Porcupine Meatballs
A true family favorite from our youth! This easy dinner comes together in a snap, is loaded with kid-friendly flavors like cloves and cinnamon and a hint of sweetness from the honey and vanilla paste, and the meatballs look so fun, like little porcupines with the rice sticking up after it cooks. It works well in the Crock-Pot, or on the stove, whichever your schedule allows.
- 1 1/2 lbs. lean ground beef (ground turkey also works)
- 3/4 c. uncooked rice
- 2 TBSP finely chopped onion
- 3/4 tsp. celery salt
- 3 1/4 c. (or 1 quart) diced tomatoes (for smoother texture, puree it in the blender)
- 3/4 tsp. ground Ceylon cinnamon
- 1 TBSP honey
- 1 TBSP vanilla paste
- 1 TBSP Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp. pepper (fresh ground Wild Madagascar Peppercorns are really good!)
- 6-10 whole cloves (or 1 tsp. ground)
Combine ground beef, rice, onion, salt, and celery salt. Form mixture into balls about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Place meatballs in the bottom of a Crock-pot. Mix tomatoes, cinnamon, honey, vanilla paste, and Worcestershire sauce. Pour sauce over the meatballs. Scatter the cloves around the top. Close the lid. Cook on high for 4-6 hours, or 8 hours on low. Makes 6-8 servings.
Note: you can also cook these on the stovetop or in an electric skillet. Add the sauce first to a large frying pan with a lid, bring it to a boil, add the meatballs and turn the heat to low, put the lid on, and simmer for about 50 minutes.