mill. Taste and adjust seasonings, adding more lemon juice, salt, and pepper as needed. Set aside.

After the squash has roasted for about 35-40 minutes, add the asparagus to the tray and tuck the glove of garlic beneath one of the squash halves. Return the tray to the oven and roast another 10 minutes, so until the asparagus is bright green and starting to char in places and when the squash is easily pierced with a fork.

Take the baking tray from oven and carefully remove the garlic clove from beneath the squash. It should be a little soft from its time in the oven. Snip off one end and squeeze the garlic from the peel into the ricotta and mix well. Transfer the asparagus to the bowl with the ricotta.

Let the squash cool for another 5 minutes. Pull a fork through the flesh to separate and remove the strands from the shell. Add to bowl with ricotta mixture. Mix squash, asparagus, and ricotta mixture, season to taste with salt and pepper, and spoon into a serving dish.

Drizzle with a little olive oil and sprinkle with pine nuts before serving