A: Welcome to “Food delight” with A and B. We are very happy to bring you culinary tips to make you more creative in the kitchen.

 B: Hello, you guys. Festivities season is coming. I have a long list of things to do. Do you have any plans yet, A?

A: The holiday season is for family, so I’m gonna spend it to be with my family. I’m planning to cook something delicious that will get everyone in my family involved, but I haven’t found the right recipe yet. 

B: What about spaghetti and meatballs, a pasta classic which anyone can master on the first try. You can get your children to help roll the meatballs and you'll soon have supper on the table. 

A: My children would absolutely love the meatballs and the spaghetti is super quick to prepare. Great idea, B.    

(Source: Pinterest)

B: There are several ways to make and serve this Italian dish. Today Andrew Diatroftoff from California will share with us his way of making homemade spaghetti and meatballs. The steps are easy to follow and the ingredients are simple. Let’s start with the meatballs.

“To make meatball, again, the same way you had the hamburger. You have a big collection of ground beef. You can put different spices in it, whatever you like depend on your choosing. And then you make the meat a ball, and you bake them. You can put olive oil and butter on the meatballs to keep its moisture. And then on the side, you can either prepare other ingredients like prepackaged mayonnaise, crushed tomatoes and garlic, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper,” said Diatroftoff.

A: The tip for making the meatballs is to combine all the ingredients in a large bowl and mix lightly but thoroughly. The more you squeeze and mash the grounf beef, the more tender the meatballs will be. 

(Source: BBC)

B: When the meatballs are all baked, put them back into the pan with tomato sauce, along with bay leaves and a sprinkle of salt and pepper. Adjust the heat and cook the meat for about 10 minutes until it softens. When the meat is cooked through and the sauce has thickened, turn down the heat and prepare the spaghetti. 

“You make the spaghetti the same way you make the macaroni, essentially. You get a big pot of water and then you put it on the stove on medium high heat and you wait for it to boil. When it’s boiling you pour in the spaghetti and you wait for it to cook about 9 to 11 minutes. And then you strain it. You pour it out in the strainer and then you put it back in the pot,” Diatroftoff explained.

A: He told me this recipe only takes 25 to 30 minutes. But with so many steps, do you think that’s true?

B: Come on, A. I can make this dish in 25 or even 20 minutes. While the sauce cooks, you make the meatballs and while the meatballs cook, you boil your pasta. Time management tips will speed up the preparation.

A: Got it. And when the meatballs are done, it’s serving time. Some people like to spoon the sauce and meatballs over the spaghetti, but I like to stir them all together and serve with parmesan and a few basil and oregano leaves. How about Andrew?

"And when the meatball is finished, you put it on top of the spaghetti with the mayonnaise, and then you grate provolone cheese. Wow. It’s very simple and very good", said Diatroftoff.

B: I also add in some mushrooms to the beef and I think it tastes great. The recipe can be changed, according to your taste. I save time by buying canned tomatoes which already have basil. 

A: I think this delicious recipe is a useful standby, one to keep in your freezer. Both the meatballs and the tomato sauce can be made ahead of time and reheated in the microwave. You will always have dinner in the freezer when you need it.

B: Great idea, A. How about you, guys? We hope Andrew’s homemade spaghetti and meatballs recipe works in your kitchen. If you’ve tried this recipe or any other recipe on Food Delight, please let us know the results by posting pictures or comments on our website. Follow us on our Facebook Fanpage - VOV5 English Service - or email us at englishsection@vov.org.vn

A: We love hearing from you. Goodbye.