Pepper Meatballs In Tomato Sauce

Making a gourmet tasting tomato sauce
with meatballs is not as difficult
or time consuming as one might think.
In this recipe I put together the
meatballs with a bell pepper flavor.
The tomato sauce has a clean tomato
flavor and is just thick enough.
I serve this with cooked orzo pasta.

Ingredients:
For the meatballs:
1 1/2 pound ground beef
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/4 cup chopped red pepper
1 egg
1/2 cup milk
1 cup fresh bread crumbs
1/4 cup dried bread crumbs
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
flour for dredging
oil for frying

For the sauce:
1 (28 ounce) can unsalted crushed tomatoes
1 cup cold water
1/4 cup red wine
1 teaspoon white sugar
1 teaspoon unsalted butter
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
a dash cayene pepper

Directions:
In a bowl combine and mix all
of the meatball ingredients
except flour and oil for frying.
Using a small ice cream scoop,
make meatballs, dredge them in flour.
In a saute pan heat oil, add meatballs
and fry, turning often until browned.
In a saucepan place all of the sauce
ingredients and bring to a simmer.
Add meatballs to sauce, simmer
uncovered for about 30 minutes.