Granny's Sausage Balls

Have you ever been defined by a food?

Not by a specific food you eat obsessively or buy every time you hit up the grocery store, but by a dish you've made and brought to a potluck, to a BBQ with friends/co-workers, or in my case, to a squadron function? C'mon, you guys know what I mean. That one dish you bring to one of the aforementioned functions and it's so fabulous that you turn into the only person in the world that can make it and you MUST bring it to every function with said group of people from then on out. Yeah, that food. You can't get away from it, you are making it at least once a month, and you've been given a title you're likely to loathe, especially if it's not a dainty, girly type food. I brought these delicious little balls of meat and cheese heaven to a few different events over the last 5 years and now I'm hopelessly and affectionally known as...

"The Sausage Ball Girl" 

I guess it could be worse. I could have brought jello salad and been known as the "Jello Salad Girl"...the girl who they must stop from bringing the awful jello concoction every year. Or the "The Moocher"...the girl who brings absolutely nothing to potlucks and eats her own weight in everyone else's hard-baked haul. I'll gladly take "Sausage Ball Girl" over those titles any day. And, not to mention, sausage balls are freakin' delicious. I don't know one person in the world who wouldn't like to dig into these tiny mountains of sausage and cheesy goodness. Well, except for those who don't eat pork or are lactose intolerant. You're just plumb outta luck. I make no other dish in the world, apparently, so don't invite me to your party. ;)




The recipe is courtesy of my Granny, who has made these balls for almost every family function my dad's side of the family tree has ever had. It's absolutely not Thanksgiving without Granny's sausage balls. In fact, the sausage ball craze has even spread to my mom's side of the family...and you'll most likely find them amongst the breakfast table treats on Christmas morning. I know there are various versions of sausage ball recipes floating around almost every kitchen in South, but Granny's recipe still reins supreme in my book. Although, I did concoct my own sauce to go with these bad boys, just to up the sausage ball ante. Sausage Ball Girl has got to stay above the curve, ya know?



Granny's Sausage Balls
Makes about 6-7 dozen balls

Ingredients:

2 packages of ground sausage (I use one hot sausage and one reduced-fat sausage...it comes to about 28 oz. of ground sausage. You could really use any combo of sausage flavors...except maple sausage, that won't do.)

3 1/2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 3/4 cups of Bisquick All-Purpose Baking Mix

1/4 cup grated onion (releases the onion flavor better)

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

Directions:

In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients, mixing well with hands or a wooden spoon (hands work the best, though). Shape sausage mixture into 1-inch balls, trying to make them as uniform in size as possible for even baking. Arrange sausage balls on ungreased baking pans with edges (it get's a little oily, don't want that overflowing into your oven!). Bake uncovered at 375°F for 15 minutes or until golden brown. Store in fridge for up to 5 days, but I guarantee they won't last that long! If you do have leftovers, just pop a few in the microwave for 20-30 seconds and enjoy!

Sweet & Sour Dipping Sauce (optional)

3/4 cup Heinz ketchup

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 Tablespoon vinegar

1/2 Tablespoon soy sauce

dash of hot sauce

Directions:

Combine the dipping sauce ingredients in a small saucepan. Heat and stir mixture over medium heat for 4 minutes, or until heated through and all the brown sugar has melted.

I'm telling you, make these for a potluck and you'll never be asked to bring anything else but sausage balls again! My mom should know. She's made her famous Blonde Brownies for work functions for years and it's like she's got the recipe cuffed to her leg like some proverbial ball and chain. There's always...ALWAYS...a batch cooking in her kitchen. Maybe I'll share that recipe with you one day, too. Ehhh...come to think of it, probably not. Can't give away all of our yummy family secrets, now can I? ;) 

What about you guys? Any tasty dishes you're always brining to the party? 

Share them in the comments below!

Happy Sunday, y'all!