Mom's Applesauce Meatballs

Let me start by saying I have THE Best Mother-In-Law in the World! She has loved me unconditionally since we first met, always encouraged and supported me and I know she is a most awesome Prayer Warrior! God knew the right M-I-L to give to me - She is my Hero!!

Ok, now on to this recipe. When we were first married, Mom gave us several of her favorite recipes, this one included. I never made it because the thought of applesauce in meatballs was kind of gross. Well we were on a family vacation in Michigan and needed something for the family picnic. Mom insisted we make these and assured me they tasted better than they sounded. THEY DID!! They are now some of our favorite meatballs. I did make changes to the recipe for my diet, but put them between **
Really, these are wonderful and can be made ahead and frozen for later.

Meatballs:
2 lbs. ground beef
1 C. applesauce (unsweetened)
1 C. bread crumbs or crackers *I use finely shredded potato/press btwn papertowels*
2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
2 eggs
1 C. flour *I use potato flour*
2 Tbsp. oil

Sauce:
1 stalk celery, sliced thin
1 green pepper, sliced thin
1 onion, sliced thin
2 C. tomato juice *I use a tomato/vegetable juice* OR
1 can stewed tomatoes & 1 C. tomato juice
Salt & pepper to taste

Pre-heat oven to 350.

Mix beef, applesauce, crackers *potatoes*, salt, pepper and eggs. Form into small balls; roll in flour and brown in oil in frying pan over medium heat. After browned, remove from oil and place in 9x12 casserole dish.
To drippings left in pan add celery, bell pepper and onion and saute until onion is translucent. Then add tomato juice and mix well. Add more salt & pepper, if needed.
Pour sauce over meatballs and bake for 40 minutes.
Serve over buttered noodles or rice. YUM!

Experiment - but most of all - HAVE FUN!