Fix-It and Forget-It Christmas Cookbook (50 page)

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

1 egg

½ cup milk

¼ cup oil

Gravy:

¼ cup flour

¼ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. garlic powder

⅛ tsp. pepper

1 tsp. paprika

2 cups boiling water

¾ cup sour cream

1. In a large bowl, combine meats, onions, bread crumbs, parsley, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Worcestershire sauce, egg, and milk.

2. Shape into balls the size of a walnut. Brown in batches in oil in skillet. As you finish a batch, place browned Meatballs in slow cooker. Reserve drippings in skillet.

3. Cover. Cook on High 10-15 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, make Gravy by stirring flour, salt, garlic powder, pepper, and paprika into hot drippings in skillet.

5. Stir in water and sour cream, stirring continually over medium heat until Gravy thickens. Pour over meatballs.

6. Cover. Reduce heat to Low. Cook 4-5 hours.

Serving suggestion: Serve over
rice
or
noodles
.

Italian Meatball Subs

Bonnie Miller

Louisville, OH

Makes 6-7 servings

Prep. Time: 45 minutes

Cooking Time: 4-6 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 4- to 5-qt.

2 eggs, beaten

¼ cup milk

½ cup dry bread crumbs

2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese

1 tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

⅛ tsp. garlic powder

1 lb. ground beef

½ lb. bulk pork sausage

Sauce:

15-oz. can tomato sauce

6-oz. can tomato paste

1 small onion, chopped

½ cup chopped green bell pepper

½ cup red wine,
or
beef broth

⅓ cup water

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 tsp. dried oregano

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper

½ tsp. sugar

1. Make Meatballs by combining eggs and milk in a large bowl. Add bread crumbs, cheese, and seasonings. Add meats.

2. Mix well. Shape into 1” balls. Broil or sauté in batches until brown in non-stick skillet. As you finish a batch, place Meatballs in slow cooker.

3. Combine Sauce ingredients in a good-sized bowl. Pour over Meatballs. (Make sure Meatballs on the bottom of the cooker are covered with Sauce, too.)

4. Cover. Cook on Low 4-6 hours.

Serving suggestion: Serve on
rolls
, along with
creamy red potatoes
,
salad
, and
dessert
.

We enjoy gathering for a simple meal with friends. We roast hot dogs in the fire place and everyone brings something they have on hand. The meal usually ends up well balanced even though unplanned.

Karen Sauder, Adamstown, PA

Arlene’s BBQ Meatballs

Arlene Groff

Lewistown, PA

Makes 12 servings

Prep. Time: 35 minutes

Cooking Time: 4 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 5-qt.

2 lbs. ground beef

2 eggs

1 small onion, chopped

¼ cup milk

1½ cup crushed crackers (equal to one packaged column of saltines)

1 tsp. prepared mustard

1 tsp. salt

½ tsp. pepper

oil

1½ cups tomato juice

⅓ cup vinegar

1 Tbsp. soy sauce

1 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

¾ cup brown sugar

2 Tbsp. cornstarch

1 tsp. prepared mustard

1. Combine beef, eggs, onion, milk, crackers, 1 tsp. mustard, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Form into small balls.

2. Brown in batches in oil in skillet. As you finish a batch, place Meatballs in slow cooker.

3. Combine remaining ingredients in a good-sized bowl. Pour over Meatballs, making sure that all are covered with sauce.

4. Cover. Cook on Low 2 hours. Stir well. Cook an additional 2 hours on Low.

Cocktail Meatballs

Kathy Purcell

Dublin, OH

Makes 10-12 servings

Prep. Time: 50 minutes

Cooking Time: 3-4 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 5- to 6-qt.

3 lbs. ground beef

1 envelope dry onion soup mix

14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk

Sauce:

18-oz. bottle ketchup

½ cup brown sugar

¼ cup Worcestershire sauce

1. Combine beef, soup mix, and condensed milk in a large bowl. Form into about 3 dozen meatballs, each about 1½” around.

2. Place meatballs on baking sheet. Brown in 350° oven for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and drain. Place meatballs in slow cooker.

3. Combine Sauce ingredients in a good-sized bowl. Pour over meatballs, making sure all are covered.

4. Cover. Cook on Low 3-4 hours.

Note:

I have made these meatballs for many different parties and events, and they are always a big hit. Everyone asks for the recipe.

Easy Meatballs for a Group

Penny Blosser

Beavercreek, OH

Makes 10-12 main-dish servings

Prep. Time: 5 minutes

Cooking Time: 4 hours

Ideal slow cooker size: 5- to 6-qt.

80-100 frozen small meatballs

16-oz. jar barbecue sauce

16-oz. jar apricot jam

1. Fill slow cooker with meatballs.

2. Combine sauce and jam in a bowl. Pour over meatballs, making sure that all are covered with sauce.

3. Cover. Cook on Low 4 hours, stirring occasionally if you’re home and able to do so.

Serving suggestion: This works well as an appetizer (served with picks), or as a main dish over
rice
.