Italian Meatballs in a Basket

---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.01

Title: Italian Meatballs in a Basket
Categories: Ground beef, Italian, Beef
Yield: 8 servings

2 lb Ground Beef Chuck 1/2 ts Basil
2 tb Margarine 1/4 ts Thyme
1 ea Med. Green Pepper, Chopped 2 tb Unbleached Flour
1 ea Med. Onion, Chopped 1 x Ital. Bread Basket
16 oz (1 cn) Stewed Tomatoes

---------------------------------GARNISHES---------------------------------
1 x Green peppr rings 1 x Cherry Tomatoes

Lightly shape ground beef into 1 1/2-inch balls. Lightly brown balls in
margarine in large frying-pan, about 5 minutes. Add the green pepper and
onion to meatballs; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Drain
tomatoes, reserving liquid. Add tomatoes, all but 1/4 c tomato liquid,
basil and thyme to meat balls. Cover tightly and cook slowly 5 minutes.
Combine reserved tomato liquid with flour, stirring until smooth. Stir
into meatballs, cover tightly and cook 5 minutes or until slightly
thick. Meanwhile prepare Italian Bread Basket and place on platter. Spoon
meatball mixture into and around bread. Garnish with green pepper rings
and cherry tomatoes, if desired.
Italian Bread Basket:
1 Loaf (16 ozs) Italian Bread, Unsliced
1/4 Cup Margarine, Melted
1/4 Cup Parmesan Cheese, Grated
Cut a 3/4 slice from top of bread. With fork, scoop out inside of bread
to form basket, leaving 1-inch bread on all sides and bottom of loaf.
Place loaf on foil in shallow baking pan. Brush top, sides and inside of
bread with melted margarine. Sprinkle loaf with Parmesan cheese, coating
sides evenly. Bake in hot oven (400 Degrees F.) for 10 minutes.

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