Comfort Meatballs

I wanted to find a recipe where I had everything I needed and didn't have to make a run to the store to buy an ingredient.  So I was browsing some cookbooks and I found it--Comfort Meatballs.  You can find the recipe in The Pioneer Woman Cooks, page 172.  The author, Ree Drummond, says "These delicious meatballs are not in the same category of regular Italian meatballs that would go in spaghetti. . . These are more in the comfort food/meatloaf category."  Whatever category, these are absolutely delicious!

Comfort Meatballs                     

Meatballs:
1 1/2 pounds ground beef
3/4 cup quick oats
1 cup milk
3 tablespoons very finely minced onion
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
Plenty of ground black pepper

4 tablespoons canola oil
1/2 cup flour


Sauce:
1 cup ketchup
2 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 to 6 tablespoons minced onion
Dash of Tabasco

1.  In a bowl, combine the ground beef and oats.
2.  Pour in the milk, then add the diced onion and salt.
3.  Add the black pepper, then stir to combine.
4.  Roll the mixture into tablespoon-size balls and refrigerate them for 30 to 45 minutes to firm.
5.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Heat the canola oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
6.  Dredge the meatballs in the flour.
7.  Brown the meatballs in batches until light brown.
8.  As they brown, place them into a rectangular baking dish.
9.  Stir together the sauce ingredients and drizzle the sauce evenly on the meatballs.
10.  Bake for about 45 minutes, or until bubbly and hot.

Spiced Honey Pretzels

Here's another easy recipe from the 2010 Taste of Home Annual Recipes book. Quick, easy, and tasty!

Spiced Honey Pretzels

4 cups thin pretzel sticks ( I used the square ones)
3 Tablespoons honey
2 teaspoons butter, melted
1 teaspoon onion powder
1 teaspoon chili powder

Line a 15x10x1 inch baking pan with foil; coat the foil with cooking spray.  Place the pretzels in a large bowl.

In a small bowl, combine the honey, butter, onion powder and chili powder.  Pour over pretzels; toss to coat evenly.  Spread into prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes, stirring once.  Cool on a wire rack, stirring gently several times to separate.