Recipe: Meatball Merriment (appetizer meatballs with 5 variations) (make ahead)

MEATBALL MERRIMENT

1 pound ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
1 egg
1/3 cup dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup milk
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 (12 ounce) jar salsa
2 medium green onions, thinly sliced (2 tablespoons)

Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

Mix all ingredients except salsa and green onions. Shape into thirty 1-inch balls. Place in ungreased rectangular pan, 13 9 2-inches.

Bake uncovered about 15 minutes or until no longer pink in center.

Place salsa and meatballs in 2-quart saucepan. Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally; reduce heat. Cover and simmer about 15 minutes or until salsa and meatballs are hot.

Sprinkle with green onions. Serve hot with toothpicks.

VARIATIONS:

SWEDISH MEATBALLS:
Substitute 1 can (10 3/4 ounces) condensed cream of chicken soup, 1/4 cup milk and 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg for the salsa; omit green onions. Sprinkle meatballs with dried dill weed, if desired.

BURGUNDY MEATBALLS:
Substitute Burgundy Sauce for the salsa; omit green onions. To make Burgundy Sauce, mix 2 tablespoons cornstarch and 1/4 cup cold water in 3-quart saucepan. Gradually stir in 1/2 cup red Burgundy, other dry red wine or beef broth, 1/2 clove garlic, crushed, and 1 can (10 1/2 ounces) condensed beef broth. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute.

CRANBERRY MEATBALLS:
Substitute Cranberry Sauce for the salsa; omit green onions. To make Cranberry Sauce, mix 1 cup whole berry cranberry sauce, 1/2 cup hoisin sauce, 1/2 teaspoon onion powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper in 2-quart saucepan.

SPICY APRICOT MEATBALLS:
Substitute Apricot Sauce for the salsa; omit green onions. To make Apricot Sauce, mix 1 cup apricot preserves, 2/3 cup stir-fry or sweet-and-sour sauce and 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder in 2-quart saucepan.

SWEET-AND-SOUR MEATBALLS:
Substitute 1 jar (about 9 1/2 ounces) sweet-and-sour sauce for the salsa; omit green onions.

TO MAKE AHEAD:
Make and bake these meatballs ahead and freeze them up to 3 months before you plan to serve them. Or, make it super-easy! Purchase frozen meatballs from your supermarket. Heat sauce ingredients to boiling, then stir in frozen meatballs. Simmer uncovered for about 20 minutes or until meatballs are hot.

Makes 30 appetizers
Source: Betty Crocker