Appetizers

 

I promised earlier this week that I would share two quick appetizers with you for the big game on Sunday. 

These are ridiculously easy and fast.  If you have two crock pots, even better.  The ingredients are a bit unusual.  If you think that some of your crowd might be a bit squeamish…just tell them it is barbecue sauce.  Boys will eat anything if you tell them that. 

Grape Jam Meatballs

1 bag frozen meatballs…approximately 24-36
1 16 ounce jar grape jam….generic or name brand
1 16 ounce jar chili sauce (for a spicy flavor)
OR
1 16 ounce bottle ketchup (for a mild flavor the kids will eat)

In a mixing bowl, whisk together the jam and sauce or ketchup.  Dump (don’t you love the fancy cooking terminology?) the meatballs into the crock pot, pour the sauce over, cover and cook on low (if you have a few hours) or on high if the guys will be arriving any minute. 
Be sure you get your serving quickly.  These will be gone in no time. 

The other recipe is very similar and equally quirky, 

Cranberry Meatballs

1 bag frozen meatballs…approximately 24-36
1 16 ounce can jellied cranberry sauce…there’s only one brand
1/2 cup barbecue sauce, your favorite brand…
(See you’re not lying…there’s barbecue sauce in this one.)

Whisk the sauces together until smooth.  Pour sauce over meatballs in the second crock pot.  Adjust the cooking temperature to your needs. 

Now, the fancier recipes say you should serve these meatballs with toothpicks.  But if the game has started and the guys are yelling for their team to complete the next play…
Those toothpicks could be dangerous….I’ve seen my sons poke each other with them, especially if their team was winning.  If someone gets carried away with the poking, you could end up with EMT’s and half the fire station in your entertainment room…there’s definitely not going to be enough meatballs for that crowd!