Maple Bacon Sausage Meatballs

I made these one evening and they were such a hit that I didn't even get photos of them.  The taste-tester has asked for these 2 more times, and says they need to be a regular item on our weekly menu.  These came from PaleOMG.com, a great place to have food-gasms.  seriously.  Juli's food looks amazing and tastes that way too.

Breakfast (Anytime) Bacon and Maple Meatballs

Serves: 4

Ingredients

1lb breakfast sausage (no sugar added)

1 sweet potato

½ yellow onion, peeled

2 tablespoons maple syrup

5-6 slices of bacon

1 garlic clove, minced

salt and pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Place your bacon slices in a pan over medium heat. Cook on both sides until crispy, place on a paper towel to soak up the excess fat and cool, then dice up into small pieces that would fit well in meatballs. 

3. Shred your sweet potato.  I use the regular cheese grater, since we used to eat a LOT of cheese, and don't eat much anymore, it would collect dust if I didn't!  

4.  Then shred your onion in the same container with the sweet potato that was shredded. (or you can finely chop these... creates less mess and fewer tears)

5.  Add your sweet potato and yellow onion to a bowl along with your breakfast sausage, maple syrup, garlic clove, diced bacon, and salt and pepper and mix well. Your hands are your best tools.

6. Make your meatballs. (I make mine about the size of a golf ball) Roll the balls in your hands and place on a baking sheet/baking dish. 

7. Repeat until all your ingredients are gone.

8.  Bake for 30-35 minutes until meatballs are golden brown and completely cooked through. Be sure to check one before you turn the oven off!

Note: Juli's recipe calls for Mushrooms, as we don't eat those in our home, they were left out.  You could try them.  I can't imagine it would taste good.  But then Juli is a pretty great chef so you can trust her, if you eat mushrooms.