Categories: Ground beef, Italian, Beef 
      Yield: 8 servings 
  
      2 lb Ground Beef Chuck                 1/2 ts Basil 
      2 tb Margarine                         1/4 ts Thyme 
      1 ea Med. Green Pepper, Chopped          2 tb Unbleached Flour 
      1 ea Med. Onion, Chopped                 1 x  Ital. Bread Basket 
     16 oz (1 cn) Stewed Tomatoes         
 
---------------------------------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.