Delicious Pasta Creamaioli!

Hello everybody,

Today i thought i'd share with you this easy, one-pan pasta dish that i've named pasta Creamaioli! It is a pasta/meatballs/vegetables/cream experiment of mine that turned out to be very good.The recipe is for two persons (my wife and I).

For the meatballs:

300 g minced beef, or 50/50 beef/pork *

1 tsp. salt *

dash cayenne pepper (powdered) *

2 tsp. italian herbs (or just oregano) *

1/2 tsp powdered coriander *

a quart of an onion, peeled and chopped very fine. *

30 gr. breadcrumbs (fine) or panko *

1 - 2 tbsp. vegetable oil

For the sauce:

400 gr. canned tomatoes (pulp or whole)

1 zucchini

1 yellow bell pepper

1 - 2 tsp. oregano

2 tbsp. soy sauce (sweet)

1 tbsp. balsamico vinegar

1 tbsp. sugar

a dash cayenne pepper

125 ml. crema fraiche (or cooking cream)

125 ml. chicken stock *

125 ml. white wine *

200 gr. short pasta (i use conchiglie or farfalle, but penne will do very well) *

This recipe is for two persons, but if you want a 4-person meal just double the amounts of the ingredients marked with a star.

Mix the minced meat with the breadcrumbs, onion, herbs, salt and pepper and knead well.

Roll into 20 - 25 balls slightly bigger than a marble. (Don't make them too big.)

Bake them in some vegetable oil until they start to brown nicely. Use a nonstick pan if you have one - if not, make sure to stir often.

Remove the seeds from the bell pepper and slice into small cubes.

Peel the zucchini and cut into pieces.

Add to the pan and bake for 3 - 5 minutes.

Add the canned tomatoes, oregane, soy sauce, balsamico vinegar, sugar and pepper. Stir well and let simmer for 2 - 3 minutes.

Add your pasta, white wine and chicken stock. Stir well, making sure that the pasta is covered as much as possible.

Bring to a boil, close the pan and let simmer gently for as long as the pasta needs to get done. (See the instructions on the package)

Usually, it takes 8 - 10 minutes.

Take the lid off, add the creme fraiche or cream, stir well and taste. Season to taste with salt (if necessary) and some more cayenne pepper.

You're all done! Enjoy!