Tis the season for appetizer, small bite, tapas gatherings. My favorite kind of parties.
I’m sure this post finds you hustling and bustling and enjoying the Holiday time of year. This week has been a whirlwind in our world. It started last Saturday with our office party. A wonderful traditional Italian meal at a co-worker’s home. Then an ornament exchange party at my friend Heather’s. Her table was filled with wonderful food and I thought the highlight was her spicy glazed ham = omg. Then there was that Thursday Night Bronco game….boo-hoo, the Grinch came early to Denver. And of course there’s that shopping “thing”.
Friday night found us glued to the television saddened and horrified for our community, watching yet another school shooting incident unfold, and so very close to home. I was less than a mile away and watched as the army of police vehicles, ambulances, swat team crews, and television stations rushed up University Boulevard in an impressive response.
I’ve simply had no time to blog.
Being in a Holiday party frame of mind, I’m also in the appetizer frame of mind so a Googleing I went. Enjoy. And if you’re like me, it’s one of those things you can’t stop eating.
Looking for more meatball recipes. Take a look at my go-to. This is my mom’s recipe and has been a family favorite for years. BBQ Meatballs, the sauce is killer.
Now for the sweet and sour recipe.
- 1 jar chili sauce 12 oz, 340 gm
- 1 jar 12 oz) grape jelly 340 gm, jam
- Juice of one lemon
- In a large pot, combine the chili sauce, grape jelly and lemon juice.
- Heat this mixture over medium heat until the jelly melts and everything begins to incorporate.
- Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for at least 30 minutes, until the meatballs are heated through
- This recipe is very, very adaptable. If you don’t have chili sauce, use ketchup. Or cocktail sauce. Don’t have a lemon? Use a lime! Want some added kick? Add a splash or two of teriyaki sauce (yum. I promise.). Be adventurous with your flavor of jam, if you want. You can also choose to cook the meatballs in the sauce rather than adding them in after they are cooked – whatever you choose. We always served these over rice, but they make great appetizer meatballs, or can be served however you prefer.
I used my basic meatball recipe:
- 3 pounds extra lean ground beef
- 13 ounces evaporated milk
- 2 wholes eggs lightly beaten
- 1/2 t . pepper
- 1 t . salt
- 2 C . saltine crackers crushed or 2 C. Old Fashioned Oats
- 1 whole onion fine diced
- 1/2 clove garlic fine diced
- 2 t . chili powder
- Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl and form into meatballs. Bake on a cookie sheet treated with non-stick spray. 375 degrees for about 20 minutes. Makes about 40 meatballs.
Sweet and Sour, Grape Jelly Meatballs…They’re what’s for an Appetizer.
Sam @ My Carolina Kitchen says
December 16, 2013 at 4:18 amWhat an interesting combination of flavors in the meatballs. I would have been baffled about “just grape jelly.” I love little bites like this.
We too have been horrified by all of the shootings. I didn’t realize that one in Denver was so near you. That must have been scary. I just read this morning there was one in the Short Hills Mall in NJ, near where my husband grew up. Something has to be done to stop this.
Sam
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:37 amSam, it was pretty heart stopping to be so close to scene and the activity while this was all unfolding. Your heart is in your throat, to say the least.
pam (Sidewalk Shoes) says
December 16, 2013 at 7:09 amI love the sound of these meatballs and I love your dishes!
I hate to hear of another school shooting. Every week my mom encourages me to quit teaching – isn’t it a shame that it has come to this?
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:37 amI agree Pam. What’s worse is I don’t think anyone knows how to stop it.
maria @ close tohome says
December 16, 2013 at 7:12 amI always love these at parties but never had made them.
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:38 amThanks for stopping by Marla! Always love new visitors and comments. You should give them a try, they’re pretty darn easy.
SeattleDee says
December 16, 2013 at 9:24 amThe sauce sounds like magic – only three ingredients combine to produce so much flavor! This sounds delicious, and perfect for impromptu entertaining.
Shelley C says
December 16, 2013 at 9:45 amOh, yay! I am so glad that you found, made and enjoyed these meatballs! We love them – they are such a treat!
Watching the news is such a sad and scary thing these days. Wishing you, your community and the world peace.
Kate says
December 16, 2013 at 9:49 amMmmmm….I love meatballs with grape jelly sauce…..delicious!! Great SRC selection.
Heather @ Join Us, Pull up a Chair says
December 16, 2013 at 10:53 amI love making these meatballs for parties! Great SRC choice!
Rebekah says
December 16, 2013 at 11:03 amHow fabulous are your photos and those adorable dishes!!!
And the meatballs sound delicious, too. 🙂
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:43 amRebekah, those little dishes are actually oyster appetizer plates, at least that’s what the store told me when I bought them. Thanks for stopping by and the comment!
