Easy To Make Delicious Every Time Swedish Meatballs
Swedish meatballs are delicious–whether you need a yummy hors d’oeuvre to bring to a dinner party or your family is craving comfort food. IKEA may have increased the popularity of Swedish meatballs, but do you know the history behind them?
It turns out Swedish meatballs weren’t invented in Sweden. Instead, the first known recipe for the yummy bites of seasoned meat in gravy originated in the Ottoman Empire in Turkey. King Charles XII of Sweden spent several years in Turkey and loved the dish so much that he took the recipe for these meatballs as well as one for stuffed cabbage back to his home country. The original recipe called for ground lamb, but Swedish cooks substituted it with a mixture of pork and beef.
Ingredients for the Swedish meatballs:
- 1 pound TBS ground beef
- 1 pound TBS ground pork
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- ½ cup sweet onion, diced
- ½ cup Japanese-style bread crumbs
- 2 large egg yolks
- ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
- Salt and pepper to taste
Ingredients for the gravy:
- ¼ cup unsalted butter
- ⅓ cup all-purpose flour
- 4 cups beef broth
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Directions:
- Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onions with a pinch of salt until they are soft.
- Combine the beef, pork, bread crumbs, egg yolks, allspice, nutmeg, and the sautéed onions in a large mixing bowl. Shape into 1-ounce meatballs (about 1 ½ inches in diameter).
- Heat the remaining. Turning the balls frequently will help them cook evenly. Remove the meatballs and place in an ovenproof dish using a slotted spoon and place in a warm oven (about 200 degrees) or set aside under foil to retain heat.
- Make the gravy. Do not clean the skillet. Melt the butter in the same skillet over low heat and whisk the flour until lightly browned (1 to 2 minutes.) Gradually add the beef stock, constantly whisking until slightly thickened. Stir in the cream, and then season with salt and pepper.
- Add the meatballs back into the skillet to cook (about 8-10 minutes) until the meat is heated all the way through and the gravy is the desired consistency.
- Serve immediately with a garnish of parsley.
This dish pairs well with mashed potatoes and green beans.
Find everything you need for a delicious and healthy dinner at The Butcher Shop.
We know preparing healthy meals for your family is important. That’s why The Butcher Shop always carries locally sourced meats and produce from farms right here in Southern Oregon. At TBS, you’ll find the perfect cut of meat for your meal, plus fresh-baked loaves of bread, fresh fruit and vegetables, local wine and beers, and even quality food specifically for your canine. Stop by today or call ahead to pre-order your ingredients.