• 1 French bread loaf (white, wheat or multigrain)
  • 1 tbsp. Smart Balance oil
  • 1 lb. lean ground beef (I used 93%)
  • 2 cloves garlic or 1 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tsp. Dijon mustard
  • 1 tsp. dried thyme, crushed between your fingers to "wake it up" a bit
  • 2 tsp. dried or 1 tbsp. fresh parsley
  • 1 tsp. kosher salt
  • 1 tsp. ground black pepper
  • 1/2 cup low-sodium beef broth
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 1/5 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Miracle League of the Triangle’s first game of the season was last night!  We needed a quick meal as we headed out the door for this season’s first game.  Full of flavor and easy to prepare, this Stuffed French Bread is quick and FULL of flavor. With our bellies full, we headed out knowing we were about to witness “sheer joy” again.

I can not describe how much our family looks forward to these games.  It is the belief of all who participate in this league that,  “Every child deserves to experience joy and community through baseball.”  This league provides children with special needs the opportunity to play America’s favorite past-time…. the game of Baseball.

Each player has a buddy who enjoys assisting them in the dug out, on the field and up at bat. My son, Alexander, has been David’s buddy for the last three years and I just love watching them on the field together. Alex helps David hit the ball, he pushes David around the bases, and protects him from flying balls when the other team is up at bat. I smile so much during these games that my face hurts! Hearing the roar of the crowd as the kids ham it up at the plate, watching the girls do cartwheels as they make it to home plate and the players faces as they hear their signature song play as their names are called is what brings smiles on the faces of the players, the volunteers and the crowd.  And then at the end of each game, the announcer will say, “…and the winner of tonight’s game is…” the crowd yells in response, “E-V-E-R-Y-B-O-D-Y!” Our bellies AND OUR HEARTS were full as we drove home…

 

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Using a serrated knife, cut your french bread in half the long way. Remove most of the bread, leaving the shell of the bread intake and place filling in a food processor. (You can also chop up the bread finely with a knife).

Place oil in a med/high skillet and brown your beef about five minutes, breaking up a bit.

Add garlic, Dijon mustard, thyme, parsley, salt, pepper, beef broth and Worcestershire sauce. Cook on a med/low heat until the beef broth has evaporated. The beef broth will add moisture and flavor to your lean beef.

Place your beef mixture in your food processor with your bread and pulse a few times. Place in a bowl and add mozzarella cheese, mix well and stuff one side of your French bread with your filling. Top with your second half of French bread, place on a baking stone or a cookie sheet and bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until a little crispy on top and warmed through. Enjoy!

You can also substitute ground turkey or chicken for the beef and chicken broth for the beef broth.