Everybody likes meatballs!

Ten months later I'm back online. 

Life has been busy and really, I just kept forgetting to take photos as I cooked this past while. But today! I remembered. I am heading to another holiday gathering tonight and if you've read some of my previous posts, I'm all about using my crockpot whenever I can. It's fast and easy, and let's me get anything else I need to do done while it does the work. (Like today, for example, was very busy with napping and reading my book.) 

So here's another recipe to make and bring as an appetizer for any party you may be attending, or you could serve it over rice and veggies as an entree. And only FIVE ingredients required. Say what?! Yeah. Five.

*Apologies for the photo-taking above. I blame hunger for the fuzzy shot but at least you get the gist. 

1) Box of frozen meatballs, approximately 60 pieces 

2) Two Tablespoons of Dijon mustard 

3) One can of jellied cranberry sauce 

4) Three tablespoons of low-sodium soy sauce 

5) 3/4 bottle of BBQ sauce (the one in the photo is my favorite!) 

If I've got the time and patience, I would make my own meatballs as an alternative recipe for the protein too, but in a pinch the premade ones from the grocery frozen section is very handy. Turkey meatballs would be good with this sauce, too. 

Now get how ridick-simple this is....don't thaw out the meatballs; just place them in the crockpot as-is. Next: Take the remaining four ingredients in a bowl and combine them until there's a smooth consistency. No jelly lumps, please. 

*Digression: Has anyone seen that old cartoon called "The Family Dog"? If so, you'll remember the scene where they feed him, and the food comes out of the can, still can-shaped. Heh. That's cranberry sauce,too. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tGbXqbhDZyM  

Now cover the meatballs with the sauce, then gently stir them to ensure all are evenly covered with it. Cover, set the temp to low, cook 4 hours. 

Voila! 

The salt of the soy cuts the sweetness of the cranberry, and the BBQ and mustard brings just enough savoury zing to it, too. Your party-people will be so impressed with your culinary bringings. Enjoy and remember to share. 'Tis the season!

Get cookin',

Stace