Welcome Home to Chef Art Smith’s Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen

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Kevin Godbee
Mar 29, 2021
4 min read

We don’t usually review restaurants in Orlando, but we also don’t usually interview celebrity chefs on our podcast. Part of our research in preparing for the interview with Celebrity Chef Art Smith was to go to his Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen restaurant.

Chef Smith is known worldwide for being a two-time James Beard Foundation award winner. You might know him more from the “Today” show, “BBQ Pitmasters,” and “Top Chef Masters.” He was also Oprah Winfrey’s personal chef for ten years.

The menu at Homecomin’ Florida Kitchen (HFK) focuses on Southern comfort food with a Florida flair.

From their website: “Homecomin’ is a Walt Disney World restaurant paying homage to Florida’s rich agricultural heritage by highlighting local ingredients and farm-to-table cuisine.”

Disney Springs is a section of Walt Disney World that has no entrance fee and is loaded with shopping and dining venues. The atmosphere of the restaurant is comfortable, homey, old-school Florida. Everyone greets you with “welcome home” including the hostess, server, and even the manager when he comes over to check on you. Art is frequently at the restaurant greeting people and introducing himself.

For starters, Lori and I each ordered our own flights of “moonshine” shots. (Art’s Great Grandfather was a moonshiner.) Most of the shots were quite approachable palate-wise with many still being full proof. There are a few that are over-proof, and a few that are only 40 proof.

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The food starters we shared were Church Lady Deviled Eggs – mayo, Dijon, sweet pickles, paprika, with crispy bacon on top.

They’re called church lady eggs because when Art was growing up deviled eggs would always be found at church socials where the ladies would write their name on the bottom of the dishes to make sure they got them back. Art tells us that he would look at the names and make a mental note of who made the ones he didn’t like, and remember not to eat them again.

We also shared Okra Fries – Hand-cut okra, lightly battered and crispy fried. Served with icebox dressing. The deviled eggs, and the okra were some of the best we ever had. The filling on the eggs was light, fluffy, flavorful, and bountiful. They will fill you up fast. Three people could easily share this.

The okra was perfectly fried, but first sliced long ways, which makes them more approachable and enjoyable, and also shaped more like French fries. I think they were dusted with a spicy paprika, which gave them a little bit of nice spice.

I’m a huge fan of grits, and a self-proclaimed “grits aficionado”. HFK’s shrimp & grits did not disappoint. They consist of pan-seared shrimp with tomato gravy and Tasso ham served over creamy Bradley’s grits. The menu doesn’t tell you, but they also had an herb infused oil which consisted of basil, chives, and parsley infused EVOO.

On the podcast, I asked Art how he makes the grits. They start with coarse ground white hominy grits from Bradley’s General Store in Bradleyville, FL. They soak them overnight, and then drain, and wash them. He uses half water, and half milk with a pinch of salt.

MORE FOODIES READING No Need to be Salty about The Salty Nun

They slow cook them in a crockpot “because you can’t rush artisan grits”. They are finished with butter or cheese. I chose butter as I wanted to really taste the grits without the cheese interfering with the true flavor of the grits. They were the perfect cross between creamy and textured which made them excellent.

Of course, Art’s Famous Fried Chicken was a must, and it definitely lived up to it’s reputation. This is Chef Smith’s signature dish. “Buttermilk-brined for 24 hours then perfectly fried and served with creamy mashed potatoes, cheddar drop biscuit and love”.

A funny side note, also from our podcast interview, Art said, “I actually worked at a KFC for five years. My momma didn’t teach me how to make fried chicken—the Colonel did.” He may have learned from the Colonel, but Art perfected it himself.

Although The Shine Cake is labeled as Art’s signature dessert, and is for adults only as it’s soaked in moonshine, we found out that the Hummingbird Cake is actually his favorite, and we had a small sample piece of that. This is the smaller piece they give away for birthday’s. It’s much larger when you order it.

The recipe for this famous pineapple-banana cake with cream cheese frosting can be found in Chef Art’s bestselling cookbook, Back to the Table: The Reunion of Food and Family. The book won a 2002 James Beard Award, and many of Homecomin’s recipes can be found in it.

Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' Florida Kitchen

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Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' Florida Kitchen
(407) 560-0100
American, Southern, Comfort Food
- Mon - Thu 11:00am - 9:00pm
- Fri - 11:00am - 10:00pm
- Sat - 9:00am - 10:00pm
- Sun - 9:00am - 9:00pm
View menu
Take Reservations: Yes!

1602 E Buena Vista Dr., Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830, US

Southern-style cuisine and cocktails at Chef Art Smith's Homecomin', a restaurant and bar located within Town Center at Disney Springs.

Homecomin' Kitchen Website

DISCLAIMER: Kevin, Lori, Abby, Haley, Lindsey & Mahika do not dine anonymously (this would be impossible) and we sometimes get free food (though never expected). However, we dine with the locals and we support our own. You will always get honesty in a respectful manner. We do not include any large national or regional chains in our ratings and reviews. We focus on independent locally owned eateries exclusively.

 PLEASE NOTE: Reviews reflect a certain moment in time. Some restaurants stay extremely consistent over many years, and some change for the better or worse. Some things that may change are: chefs, recipes, food suppliers, ingredients, philosophies, ownership, etc. We always hope that you have the same good, or great experience we had.

Restaurant Reviews

March 29, 2021

Kevin Godbee

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Best Disney Restaurants 2021, Best Disney Restaurants For Adults, Best Disney Restaurants For Kids. Best Disney Restaurants For Families, Best Restaurants In Disney World 2021, Chef Art Smith Recipes, Chef Art Smith Restaurants, Chef Art Smith's Homecomin' Reservations, Disney Springs Restaurants, Homecomin' Kitchen Orlando, Homecomin' Menu, Icebox Dressing

Written by Kevin Godbee

Publisher & Co-Founder of St. Petersburg Foodies

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I've always loved cooking. When I was 6-years old I wanted to cook. When my mom said that she was just running to the neighbor's and would be right back, I climbed onto the kitchen counter and found Lipton Instant French Onion Soup Mix. By the time my mom returned, I was stirring the pot on the stove, and proclaimed; "Look Mom! I'm cooking!"

In High School, I took three different cooking classes and got an A in each. After getting my first apartment, I used to cook 5-nights a week, and go out two nights. An old girlfriend from decades ago had a brother-in-law that was a CEO of a trucking company, and he used to entertain in Manhattan quite a bit ... and he started taking us along.

This was when I learned about gourmet food and fine wine. For a couple of years, Lori and I went out about 4-5 nights a week, but now we have a better balance of 50/50 between cooking at home, and going out to the amazing restaurants we are so lucky to have in our beloved St. Petersburg.

