Here on the farm, my crockpot gets a workout. With the impending kidding season fast approaching, I am getting my crockpot recipes in order and stocking up on the ingredients. Many of my recipes come from my Fix-It and Forget-It cookbook or The Magical Slow Cooker website. Today's recipe can be found on The Magical Slow Cooker. The kidding season is a few weeks out, but I am just as busy with this never-ending God-forsaken painting project. My kitchen is a mess. The cabinet doors have been removed, drawer fronts are off, cabinet contents are stacked and piled on every flat surface, and laundry baskets are acting as impromptu storage for food.
The Bibbed Wonder and The Bean complain about my lack of meal preparation. Eric informed Jordan that this kitchen project is one of those projects where mom doesn't cook. Last night, we had fried egg sandwiches. We have an overabundance of eggs, and the meal took minimal effort. Although they are fed, it is not up to their standards. My family will riot if I don't make something "meaty and delicious." Insert an eye roll and a long, dramatic sigh. Tonight, the menu will be porcupine meatballs with roasted carrots and rice. I can cook the meatballs in the crockpot while I paint, the rice cooker is a hands-free way to cook the rice, and roasted carrots are an easy fix. That is the game plan, but it is Friday, and Fridays are a good day to order pizza. Saturdays are too. Insert a contemplative stare.
No, tonight it is meatballs. Tomorrow, it is Romeo's Pizza. So, allow me to share the recipe for "meaty and delicious" porcupine meatballs.
Porcupine Meatballs
Ingredients:
1 1/2 lbs extra lean ground beef
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
2 eggs
1 cup finely diced onions
1/3 cup barbecue sauce
1/4 cup milk
1 cup crushed crackers, I use Ritz
1 cup instant rice, don't use standard rice
Sauce:
2 cups ketchup, I use Heinz
1/2 cup Sweet Baby Rays Barbecue Sauce
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
Directions:
In a large bowl, add the meatball ingredients except the rice. With clean hands, mix these ingredients together. Add the rice and mix evenly. Form the balls. I made them about the size of 2 tablespoons. I made a total of 20 meatballs.
Mix the sauce ingredients in a small bowl until combined.
Spray the slow cooker with non-stick spray. Layer the meatballs in the crockpot and cover with the sauce.
Cover and cook on LOW for 5 hours without opening the lid during the cooking time.
If you have a busy weekend planned, this recipe provides a "meaty and delicious" meal with little effort. If you try it, I hope you enjoy it. Remember, wherever you live, a family or independently owned pizza joint will be happy to provide you with an effortless meal. If your family complains, tell them God loves an independent man/child/woman and feed them an egg sandwich. On this overcast spring Friday, stay safe, be smart, complete your projects, and wash your hands.
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