This blog has opened me eyes. Within the past few years I have enjoyed cooking and trying out new recipes. I never really thought about where my interest in cooking came from. I also never realized the meaning behind food. There is more to it than just cooking and eating.
My great grandmother was a gourmet chef, my Nanny was an AMAZING cook, anything my mother cooks is PERFECT and even when my father cooks his food is DELICIOUS! My older sister Christina enjoys both cooking and baking and from what I have tried, she is EXCELLENT. It runs in the family, and it something that brings conversation. We share our ideas with one another and we give each other tips.
Food brings memories to my dinner table and family parties. This is because everything we eat is a recipe that has been passed down generation to generation. Don’t get me wrong, we try new food ALL the time, some recipes don’t stick with us but the ones that do have meaning and story behind it.
An example of a recipe would be my Nanny‘s (grandma) Jelly Meatballs. Right around this time of year my family starts to crave them and we discuss who will make them first. It brings up stories of old parties and we always end up talking about my Nanny. Whether it’s a BBQ or family party the Jelly Meatballs are there. They are so delicious, and the perfect snack to munch on.
I talked to my dad about this assignment and how the Jelly Meatballs would be perfect to do. I knew right away if I had to talk about meaning behind the food, these Jelly Meatballs without a doubt have meaning in my family. Once again, the conversation led to talking about my Nanny and all sorts of things. So I decided I would make them and my dad did too.
To get proof of my families craziness over the Jelly Meatballs I asked my younger sister Kaitlyn to give a quick statement about our Nanny’s meatballs.
“ I loved Nanny’s meatballs and I could eat them at anytime of the year, whenever. I could eat them any time of the day, they are so good. Nobody compares to Nanny’s meatballs but if I had to choose a good duplicate it would be Daddy’s, he makes them good too. They are pretty close.”
Jelly Meatballs
To make meatballs:
1lb Ground beef
1/2 cup Plain Bread Crumbs
1/3 cup Onion
1/4 cup Milk
1 Tablespoon Parsley
1 Teaspoon Salt
1/2 Teaspoon Pepper
2 Table Spoons Worchshire Sauce
1/4 Butter or Shortening for frying pan
For the Sauce
12 0z bottle of Chili Sauce
10 oz Grape Jelly
Combine all the ingredients for the meatballs into a bowl. Mix well. Form into small meatballs, about one inch.
Place meatballs into a medium skillet with shortening and cook until brown. About 10 minutes.
Once the meatballs are cooked, discard the grease.
Add meatballs to the sauce when it is ready.
The Sauce
In a pot add the Chili sauce and Grape Jelly, stir well.
Once the grape Jelly has melted, add the meatballs.
Cook about 30-40 minutes on medium heat.
Serve plain or over brown rice.
Enjoy!!
