Appetizer: Cranberry Meatballs

From Doug Carey

Ingredients
2 eggs
1 envelope Lipton’s onion soup mix
½ cup seasoned breadcrumbs
¼ cup chopped dried cranberries
2 Tablespoons minced fresh parsley (or dried)
2 lbs lean ground beef
1 (16 oz) can whole-berry cranberry sauce
¾ cup ketchup
½ cup beef broth
3 Tablespoons brown sugar
3 Tablespoons finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons cider vinegar

Directions
In a bowl, combine eggs, soup mix, bread crumbs, cranberries and parsley. Crumble beef over mixture and mix well. Shape into 1-inch balls; place 12-13 balls on a microwave-safe plate. Cover with waxed paper; microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until no longer pink. Remove to paper towels to drain. Repeat with remaining meatballs.

Combine sauce ingredients: cranberry sauce, ketchup, broth, brown sugar, onion and vinegar. Cover and microwave on high for 3-4 minutes or until heated through. Gently stir in meatballs. Cover and cook on high for 1-2 minutes or until heated through.

Yields about 3 dozen.

Note: Ready in 30 minutes or less. This is a family / crowd favorite and great to take to a potluck. These meatballs can be served as a finger-food with fancy toothpicks. Yes, DOUG actually made these meatballs!