Recipe: Fast Meatballs

Goodness, if I were given only an hour's notice of a pot luck, I'd just go to the store and buy Coca-Cola or a bunch of bananas. That'll teach 'em to notify a bit sooner. But then again, I live more than half an hour from church...

Next time ground beef is on sale, make up some meatballs for the freezer. (Placed formed, raw meatballs on a cookie sheet and freeze til solid. Then move the meatballs to freezer bags or boxes for storage. You'll be able to remove just as many as you need.) On the day of the pot luck, drop some meatballs (still frozen) into boiling beef broth or bouillon. Return to boiling and simmer about 15 minutes. Remove the meatballs. Now make gravy out of the broth. Whisk flour (1 Tbsp. per cup of broth) in a little water until smooth. Slowly stir flour mixture into the broth and cook til thickened. Add a splash of wine or lemon juice and whatever herbs or spices go well with your meatballs. Reheat the meatballs in the gravy.

It's quick, but the key is to have meatballs already in the freezer.