LOW CARB MEATBALL SUB CASSEROLE

       Today we are going to make a low carb Meatball Sub Casserole.

        The inspiration for this recipe come from my need to make some low carb meals, and my LOVE of Meatball subs.

                          Not low carb at all, but right tasty

      During a recent Wednesday night out with my friend I opted for a Meatball Sub without the Sub part. Romas was more than willing to accommodate my needs, and it was delicious. (Sorry, no picture- It was meatballs on a plate covered in sauce and cheese.)

      It was so good, I decided to recreate it for game day. Let' start with the meatballs, and a beer.

              BY THE WAY, I TRIED THIS BEER ....  IT SUCKED.

      Ball State was not on TV locally this week, so it's ALL GATORS FOR ME.

Here we go. (This is so damn easy)

GRATE 1.5 OZ IF PARMESAN CHEESE

1 LB GROUND BEEF

1 OZ OF LOW CARB BREAD CRUMBS

¼ CUP WATER

1 EGG

MIX BREAD CRUMBS AND WATER WITH A FORK

SET ASIDE

IN A SEPARATE BOWL, ADD MEAT AND THE EGG TOGETHER

ADD THE PARM AND THE WET BREAD CRUMBS TO THE MEAT & EGG

ADD 1 TSP DRIED BASIL

ADD 2 TAP DRIED PARSLEY

ADD 1 TSP GARLIC SALT

 PRESS 2 CLOVES OF FRESH GARLIC AND ADD 

 STIR, STIR, STIR

MAKE YOU BALLS.....(Insert cheap joke here)

PUT ON A COOKIE SHEET (put them on paper towels) AND REFRIGERATE

MAKE THE SAUCE WHILE YOU CHILL YOUR BALLS. (Another cheap shot)

So now its time to make the sauce.

After a cute doggie

SAUCE FOR MEATBALL SUB ( LOW CARB- NO BUN)

8 OZ OF FRESH CHOPPED MUSHROOMS (REMOVE THE STEMS)

1 ½ OZ CHOPPED ONION

2 CLOVES GARLIC (CHOPPED)

1 14 OZ JAR OF RAGU OLD WORLD STYLE TRADITIONAL SAUCE

 (Ok, I know I say don't use this stuff, but it isn't bad once you fix it.)

1 BAY LEAF (TURKISH, NOT CALIFORNIA)

2 TBL EVOO IN A 2 QT SAUCE PAN ON MEDIUM HEAT

WHEN SHIMMERING, ADD ONIONS & SAUTE.

WHEN TRANSLUCENT, ADD THE MUSHROOMS & SAUTE.

STIR OFTEN AND USE A LID

WHEN SAUTEED, ADD THE GARLIC AND A PINCH OF SALT

ADD THE RAGU

 

ADD ½ TSP OF BASIL

½ TSP OREGANO

1 OZ PESTO

1 OZ GRATED FRESH PARMESAN

STIR LIKE MAD

COOK FOR 5 MINUTES 

 

ADD ½ TSP SALT THEN SET ASIDE ON THE WARM SETTING

COOK THE MEATBALLS

PRE HEAT OVEN TO 350

COOK THE BALLS FOR 30 MINUTES

(Are we done with the jokes?)

IN A CASSEROLE DISH, SPRAY SOME NON STICK STUFF.

ADD A LAYER OF SAUCE

PUT COOKED MEATBALLS IN DISH AND COVER WITH SAUCE

COVER WITH GOOD LAYER OF MOZZARELLA

BAKE AT 350 FOR 30 MINUTES

ENJOY 

 

That's all there is to it. A simple game day feast, that is not only delicious, but good for you.

So BALL STATE rolled over KENT STATE 52-24 

and the GATORS surprised everyone including me. They went to Mississippi State and brought home a 13 – 6 win,

Next up is a 3:30 Saturday Game on CBS. Gators and LSU. See you there !!!

ANOTHER COLE SLAW RECIPE

OK, it's Friday and I'm a week behind schedule. Before I plan tomorrows football dinner I need to talk about last Saturday.

It was Ball State vs Western Kentucky 

and my Florida Gators and Tennessee.

But first, a cute doggie picture.

Paul Anka. The dog, not the teen idol from the 50's

For today's game, let's continue on our low carb quest with a new and different Cole Slaw recipe to go along with the wings we are doing in the deep fryer.

Here is our cast of characters:

NAPPA CABBAGE ( 6 cups, chopped)

2 LARGE CARROTS

¼ CUP OF RICE WINE VINEGAR (UNSEASONED)

¼ CUP SUGAR (OR SUB)

2 TBL VEG OIL (I USED CRISCO)

¼ TSP CELERY SEED

¼ TSP GROUND BLACK PEPPER

1 TSP SALT

¼ CUP CHOPPED PARSLEY LEAVES

Combine Vinegar, oil, celery seed, & pepper in a container

Put in the freezer for 15 to 30 minutes

 Don't forget to close the door

It is beer time yet?

Shred 6 cups of cabbage

Toss the cabbage with sugar and 1 tsp salt

Micro wave the cabbage on high for 60 seconds

Stir and do it again

Stir and do it again

Put micro waved cabbage in a salad spinner and spin

Clean and grate the carrots

 BE CAREFUL !!!!

Toss oil mixture on the cabbage, stir and refrigerate.

We have done wings here before, so I won't rehash the details.

Simply: Put about 10 wings in the deep fryer pre heated to 375. Cook them.

Repeat for 10 more, or as many as you want.

So what is the deal with all these teams from Kentucky? Western beat Ball State 28-20 in a real good game.

And my Gators surprised the hell out of me by winning easily, 47 to 21 (makes life a lot easier when the opposing team gives you SIX turnovers.)

                                         TOUCH DOWN !!!

  What a train wreck for Tennessee.

So here are the results. 

 Obviously, the wings were good. I made mine plain while Penny poured Hooter Sauce over hers.

The cole slaw was “different.” And that's all I have to say about that.

So that's it for another week at Casa De Freshwater. See you next time.

Live long and prosper. And have another beer.

Oh, another cute doggie picture.

I know its the same dog, but we LOVED that show