Tart and Tangy Meatballs

It was a beautiful fall weekend here in Minnesota the past couple of days. We had planned a party at our house with some of our work friends. I made a few dishes, salads and a dessert and asked everyone to bring something to pass. The crowd enjoyed all the food and it tasted even better sitting outside next to a fire.
I was introduced to these meatballs by my Mother-in-law. I was pretty skeptical as I'm not a fan of sauerkraut. The first time I made sauerkraut and sausage for Dude, I had to leave the room and let him eat alone. Because I trust her, and truthfully still think I need to impress her after 22 years, I tried them. They are the bomb. A little sweet, a little tangy and a little tart.

Mom Lee's Meatballs

2 pounds ground chuck

1/2 package onion soup mix

1 cup cracker crumbs

3 eggs

1 can whole cranberries

1 small can sauerkraut, drained

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup barbeque sauce, your favorite

Mix the ground chuck, onion soup mis, cracker crumbs and eggs gently with hands until incorporated. Form into small balls and lay them in a 9x13 baking dish. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F. Mix together rest of ingredients to form sauce. Pour over meatballs, making sure to get sauce on all of them. Bake at 325 for 1 hour.

I cheated and used some store bought meatballs only because I was making 2 salads, deviled eggs, a hot sandwich (which will be on here soon) and some bars. I needed a shortcut and I like a certain brand which were a BOGO sale item about 2 weeks ago. Tasted good but the homemade ones taste even better.

Fall is here. I'm loving it. I didn't love getting out of bed at 2:00 AM because I was so cold from being out by the fire until midnight. I went and soaked in the tub for about half an hour, until my feet and hands were no longer ice cubes. 8 hours later I woke up.....with freezing feet again! I think I caught poor blood circulation from my honey....he blames me for his allergies he never had before we met, so I think it is only fair that he be blamed for my foot-pops. Just sayin'

Another sad note, great to leave you with I know. Our friends who are going through the divorce-I wrote about that a couple months ago. Her nephew died in his sleep on Thursday night. He was only 32 and the autopsy showed nothing conclusive so it may take up to a month to find out what happened. I just don't know how much more this poor woman can take. And since we all know the "death happens in 3's" I'm seriously willing the phone not to ring. I'm sure it works, right?