Moink Balls - IMPOSSIBLY EASY Bacon Wrapped Meatball appetizers - 52 SIMPLE Appetizer Recipes

This is sooooo simple.  SO simple that my long supportive wife, when told that today's post was going to be "Moink Balls", her response was a snort, a laugh and the comment, "What, you going to just tell the folks to go to the store and buy a bag of meatballs"?.

Well, seriously, first step, go to the store and buy a bag of pre-cooked frozen beef meatballs.

Told you this was going to be simple.

First, the MOINK (Beef Meatballs (MOO) Plus Pork Bacon (OINK) = MOINK) Balls have been around for a very long time.  I did just a quick search for the original recipe and couldn't find the genius behind them.  I guess they are too simple to have a single inventor.  This is the classic recipe I learned, just a meatball, wrapped in Bacon with a sweet BBQ dipping sauce.  there are dozens of variations, Chicken Meatballs (Cloinks?), Pork Meatballs (the Oink-Oink), add a piece of pineapple for the Hawaiian Moik or even Turkey Bacon with Vegetarian Meatballs (The Veggie Gobbler).

Sprinkle a spice rub on them for spicey balls, brush with the dipping sauce as a glaze during the last 10 minutes of cooking for that glowing wet look ball.

You can bake them, grill them or even use that toaster oven!

Here's the basic recipe... now just imagine your interpretation!

OK... Here's what I did...

Moink Balls

Ingredients

• 24 Precooked Frozen Beef Meatballs (Thawed)
• 12 Slices Thick Cut Bacon (Cut in Half)
• 24 Wooden Toothpicks
• FOR THE DIPPING SAUCE
• 1/4 Cup of your favorite BBQ Sauce
• 1/4 Cup Grape Jelly

Cooking Directions

1. Prepare the Moink Balls, Wrap each Meatball in a Half piece of Bacon. Thick sliced bacon works best, but you can use thin if you like.
2. Secure the Bacon to the Meatball with a toothpick. I like to just push the toothpick only half way in so at least half stick out, creating a Moink Lollipop! Hint: Soak the wood in water for an hour before cooking to keep them from catching fire while cooking.
3. Bake in a preheated 400 degree oven for 25 Minutes (15 minutes if using thin sliced bacon).
4. OR... Grill! Set your grill up for indirect grilling (Coals bunched on one side, a pan with water under the area NOT heated by the coals). Coals should be medium high HOT, making the temperature under the dome about 400-450 degrees. Arrange the Moink Balls over the pan of water (see the photo below), close the lid and check after 20 minutes. Balls are done when the bacon is cooked to your likeness.
5. While the balls are cooking, make the sauce. Over medium heat in a small sauce pan, mix the Jelly and BBQ sauce. Stir to evenly mix.
6. Serve Hot with the dipping sauce and ENJOY!

Makes a great appetizer to share while your HAWAIIAN BACON EXPLOSION finishes cooking... But that's a post for another day!

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This simple recipe has been added to my growing list of "52 Simple but Next Level Dishes"!

Kind of an odd title for these posts. But the longer sentence is... Simple recipes that are easy and inexpensive that will take your cooking to the next level... Things like easy pickled items (I always have a jar of Pickled Red Onions for sandwiches in my fridge). Or how about the easiest bread to make in the world... Beer Bread that is tasty on it's own but also makes a wonderful open face pizza style sandwich... With easy to make Tomato Sauce. Or how about Roasting Garlic for a spread on toast points for a unique appetizer. Infusing Oil with Herbs or spices or spicy peppers. Or how about making your own BBQ sauce. Nothing sets you apart as a grill master like setting out a jar of your own specialty BBQ Sauce.

You get the idea. These recipes are very simple, take very little time but will set you apart as a better cook...

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And,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Grilling Time Secret Extras" or "52 Ways to Cook BBQ and Grilling Recipes"!!!

Well over 52 recipes actually as I just can't stop... Over 100 in one grilling season (I love to grill!). But not just leat... Drinks, Condiments (LOTS of different BBQ sauces), Drinks, Desserts... even specialty items like GRILLED Pizza, and fun shaped Watermelons.  Easy and these ideas will make you the MASTER of your Backyard Domain!

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Plus,  I am pleased to list this as one of my Growing list of  "52 Appetizers Recipes"!!!

From Dips and Salsas to everyone's favorite, Deviled Eggs; Appetizers will set the mood for something special. And make enough different ones and you have a Tapas Meal!

Links include Dips (Take a Look at the WORLD's BEST Guacamole recipe (and world's easiest to make), Salsas, Grilled Bites, Watermelon Art, and of course something with a spectacular presentation and taste... Take a look, something to match any occasion...

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