It’s official: I’m on a mission. A mission for an amazing Italian tomato sauce that either comes from or rivals the best secret family recipes from Italy.
For starters, I’ll need some wine.
And salad? Sure, why not?! I’m sure the extra nutrients would help my brain on this tedious mission…
You see, ever since hanging out with Nate’s Papa the other day (he’s 100% Italian, born in Italy) I’ve been craving not only eating a really great spaghetti and meatball meal, but I’ve been craving making one. And not just throwing stuff in a pot and calling sauce…no no no. The real deal that simmers for hours and uses top secret ingredients!
Last night was no help to this desire as we went over to my brother- and sister-in-laws’ house to eat. You see, not only are Nate and his siblings Italian, my sister-in-law (Nate’s brother’s wife) is as well…and HOLY MOLY did she have a recipe!
Too bad I’ll never learn it…which, as much as I would love to know it, kind of adds to the appeal of her cooking it. 🙂 Her family is from Sicily, as is her recipe, and she’s never shared it with anyone, not even her husband! Shocking and intriguing, no?
So I think you see what I’m up against: a non-Italian (by blood anyway) girl trying to do something that only real Italians seem to do well? The creation of a tomato sauce and meatball recipe that is truly authentic, the kind you can’t get out of your mind?
Yep. It’s going to be done. I just feel it.
But for now? I’m just going to keep dreaming about Brooke’s recipe.
It’s just how I roll!
I think I’ve had that wine before and loved it!
Hey sister! Wow, your photos and description make my cooking look and sound amazing! Thank you!! 🙂 We loved having you and Nate over last night and I loved sharing a part of me that I hold so dear with you guys. When I cook its like therapy to the soul. I don’t love to cook for attention or for the compliments. I love to cook for that moment when something that I made brings a smile to someone’s face. I love to spread joy through food! Thank you for including my cooking in your blog, that is such an awesome compliment! If you get in a slump and need any help during your sauce and meatballs quest, I’m only a phone call away! 🙂
ummmmmm……
Seriously? How can you make spaghetti and meatballs look so ungodly? How amazing! 🙂
tomato sauce….yum 🙂
I don’t love tomato sauce and that looks delicious to me!
Wouldn’t share it with her husband! Not that my husband would want to know. But that’s the definition of secrecy for sure.
I love Italian food SO much. I want to move to Italy just to eat authentic Italian food everyday. I bet with some research, you can master a delicious tomato sauce. BUT, you have to share the recipe with us, OK? 🙂
This recipe for bolognese sauce is SO amazing… and sometimes I’ll even put meatballs with it: https://www.imadedinner.net/recipes/red-meat-recipes/the-best-bolognese-sauce
I just want to take a big bite out of one of those meatballs right now! Yum!
Maybe you can bribe her with sweets. Like she won’t talk after eating a nutella turnover.
My grandma said the same thing with her Pecan Pie secret recipe, which made it so good to eat at Grandma’s house. But my aunts finally got it when she passed away, and finally gave it to me! There is hope one day, when you get old enough, that she just may share it with you. Until then, enjoy it at her house! 🙂
YUMMY!!!!! I think I am going to call Delta, get on a flight and eat at YOUR house 🙂 Maybe that is a little gutsy since you don’t know me, but that looks delicious.
Secret family recipes are the best… bummer you’ll never get it out of her!
Man that looks delicious! I will be right over 😉
I know EXACTLY how you feel! I married an Italian, and his family has been making the most amazing sauce for hundreds of years.
I felt so honored when grandma gave me the “shortcut” recipe that involves canned Italian sauce. Then when I went to make it, almost had a nervous breakdown when it just said “basil, parsley, garlic.” No amounts, nothing.
My husband promptly took over, and made the most amazing pasta sauce ever. Then told me, “You can never share this with anyone. It’s NOT going on your blog. It’s a family secret.”
It just very well maybe an Italian thing.
I’m just going to let my hubby do the pasta sauce from now on. 🙂
That last photo is gorgeous!
mmmm there is nothing like good classic italian food! well, ok, good classic italian food WITH wine! good luck:-)
I can’t believe her husband doesnt even know the recipe! Wow! Must be special.