Tomato and Cream Pink Sauce

Pink Sauce
What is Pink Sauce?

Pink Sauce is this incredible little secret that most Italians know about.  It’s described in several different ways and has a few different versions of the recipe that can be found all over the web if you know what you’re looking for.  It’s known as a Vodka Sauce, Tomato and Cream Sauce or simply a Pink Sauce.  The first time I had it, though, I instantly fell in love with it, but it was called something entirely different, and unfortunately I don’t remember what the chef said when he recommend it to me.  But, interestingly enough, it had seafood, bacon and peas in it and it was spicy.  So Good!

This is just one of the ways I make it and it infuses the freshness of hand picked tomatoes with a few classic traditions and some not so classic.  For example, I cook the pasta in the sauce instead of cooking it separately.  The reason why I do this is for the sake of the sauce.  I like to reduce it down so it gets thicker, but I also like the flavor of the Pink Sauce to be through in through my noodle.  In this particular case, fully in beaded in the Rigatoni Pasta.  Plus Rigatoni has those nice ridges around the outside, much like Penne Rigate, that helps to grip the sauce around the funnel noodle so you get a nice flavorful bite.  Also, I use Red wine and Beef Broth, no vodka.  I find that this works really well and you’re just going to have to trust me on this one because it’s really good.

Pink Sauce Ingredients:

1 lbs Rigatoni Pasta (Penne Rigate or Fettuccini is fine)
In a Blender combine the following
6 to 8 Roma Tomatoes (fill 3/4 of Blender)
1/2 Red Onion
5 fresh Basil Leaves
1 large Garlic Clove
2 cups Beef Broth
1 1/2 tbsp Italian Seasoning (Sage, Majoram, Basil, Rosemary, Thyme)
1 tbsp dried Oregano
2 tbsp Brown Sugar
Add Blender Ingredients to a hot Pan on the Stove
1 tbsp Sriracha (or Chile Flakes)
1 cup Whipping Creme
1/3 cup Red Wine
2 tbsp Olive Oil
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
Salt and Pepper to taste (usually not needed)

Meatballs

MeatballsDelicious Meatballs!

These Meatballs are absolutely without a doubt off the hook.  I wondered off into unknown territory, combining the idea of Chinese sauces with Italian Seasonings and it worked Beautifully.  I originally filmed this with my Spaghetti Recipe, but, I realized that this recipe really needed to stand alone because Meatballs are good in so many different recipes.  Although the list of ingredients seems at first glance a bit ridiculous, every single  ingredient serves a purpose.  I hope you try these Meatballs soon!

MEATBALLS Ingredients:

2 lbs Ground Beef
1 lbs Ground Sausage
2 eggs
1 chopped Onion
1/2 Chopped Julian Bell Pepper
1 handful of fresh chopped Parsley
1 pkg Ritz Crackers
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup Hoisin Sauce
1/4 cup Ketchup
2 tbsp Tempura Dipping Sauce (light soy sauce, water, vinegar, sugar and Lemon Juice mixed)
2 tbsp Sriracha Rooster Sauce
3 chopped Cloves of Garlic
1 tbsp Sugar
1 tbsp Thyme
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper

Combine all the Ingredients in a bowl and roll 1 1/2 inch meatballs and place on a baking sheet or in cupcake pans.  Bake at 400 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes.

Spaghetti with Meatballs and Angel Hair Pasta

Spaghetti with MeatballsIntroducing My Spaghetti with Meatballs!

Making Spaghetti with Meatballs from scratch is about the best thing you can do for your pallet.  I mean the flavor is so much more luxurious than a simple can of sauce.  Though my children do love those spaghetti O’s, even my year old son couldn’t get enough of this recipe when I filmed it last night.  I have posted about this recipe in the past but there are a several differences.

IMG_0543First off, I’ve never included my Meat Ball Recipe, and I even mentioned in the original post that I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to, but here it is.  Second, the recipe before used canned ingredients, tomatoes and tomato paste, but today I’m re-introducing this recipe with all fresh ingredients, which I personally like better.  Also the option to add a red wine wasn’t exercised in this recipe, but it wouldn’t hurt one bit if you decide to add it.  Honestly, I would have but I was out.  And just so you know, and as far as I know, Spaghetti has never been made the way I make this Spaghetti with Meatballs recipe, because I use and reduce beef stalk(Bouillon).  That’s right!  This isn’t a recipe for vegetarians.

Spaghetti with Meatballs Ingredients:

MEATBALLS
2 lbs Ground Beef
1 lbs Ground Sausage
2 eggs
1 chopped Onion
1/2 Chopped Julian Bell Pepper
1 handful of fresh chopped Parsley
1 pkg Ritz Crackers
1/4 cup Parmesan Cheese
1/4 cup Hoisin Sauce
1/4 cup Ketchup
2 tbsp Tempura Dipping Sauce (light soy sauce, water, vinegar, sugar and Lemon Juice mixed)
2 tbsp Sriracha Rooster Sauce
3 chopped Cloves of Garlic
1 tbsp Sugar
1 tbsp Thyme
1 tsp Salt
1 tsp Black Pepper

SPAGHETTI SAUCE
6 Roma Tomatoes
Handful of Fresh Parsley
5 Fresh Basil Leaves
2 Chopped Garlic Cloves
1 tbsp Brown Sugar
1 tsp dried Rosemary
1 tbsp dried Thyme
1 tsp dried sage
1 cup Beef Stock or Bouillon
1/3 cup Red Wine Optional (Cabernet preferred)

1/2 pkg of Angel Hair pasta – Add Olive Oil and Salt to boiling water and cook noodles Al dente.

Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs in a bowl and mix thoroughly.  Mold 2 inch Meatballs on a pan and bake at 400 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Then Combine all the ingredients for the Spaghetti Sauce in a blender and Puree.  In a Hot pan add 2 tbsp of butter, 2 chopped green onions, then add the Sauce and bring to a boil.  Once the noodles are cooked al dente and strained, add some Olive Oil and place the Noodles in the Spaghetti Sauce.  Reduce the Sauce until the noodles have almost completely absorbed all the liquid, then kill the heat.  Add a shake of Thyme, Garlic Powder and some chopped black Olives, then plate your Spaghetti with Meatballs.