Old Fashioned Porcupine Meatballs

These were quite popular when I was growing up. You had them at nearly every event for church or school and they were always very popular. You can healthify them! 

• 1 pound of ground beef [use 93% or use turkey meat]
• 1/2 cup rice, uncooked [replace with Quinoa]
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce [go loso here]
• 1 egg, slightly beaten
• 2 tablespoons ketchup or barbecue sauce [use a lower-sugar version]
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 14 saltine crackers, crushed [you could replace with rolled oats!]
• 2 cups tomato juice
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar [go ahead and use Splenda for baking version]
• 1/4 teaspoon chili powder [optional]

1. Preheat oven to 350º
2. Mix together ground round, rice, minced onion, chili powder, salt, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, beaten egg, ketchup or barbecue sauce, Dijon mustard, and crushed saltine crackers. 
3. Shape mixture into 1-inch balls.
4. Place meatballs in a 2-quart casserole dish.
5. Make sauce: 
6. Mix together tomato juice, brown sugar, and chili powder. 
7. Pour sauce over meatballs. 
8. Cover and bake for 90 minutes.