My good friend Rachel of Rachel Cooks is having a baby boy in December so some of her online friends are throwing her a virtual baby shower today. Rachel and I “met” while promoting Emeril Lagasse’s Sizzling Skillets and Other One-Pot Wonders cookbook last year. She was also a founding member of Virtual Potluck, but no longer participates (sniff, sniff). Thanks to Brandy of Nutmeg Nanny and Brandi of Bran Appetit! for hosting Rachel’s shower and to Heather of Farmgirl Gourmet for designing the invitation above.
Rachel hasn’t had the easiest pregnancy, but I hope she’ll feel up to trying some of my sweet, citrusy meatballs. I figured everyone else would bring carb-based treats, so I thought I’d better stick with something in the protein family.
These meatballs are the perfect party food – throw them in the slow cooker and they’re ready when you are.
Make-ahead tips: Make the meatballs and brown them ahead of time. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to use. Mix up the sauce ahead as well and store in refrigerator. A few hours before your shower or party, put the meatballs and sauce in the crock pot.
Best of luck with the new addition to your family, Rachel! I can’t wait to see pictures.
Cranberry Citrus Meatballs (Slow Cooker)
Adapted from Diabetic Living
1/2 cup egg substitute
2 pounds ground pork
1 cup cooked brown rice
1/2 cup dried cranberries, minced
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 (14 ounce) can whole-berry cranberry sauce
1/3 cup ketchup
1/4 cup orange juice
2 tablespoons lime juice
In a large bowl, combine egg substitute, pork, rice, dried cranberries, salt and pepper. Shape into meatballs about 1-1/2 inches in diameter (you should end up with about 48).
In a large skillet, heat half of the olive oil over medium heat. Brown as many meatballs as will comfortably fit in your pan. You don’t need to cook them through, just brown on all sides. It should take about 5 minutes. Drain meatballs on paper towels. Continue until all meatballs have been browned, adding olive oil as necessary.
Transfer meatballs to a slow cooker. In a medium bowl, whisk together cranberry sauce, ketchup, orange juice and lime juice until combined. Pour mixture over meatballs in slow cooker (don’t stir). Cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours or on high for 1-1/2 to 2 hours.
Makes 24 servings
Per serving (2 meatballs): 154 calories, 9g fat (3g sat), 27mg cholesterol, 170mg sodium, 11g carb, 0g fiber, 9g sugar, 7g protein
Here are the dishes that some of Rachel’s friends are bringing to the baby shower. We’ll be using the hashtag #RachelPops on Twitter today when we celebrate – please join us!
- S’mores Popcorn by Nutmeg Nanny
- White Chocolate “Quilted” Cupcakes by Creative Culinary
- Snickerdoodle Scones by Fake Ginger
- Walnut Streusel Coffee Cake by Cookistry
- Salted Caramel Cashew Popcorn by Bake Your Day
- Paleo Pumpkin Whoopie Pies by Bread and Butter
- Turtle Pumpkin Ice Cream Cake by A Spicy Perspective
- Southern Cheese Straws by 30AEATS
- Blue Layered Jello by Taste and Tell
- Mini Blackberry Pies by Sweet Basil
- Caramel Popcorn Pretzel Bars by Bakeaholic Mama
- Cucumber Sandwiches w/Basil and Sundried Tomato Mascarpone Cheese by Susie Freaking Homemaker
- Itty Bitty Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies by Chip Chip Hooray
- Hermit Bars – Chewy Molasses Cookie Bars by The Lemon Bowl
- Baby Blue Cheese Burgers by Budget Gourmet Mom
- Pumpkin Cinnamon Rolls by Mother Thyme
- Sweet Potato Soup with Maple Cream by Pass the Sushi
- Bourbon Toffee Popcorn by Bran Appetit!
- Roasted Butternut Squash and Sage Pesto Crostini by Thrifty Veggie Mama
- Curried Salmon Phyllo Cups by Cooking with Books
- Sweet Potato Pie Dip with Pie Crust Dippers by The Spiffy Cookie
- Dark Chocolate Cashew Brittle Cookies by Farmgirl Gourmet
- Caramelised Onion Mini Pizzas by London Bakes
- Apple Asiago Prosciutto Bites by Sarah’s Cucina Bella
- Baby Blueberry Pies by Steph’s Bite by Bite
- Chicken Salad by Eat 2 Gather
- White Chocolate Biscoff Muddy Buddies by Miss in the Kitchen
The meatballs look delicious and I love the cute toothpicks! See you at the party!
These look fabulous! LOVE the cranberry, these will be a perfect Thanksgiving appetizer!
Love the idea of moistening the turkey with cranberry sauce. I also love the brown rice – these look delish!
Nice… love the flavor combination!
Thank you so much for participating in this–it means the world to me! I am so touched by the time everyone put into this and the kind words. xo
And I think I could definitely down a few of these meatballs :)
Those toothpicks are so sweet! And LOVE the use of cranberry in this — these would be great for Thanksgiving too.
I love this combo and those teddy bear picks are adorable!
I’m pretty sure I need those for dinner. Apparently I didn’t eat a big enough breakfast because my tummy just growled:)
Anything slow cooker is a perfect party food–especially for a mama!
These meatballs looks great! I don’t know why, but I never make them. I need to change this! I love the addition of cranberry sauce. Thank you so much being part of this event!
These sound awesome Shelby!! I need to make them like today.
Yum!!! I could possibly eat that whole plate :)
These sound fabulous; I’m a huge fan of all things cranberry, will be off momentarily scoping out ingredients in my cupboard. I’m not kidding. :)
Absolutely love the combination of flavours in these – what a great party dish!
These are so creative! The flavors are perfect for a fall shower!
Ive been really wanting to try meatballs in the slow cooker! I hear it’s great. And the flavors in these sound awesome!!!
Love these flavors, my guys absolutely love meatballs! Love those little picks too, way cute.
I’m loving all of these flavors!! And especially that you can throw them in the slow cooker.
I want these for dinner! I love everything you make, though ;-)
I NEED meatballs in my life! These look awesome!
Love that these have cranberries in them! Sounds so stinking good.
i love a mix of sweet and savory, especially for meatballs. these will be perfect for holiday parties!