Buttered noodles with spicy meatballs is filling and tasty. It is chipotle chile peppers in adobo that make these meatballs so good. They make the meatball sauce taste rich with an intense warm heat. Chipotle Chiles in Adobo can be found at your local supermarket. Once you try them, you will keep them in your kitchen cabinet along with your other kitchen staples.

These meatballs make a great sandwich on a Portuguese roll, an entree or an appetizer.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 lb beef
1/2 lb pork
6 plum tomatoes*
4 tablespoon plain bread crumbs
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 garlic cloves, chop 2 cloves
2 large eggs, beaten
2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 or 5 chipotle chiles in adobo*
1 cup chicken broth
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped fine
2 tablespoon fresh oregano or 1 tablespoon dried oregano
1/4 cup vegetable oil
Salt and ground pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS

In a large bowl mix beef, pork, beaten eggs, bread crumbs, chopped onion, chopped garlic, 1-3/4 teaspoons of the cumin, add salt and pepper to taste. Thoroughly mix and place covered in refrigerator.

Make tomato sauce by mixing the following in a food blender: roasted plum tomatoes, chipotle chiles in abobo, one whole garlic clove, cumin, cilantro, oregano and chicken broth. Let stand while browning the meatballs.

Make 1-1/2 inch meatballs and brown on all sides in hot vegetable oil. When browned, but not done, remove meatballs from skillet.

Leave skillet over heat and add the tomato sauce, stir and taste. Add additional sale and ground pepper if necessary. Bring mixture to a simmer and add meatballs. Simmer from 15 to 20 minutes. Serve with whole wheat pasta noodles.

Hint:

* Roast tomatoes over a gas flame until skin starts to blacken or broil tomatoes close to broiling coils or heat source until the same thing happens. Watch and turn the tomatoes so they do not burn. For easy removal of skin, place tomatoes in a brown bag and allow them to steam, the skin will be easy to peel. You can also allow the peppers to cool and remove the skin.

*Chipotle chiles in adobo can be found in the condiments or tomato sauce section. If not there try the ethic food section.

*If serving with grains make medium-sized meatballs. If serving as a hors d'oeuvres or appetizer make the meatballs small 'two-bite' size for your guests easy handling.