Porcupine Meatballs

As I am ALWAYS looking for YUMMY new foods/recipes to try, my sister-in-law gave me this yummy recipe for Porcupine Meatballs.  They are super easy to make and super yummy.  I have changed up the original recipe to make it my own, by adding ingredients and taking away ingredients.  My husband and kids absolutely LOVE Porcupine Meatballs.  My kids devour them, they can't get enough.  I hope you enjoy them as much as my family does.

Porcupine Meatballs

1 lb. ground beef
1 lb ground pork
2/3 cup long grain rice
1/2 cup milk
1 large beaten egg
1 tablespoon salt, divided
2 teaspoons chili powder, divided
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 28 oz. can tomatoes, crushed
2 1/2 cups water
1/3 cup chopped onion
2 garlic cloves, crushed and chopped


Combine ground beef and ground pork in a large bowl.  Add rice, milk, egg, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon chili powder.  Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated.  Shape into 1 1/2 inch balls.  Heat oil in large skillet.  Add meatballs, cook until brown on all sides.  Remove meatballs and drain.
In large skillet, combine undrained tomatoes, remaining salt, chili powder, water, onion and garlic cloves.  Mix well.  Cook on high heat until boiling.  Reduce heat to low.  Add meatballs to tomato mixture, stirring occasionally.  Cover and cook over low heat for 1 hour.


Serve over steamed long grain rice.


**NOTE**
I have tweaked the recipe by adding 1/4 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/4 teaspoon onion salt, 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt, and a dash of pepper to the meat mixture.  I also added 1/8 teaspoon garlic salt, 1/8 teaspoon onion salt, 1/4 teaspoon seasoning salt, and a dash of pepper to the tomato mixture.  I have also added 1 28 oz can of tomato juice and left out the water.  By leaving out the water and adding the tomato juice, it gives the sauce a more richer flavor. The recipe also calls for cayene pepper, which I have left out, simply because I don't want them to be spicy for my kids.