Holiday Meatballs

Every Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's, I prepare my famous Holiday Meatballs for my family. Sometimes, and this is very rare, I will make them outside this holiday window, but it better be a very special occasion.

I found this recipe in a cookbook, Betty Crocker's Hostess Cookbook, that my mother gave me for my wedding shower many moons ago. The book is tattered, torn and well worn. Of course, I have loved this book from the moment I received it. Over the years, I have modified the recipe to perfection as my family will all attest!

1 pound ground sirloin (you can substitute ground turkey)

1/2 cup bread crumbs (if using turkey, increase bread crumbs to 2/3 cup)

1/3 cup minced onions

1/4 cup milk

1 egg

2 tablespoons parsley

1 teaspoon salt

1/8 teaspoon pepper

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1 bottle (12 ounces) chili sauce

10 ounces grape jelly

Preheat oven 350 degrees.

Mix all but the last two ingredients in a bowl. Make 1" meatballs. Place on a cookie sheet. If using turkey, spray the cookie sheet with a shortening. The turkey meat balls will stick if you don't use a shortening.

Place meatballs in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes. I usually check on them at about 15 minutes in and shake the cookie sheet so to turn the meatballs. Turkey meatballs may stick, so use your spatula.

When meatballs are done, take them out of the oven and make the sauce. In a large pot, add the chili sauce and jar of jelly. Use medium heat. The jelly will break down nicely to make a very nice sauce. Add the meatballs. Heat for about 20 minutes to coat well.

Serve in a chafing dish or crock pot and watch them disappear. These will be the first to go!

This recipe can be doubled and tripled very nicely. I find this necessary to do so because once the meatballs come out of the oven, they seem to disappear. It is a mystery I share with you, but believe me, these will disappear in your kitchen, too.

Now, I will tell you that I have tried to cheat and purchase frozen meatballs to save time. Your guests will not be fooled. The meatball itself is delicious without the sauce and your guests will know you took a shortcut. Just ask my son!

I will tell you that you can make the chili/jelly sauce and add the little smokie links. This saves time.

Consider yourself special, blogging friends! I am sharing this with all of you.