Sara-Nara Sauce

A friend dubbed this "Sara Nara," but it's my mother's recipe. She told me she got in many years ago from an Italian neighbor in New York. Mom didn't speak Italian and the neighbor didn't speak English, but they managed to understand each other enough to create this wonderful meaty sauce with meat balls. The leftover sauce freezes very well (this would be great for OAMC), but if you have leftover meatballs too, you can make delicious meatball subs the next day.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 30 mins
• Serves: 8-10

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons olive oil
• 1  large onion, chopped
• 2  large garlic cloves, minced
•  i green pepper, chopped
• 1  lb  sliced mushroom
• 1 (28 ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes
• 1 (8 ounce) can tomato paste
• 1  cup water
• 1  bay leaf
• 1  teaspoon oregano
• 1  teaspoon thyme
• 1  teaspoon basil
• 1  teaspoon rosemary
• 1⁄2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1  teaspoon  italian seasoning
• 3  lbs  extra lean ground beef
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1  egg
• 1⁄2 cup  breadcrumbs
• 2  teaspoons cornstarch
• 2  teaspoons garlic powder
• 2  teaspoons  Italian spices
•  grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. In a small, heavy stockpot, heat the oil. When hot, add the onion, garlic and green pepper. Saute 3-4 minutes. Add the mushrooms and saute another 2-3 minutes.
2. Add the canned tomatoes, tomato paste (yes, the entire can), and 1 cup of water. Bring to a boil and simmer. Add spices.
3. Brown half the ground beef (1 1/2 pounds) in a skillet, breaking it up into small chunks as it cooks. Drain thoroughly and add to sauce.
4. Simmer 1-2 hours and make meatballs.
5. Combine remaining ingredients in a mixing bowl. Roll up your sleeves, wash your hands well, and mix thoroughly. (I loved this part when I was a kid.) Form into meatballs (I make mine about 1/2")
6. Put meatballs in skillet and cook over medium heat, turning as they brown.
7. Serve with pasta and sauce, and lots of Parmesan cheese.
8. The leftover sauce and meat balls can be frozen for another pasta dinner, or refrigerated and made into delicious meatball sub sandwiches the next day.