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Recipes

April 2, 2024 Bacon and Spinach Quiche Recipe

This zero-fuss bacon and spinach quiche recipe should be your new weekend go-to brunch. The effort required to craft this crowd pleaser is minimal and the reward is quite high. Additionally, you can transform this quiche into anything you want with the mix-ins. In my opinion, the bacon and spinach combination are fantastic, but feel free to get creative. I recommend limiting the mix-ins to just two and be sure not to exceed two cups in total. Sausage, onion, asparagus, ham and bell pepper would also work well in this quiche recipe. Another customizable component to this quiche is the cheese. The recipe calls for one total cup of grated cheese, but that’s the only guideline that you need to follow. I used a 50/50 blend of sharp white cheddar and a creamy fontina and it turned out better than expected. I initially planned to use gruyere in place of the fontina, but the fontina is what I came across first at Rollin’ Oats and I simply couldn’t resist it. They carry both cheeses though – they have Finlandia and Emmi brand gruyere and Belgioso fontina. Other types of cheese I suggest using are feta, swiss and even mozzarella. If you’re up for it, you can absolutely make your own pie crust; however, store bought frozen crusts will make your life much easier. Just make sure to allow for 20 minutes or so of thawing time. Rollin’ Oats carries a set of two organic pie shells by Wholly Wholesome brand and they’re delicious. They also have gluten free shells available by the same brand and they’re equally as good. Bacon and Spinach Quiche Recipe Use this quiche recipe as a base for making any quiche. Feel free to get creative with the mix-ins, but don't use too many (I wouldn't go beyond three). 1 pie crust (store bought, thawed)4 eggs1/2 cup heavy cream1/2 cup whole milk1/2 cup bacon (cooked and crumbled)1 1/2 cups spinach (fresh)1 cup cheese (shredded, plus more for serving/topping before baking – I used sharp cheddar and fontina, but feel free to use what you love. )1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp black pepper Heat oven to 375F. Place a piece of parchment paper on the thawed pie crust and weigh down with pie weights (or small oven-safe utensil – I used a small skillet). Bake for 15 minutes. Remove parchment and weights and poke holes all over the bottom of the crust with a fork. Bake for another 6 minutes or until the crust begins to turn golden.Reduce oven heat to 350F. Combine eggs, heavy cream, milk, salt and pepper in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on high for one minute.Stir in cheese, crumbled bacon and spinach.Carefully pour quiche mixture into partially baked pie crust. Top with more grated cheese (optional).Bake quiche for 45-50 minutes, or until quiche is set and no longer jiggly and crust is crisp and golden. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Slice quiche into 4 even pieces and serve. Breakfast, Brunch, Main DishAmericanBacon and Spinach Quiche
March 5, 2024 Oven Risotto with Roasted Mushrooms & Tomatoes Recipe

This preparation of risotto removes a whole lot of work and stirring with the use of the oven. The majority of the effort required to make this dish is required during prep. The steps all happen very quickly so it is absolutely crucial that all of your ingredients are prepped, measured, etc. before any of the cooking begins. This risotto is delicious on its own without the mushrooms and tomatoes; however, they really elevate the dish with flavor and texture. The mushrooms specifically are a true delight as they take on a beautiful crisp in the oven – the umami flavor is completely next level. Speaking of mushrooms, you can choose to use whatever