…so Dan sez, No more fish for dinner,, sez he, I’m all fished out.
That’s okay with me, but what to do, what to do?
How about some veggie-burgers? he suggests. Or veggie meatballs. Or those veggie sausages you bought? And let’s use up some leftovers.
Dinner can get challenging when you don’t eat meat.
He’s coming home in half an hour and I still haven’t figured it out. The meatballs sound the best. Plus, I get double brownie points for using up leftovers. Artichoke hearts, I think. Kalamata olives. All of the good things and none of the bad things.
So here’s the recipe.
Group A:
Garlic (at least 2 cloves [1 if it’s elephant garlic] )
Scallions (whatever is leftover)
Onion (1 big one; small is acceptable if you used the scallions)
Jalapeno peppers, fresh (2 maybe, or to taste, but only if leftover)
Chop fine and combine.
Group B:
1 can artichoke hearts, cut lengthwise into strips
1/3 jar Trader Joe’s julienned sundried tomatoes
1/3 jar Trader Joe’s pitted Kalamata olives, chopped
Capers (as many as you want)
Parsley (if leftover)
About 4 veggie meatballs per person, or whatever is in the open package (allow to defrost)
Group C:
1 can diced tomatoes (use 2 cans Rotel if you didn’t have any jalapeno peppers in Group A)
Worcester sauce, or vegetarian substitute
White wine, optional, if you have any open already
Basil leaves, fresh from the garden, cut coarsely if large
Leftover angel hair spaghetti, preferably (but optionally) the high-protein variety. Or any leftover pasta. Or any pasta you cook up.
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Saute group A in olive oil till it softens a bit. Add group B. Cook till warm. Add group C. Check taste and seasonings as many times as you’d like, but be sure to leave some for dinner. Add the basil and the pasta. Cook and stir till the basil is wilted and the whole thing is mixed and warm through and through.
Be sure to collect all available brownie points for using up leftovers. Do not point out that this dish will create new leftovers.
This is my favorite kind of recipe, dispensing with all that irksome measuring, and using only all of the good things and none of the bad things. Enjoy!