" Yes indeed ! "    Li'l Smokies, Small Italian Meatballs, " or even a combination of both of them cooked together ", are a fantastic appetizer to make for any party or family get together ..... I haven't, as of yet, found anyone that doesn't like either the Li'l Smokies or the Small Italian Meatballs made this way.   And it's a " very rare ocassion that I ever have any left over ! "

        Now when it's a small family get together, or just me and my wife Karen, I use my " 1.5 Quart Round Slow Cooker "  ( photo shown below ).   For larger get togethers I always use my " 4 Quart Round Slow Cooker " since you can get more in one and I almost " always " mix Li'l Smokies & Small Italian Meatballs for that one.  ( photo shown below ).

        The below recipe is for the " 1.5 Quart Round Slow Cooker " size since that's the one I make the most  ~  See " Tip #1 " below if you want to make a bigger batch in your " 4 Quart Round Slow Cooker "   ..... and yes ..... a " 4 Quart Oval Slow Cooker " will also work and recipe changes for that are also noted in " Tip #1 " below.

Ingredients: ~ ( For 1.5 Round Slow Cooker )

•   1  ~  12 " or " 14 oz. package of Little Smokies  ~  ( See Tip #2 )
            ( Or Small Italian Meatballs ~ which " we " prefer instead of the Li'l Smokies )

•   1  ~  Tablespoon of Worchestershire Sauce  ~  ( Optional ~ but I like it better with )

•   1  ~  cup of your favorite BBQ Sauce  ~  ( See Tip #3 )

•   3/4  ~  cup of your favorite Grape Jelly
              ( I use Welch's Concord Grape Jelly )

Directions:

1.   Put your Li'l Smokies or Small Italian Meatballs into the slow cooker.

2.   In a medium size bowl add the BBQ Sauce, Jelly, and Worchestershire Sauce and stir mixture until combined.

3.   Pour mixture over the Li'l Smokies or Small Italian Meatballs and mix well.

4.   Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on " Low " for 4 to 6 hours.
     ( I normally cook them for " 6 hours " because we like them tender but they are also good after " 4 hours " )

5.   Then serve as you desire ....
     ( We turn the slow cooker on " Warm ", take off the lid, and serve with a small slotted spoon. )

   

   To make this in a " 4 Quart Round Slow Cooker " there aren't any changes to the above recipe ..... However in a " 4 Quart Round Slow Cooker " you are able to " double the above recipe " for more servings.

   To make this in a " 4 Quart OVAL Slow Cooker " you would also have to " double the above recipe " and then insure that all the meat in the slow cooker ( since it's oval in shape ) is covered with the sauce ..... What I do, if I need too, is simply add a little more " BBQ sauce " until all the meat is covered .....

   My favorite " Li'l Smokies " are the " Eckrich Brand " ( see photos below ).   My favorite in the below group are the " Cheddar " ones however all of them are really great.   Other brands are also very good if you can't find the " Eckrich Brand ".

   You can visit the Eckrich website to see all the other great products they have by " Clicking Here " !   Their website also includes a lot of great " Recipes " as well for their products.

      

   My favorite " Barbecue Sauce's " for this recipe are the " Sweet Baby Ray's Brand " ( see photos below ).   My favorite in the below group is the " Hickory & Brown Sugar " however all of them are really great.   Other brands, and maybe you already have a favorite one, are also very good if you can't find the " Sweet Baby Ray's Brand ".

   The " Sweet Baby Ray's Brand " has " 15 different sauce flavors " to choose from.   You can visit the Sweet Baby Ray's website to see all their sauces by " Clicking Here " !   Their website also includes a lot of great " Recipes " as well for their products.

         




If you don't already have a 1.5 Quart Slow Cookers you should consider getting one ..... They are great for :

• Meals for 1 or 2 .....
• Making Appetizers .....
• Warming cheese dips & sauces for home or for taking to a party .....
• Cooking Veggies .....
• Cooking Soups .....
• Etc. .....

They are normally available at Wal-Marts for between $10.00 to $20.00

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or at ( russpickde@comcast.net )

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