kind you can get your hands on. I recommend oyster, shiitake, king trumpet and maitake. Rollin’ Oats carries a superfood mushroom mix that would be great for this recipe. Definitely don’t skip nor skimp on the lemon juice or zest as both add the perfect amount of acidity and brightness. Dill as a garnish also breathes a bit of freshness into the risotto which is composed with richer-leaning ingredients like parmesan, butter, vegetable broth and the mushrooms and tomatoes. If you don’t want to purchase a bottle of white wine just for this dish, use some dry vermouth that you already have on hand. Though, I’m willing to bet that Rollin’ Oats will have a nice bottle of white wine that won’t break the bank and you can enjoy after using it for this recipe. I suggest seeking out something like a sauvignon blanc, vinho verde or pinot grigio. Oven Risotto with Roasted Mushrooms & Tomatoes Recipe This method for preparing Risotto simplifies the process by minimizing all of the stirring. The roasted mushrooms and tomatoes taste like an explosion of umami. Tomatoes1 cup cherry tomatoes (cut in half)1 tbsp olive oil1/2 tsp salt1/2 tsp garlic powderMushrooms1 lb mushrooms (cut or torn into 1-2" pieces – use any mushrooms like shiitake, oyster, king trumpet or whatever you can find)2 tbsp olive oil4 garlic cloves (minced)6 thyme sprigs1/2 tsp saltRisotto & Assembly2 tbsp olive oil1 white onion (medium in size – diced)1 cup arborio rice1/2 cup white wine (dry vermouth will also work)1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)1/4 tsp black pepper (cracked)3 cups vegetable broth1 cup parmesan (grated)1 tsp lemon juice1 tsp lemon zest2 tbsp unsalted butter1/4 cup fresh dill (chopped)lemon wedges ((optional)) TomatoesMake the tomatoes first. Heat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss all tomato ingredients together in a bowl. Place the tomatoes, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Roast tomatoes for 30-35 minutes or until the edges start to take on a little color. Add tomatoes to a plate and set aside until ready to plate. Reserve baking sheet for mushrooms.MushrooomsPlace one oven rack on the bottom and the other more towards the middle. Heat oven to 350F. Toss all mushroom ingredients together in a bowl and place them in a single layer on reserved baking sheet. Roast on the bottom rack for 30 minutes or until the mushrooms crisp up a bit.Risotto & AssemblyPrepare risotto while mushrooms are roasting. Heat oil in a dutch oven or other oven-safe pot with a lid over medium-high heat. Add in onion and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until onion softens.Add in rice and stir constantly for about 2 minutes until some of the rice begins to turn translucent.Pour in the white wine or vermouth and cook while stirring until most of the liquid is absorbed – about 2 minutes. Add in 1/2 tsp salt and pepper.Carefully pour in 2 1/2 cups of the vegetable broth and set remaining 1/2 cup aside (we will use this later). Bring pot to a simmer, place the lid on the pot and put into the oven on the middle rack for 18 minutes until most of the broth has been absorbed.Carefully take pot out of the oven, remove the lid and heat risotto over medium heat. Add in the remaining 1/2 cup broth and cook risotto while stirring constantly until rice is almost done and sauce has a creamy consistency, 3-5 minutes.Turn off the heat and stir in parmesan, lemon juice, zest and butter. Stir to combine and taste for salt. Add in more if needed.To plate, add risotto to bowls, top with tomatoes and mushrooms and garnish with dill. Serve with more lemon wedges if desired. Main CourseAmerican, ItalianOven Risotto, Oven Risotto with Roasted Mushrooms & Tomatoes
February 8, 2024 Panko Crusted Pickled Deviled Eggs Recipe

