Meatballs: Mix ingredients in a bowl with a spoon, shape into 1-2 inch balls by hand then fry and brown.

Sauce: Place tomatoes in a strainer over a pot and strain. Discard seeds and skin. Add tomato paste, bay leaves, salt and pepper.

Saute onions, garlic, mushrooms with the olive oil until onions start to turn golden brown. Add to sauce. Add meat to sauce. Simmer 4-6 hours. !/2 hour before cooking is finished, stir in basil

Variation: Italian sausage, sweet, hot or mixed may substitute wholly or partially for the meatballs.

Note substituting 56 oz. crushed tomatoes and 3 oz tomato paste may substitute

Note: May substitute 4 whole fresh basil leaves, Romano may substitute for Parmesan cheese but either cheese should be sharp

Per Serving (excluding unknown items): 443 Calories; 34g Fat (67.9% calories from fat); 19g Protein; 16g Carbohydrate; 3g Dietary Fiber; 126mg Cholesterol; 1035mg Sodium. Exchanges: 1/2 Grain(Starch); 2 1/2 Lean Meat; 2 Vegetable; 5 1/2 Fat.