IRISH MEATBALLS

1 pound ground beef
½ cup instant mashed potatoes
¼ cup Irish whiskey
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 teaspoon thyme
1 teaspoon oregano
½ cup milk
1 egg
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
¼ cup finely chopped parsley
1 package (3-oz size) chive-flavored cream cheese

Mix all ingredients except cream cheese together; refrigerate, covered, 1 hour; preheat oven to 400 F.

Form meat mixture into balls about the size of walnuts. Place on baking sheet and bake 20 minutes. Remove from oven and drain. Cool and chill.

Slice meatballs in half. Spread with cream cheese, about ¼ inch thick. Place meatballs back together and refrigerate until needed. SErve cold.

Yield: About 30 meatballs.

MINSTREL PIE

Preheat oven to 400 F. Place Irish meatloaf mixture, above, in deep 10-inch pie plate; spread 2½-3 cups mashed potatoes over mixture. Sprinkle potatoes lightly with grated cheese. Bake 45 minutes. SErve warm as entrée or cold as horse d’oeuvre cut into thin wedges.

Yield: 8-10 servings.

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Copyright ©️ 1977 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in U.S.A.