Last week, on January 4th, my grandfather died. He was 88 years old, and had Alzheimer's. Ever since my grandmother passed 11/2 years ago (see this post about her), his connection to the outside world was lost. He was already gone. And so for the past week it feels like I have been floating. I just think, that maybe, if I went to his assisted living facility, he would still be there, waiting to give me a hug. My grandfather was my hero. People talk about girls being "Daddy's girl". But really, I was "Granpa's girl". Granpa played with me, taught me, but most of all, he listened to me, even when no one else did.
When I was a little girl, I slurped spaghetti. Granpa is the one who taught me to twirl the noodles on a spoon to make them fit on the fork just right. And his favorite meal, in the whole wide world, was spaghetti followed by apple pie ala mode. I think this week it's time to remember. To move past denial, and to grieve. And to have a big bowl of spaghetti and a huge slice of apple pie.
Spaghetti and Meatballs (serves 4)
Ingredients:
1 box whole wheat spaghetti
1 1b Italian sausage
1 c. flour
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
2 12oz cans tomato sauce
2 tbsp Italian herb seasoning (or 11/2 tsp each: oregano,parsley, basil, and 1/2 tsp thyme and 1 tsp garlic)
You could also use 1 160z jar Classico or Bertolli pasta sauce instead of the plain sauce and herbs.
Directions:
If sausage is in casings, remove them. Mix sausage, flour, and cheese together. Roll into 2 in balls. Place on foil lined baking sheet and bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes, until cooked through.
Meanwhile, cook pasta according to package directions for "al dente" about 1 minute less than box calls for.
Heat sauce and herbs.
Drain pasta, and return to pot. Add sauce to large pot with noodles. Mix well.
Divide into 4 serving bowls and top with meatballs and Parmesan if desired.
Enjoy!
Apple Pie
Ingredients:
2 Pillsbury pie crusts.
4 rome apples, peeled and cored
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp nutmeg
dash cardamon and allspice
3 tbsp cold butter, cut in pieces
2 tbsp sugar, plus more for sprinkling
agave nectar
1 tbsp butter, melted
Directions:
Place one crust in bottom of greased 9" pie pan. In a bowl, mix apples, spices, and sugar. Toss to coat. Place in pie crust. Drizzle agave nectar on top. Place butter on top randomly. Cover with remaining crust. Cut a vent hole. Brush with butter. Sprinkle on sugar. Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until crust is golden brown and apples are soft.
Serve warm with vanilla ice cream (preferable homemade).
Enjoy!
