Grandson

Spent yesterday with my not-quite-four-year-old grandson.  The daughter and her IB tried to go to the movies (the showing was sold out!) and were gone all afternoon so Grandson and I got to play together uninterrupted for hours!  He's getting so big!

I also got to feed him dinner.  He's gotten a bit picky lately so I never know if he will eat what I cook.  I played it safe this week and made Spaghetti and Meat Sauce. 

Tomato Sauce

1/2 to 3/4 cup chopped onion
3 -4 cloves garlic, minced
1 15 oz. can tomato sauce (Hunts)
1 15 oz. can diced tomatoes  (or 1 large can crushed tomatoes)
1 tbsp oregano
1 tsp basil
1/8 tsp (heavy pinch) cardamom

Cook onion in olive oil until translucent.  Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.  Pour in tomatoes, rinsing cans into pot.  Stir in herbs and cardamom.  Pour in a big glug of red wine.  Simmer for 1 hour or so until desired consistency.  Add meatballs, browned ground meat or sausage of your choice. 

Serve over pasta, include in lasagna.  Just a good, all round red sauce. 

The cardamom is a vital ingredient.  It really takes the sauce over the top to wonderful.  I put some in by accident one day and really liked how it turned out. 

My grandson really like his dinner and actually cleaned his plate!  :-)