2 lb Ground Beef Chuck
2 tb Margarine
1    Med. Green Pepper, Chopped
1    Med. Onion, Chopped
16 oz (1 cn) Stewed Tomatoes
1/2 ts Basil
1/4 ts Thyme
2 tb Unbleached Flour
Ital. Bread Basket

GARNISHES
Green peppr rings
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.