A Family Favorite

Porcupine Meatballs!

Porcupine meatballs have been around in my family as long as I can remember! My Mama made them throughout my growing up years and I did the same for my children. My children loved to have friends over for dinner and they loved it when I served this dish because they got to say, "we're having porcupine meatballs." Of course the friends would usually say "ewww," and my children thought it was so funny. Invariably, after the friends tried them they were glad they did! Now, of course they aren't made of porcupines, LOL, they are called that because the rice in the meatballs resembles the quills of a porcupine! It is one of my very favorite dishes to prepare because they are delicious AND economical. I always have the ingredients on hand, no fuss, no muss! As Mikey says, "try them, you'll like them!"

1/2 cup uncooked long grain rice

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup chopped onion

Dash of salt and pepper

1/2 teaspoon celery salt

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Mix ingredients together

Add:

1 lb ground beef

Mix all together well.

Shape into balls and brown in frying pan (I use Pam)

Drain grease and then add the sauce by mixing together:

1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce

1 cup water

2 tablespoons light brown sugar ( I put a little bit more, maybe 2 1/2)

2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce

Pour over drained meatballs . Reduce heat and cover. Simmer for about 45-50 minutes. The last twenty minutes I usually add some extra uncooked rice to the sauce because I like a little bit more to go alongside the meatballs. Check often as sometimes you have to add extra water and stir if you have added a little extra rice so it doesn't stick to bottom. I promise they are YUMMY!!

** Make sure you add in the celery salt and garlic because they gives it such a nice flavor. Don't skip these ingredients!