Happy New Year: May 2022 Bring You Joy, Prosperity, and Plenty of BBQ
Happy New Year: May 2022 Bring You Joy, Prosperity, and Plenty of BBQ
Bye, bye 2021! As we close the chapter on this year, we look forward to a fresh start in 2022. The pandemic has presented many issues (bottle shortages) and taught us many lessons, both professional and personal, over this last year. One thing we have always known is that enjoying each moment is the key to a happy life. It is on that note we wish you joy, prosperity, and plenty of BBQ in the upcoming year. While the following recipes may not be the best for any weight-loss new year’s resolutions, we thought they’re still the best way to close out 2021 and get your New Year’s celebration started. Here’s some of our favorite appetizer recipes.
Texas Brisket Nuts
Funny name aside, these seasoned nuts will kick ya right into the new year with a lip smackin’ bang.
SERVINGS: 8
EQUIPMENT:
- Crockpot
- Measuring cups
- Spoon
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/4 cup melted butter (Don’t use margarine)
- 24 ounces of cocktail peanuts
- 1 ounce Craig’s Brisket Seasoning
DIRECTIONS:
- Put the nuts in a crockpot and pour the butter over them. Sprinkle with the Craig’s Brisket Seasoning.
- Cover, and cook on low for about 3 hours. Turn to high and remove the lid. Cook another 15 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- Serve warm or cool. It doesn’t matter, because they’re delicious either way.
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Sweet & Sour Meatballs
Every year has its sweet and sour moments, so these tasty meatballs are the perfect welcome to 2022.
SERVINGS: 4
EQUIPMENT:
- Large baking dish
- Measuring cups
- Medium mixing bowl
- Spoon
INGREDIENTS: 
- 1 bag of frozen meatballs – about a pound- and you don’t even have to thaw them first! (Of course, you can make your own meatballs if you wish.)
- 1 bottle of Craig’s BBQ Sauce
- 3/4 cup Texas Pepper Jelly – any flavor
- dash cinnamon
- dash allspice
- dash ground cloves
- dash nutmeg
- dash black pepper
DIRECTIONS:
- Pour meatballs into a baking dish.
- Mix remaining ingredients in a medium bowl, and pour over the meatballs.
- Place in a 350-degree oven for about 30 – 45 minutes. Check to make sure meatballs are no longer frozen!
- Set the baking dish on the table, stick toothpicks in the meatballs, and stand back.
TIPS:
This same mixture also works for those tiny sausages and hot dogs.
You can also make this recipe using your crockpot; if you do, cover and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.
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Spicy Pineapple Salsa
Get moving and say hello to 2022, with a spicy hot salsa.
SERVINGS: 6
EQUIPMENT: 
- Cutting board
- Chef knife
- Medium bowl
- Measuring cups
- Measuring spoons
- Lemon/lime juicer
INGREDIENTS:
- 2 cups pineapple diced – fresh is best
- 1/2 cup Texas Pepper Jelly Pineapple Habanero
- 1/2 cup red onion diced
- 3 tbsp mint fresh – chopped
- 1 tbsp cilantro fresh
- 1 lime juice – lemon works, too
- dash kosher salt
DIRECTIONS:
- Peel and core pineapple if using a whole pineapple.
- Chop and dice all ingredients
- Throw everything into a big mixing bowl and mix thoroughly.
- Cover and refrigerate overnight.
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Pepper Jelly Cheese Ball
New Year doesn’t mean you have to get rid of traditions, maybe just change them up a bit. That’s exactly what this recipe does.
SERVINGS: 12
EQUIPMENT:
- Large mixing bowl
- Plastic wrap
- Serving tray
INGREDIENTS:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces cheddar, finely shredded
- 1/4 cup green onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup bacon bits
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 cup crushed pretzels
- 3/4 cup Texas Pepper Jelly – any flavor
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine cheeses, green onion, bacon bits, and garlic powder with your hands (or electric mixer) in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
- Shape mixture into a ball and place back into the bowl.
- Cover bowl with plastic wrap.
- Refrigerate one hour or until firm.
- Uncover cheese ball and lift out of bowl.
- Roll cheese ball in crushed pretzels or coat cheese ball with crushed pretzels using your hands.
- Place cheese ball on serving tray and pour Texas Pepper Jelly over the top.
- Serve with crackers.
Prefer a smoked cream cheese? Check out Meat Church’s take with Texas Pepper Jelly Rib Candy.
Everyone here at Texas Pepper Jelly wishes you and yours the very best in 2022!