Spanish Meatballs

For little one’s first birthday we threw a grown up party. In all reality, little one had no idea that it was his birthday. He knows lots of people showed up at our house, he was able to eat chocolate for the first time and that there was some fun toys for him to play with at the end of the night.

The party was really more for husband and me. We invited our close friends and family members. I made appetizers so everyone could munch on something while they visited and husband made sure we had seasonal beer and my book club’s favorite wine. We started at 4pm and entertained until 8pm. The girls and kiddos hung out in the living room gossiping while the boys hung out in the backyard enjoying the fire pit. Little one opened presents as he was interested in them. We all paused mid-evening to sing Happy Birthday and watch little one smear chocolate frosting all over his face. It was a fantastic evening.

I made all of the food for the party with the exception of the cupcakes and little one’s smash cake. I decorated the cupcakes myself and I was so pleased with how freakin’ cute they were. The chocolate frosting was tamped down and then topped with two open Oreos (the cream side) and M&Ms. Since our theme was owls these cupcakes were perfect!  I left the cake as plain as possible since I didn’t know what little one would do. It ends up he just ate a little frosting and didn’t even get to the cake portion.

Food:
Mushroom pesto and parmesan pizzettis
Pesto and feta pizzettis
Ranch spinach dip with carrots, celery and red pepper
Florentine cups
Goat cheese and crackers
Spanish Meatballs with crusty bread
Owl cupcakes
Extra M&Ms and peanuts

Drinks:

Beer
Wine
Cranberry juice mixed with Sierra mist

Spanish Meatballs
1 lb. ground pork
1 lb. ground turkey
¾ c. onion, chopped
1 ½ tsp. ground cumin
2 tsp. smoked paprika
5 T. breadcrumbs
2 eggs, beaten
3 T. parsley, chopped
28 oz. diced tomatoes
Rustic bread

In a bowl, combine pork, turkey, ¼ cup onion, cumin, 1 ½ teaspoon paprika, breadcrumbs, eggs, and parsley. Season with salt and pepper. Gently combine and, roll into 25 meatballs.

Place meat balls on a greased cookie sheet. Bake in a 400 degree oven for 15-20 minutes. Transfer meatballs to a slow cooker. Add remaining onion, ½ tsp. paprika, and tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Cook on low until meatballs are tender, 5 hours. Serve with rustic bread.

http://www.marthastewart.com/350622/slow-cooker-spanish-meatballs