Outta the Park Meatballs

The MLB playoffs are here, so it's time to gather up the gang, lay out a bountiful spread of tasty appetizers and other sports-watching food, and settle down in front of the TV to watch the big games. Here's a recipe that's sure to hit a home run, and which is appropriately named Outta the Park Meatballs, featuring the award-winning Outta the Park BBQ Sauce, which also happens to be our featured product in the September issue of the Carolina Sauce Company Newsletter. Scott Granai, the man behind this rich and zesty barbecue sauce and an avid baseball fan, was kind enough to let me share this recipe with you. He said he learned the "make your meatballs in muffin tins" technique from the Food Network's Alton Brown, who also happens to be one of my favorite Food Network personalities. Without further ado, here is Scott's recipe:

Ingredients
2 lbs. Ground Beef
1 lb. Ground Pork
1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs*
1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
2 eggs, beaten
3 Tbs Outta the Park BBQ Sauce [Note: You'll use the rest of the bottle later in this recipe, too]
1/2 cup red onion, finely diced
1/4 cup fresh, chopped cilantro
*Season plain bread crumbs with salt, pepper, parsley, garlic powder & onion powder

In a large mixing bowl combine all ingredients, using your hands to mix thoroughly. Gather the mixture into a ball and then form into meatballs roughly 1" in diameter. You should end up with about 80 to 90 small meatballs.

In a shallow bowl, combine extra breadcrumbs and Parmesan along with salt and pepper and dredge each meatball in the mix, coating thoroughly. Cook meatballs in frying pan over medium heat until done, or bake using mini-muffin pans. To bake, pierce each meatball through its center with a toothpick and suspend each meatball in the muffin cups, which will catch fat drippings. Bake at 350°F for 25 minutes or until done. Remove toothpicks.

Place cooked meatballs in a warmed crockpot. Add 1 Bottle of Outta the Park BBQ Sauce to crockpot [Note: You can add the remainder of the bottle you opened earlier for the 3 Tbs]. Heat until hot. Serve hot and enjoy!

Note: For Hot & Spicy meatballs, simply use Outta the Park Hot & Spicy BBQ Sauce

Zestfully yours,
Gloria

PS: Not a baseball fan? No worries, you can enjoy these irresistibly delicious meatballs while watching NFL football, NHL hockey, college sports, or anything else!