Meatballs Español

This is an easy one-pan meal.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef
1 cup soft bread crumbs
1/4 cup finely chopped onions
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1/4 cup finely chopped bell pepper
1 1/2 tsp worcestershire sauce
1 egg
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
4 cups stewed (diced) tomatoes
2 1/2 cups thinly sliced zucchini
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
1 Tbsp cornstarch
1 cup beef broth
1 cup raw brown rice (may use white rice- may need to cook less time)

Combine beef, crumbs, onion, celery, worcestershire sauce, egg, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, salt and pepper. Form into 12-16 meatballs. Combine tomatoes, zucchini, 1/2 tsp garlic powder, oregano and basil. Simmer 5 minutes. Blend cornstarch and broth. Stir into tomato mixture. Put rice in a shallow greased pan. Pour tomato mixture over rice and add meatballs. Bake covered at 375 degrees for 40-45 minutes, or until rice is done.

*Recipe adapted from one by Beverly Thomas in Whole Foods For The Whole Family La Leche League International Cookbook 1981.