January 29, 2007

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!

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

this is a family favorite here, too. I've been making them for a very long time also....my recipe is a little different than yours, but the result is the same, the meatballs with that "prickly"look LOL!!

TJ said...

that's a fine looking plate of grub ya got there...lol...I don't believe I've ever had any of those...but they sound YUMMY!!
:-D

Unknown said...

Oh my soul! This brought back memories from my childhood/teen days! My dad was called to preach and decided to go to Bible College AFTER having his three children! Sooo--money was very tight and we ate lots of ground beef. (think - *cheap*) My mom's friend also had a hubby in school and 3 children. She introduced us to these! I LOVED 'em! And probably still do - but I haven't had them in so many years. I am going to make them this week! Thank you!

Kelli said...

My mom used to make porcupine meatmals!! I had forgotten all about them!!! I'm going to make your recipe for my children this week!!!
Kelli

theups said...

Goodness gracious!!! This dish sounds YUMMMY!!! I have to make this recipe SOON!!!

Thank you so very much for sharing this!!

His,
Mrs. U

linda t said...

I made those meatballs years ago... why did I stop?
Thanks for the reminder!
Saw your comment on Sandy's blog... really enjoying your blog!

Kimberly said...

I love your dishes! So pretty!

Lena said...

These look so good! Thank you for the gift of your recipe.

Rhonda said...

Thanks for telling us about this recipe. It is also in the Betty Crocker cookbook I got for a wedding gift in 1980. I had never made them before either.
My husband and daughter were both here for supper and they enjoyed them too. They even divided up the leftovers for their workday lunches tomorrow.
I don't think the BC version calls for you addition of brown sugar and worcestchire sauce, I added both as you wrote and think they really add to it.
Rhonda in OK

Anonymous said...

Just wanted to let you know what a blessing your blog is. I made the meatballs for my family and they loved them. Your thoughts are truly inspirational. Thank You