Hot Tamale Meatballs

Name: Hot Tamale Meatballs
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 8-10 servings
Cuisine: North America, Mexican
Ingredients: 4 cups tomato juice, divided; 3/4 cup cornmeal; 2 tablespoons ground cumin, divided; 2 tablespoons chili powder, divided; 3/4 teaspoon salt, divided; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean); 1/2 pound bulk pork sausage

Total Time Prep: 20 min. Cook: 45 min.

Yield 8-10 servings

Test Kitchen Approved

"This zippy appetizer is my family's favorite dish using cumin," reports Darlene Babineaux of Arabi, Louisiana.

Ingredients

4 cups tomato juice, divided
3/4 cup cornmeal
2 tablespoons ground cumin, divided
2 tablespoons chili powder, divided
3/4 teaspoon salt, divided
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1/2 pound lean ground beef (90% lean)
1/2 pound bulk pork sausage

Directions

In a small bowl, combine 1/3 cup tomato juice, cornmeal, 1 tablespoon cumin, 1 tablespoon chili powder, 1/4 teaspoon salt, garlic and cayenne. Add the beef and sausage and mix well. Shape into 1-1/4-in. balls.
In a dutch oven, combine the remaining tomato juice, cumin, chili powder and salt; bring to a boil. Add meatballs; cover and simmer for 45 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°.

"This zippy appetizer is my family's favorite dish using cumin," reports Darlene Babineaux of Arabi, Louisiana.

Recipe Creator