My most recent restaurant review was centered around Sonata Restaurant at the Mahaffey Theater. For this month’s recipe, Kevin presented a brilliant idea of reverse engineering an item from Sonata’s menu. A few ideas were tossed around and ultimately, we landed on this one – Panko Crusted Pickled Deviled Eggs. We, of course, ordered these during our recent visit to Sonata and we absolutely loved this unique spin on a classic. Kevin informed me that the Panko Crusted Pickled Deviled Eggs from Sonata were carried over from The Mill by Chef Ted Dorsey who is now the executive chef at Sonata. These deviled eggs boast a tantalizing contrast with a crisp exterior giving way to soft, tangy center that delights the palate with each bite. The brightness of the avocado cream and the subtle kick of the spicy aioli serve as ideal complements to the eggs. I made some notes whilst first trying these at Sonata and when it came time to make my own rendition, I worked backwards and tried to keep each detail as close to the delicious original as possible. I started with the aioli and the avocado cream, which tasted like classic versions of themselves. The pickling of the eggs proved to be the most challenging, as there are at least a few ways to go about this. The concoction I used with red onions turned out spot on to how I had envisioned them. I have used beets in the past, but knew that a lot of people aren’t fond of them and the onions worked quite well in their place. Plan to make this recipe at least 24 hours before you plan to serve them, as the pickling process requires at least one full day. The ingredients required for this grown up version of deviled eggs are really quite simple – you’ll be able to pick them all up at Rollin’ Oats Natural Food Market. When picking out your eggs, opt for cage free and/or organic, like Vital Farms or Utophien. Rollin’ Oats even has organic breadcrumbs by Edward and Sons. As for the mayo, they also have organic options which makes me more than happy. I recommend Woodstock or Cadia. Recreating the plating of these eggs was so enjoyable as the presentation of them is quite gorgeous at the restaurant and I love the plating process. Serve these at your next dinner party, or perhaps for the upcoming Super Bowl – your guests will be more than impressed. Panko Crusted Pickled Deviled Eggs This recipe was inspired by the Panko Crusted Pickled Deviled Eggs on the menu at Sonata Restaurant in St. Petersburg, FL. They're a sophisticated and delicious spin on classic deviled eggs and are perfect for a party or gathering. Pickled Eggs6 eggs (or more/less depending on how many people you are serving – preferably cage free and organic)1 1/2 cups rice wine vinegar1/2 cup water6 garlic cloves (peeled and smashed)1/2 red onion (medium in size and sliced thin)1 1/2 tbsp sugar1 tbsp salt1 tsp black peppercornsAvocado Cream1/2 avocado (ripe and medium-large in size)1/2 lime (medium in size – about 2 tbsp)1/2 cup plain greek yogurt1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste as needed)1/2 tsp olive oil1/4 tsp black pepper (cracked)Spicy Aioli1 cup mayonnaise3 garlic cloves1 tbsp lemon juice1 1/2 tsp cayenne (if you really like heat, add as much as you'd like.)1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp black pepper (cracked)Panko Crusted Deviled Egg Assemblypickled eggsavocado creamspicy aioli1 cup panko breadcrumbs2 cups vegetable or canola oil (use any other frying oil of your choice)2 eggs (whisked together)1 cup all purpose flour3 tbsp mayonnaise1 tsp dijon mustard2 dashes hot sauce (like Diamond Crystal (optional))salt1/2 tsp paprikafresh dill (chopped, for garnish (optional)) Pickled EggsMake the pickled eggs at least 24 hours before you plan to serve them. Bring a large pot of water with enough water to cover eggs to a boil. Carefully add eggs to pot and boil for 10 minutes. Prepare an ice bath while the eggs boil. After the 10 minutes are up, add eggs to the bath to stop the cooking process. Leave for at least 10 minutes.In a medium pot, add all pickling ingredients with the exception of the eggs and onions. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat and add the onions. While pickling solution cools a bit, carefully peel the eggs, discard ice bath water and place peeled eggs into the bowl used for the bath. Carefully pour pickling mixture with the onions over the eggs in the bowl used for the ice bath and place in the fridge for at least 24 hours.Avocado CreamThe day that you're going to assemble your eggs, make the avocado cream. Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until well combined. Mixture should be similar to a yogurt-like consistency. Add water, 1/4 tsp at a time, if mixture is too thick. Season with more salt as needed and refrigerate until ready to assembleSpicy AioliAfter the cream is complete, make the aioli. Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until well combined. Season with salt as need. Optionally, you can add this mixture to a squeeze bottle or piping bag for plating purposes. Refrigerate until ready to assemble.Panko Crusted Deviled Egg Assembly24 hours later, remove eggs from pickling mixture – they should be slightly pink. You can optionally reserve onions and pickling mixture in a jar for another use. Cut Eggs in half and carefully scoop out the cooked yolks and add them to a bowl. Mash them and then mix in the mayo, dijon, hot sauce (if using) until smooth. Season with salt as needed.Add flour, whisked egg and panko to three separate bowls and have a plate ready. One at a time, coat eggs in flour, next egg (allowing excess to drip off) and then panko. Set on reserved plate.Heat oil in a medium pot over medium high heat. Line a separate plate with a paper towel. One at a time, fry […]
January 3, 2024 Dutch Baby with Strawberries & Coconut Whip Recipe

