Ever notice how cocktail meatballs and hot dogs are among the first treats to disappear from the appetizer table? This recipe takes those all-time favorites to gourmet heights, with a festive cranberry spark and flavorful ground ham standing in for beef.
Ingredients
1 egg, beaten
1/2 cup finely crushed graham crackers
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons snipped dried cranberries
2 tablespoons milk
Dash ground cloves
8 ounces ground pork
8 ounces ground cooked ham
Nonstick cooking spray
1 16-ounce can jellied cranberry sauce
1 12-ounce bottle chili sauce
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 teaspoon dry mustard
1 16-ounce package small fully cooked smoked sausage links
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degree F. For meatballs, in a large mixing bowl combine the egg, crushed graham crackers, onion, cranberries, milk, and cloves. Add ground pork and ham. Shape into 50 meatballs.
2. Lightly coat a 15x10x1-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray. Place meatballs in pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes or until no longer pink inside. Drain meatballs.
3. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan stir together the cranberry sauce, chili sauce, vinegar, and dry mustard. Cook over medium heat until cranberry sauce is melted, stirring occasionally.
4. In a 3-1/2- to 5-quart crockery cooker combine the baked meatballs and smoked sausage links. Pour sauce over meatballs and links. Cover; cook on high-heat setting for 2 to 3 hours. Serve immediately or keep warm on low-heat setting for up to 2 hours. Serve with toothpicks. Makes 25 appetizer servings.
Source: Better Homes & Gardens