Porcupine Meatballs

I don’t think anyone has ever eaten porcupine meat, but the appearance of these porcupine-shaped meatballs is from a mixture of rice and ground beef. Simmered in a rich tomato sauce, these are a throwback to those simple one-dish comfort meals.  Can be a main dish, or made into smaller bite sizes for appetizers. 

Ingredients:

• 1 lb  ground beef
• 1/3 cup uncooked rice
• 1  egg, beaten
• 1/4 cup breadcrumbs (plain or Italian)
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 Tbsp  pepper
• 1 Tbsp  garlic pepper
• 1  small onion, chopped (use 1/3 cup for meatballs, rest for sauce)
• 2  cloves garlic, chopped
• 2 Tbsp  oil
• 1 can  crushed or puree tomatoes
• 1 cup  water
• black pepper

Directions:

1. Preheat oven or Breville Smart Oven to 375 degrees. Spray ovenproof dish or pan with oil or non-stick spray.
2. Combine first 7 ingredients and 1/3 cup of the chopped onions in a bowl and mix well.
3. Form into meatballs, arrange in pan and bake for 25 minutes.
4. While meatballs are baking, sautee remaining onions and garlic in oil till tender.
5. Add tomato sauce and water and pepper.
6. Add baked meatballs to sauce mixture and simmer, covered for at least one hour.