Nobody is sure where the meatball originated and early recipes are difficult to find. It's easy to ascertain though, that meatballs as we know them, made with ground meat, were not possible until meat grinders were invented. Early meatballs would have been made from leftovers and hand-shredded. Or pounded with a heavy object and minced with primitive tools.
Food history tells us that meat was rare across the world and was enjoyed mostly by the rich. It was precious, so it can be assumed that it was never wasted, and no parts of a cut of meat or the leftovers would have been thrown away. Simply put, meatballs was a way to utilize this extraneous meat and squeeze another days' meal from it, not to mention another days' nutrition.
The type of meat prepared as meatballs was varied and influenced by geography. In China, for example, the mainstay was the pig, so their meatballs were likely made from pork. Similarly, in North Africa the Berber were shepherds of wild sheep whose fatty tales were prized. Whatever the meat, whatever the region, many recipes indicate some form of meatballs across the globe.
By www.suite101.com
Pork Meatballs With Sauce
Copyright 2011 Christine's Pantry. All rights reserved.
Ingredients:
1 pound ground pork
1/2 cup bread crumbs
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
1 egg, lightly beaten
1 (18 oz) barbecue sauce ( I used honey barbecue sauce)
Directions:
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line baking pan with foil, then spray with nonstick cooking spray. In mixing bowl, add ground pork and remaining ingredients, except barbecue sauce. Mix well ( I used my hands to mix). Shape into 1 inch meatballs, making sure all meatballs are the same size. Place on baking pan about a inch apart. Bake 23 to 25 minutes, or until no longer pink in center. In a large nonstick skillet, add barbecue sauce, then add cooked meatballs. Simmer until heated through. Stir occasionally. Enjoy!
Note: Take one meatball and cut in half, just to make sure they are done.
Oh my, these look fabulous Christine!
ReplyDeleteHi Mari, thanks so much.
ReplyDeleteI say this a lot but I also feel I could never say it enough... Thank You! Y’all make me smile and brighten my day. I have great people who take time out of their busy lives to read my blog. I love how many of y’all also take the time to comment, good conversation and helping to make us closer. I love to read your comments and cherish them all, as well as the folks who write them! Please feel free to chat with each other in comments as well. I know that I read a comment that really makes my day, I'm thinking that this may happen to you as well. If you have a question, feel free to leave me a comment or send me an email. Y’all make yourself comfortable here! Have fun!
ReplyDeleteHello Christine....I love it that your sauce is thick enough to coat those delicious meatballs! Served with soft steamed plain rolls to mop up the sauce...that would be so lovely to eat! :)
ReplyDeleteOoooh! I love meatballs... and your look fabulous! I made Chinese style meatballs just last night, but they didn't survive long enough to get pictures :) Thanks for sharing this :) I love stopping by your blog!
ReplyDeleteChristine, Thanks for stopping by my blog! You have some lovely recipes here. :) The meatballs look great- they'd be a nice change from the beef ones I usually make. Love the sauce too!
ReplyDeleteHi Jeannie, plain rolls would be good with the meatballs. I served the meatballs with mashed potatoes. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteHi Harried Cook, Chinese style meatballs sound good. The meatballs I made didn't last long.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much. I love stopping by your blog too.
Hi Betty, thank you so much!
ReplyDeletegreat recipe christine!!! meatballs are always a hit at any party. i make german beer meatballs and people love them!
ReplyDeleteHi Junia, German beer meatballs, wow, I bet that's good.
ReplyDeleteThese look delicious! I love meatballs of any kind! I actually can just eat the plate of meatballs! Will definitely try these! : )
ReplyDeleteChristine, these meatballs look so juicy delicious. I bet they taste wonderful with some pasta. Yummm.... Thanks for sharing. Hope you're having a great day.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Kristy
I never make meatballs, not sure why, thanks for the idea of a variation. Diane
ReplyDeleteLooks yummy! I like it when you use pork. very juicy and flavourful than other meat. :-)
ReplyDeletePerfect party food.
ReplyDeleteThese look absolutely delicious,I really must give them a go. By the way nice blog Christine keep up the good work.
ReplyDeleteHi Mac, thank you so much! That means a lot to me.
ReplyDeleteMy hubby would love these! He always goes straight for the meatball appetizers at every cocktail party :) These look wonderful and flavorful~
ReplyDeleteDelightful meatballs. Love liquid smoke, a little goes a long way.
ReplyDeleteBravo!
Hi Lazaro, I love liquid smoke too, and I always have it on hand. Your right, a little goes a long way. Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteInteresting meatballs, never made them out of the pork..they look wonderful and sound so tasty!
ReplyDeleteSNAP! I made Norwegian Meatballs earlier this week for dinner. They have potato and milk in them and the brown gravy also has milk in it. This time I used pork (it was on special) but normally I use beef. Such a universal concept (and universally loved by kids!)
ReplyDeleteThey look delicious! I love honey barbeque sauce!
ReplyDeleteHi Christine, Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your nice comment.
ReplyDeleteI've made meatballs twice in the past month, So I guess I'm sort of in a meatball mood;-). Thanks for sharing your recipe, it sounds good;-)
I remember these delish pork meatballs from at least 30yrs ago, that I made as a party platter with smaller meatballs. Yours look so perfect, and yummy!
ReplyDeletethat sauce sounds great. liquid smoke is a tiny component of the overall dish, but it adds OH so much!
ReplyDeleteI noticed that in your directions you said ground beef, I assume you meant pork. lol I thought I missed a step there for a minute! I can't wait to try these!
ReplyDeleteHi Julie,
DeleteThank you so much for letting me know. I have updated. Thanks again, Julie. Enjoy!