Mexican Meatballs with Rice Salad

While last night's meal was by no means a gourmet affair - it was easy, colourful and tasty.

I was at a bit of a loose end as to what to make last night, and was walking the supermarket aisles waiting for something to call out to me - "make me, make me" - but alas that didn't happen!!  (I guess I have to explain - I had been wandering aimlessly around the shopping centre for several hours already doing the last of the Christmas Shopping - and enjoying my last day of freedom before all "the Darlings" are on school holiday - hence the stupor-like state I was in!!)

I vaguely remembered a recipe that I had seen in the Christmas edition of Super Food Ideas that was for meatballs on skewers with a rice salad - I was in no mood to deal with skewers, and I couldn't remember exactly what was in the recipe - so winging it - here is what I came up with.

Mexican Meatballs with Rice Salad


Serves 6

1kg lean beef mince
500g beef sausage mince
1 red onion, finely chopped
3 cloves crushed garlic
1 x 35g pkt taco seasoning

Place all the above ingredients in a large bowl - get your hands in and get dirty, and mix well!!!

Line a baking tray with foil.  Preheat oven to 180C.

Makes small "walnut" sized meatballs - place on the prepared tray.  Bake in the oven for 30 minutes, turning after 15 minutes to ensure even browning.  Makes Approximately 80 meatballs.

Rice Salad

1 1/2 cup white rice
400g can kidney beans, rinsed and drained
130g can corn kernels, drained
2 tbs coriander, finely chopped
1/2 punnet of cherry tomatoes, quartered
juice of 1/2 lime

Cook rice according to directions on pack.  When cooked add the kidney beans, corn, coriander, tomatoes, and lime juice.  Mix well.

To Serve

sour cream
avocado
salsa
corn chips

Serve the rice topped with meatballs.  Garnish with avocado, sour cream, salsa and crushed corn chips.

So while the meatballs baked in the oven, and the rice cooked in the microwave, I bravely traversed the beans in our lounge room to hang the last of the Christmas lights.  I know should be feeling more merry - I don't know what it is - perhaps now that the house is festooned with lights the spirit will grow!!!

So Dear Readers are you ready for Christmas?  I still have the Christmas Eve job of wrapping all the presents to go - I think I am done shopping - but I always take one last peek, and then think I haven't bought enough and ...... yes go buy more!!!