Title: Italian meatballs in a basket
 Categories: Beef, Meats
      Yield: 8 Servings
 
      2 lb Ground Beef Chuck
      2 tb Margarine
      1 ea Med. Green Pepper, Chopped
      1 ea Med. Onion, Chopped
     16 oz (1 cn) Stewed Tomatoes
    1/2 ts Basil
    1/4 ts Thyme
      2 tb Unbleached Flour
      1 x  Ital. Bread Basket

MMMMM-------------------------GARNISHES------------------------------
      1 x  Green peppr rings
      1 x  Cherry Tomatoes
 
  Lightly shape ground beef into 1 1/2-inch balls.  Lightly brown balls
  in margarine in large frying-pan, about 5 minutes.  Add the green
  pepper and onion to meatballs; cook 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  Drain tomatoes, reserving liquid.  Add tomatoes, all but 1/4 c tomato
  liquid, basil and thyme to meat balls.  Cover tightly and cook slowly
  5 minutes. Combine reserved tomato liquid with flour, stirring until
  smooth.  Stir into meatballs, cover tightly and cook 5 minutes or
  until slightly thick. Meanwhile prepare Italian Bread Basket and
  place on platter.  Spoon meatball mixture into and around bread.
  Garnish with green pepper rings and cherry tomatoes, if desired.
  Italian Bread Basket: 1 Loaf (16 ozs) Italian Bread, Unsliced
      1/4    Cup  Margarine, Melted
      1/4    Cup  Parmesan Cheese, Grated Cut a 3/4 slice from top of
  bread. With fork, scoop out inside of bread to form basket, leaving
  1-inch bread on all sides and bottom of loaf. Place loaf on foil in
  shallow baking pan. Brush top, sides and inside of bread with melted
  margarine. Sprinkle loaf with Parmesan cheese, coating sides evenly.
  Bake in hot oven (400 Degrees F.) for 10 minutes.