posted by Schmitty 04-04-101 1:23 AM
Italian Supper Loaf
1 large round Italian bread, unsliced
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon paprika
Saucy Meatballs:
1.5 pounds ground beef
13.5 ounces tomato juice
1/4 cup dry red wine
1 egg
1/4 cup moist bread crumbs
1 tablespoon minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
1 tablespoon butter
2 teaspoons minced parsley
1 tablespoon water
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
Parsley
Slice top off Italian bread and scoop out soft center portion in lower half of the loaf. Place both halves, cut side up, on an ungreased cookie sheet. Melt butter and add Italian herb seasoning and paprika. Brush 3/4 of butter mixture over cut sides of bread, covering completely. Bake in a preheated oven 350 F. for 15 minutes, until lightly toasted. Remove from oven.
Fill hollow in lower half of loaf with the saucy meatballs. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and replace top of loaf. Brush remaining seasoned butter over top of loaf. Bake for 5-10 minutes longer or until bread is crisp. Cut loaf into 6 servings and serve hot.
For meatballs, combine ground beef, 1/4 cup tomato juice, wine, egg, bread crumbs, onion, salt and Italian herb seasoning. Form into small balls; brown balls in melted butter. Add remaining tomato juice and simmer, covered, 15 minutes. Combine the parsley and water and stir into pan juice. Cook and stir gently as sauce boils and thickens.
Serves 6