Meatballs in Red Wine Sauce (with PICKLES!?!)

When I saw this red sauce recipe had pickles in it I HAD to try it! I couldn't image what it would taste like but I love pickles so I figured it couldn't be to bad. It was GREAT!! This red sauce is full of flavor! It's a bit labor intensive but not too bad.  A perfect Sunday supper! You could even just use frozen store bought meatballs if you wanted! I also used egg noodles but any wide, flat pasta would work. And as always ANY TIME you cook with wine - use a wine you would drink!

Meatballs in Red Wine Sauce

For the meatballs:
1lb ground beef
1tsp garlic powder
1T dried parsley

Mix together and roll out 12 golf ball sized meatballs. Bake in a 425* oven on a baking sheet until cooked through, about 20 minutes.

For the sauce:
2C beef stock
2T butter
2T flour
2 slices bacon - sliced
1 onion - finely chopped
1 large carrot - peeled and chopped
1 rib of celery - chopped
1T tomato paste
3/4C red wine
1T dried thyme
2 bay leaves
10 black peppercorns
1T dried parsley
2T finely chopped cornichons (tiny little cocktail pickles - I used dill)
2T capers - finely chopped

In a large skillet fry the bacon over medium high heat. When the fat has begun to render add the onion, carrot and celery. Cook until the bacon is crisp and the veggies are tender. Remove everything from the pan with a slotted spoon and set aside for later use. Add the butter to the pan. When the butter has melted, sprinkle in the flour. Stir with a wooden spoon until you have a paste. Cook for 3-4 minutes. Turn the heat down to low and slowly whisk in the beef stock. Add the tomato paste and red wine. Stir until well combined. Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and return the veggie mixture back to the pan. Add the thyme, bay leaves, peppercorns and parsley. Cover and simmer for 20-30 minutes.
Place a fine sieve over a medium saucepan and pour the contents of the sauce through the sieve. Discard the veggie mixture. Add the cornichons and capers to the sauce. Simmer for another 5-10 minutes. Add the meatballs to the sauce and heat through.
Serve over warm pasta. 1