How’s it that when the dad goes out of town, it’s business as usual but when the mom goes out of town, anyone who’s ever been, wanted to be or even said the word “mother” comes out of the woodwork to help take care of the poor soul? Recently I went away for the weekend. As I was packing, I received three calls. One was from a family friend, one from a relative, and the last was from my grandmother. All wanted to know what my husband was doing for his meals for the 48 hours while I was away. “Should I invite him and the kids for dinner?” one asked. “I could drop over a brisket on Friday morning,” offered another. And the third asked me to set up a reservation so they could meet at a restaurant.

Turns out he was going away for the weekend with the kids, but boy, those were some nice offers. Offers I should add, that I don’t get when the situation is reversed. So for anyone reading, I’d be more than happy to receive a basket of muffins, baked chicken and a homemade salad (not bagged) dropped at my doorstep. This Friday would be perfect.

I recognize that many (I say many, not all) men can’t cook. I recognize that some aren’t as domestic as others. But geez, why is it that every woman turns into a fairy dad-mother when the wife hits the road and shows up with three course meals? No! No! No! Let the men be the hunters and gatherers they so desperately want to be! And let them hunt and gather with two little munchkins hanging off their back. See how much hunting and gathering they can really do then.

So, thanks for your offers ladies. But I respectfully decline. If anyone’s going to leave something on the stove, it’s me. And that something is going to be chicken meatballs and spaghetti sauce.

Chicken Meatballs and Homemade Sauce Just Because You’re So Nice

Ingredients

• One package ground chicken
• One egg
• Breadcrumbs
• Chopped onion
• Garlic Powder
• Olive Oil
• S&P
• Parsley flakes

For Sauce:

• Two large cans chopped tomatoes
• Can tomato sauce
• One diced onion
• One clove minced garlic
• Splash red wine
• S&P
• Couple of chopped carrots
• Bit of chopped celery

Directions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1. Mix ground chicken with all ingredients except for olive oil.
2. Form into little balls (keep your jokes to yourself).
3. Saute in a little olive oil until brown on each side. (Turn once)
4. While chicken balls are simmering, saute carrots, onion, garlic and celery in a little olive oil in a large (separate) pot.
5. When veggies are soft, add a splash of red wine and let burn off.
6. Add two cans of tomatoes, one can of tomato sauce, S&P and parsley.
7. Bring to a slow boil, then lower to simmer.
8. Add chicken balls to sauce and let them cook thoroughly (this should take appx 20-30 minutes).
9. Let husband cook his own pasta.

Tags: chicken meatballs, Pasta, sauce