Mini Merry Meatballs

Ingredients

• 1/2 pound ground beef Brisket
• 1/4 pound ground beef Ribeye Steak Boneless
• 1/4 pound Ground Beef (80% lean)
• 1 cup seasoned stuffing mix
• 1 egg, slighlty beaten
• 3 tablespoons water
• 1 teaspoon minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/8 teaspoon pepper

• 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
• 1/2 cup chopped white onion
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 2-1/2 cups fresh cranberries
• 1/2 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/3 cup ketchup
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons molasses
• 1/2 teaspoon ground red pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 400°F. Combine Brisket, Ribeye, Ground Beef, stuffing mix, egg, water, garlic, salt and pepper in large bowl, mixing lightly but thoroughly.  Shape into 24 1-inch meatballs. Place on rack in broiler pan that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake in 400°F oven 18 to 20 minutes until 160°F.

   Cook's Tip:

   Brisket and Ribeye can be ground using food processor fitted with steel blade or grinder attachment of a stand mixer. Cut 8 ounces well-trimmed Brisket into 1-1/2 inch pieces (4 ounces well-trimmed Ribeye) and process until ground. Alternatively, ask your butcher to grind the beef. 

   You may use all ground in place of ground brisket and ribeye.

2. Meanwhile, prepare Cranberry Barbecue Sauce. Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir 2 to 3 minutes or until tender, but not brown. Add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes or until cranberries burst and mixture has reduced to thick consistency, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; cool slightly. Transfer mixture to blender container. Cover, allowing steam to escape. Process until smooth. Season with salt, as desired.

3. Serve meatballs with barbecue sauce.

• Test Kitchen Tips Cooking times are for fresh or thoroughly thawed ground beef. Ground beef should be cooked to an internal temperature of 160°F. Color is not a reliable indicator of ground beef doneness.