A Dutch Baby, also known as a German pancake or Dutch puff, is a delightful breakfast dish that elevates the boundaries of traditional pancake offerings. This oven-baked pancake is characterized by its unique puffiness and golden-brown edges which create a visually appealing presentation. The batter is made of simple ingredients like eggs, flour, milk and sugar which are all combined and poured into a piping hot buttered skillet. This mixture is then baked in the oven where it transforms into a fluffy and airy pancake with a custard-like interior. Typically, Dutch babies fall under the category of a sweeter breakfast option, as they’re often served with fresh fruits, syrups and dusted with powdered sugar. Though, they can also act as a savory option and are equally as delicious when topped with ingredients like bacon, avocado, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and more. We’re taking the sweeter route this time with the addition of fresh strawberries, mint, maple syrup and an easy-to-make coconut whip which is made by whipping the solids of a can of coconut milk. Add some slabs of butter and a dusting of powdered sugar if you so desire – you won’t be disappointed. Feel free to make this recipe your own by using other fruits, like blueberries, raspberries and bananas. I chose strawberries, because they’re in season in Florida during the month of January and it’s quite simple at this time to find quality berries, especially organic varieties at Rollin’ Oats. I always encourage folks to buy organic when possible and Rollin’ Oats makes that easy with their high quality organic grocery options. Make sure that you get the can of full-fat coconut water into the fridge the night before you plan to make the Dutch baby. Since we are only using the cream part, fridge time ensures that the cream solidifies as it should in order to separate it from the water easier. Reserve the coconut water for another use. Dutch babies are prefect when you need a simple crowd pleaser that both looks and tastes impressive. Additionally, it’s great when you’re looking to feed a small crowd with minimal effort. Dutch Baby with Strawberries & Coconut Whip Recipe A Dutch baby is a mouthwatering twist on a traditional pancake. This luscious oven-baked pancake is adorned with fresh strawberries, coconut whip, fresh mint and maple syrup to ensure sweet & fluffy bites that are certain to please. High Speed Blenderovenproof skilletstand mixer Coconut Whip1 can unsweetened coconut milk (full fat & chilled in the refrigerator overnight)1 1/2 tbsp honey1 tsp vanilla extractDutch Baby & Assembly3 eggs3/4 cup whole milk2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)1 tbsp unsalted butter1/2 cup flour2 tbsp cornstarch1 tsp sugar1 tsp vanilla extract1/2 tsp salt1 cup strawberries (washed & sliced)mint (fresh & torn)maple syruppowdered sugar (optional)butter (for topping, optional) Coconut WhipScrape the cream from the top of the chilled coconut milk (leave the water behind and save for another use) and add it to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add in vanilla extract and honey and mix on high until soft peaks form. Serve immediately or store in the refrigeratorDutch Baby & AssemblyPlace a medium oven-proof skillet (like cast iron) into the oven and heat the oven to 425F. Keep the skillet in there for at least 30 minutes until your batter is ready to be poured in. Prepare the batter by first adding 3 eggs to a blender. Blend the eggs on high for one minute – the eggs should now be a frothy consistency. Keep the motor running and slowly/gradually add in the milk, followed by the 2 tbsp of melted butter.Blend in flour, cornstarch, sugar, vanilla extract and salt just to combine (we don't want to over mix). Remove hot skillet from the oven and immediately add in remaining 1 tbsp of butter and swirl to coat the pan evenly. Carefully pour the batter into the skillet and bake the Dutch baby for 20-25 minutes, or until you see it begin to puff and slightly brown.The pancake will deflate a bit after you remove it from the oven and that's okay. Top with a few dollops of the coconut cream, fresh strawberries, maple syrup, butter and powdered sugar, if using. BreakfastAmerican, GermanDutch Baby Pancake Recipe, Dutch Baby Recipe
December 4, 2023 Mortadella & Beef Meatballs with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe

