Tuesday, December 30, 2008

SAVED BY THE DINNER BELL


(This is not my photograph but the meatballs look like this.)

My head is still spinning from Christmas. I'm trying to get ready for D1's birthday which is New Year's Day and can't seem to put one foot in front of the other without putting forth major effort. I'm feeling a bit guilty that while most of my bloggy friends took time off for Christmas, they are back at it and I've got ………….nothing. I've discovered when the creative juices fail me, a recipe post is in order. I feel a little embarrassed to even call this a recipe because it's so simple, I think the dog could do it if she didn't lack the required opposable thumbs to open the jars.

Every year since we moved to our current home, we have hosted an open house Christmas Eve celebration for our friends and family. Each year I've made this recipe for meatballs and it's become a tradition that everyone demands expects. While the menu varies each year, there is always beer, there is always wine and there are always meatballs. D2 has a friend that is also a neighbor. When she arrived home from college on Christmas break this year the first thing she said to D2 was, "Your mom's making meatballs, right?" One year they were in a little tiff and this friend actually made nice just in time to be welcomed back into the fold just for the meatballs. Personally, I like them but really don't see what all the fuss is about. All I know is that if you choose to make them ….say….for New Years Eve….be prepared to make them again next year.

HOLIDAY MEATBALLS

1 Large package of frozen meatballs (I've used homemade meatballs before and MHS prefers them but at this time of year, the frozen variety fit more into my schedule.)

1 Large jar of Ragu traditional spaghetti sauce (any brand will do but this is the one I use)

1 Large jar of grape jelly (I've also used a combo of red and black currant jelly)

1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Combine all ingredients in a crockpot on high and heat thoroughly. Stir occasionally. Reduce heat to low.

Enjoy!

Happy New Year, everyone!

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sometimes the simplest things really are the best...

A client recently hosted a little luncheon in which she served russian chicken, which was just a few ingredients also...and absolutely fabulous.

Hope the b'day party goes well...yippee for new year's babies!

Anonymous said...

I CAN do this recipe and it will be just the thing for NYE which will consist of a very quiet evening at home while I kick HBL's butt on the Wii.

I just read him this recipe and he said "Grape Jelly????" Ha! Now I can't wait to try it.

For what it's worth, I'm probably not posting for the next few days. I'm tired and busy and lazy so I think that's plenty of good excuses.

Wunderwoman said...

Ohhhh, need to get to the store, meatballs sound wunderful....

Pseudo said...

Cornbread...goooood
white trash..........goooooood
Meatballs ...I'm guessing f'n good.
Happy New Year Smart Mouth and Happy Birthday to D1.

Pseudo said...

BTW. Your word veri is getting sassy. Mine was imenpump. oi

Pseudo said...

And my next one was rehumpen. Seriously, if I get a soft pron one again I'll be right back.

Anonymous said...

Ahhh, you're pulling a "me." I do that all the time - no blog material? Post a recipe. So you're in decent company. :P

I've seen versions of this recipe that call for chili sauce and grape jelly. I like yours better because I've always been, "WTF is with the 'chili sauce'? What KIND of chili sauce? Can we at least get a BRAND NAME here???" You, my dear, have solved that whole dilemma - you've not only given me a specific type of sauce, but a brand name to boot.

Bless your heart.

That being said, could I substitute Prego? I like it better than Ragu...

Anonymous said...

Love the absolute ease of this recipe. Frozen meatballs may not taste quite as good as homemade, but if you just serve a little more beer no one will notice.

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Thistle-Yippee indeed! Happy birthday to you too!

MLS-Tell HBL he's gonna love it. I hope.....*sigh*

Wunderwoman-I'd love to hear what you think. Thanks for stopping by my site and I hope you come back. And I hope I think of something interesting to say. *sigh*

Pseudo-I wonder if we can find a way to create our own captures like Slick had. Hmmm? That could be fun. D1 says thanks and I hope you love the meatballs as much as the other recipes.

Jan-I've never seen the recipe with chili sauce but I'm sure these are better. *wink* If I am using jarred sauce for actual spaghetti, I also prefer Prego to Ragu but have always used the Ragu for the meatballs. The orignal recipe called for Ragu Pizza Quick sauce. I'm sure any sauce will work great.

BRG-I couldn't agree more.

Anonymous said...

YUMMY !
Please pass the meatballs.
NOW!

May you and yours have a healthy, happy, and safe 2009.

Wunderwoman said...

Thanks for visiting my blog!! As soon as I try the meatballs I'll get back to you how they are, but keep in mind I'm not the worlds best cook, LOL
Wish I could enjoy some of your weather too. Have a great New Year!!!

rachaelgking said...

This sounds amazing! Every Christmas Eve for as far back as I can remember, we've had my grandmother's meatball chowder for dinner... and I can't imagine having anything else.

Happy New Year!

Anonymous said...

My daughter in law made these for our Christmas and they were wonderful and so easy. Thanks for sharing!