I think I'm getting the hang of it!

After a handful of attempts at the "perfect meal" for my husband and myself, I think I've finally found the recipe! It's hilarious, really, because it's SO simple. Meatballs. I'm not even a huge fan of meatballs... but I sure did surprise myself with this dish.

I remember telling Ryan, close to tears, the other night that "I'm just a terrible cook... I'll never get the hang of this... I just want you to genuinely enjoy a meal that I cook for you... and don't you dare pretend that you like something you don't!"

We woke up on Sunday morning, and I told him that I was going to try this seemingly easy meatball recipe I found on the internet. He asked what was in the sauce that I was going to put on them, and I told him: Heinz Chili Sauce and grape jelly. I wish you could have seen his face when he heard the "grape jelly" part. I could tell he was very suspicious of the whole idea.

When I got home from church, Ryan was at work (he doesn't get off until 6pm on Sundays), and I decided to make the meatballs from scratch. Time consuming, but easy enough. I took 1 lb of ground beef and mixed it (by hand) with 1 lb of ground pork. I then added 2 cups of seasoned breadcrumbs and 2 eggs (that's the messy, but fun part of the whole mixing!). I then made meatballs from the mix and browned them in a skillet and put them in the crock pot.

After I had made all the meatballs, I took the 12 oz bottle of Heinz Chili Sauce and whisked it together with an 18 oz jar of grape jelly and poured the mixture over the top of the meatballs and cooked them on low for 4-5 hours (for the last 30 minutes or so I had the crock pot on warm).

I then made mashed potatoes to complete the meal, and had it all on the table for Ryan when he got home.

He loved it! I really didn't expect him to. I mean, I thought they were tasty, but he was using adjectives like "delicious". I asked him if the meatballs were something he'd like for me to make for our next party and he looked at me like I was crazy and said "These are too good to share. When you make them again, I want the whole thing to myself."

Needless to say, my heart smiled a little... and I hope I'm out of my terrible cooking rut. I know it all comes with experience, and I don't have the most of it... but it really is fun trying... especially when my husband enjoys the end result!