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Natural Awakenings Milwaukee Magazine

Bacon Wrapped Meatballs for Dad with Sweet Potato Fries

Jun 01, 2022 12:00AM ● By Tiffany Hinton
June has a focus on Dads with Father’s Day being one of the celebrations of the month. June also means time for grilling and spending more time outside as summer is ushered in with the Summer Solstice around the 20th of the month.

The vision of a charcoal grill and a family cookout easily come to mind for many who grew up in the mid-west or had a local hardware store in the town where they grew up. The display of charcoal grills, patio chairs or lawn chairs with their plaid woven seats brings back memories of summer nights catching fireflies and eating grilled burgers.

These memories and taste of summer have inspired this bacon wrapped meatball recipe which can be cooked on the grill. Pair with sweet potato fries or coleslaw for a fun and tasty meal. This recipe has a healthy spin and is gluten free, dairy free and paleo friendly. Serve Dad up a treat this June and celebrate the coming of summer.

Bacon Wrapped Meatballs and Sweet Potato Fries


1 pound grass fed ground beef
2 Tbsp Ground Flax
1 Tbsp Liquid Smoke
1 Tsp Himalayan Salt
1 Tsp Black Pepper
1 Tsp Garlic, minced
1/2 Tsp Smoked Paprika
10 Slices Thick-Cut Bacon, sliced in half crosswise

For the sauce:
1 1/2 Cups Apple Cider Vinegar
3/4 Cup Water
1/2 cup Simple Organic Ketchup, Sugar Free
1/4 cup Coconut Palm Sugar or Honey
1 Tbsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1 1/2 Tbsp Kosher Salt
1/2 Tsp Black Pepper

Directions:
In a large mixing bowl, combine beef, flax, liquid smoke, salt, pepper, garlic, and paprika; mix by hand. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375ºF. Line a baking sheet with foil and place a wire rack on top. Or cook in a foil pan on the grill.

With wet hands, roll the meat mixture into 20 balls the size of golf balls. Wrap half a slice of bacon around each meatball and place on the wire rack with the seam side down. Bake for 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, combine all sauce ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat and stir until sugar dissolves.

Spoon 1 tablespoon of sauce over each meatball. Bake for 10 minutes. Spoon another tablespoon of sauce over each meatball and bake for 10 more minutes.

Remove baking sheet from the oven or grill and let meatballs cool on the rack for 5 minutes. Serve with extra sauce on the side for dipping.

Don’t forget the toothpicks!

Sweet Potato Fries


2 Sweet Potatoes, peeled
2 Tbsp Grapeseed Oil
1 Tsp Chili Powder
1/2 Tsp Paprika
1 Tsp Himalayan Salt
1/2 Tsp Black Pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Line baking sheet with parchment paper. 

Slice sweet potatoes into fries.

Add to large bowl. Add oil and seasoning. Toss to coat.

Spread fries on prepared baking sheet into a thin layer.  Cook on the top rack for 25 minutes until starting to brown and get crispy.

Article courtesy of Tiffany Hinton, GF Mom Certified. Connect with Tiffany online at @gfmomcertified and listen to Tiffany's podcast Cultivating Guts on Spotify or iTunes. 

Visit CultivatingGuts.com for more info. You can also check out Tiffany’s website, GFMomCertified.com and her latest book at ThriveClean.org.