Meatballs in Cherry Sauce

Name: Meatballs in Cherry Sauce
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: about 3-1/2 dozen.
Ingredients: 1 cup seasoned bread crumbs; 1 small onion, chopped; 1 egg, lightly beaten; 3 garlic cloves, minced; 1 teaspoon salt; 1/2 teaspoon pepper; 1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 1 pound ground pork; SAUCE:; 1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling; 1/3 cup sherry or chicken broth; 1/3 cup cider vinegar; 1/4 cup steak sauce; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce; 1 teaspoon honey

A ruby-red cherry glaze made with pie filling gives homemade meatballs festive color for a Christmas get-together. Everyone will love the zesty, sweet-tart flavors, too.—Rita Chabot-Schultz, Ballwin, Missouri

Ingredients

1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 small onion, chopped
1 egg, lightly beaten
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1 pound ground pork
SAUCE:
1 can (21 ounces) cherry pie filling
1/3 cup sherry or chicken broth
1/3 cup cider vinegar
1/4 cup steak sauce
2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
1 teaspoon honey

Directions

Preheat oven to 400°. In a large bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Add beef and pork; mix lightly but thoroughly. Shape into 1-in. balls. Place on a greased rack in a shallow baking pan. Bake 11-13 minutes or until cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
In a large saucepan, combine sauce ingredients. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 2-3 minutes or until thickened. Add meatballs; heat through, stirring gently.

Nutrition Facts

1 meatball: 76 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 169mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 5g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 1 lean meat, 1/2 starch.

Originally published as Christmas Cherry Meatball Appetizer in Taste of Home Christmas Annual 2014