Our Veggie Kitchen

My Grandma Louise emigrated from Italy to Croatia in her youth. During WW1 her dad sent the kids on a boat to Oregon, to escape the war. She later moved to Everett, Washington and had a slew of kids that each had a slew more kids spread throughout the Puget Sound. Grandma was the patriarch of the family.

She lived to cook and always for a crowd. She passed her passion on to my dad, who passed on to me. My memories of her house are all food related. She always had a pot on the stove and some morsel to stuff down my throat. You were aloud to stop eating only when you were overcome by lethargy. Always a little more for a growing boy. Grandma's meat sauce was the highlight, always a treat.



Grandma Louise's Spaghetti
3 links seitan hamburger, or about 2 cups meatless ground
3 tbs olive oil
2 medium onions, VERY finely chopped
3 stalks celery, VERY finely chopped
1/2 bunch fresh parsley, chopped
3 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp cloves
1/8 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 tbs sugar
1/2 cup dry red wine
1/2 6 oz can tomato paste
1 15 oz cans tomato sauce
1 28 oz cans whole, peeled tomatoes
1 lb spaghetti noodles

In a large pan, sauté the onion, celery, parsley and garlic until soft. Stir in the minced seitan hamburger. Add the spices and red wine. Cover and remove from heat for about five minutes.

Return to the stove, over medium-high heat. Add the tomatoes and their juice, then the tomato sauce and tomato paste. After adding each can, allow the sauce to return to a boil before adding the next can. Cover and simmer for at least 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.

6 Servings: 530 cal (10g fat, 87g carbs, 25g protein)