Let me tell you about one of my all-time favorite recipes – meat balls! These aren’t just your regular meat balls. They’re juicy, flavorful, and incredibly satisfying. The secret to these delightful bites? A mix of ground beef, sweet relish, garlic powder, minced onions, onion salt, and an egg. Shaken in a bag of barbecue ‘Shake N Bake’ before being baked to perfection, these meat balls are a true game-changer. I absolutely love this recipe because it’s so easy to make yet so tantalizingly delicious. The sweet and tangy relish adds a unique flavor that sets these meat balls apart from any other you’ve tasted. So, whether you’re planning a family dinner or looking for the perfect appetizer for your next gathering, these meat balls are sure to impress. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll be making them over and over again!
Ingredients
- 2 lb. ground beef
- 10 oz. jar sweet relish
- 2 tsp. garlic powder
- 1/2 c. minced onions
- 1/2 tsp. onion salt
- 1 egg
- 1 box barbecue Shake ‘N Bake
Baking Instructions
- Mix beef, sweet relish, garlic powder, onion powder, onion salt and egg.
- Form into balls.
- Put into bag of Shake ‘N Bake. Cover good.
- Cook at 350° for 30 to 40 minutes.
Calorie: 350
Total cooking time: 40 minutes
Difficulty level: Easy
An Unexpected Journey into the World of Meatballs
Being a food blogger, I live for the days when I can transform ordinary ingredients into something amazing. This story is about one such day when I decided to take a leap of faith with 2 lb. of ground beef, a 10 oz. jar of sweet relish, and a box of barbecue Shake ‘N Bake. Now, these aren’t your typical ingredients, but sometimes, you just have to trust the process and go with the flow.
Brace Yourselves, Mixing is Coming
And so, the journey began. I took my ground beef and sweet relish, thinking, “Well, sweet relish in meatballs, that’s a first.” But, I wasn’t about to chicken out. I tossed them into a bowl with 2 tsp. of garlic powder, 1/2 c. of minced onions, 1/2 tsp. of onion salt, and our binding agent of the day, an egg. I was half-expecting the egg to jump out of the bowl in protest, but it stayed put.
From the Bowl to the Balls
Next up, the part of cooking that feels like playtime at kindergarten – forming the mixture into balls. I have to tell you, there’s something deeply satisfying about this process. Maybe it’s the child-like joy of playing with food, or perhaps it’s the anticipation of these random ingredients transforming into something delicious.
Shake ‘N Bake, the Unsung Hero
Then came the time to introduce the meatballs to their final destination before the oven – the bag of Shake ‘N Bake. I like to think of it as their little spa treatment before they get to shine. Into the bag they went, one by one, getting all nice and covered, ready for their tan in the oven.
The Oven Beckons
With the meatballs duly pampered, it was time for the real action. The oven was preheated to 350°, all warm and welcoming. The meatballs went in, probably wondering if this was some kind of hot yoga class. But they had to stay in there, cooking and sizzling for a good 30 to 40 minutes.
The Moment of Truth
Then came the moment of truth. The aroma wafting out of the oven was a good sign, but the real test was in the tasting. And boy, did they pass the test with flying colors! The sweet relish added a unique flavor, the onions and garlic powder lent their aromatic magic, and the Shake ‘N Bake added a delightful crunch.
The Aftermath
So there you have it, my friends, a tale of an unexpected culinary journey. One that started with some ground beef, sweet relish, garlic powder, onions, onion salt, an egg, and a box of Shake ‘N Bake. One that ended with a plate full of delectable meatballs. Was it a mission? Yes. Was it worth it? Absolutely. Will I do it again? Without a doubt.
In the end, it’s not about following a recipe to the letter. It’s about having fun, making mistakes, learning, and creating something delicious along the way. And, of course, sharing these stories with you. Until next time, happy cooking!