Larry says
December 16, 2013 at 4:35 pmSounds like you’ve been busy. I love meatballs, I’d probably like sweet and sour meatballs, but I draw the line at grape jelly meatballs 🙂
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:44 amYou line drawers are just no fun! 🙂
Holly says
December 16, 2013 at 8:41 pmMy mom makes this sauce for meatballs and, I have to say, when she first made them I was sure they wouldn’t be a hit…but we all loved them. So easy and so good! I’ll have to ask her to add these to the list of Christmas goodies this year. Merry Christmas, Lea Ann!
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:44 amMerry Christmas to you too Holly!
Heather says
December 17, 2013 at 7:57 amNothing better than a good meatball. Perfect party food! These look delicious! I would have to be careful not to eat the whole thing!
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:46 amI have loved snacking on the leftovers .. a couple here … a couple there … yup eaten the whole thing.
colleen @ Secrets from the Cookie Princess says
December 17, 2013 at 9:08 amThese are so perfect for the holidays! Great pick
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:46 amThanks so much Colleen.
Susan says
December 17, 2013 at 9:10 amI can remember making something very similar years ago and it was a big hit. I’m not sure why I stopped making them. Probably, too many new recipes to try 🙂 They sound delicious!
Wow, that shooting really was close. So sad and scary!
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:47 amThat’s the sad thing about our love for food. We’re always making something new and the oldie but goodies get lost in the shuffle. Thanks for stopping by and the comment.
Pam says
December 17, 2013 at 9:56 amThe presentation is fantastic… great photos! The meatballs look and sound delicious.
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:47 amThanks so much Pam.
Johnnie says
December 17, 2013 at 10:36 amThanks for this recipe. I had forgot all about these.
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:48 amYou’re welcome Johnnie and thanks for stopping by.
Abbe@This is How I Cook says
December 17, 2013 at 10:40 amSimple recipes are so good! I’ve seen this one before so it is nice to know that it tastes great, too! Thanks Lea Ann!
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:48 amYou’re welcome Abbe! Thanks for stopping by.
Chris says
December 17, 2013 at 11:21 amha ha, didn’t see this when I made my comment on the Apple on Horseback post. I remember the first time I came across meatballs like this. It was a Christmas office party at Winn-Dixie Stores Jacksonville Division office. I remember thinking, who in their right mind puts meatballs in grape jelly? Then I found out it is a thing.
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:50 amI was the same way when I heard grape jelly was in the recipe. What the???? 🙂
Kari@Loaves n Dishes says
December 17, 2013 at 6:11 pmSo I saw this at Marvelous Mondays and just had to see it! The sauce sounds just perfect actually, with that hit of lemon juice to keep it from being too sweet. I’m loving this recipe!
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:51 amWell I’m so glad you stopped by! And thanks for the comment. I agree about that lemon juice. When I reheated them, I stirred in a tad of Dijon. That made for a great flavor combo too.
lynn says
December 17, 2013 at 8:13 pmMmm, these meatballs look wonderful.
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:54 amThanks Lynn! And thanks for stopping by.
Lea Ann says
December 18, 2013 at 6:45 amI’m still hopeful for a trip to the Super Bowl. I agree that’s just what Colorado needs. And I’m loving that Paneer idea Ansh. I drizzled melted cheese over the top for leftovers.
Penny says
December 18, 2013 at 2:02 pmI had a version of these too, at a wedding years ago. But my source shared her recipe. It was my Aunt Pat and I still make her meatballs. The difference from yours is that she used a can of jellied cranberry sauce instead of grape jelly. I love, love your photo! I am having all kinds of problems with photography lately because of lighting issues. Hope you have a wonderful Christmas with your family Lea Ann.
Lea Ann says
December 22, 2013 at 6:13 amSince I’ve made this recipe, I’ve seen a couple of versions with cranberry. Sounds good to me. Lighting issues are always my frustration. Sometimes I just don’t get it.
Joy @ Yesterfood says
December 18, 2013 at 2:10 pmLea Ann, I’m so glad you’re not “one of those” who doesn’t share recipes….because this one sounds fantastic. I love the combination of flavors- wouldn’t this be fun for a New Year’s Eve party? I’m thinking yes. 🙂
Lea Ann says
December 22, 2013 at 6:14 amI’m thinking “yes” Joy. Thanks for stopping by.
Vickie says
December 20, 2013 at 9:26 amI thought of you immediately when I heard of that shooting. How scary!
Your beautiful photo makes me want to grab one of those succulent little bites! In Texas people made a much less elegant version that was cocktail sausages cooked in a crockpot with jar of grape jelly . . . . went by the lovely name of Grape Wienies. (that name makes you want a bite, doesn’t it?)
Hugs and Merry Christmas!
Lea Ann says
December 22, 2013 at 6:16 amMaking those grape wienies very soon! My personal shopper came home with this huge jar of grape jelly that’s clogging up the fridge. Gotta make something with it. 🙂