The WINNER of Super Bowl 43 . . . . Gin's Sweet and Spicy Meatballs

Are you ready for the Super Bowl? I know that I am. This year I am invited to a Super Bowl party and for once can’t wait. I have never much been in to the Super Bowl, but for some reason this year is different. Could it be my birthday is the next day, and I get to go out for my birthday dinner? Could it be that my husband is taking my shopping for some new kitchen gadgets? Or, could it be my Sweet and Spicy Meatballs?

Kick off your Super Bowl party with an enticing crock of Sweet and Spicy Meatballs! The deep sweet flavor of Pepper Jelly combines forces with chili sauce to make a remarkably amazing base for these homemade meatballs. The deliciously versatile thing about these little gems is that they can be made a head, and frozen until the big football day. Make a batch today and your well on your way to serving some pretty amazing appetizers.

Gin’s Sweet and Spicy Meatballs

1 lb. lean ground beef
2 Italian sausage links, casing removed
1 egg, beaten
1 cup panko bread crumbs
1 head garlic, roasted
½ Parmesan cheese
2 tablespoon dried minced onion
2 teaspoons garlic pepper
2 teaspoon Chardonnay smoked sea salt
1 bottle chili sauce

1 cup Pepper Jelly

(1) Roast garlic head and cool. Make paste with roasted garlic. (2) Soak dried onion in ¼ cup warm water. (3) Mix all ingredients and shape in to 1 inch meatballs. (4) Brown in a non-stick pan with a small amount of olive oil. Drain and set aside. (5) Combine 1 cup Pepper Jelly and 1 bottle in chili sauce in a pan and simmer until warm. (6) Add meatballs and warmed sauce to a crock pot. Set crock pot to warm which will gently permeate the meatballs with the mouth-watering sauce.

These meatballs are spicy while being sweet. They are tangy while being mellow. They are bold and diverse. You can serve them with toothpicks or propped on top of French bread slices. What more can ask for? You will be the star. These meatballs are easy with terrific flavors AND they can be made a head of time. May I make a suggestion? Make a double batch or triple batch. You can never have too many of Gin's Sweet and Spicy meatballs on hand.