Frank's Senior News

Smokey Joe Marinara Spaghetti

By Frank Ryan

On a recent cold and windy night here in our new digs in Tacoma and once again in the Puget Sound area, we were wondering, “What should we have for dinner”, and soon my wife issued the proclamation

“I know.” 

There I sat once again watching the evening news as I often do, when she won’t tell me “what’s for dinner?”

Then I wait quietly wondering what kind of casserole or leftover concoction she will come up with this time.  By the way wife Marge is an exceptional cook and her left over meals are better than most ships fancy offerings.   

So in about the usual 25 -30 minutes she came up with this sensational quick fix meal that I thought would be wonderful for an unusual dinner offering with a little red wine or to feed to a group of kids or teen agers with some veggies, fruit and milk or grape juice.

Once again Marge had created a masterpiece on a whim and in the usual ½ hour!  You try it and feel free to throw your own variations in and season to suit, but we recommend low, low on the salt!

 Smokey Joe Marinara Spaghetti  

1 large can of stewed tomatoes

1 small can of tomato sauce

4 sliced medium size mushrooms

1 stalk celery chopped to taste

1 small onion – quartered and chopped to taste

½ package of spaghetti to serve 4.  More if you have a big appetite

Optional ¼ chopped green pepper

Optional ½ cup of red table wine

Optional table pepper and ground pamagian cheese to suit.

Get 1 package of the small Smokey Joes or small hot or mild sausage

Season with pepper, and 2 small bay leaves, a pinch of rosemary, a pinch of thyme to taste.

Put the little sausages in a skillet and brown lightly.  Use some virgin olive oil to coat the pan first.  Put the celery, onion and mushrooms in with the little sausages simmer and for about 7 minutes and don’t overcook them. Put them on low heat or simmer to prepare for the sauce.

Get a large stew pot or large soup pot for the tomato sauce and canned stewed tomatoes.

 Open the cans of tomato, sauce.

Put the tomato in the large pan and fill the empty cans with water.  Then put the water in the sauce pan with the mixture.   Stir a bit and start to warm the sauce on Medium or low heat on the stove top.  After the mixture is cooking put the Smokey Joes, and onions, mushrooms, celery and green pepper if desired in to cook with the sauce.  Let cook for about 15 to 20 minutes, while you cook the spaghetti. 

With the spaghetti, or fettuccini, or noodles just follow the directions on the package, but use minimal salt for your good health’s sake.  Put the items on the table or serve on a plate and place in front of your guests.  Put a little wine for adults and grape juice for the kids and I recommend some fresh bakery garlic bread oven warmed to go with the meal.  We often have microwave broccoli with cheese on top to go with the dinner.

Microwave the broccoli for about 3 minutes or to taste and serve in a big microwave approved bowl.   We recommend Raspberry Sherbet for dessert.  Be sure to shop the bargains and get the best deal on all your grocery products.

We hope you enjoy your meal!