Should've been Italian

(Sung to the tune of Should've Been A Cowboy)

It's Sunday. It's 6:22am and I am already cooking which means it is going to be a FABULOUS day!!

You remember when we talked about my ethnic identity confusion? Well, back to that. I grew up with one of the BEST spaghetti sauces. My mom, Mimi, is a standout cook and has an Italian (jealous) brother-in-law who is astoundingly divine in the kitchen. Inspired by his cooking here is my mother's spaghetti sauce which takes all day but eats all week. So many recipes follow this sauce, you Happy Housewives will have it easy-peasy with menu planning the week after you make this.

Conjure up your best Godfather energy and ciao bella, you're an Italian Mama!

Mimi's Spaghetti Sauce

• 1 package Beef Short Ribs
• 2 packages Beef Neck Bones
• 3 large cans Crushed Tomatoes
• 3 large cans Tomato Puree
• 3 large cans, 1 small can Tomato Paste
• 1 15oz Tomato Sauce
• 5 cloves Garlic
• Olive Oil
• Dried Basil
• Salt

In a large stock pot with a good thick bottom, saute crushed garlic in small amount olive oil. Add meat and tomatoes. Add salt and dried basil to taste. Continue to add spices and stir all day on low. Make sure you stir and the heat is not too high as to not scald bottom of batch. When sauce is ready, discard neck bones and slice short rib meat for serving with pasta. The meat is so amazingly tender and full of flavor you won't even believe it!! Serve with your favorite pasta!

So, now you have the beginnings of a wonderful week of Italian food at your house. Friends and family of all ages will delight in your wonderful Sunday Gravy! And just wait to see what you can do with the leftovers....