Mini Muffin Tin BBQ Meatballs and Thin Mint Chocolate Shake

I had a great family weekend! We went to Busch Gardens, services, Glazer Kids' Museum for Superhero Day.. We really packed it in! It was a lot of fun, but I didn't do much cooking.. Ok, I didn't do any cooking. We ate out for lunch and ate leftovers for dinner. Fancy!

It was nice to get back into my routine today. Micah had "Playschool" this morning at the Y, so I had some time to myself to run errands, do some couponing, all the things that are a little easier without a 3-year-old!

Later in the day, after we had lunch together, I was making some Dove-related phone calls, checking up on past guests to see how they liked their products. I noticed that I seem to be selling BBQ sauce probably more than any other product! I realized it was time to get adventurous with it, so that I can tell people some new, fun ways to use it!

Now, I told you in my last post that I am enthralled with the Sneaky Chef! I have Swiss Chard sitting in my fridge from my last visit to the farm, and I wanted to try something sneaky. I was browsing through the new cookbook and saw that she makes Mini-Muffin Tin Meatballs and adds "green puree," which hides very well in meat! Green puree is usually spinach and broccoli, but hey, chard is green! Plus, I posted it on her facebook page and got her approval :) Anyway, her meatballs are more Italian-inspired, with tomato sauce, italian herbs, marinara dipping sauce, etc. I took some creative license and made this BBQ version, and they were a HUGE HIT! Micah, the 3-year-old bottomless pit, ate as many as Matt and I! Two notes: First of all, they do look a little green due to the puree, so make sure to coat in BBQ sauce before serving if you have picky eaters. Second, if the green puree idea is freaking you out, OMIT it! I won't be offended, I promise :)

All I ask is that you try these! Matt said these were the best meatballs he had ever had!

Mini-Muffin Tin BBQ Meatballs:

Makes about 24 meatballs (4 servings)
2 T tomato paste
1/8 t onion powder
1/8 t garlic powder
1/8 t dry mustard
1/8 t turmeric
1/8 t paprika
2 T ground flaxseed (used in place of breadcrumbs from traditional meatball recipes, MUCH healthier!)
1/4 c pureed Swiss Chard (or spinach or broccoli or collards or or or.. you get the idea)
1 egg
1/4 c Parmesan cheese (I was almost out of Parmesan, so I did 2 T Parm, 2 T cheddar)
1/2 t salt
1/2 lb ground beef (we use grassfed)
Dove Chocolate Discoveries Sweet N Smoky BBQ Sauce

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and spray a mini muffin tin with oil.
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the meat.
Mix well.
Add the ground meat to this mixture and mix until well combined.
Using a tablespoon, scoop balls into mini muffin tin.
Bake for 20 minutes until lightly browned on top.

Like I said, mine were slightly green, so I am mad that I didn't make this on St. Patty's Day!
Serve with Dove Chocolate Discoveries BBQ sauce for dipping or pour DCD BBQ sauce over meatballs before serving for the extra picky.
Enjoy!


That's not all! I also made the Thin Mint Chocolate Shake for dessert! I may never just eat a Thin Mint again after trying it this way.. Ok, that's a lie.. I'll eat a Thin Mint any way you serve it..
But seriously, it's a Thin Mint in a glass!

Thin Mint Chocolate Shake:
1 c milk (cow, goat, almond, whatever)
1 c ice
1/2 c Dove Chocolate Discoveries Dark Sipping Chocolate
3 thin mints
Throw in the blender until smooth.
AMAZING! Really tastes like you're drinking the cookies!
PS I also added 2 T of the pureed chard that I had left over and no one could tell, but if I'm pushing it with the purees, you can play it safe.
YOU WILL NOT BE SORRY!