What are Swedish Meatballs?
Swedish meatballs and “regular” meatballs may share some core ingredients like grated onion and breadcrumbs, but they each have their unique charm. Swedish meatballs are the spice whisperers of the meatball world, with allspice, nutmeg, white pepper, and an occasional hint of ground ginger in their arsenal. They bring a touch of Nordic magic to your taste buds, turning a simple dish into a symphony of flavors that's as cozy as a Scandinavian sweater on a chilly day.
Ingredients:
Meatballs:
2 slices sandwich bread, crusts removed, chopped into small cubes
1 small onion (white, brown, yellow)
10 oz EACH ground beef and pork (mince)
1 egg, 1/4 tsp EACH freshly ground nutmeg, All Spice and black pepper, 3/4 tsp salt
Gravy:
3 tbsp butter, 3 tbsp flour, 2 cups beef broth / stock, salt reduced
1/2 cup heavy / thickened cream (or sour cream or yogurt for tangy style sauce)
Method:
Here are the step-by-step directions for making these delicious Swedish meatballs:
1. Start by grating the onion with a box grater, making sure to include the juices. Add the grated onion to a bowl, then add the bread. Mix them together and let them sit for about 1 minute until the bread is fully wet and disintegrates. If the onion wasn't juicy enough, you can add a tiny splash of milk for additional moisture. Next, add the remaining ingredients for the meatballs and mix everything together.
2. Measure out approximately 1 heaped tablespoon of the mixture and roll it into balls. Some people find it faster to measure them all out onto a work surface and then roll them all at once.
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add half of the meatballs and brown them on all sides. They should be browned on the outside but still raw inside. Once they're browned, remove them onto a plate, and repeat this process with the second batch of meatballs.
4. Discard any excess oil from the skillet, then lower the heat to medium. Add butter to the skillet and let it melt. Once melted, add the flour and cook it for about 1 minute.
5. Slowly add the broth to the skillet while whisking or mixing continuously to ensure there are no lumps in the sauce. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then add the browned meatballs. Adjust the heat so that it's simmering energetically and cook for 8 to 10 minutes until the sauce thickens to a thin gravy consistency.
6. Finally, add the cream and simmer for a couple of minutes until the sauce thickens slightly. Serve the Swedish meatballs with mashed potatoes or noodles for a comforting and flavorful meal. Enjoy!
