Easy, Man Pleasing Appetizers!

Usually, when I hear the word appetizers I visualize something on a fancy platter, ingredients that I can't pronounce, and I mimic the face of a baby being fed canned green beans for the first time....Throw that attitude out the window! These are super easy, man pleasing recipes for family favorite appetizers that you will get complimented for again, and again, and one more time, again! The Mama Jones holds these recipes tight to her chest, so consider yourself family!

First up, Lil' Smokies. My Mom, aka, Mama Jones, actually left Thanksgiving dinner prep to deliver these little guys to a family friend who is in love with them. For reals?!

Lil' Smokies

You will need:

1 package Hillshire Farms Lil Smokies

1 package center cut bacon...much better for munching on...no gross, gummy fat.

(+-) 1 cup brown sugar. You want to put a fair amount of brown sugar on top of the smokies so they can soak it up while in the oven and caramelize into pure deliciousness. 

1 box toothpicks.

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 375, and get a pan (preferably one with sides for drippings) prepped with foil on it.

2. Cut your bacon into three sections.

3.Wrap a section of bacon around a lil smokie and secure with a toothpick. Repeat until bacon/smokies are gone.

4. Cover with brown sugar

5. Cook at 375 for 25-30min, and enjoy. These little guys taste bomb with hot mustard. 

Next up, Sweet & Sour meatballs, you WILL get asked for this recipe, and every time they will ask, "that's it?!". It really is that simple, and SO delicious. 

Sweet & Sour Meatballs

You will need:

A crock pot

3 lbs meatballs

32 oz grape jelly

32 oz pace picante sauce.

Directions:

1. OK, folks, here's where you need to pay attention...this recipe varies for each person depending on how spicy/sweet you want your meatballs. Mix together your picante sauce and grape jelly in a separate bowl and come up with a blend that suits your taste buds. You may not use the whole container of the pace, I don't. Pour your mixin' into the crock pot and add the meatballs. I buy the hefty bag from Costco and used about half.

2. Cook on high for 3-4 hours. 

And, that REALLY is it! These are awesome, and totally worth all the sweat and tears you put into them. 

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