Meatballs are almost like a universal love language. In fact, throughout my thirty something years on this planet, I cannot recall a single time when I encountered a human who shared their distaste for this food. A mashup of ground meat, cheese, eggs, herbs, garlic, breadcrumbs (and sometimes additional ingredients) formed into individual bite size spheres swimming in a bath of luscious sauce, typically red. They’re quite hard not to love. What sets these meatballs apart from most others is the addition of mortadella. Mortadella’s popularity has been growing for some time now and I don’t see that slowing down anytime soon. Mortadella originated in Italy and in essence, is an emulsified large format pork sausage. The pork meat is minced into a smooth paste, stuffed into a casing and then steamed. The complexion of the mortadella is created by a combination of fat, peppercorns and often pistachios and the texture is quite smooth. It’s enjoyed in a number of ways – sandwiched between bread, on charcuterie boards, draped over pizzas, and so on. The inspiration to lace meatballs with mortadella was sparked during a recent trip of mine to New York City while reading a restaurant menu. This particular restaurant had a veal and mortadella meatball appetizer offering and it piqued my interest immediately, as I have a love affair with mortadella. While I did not try the veal and mortadella meatballs, I knew I had to experiment with the concept when I got home. I used an abbreviated version of the beef meatballs that I usually make and added in a healthy amount of diced mortadella. The result was marvelous – just fatty enough, packed with flavor and rich without being too over the top. I decided to go with a roasted red pepper sauce instead of marinara as I thought that the marinara would overpower the beautiful savory and succulent notes that the meatballs project. Additionally, bell peppers are in season in Florida in December, so I figured this was an ideal time to utilize them. You can use jarred roasted red peppers instead of the fresh ones in this recipe to speed things up a bit. Rollin’ Oats carries Jeff’s Naturals organic roasted bell pepper strips and they would work as a great substitute. You can find the rest of the ingredients for these meatballs also at Rollin’ Oats with the exception of the mortadella. That you can usually find at most specialty grocers. The ground beef that I used for these meatballs from Rollin’ Oats was the Dakota organic grassfed 85/15 blend, which proved to be perfect. These meatballs and the roasted red pepper sauce are wonderful on their own as a pre-dinner appetizer, delightful tossed with spaghetti and satisfying while tucked into a split top roll with lots of parmesan cheese and fresh basil. Mortadella & Beef Meatballs with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce Recipe These mortadella spiked meatballs in roasted red pepper sauce are packed with flavor. Serve them as an appetizer, or toss them with your favorite pasta. Make sure you have some toasted bread handy for scooping up the delicious sauce. Meatballs1 lb ground beef (grass-fed and/or organic preferred)1/2 lb mortadella (diced into small pieces)1/2 cup parmesan (grated)1/2 cup breadcrumbs1/4 cup basil (chopped – plus more for serving)2 eggs (whisked)2 garlic cloves (minced)2 tsp saltRoasted Red Pepper Sauce2 red bell peppers (cut in half – stem and seeds removed)2 vine ripe tomatoes (medium in size)1/2 white onion (medium in size, diced)1/2 cup heavy cream3 garlic cloves (minced)1 tbsp dried oregano2 tsp salt (plus more, to taste)1/2 cup parmesan cheese (grated – plus more for serving) Roasted Red Pepper SauceHeat oven to 450F and line a baking sheet with foil. Place bell pepper halves on sheet and roast for 18-20 minutes, or until peppers begin to take on some color. Remove peppers from oven, place in a medium bowl, cover with plastic wrap and allow to steam for 10 minutes (this will make it easier to remove the skin). Once cool enough to handle, remove and discard pepper skins – you'll have about 1 1/2 cups of roasted peppers.Bring a medium pot of water to a boil and prepare an ice bath in a bowl. Cut a shallow x into the bottoms of each tomato. Carefully drop tomatoes into boiling water for one minute then place the tomatoes in the ice bath. Remove tomatoes from ice bath and the skin should peel off with ease – discard skins.Place tomatoes and peppers into a blender and blend for 30 seconds until you have a semi-smooth puree. Heat olive oil in a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add in onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until softening begins – 6-7 minutes.Stir in minced garlic and cook for about 1-2 minutes until very fragrant. Then, mix in dried oregano.Pour in pepper and tomato mixture and season with salt. Bring mixture to a gentle simmer for 30 minutes (reduce the heat if the sauce begins to boil). Season with more salt as needed. Pour in heavy cream and 1/2 cup grated parmesan and stir to combine. Continue to gently simmer sauce until meatballs are finished in the oven.MeatballsHeat oven to 350 F Combine all ingredients in a large bowl with your hands. Gently form into golfball sized meatballs – mixture should yield about 16 meatballs. Evenly space them apart on the baking sheet and put them into the oven for 20 minutes.After meatballs have baked in the oven, carefully nestle them into the pot with the sauce, reduce heat to medium low and cover the pot with a lid. Simmer meatballs in the sauce for 30 minutes. If you find that the sauce is too thin, add in some more grated parmesan until you've reached the desired thickness.To serve, spoon meatballs into a dish with some sauce, top with grated parmesan and garnish with fresh torn basil. Appetizer, Main CourseAmerican, ItalianMortadella & Beef Meatballs, Roasted Red Pepper Sauce