The Only Meatloaf I'll Eat.

I'm not a meatloaf fan.  Meat isn't meant to come in a loaf.  However, for some reason I was craving it.  So I created this version.  It's yum.  I was scared to put it in a loaf because I didn't know how to tell it was done, so I made it in a muffin pan and to me it was more visually appealing, and I could cut into one ball without ruining the whole thing.  Portion control anyone?  Also fits nicely in the tupperware with the mashed potatoes.  Kyle typically hoards the "balls" when I make them. I go downstairs the next day to fix some for lunch and look in the icebox and realize he's taken most of them to work with him.  I'm sure it can be improved upon.  Any suggestions?

My Infamous Meatloaf Balls

1 1/2 ground meat- I use lean beef or venison (it's super lean too)
1 C breadcrumbs (I use the HEB brand)
1 egg, beaten
1 onion - I like it diced super tiny
16 ounces tomato sauce (that's two 8 ounce cans - although I usually use three so I can make extra sauce)
2 or 3 tablespoons vinegar
A palm full of brown sugar
A nice squirt of yellow or spicy mustard
4 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
4 tablespoons Liquid smoke
Garlic powder
Ground Mustard
a nice dollop of BBQ sauce, whatever you like

Heat your oven to 350.  Wash your hands.  In a big bowl mix together your meat, breadcrumbs, onion, egg, salt and pepper, about 4 ounces of tomato sauce, about 2 tbl spoon each of Worcester sauce and liquid smoke.  Spray your muffin pan with some Pam, then shape your meat into balls and place in the pan.  Now make your sauce.  Mix together the rest of the tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, mustard, about 2 tbl spoons each of Worchester sauce and Liquid smoke, garlic powder, and ground mustard and the BBQ sauce.  Mix it together and taste it.  Adjust it for your taste.  You might not like all the vinegar, so maybe start with 1 tablespoon and go up from there. I like to use a plastic basting brush to brush on the sauce  on the meat, then put in the oven and bake at 350 for about 25 to 35 minutes.  Periodically baste the balls with the sauce through out coking.  Take out a ball and test it for doneness.

I served mine with mashed potatoes and green bean casserole.  Super comforting dinner.  Enjoy!

Meat Balls!

Green Bean Casserole - not just for Thanksgiving.