Swedish Meatballs
The lingonberries in this recipe were purchased at Nordic Delicacies, in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn but can be found at German and Polish markets anywhere. Whole-berry cranberry sauce may be substituted.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup fresh breadcrumbs or bread torn into small pieces (I used a hot-dog bun)
- 1 1/2 cups half-and-half, divided
- 2 small onions, finely chopped
- 3 tablespoons butter, divided
- 1/2 pound ground pork
- 1/4 pound ground veal
- 1/4 pound ground beef
- Generous pinch ginger
- Pinch cloves
- Salt, pepper, to taste
- 1 1/2 tablespoons flour
- Low-salt chicken stock or water, if needed
- 1/3 cup lingonberries
Procedures
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1
Combine bread and half-and-half. Set aside.
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2
Sautée onion in 1 1/2 tablespoons butter over medium-low heat until soft and translucent, about 7 minutes. Let cool briefly.
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3
Add bread and half-and-half mixture to medium bowl. Smush with fingers to make sure it is well-combined. Add onions, meats, and spices. Mix well. Form meat mixture into small-to-medium meatballs. (I wound up with twenty or so).
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4
Wipe out pan in which you fried the onions. Add remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons butter and heat over medium to medium-high heat. Add meatballs, making sure they do not touch. Brown thoroughly on all sides (assuming a ball can have a side), about 5 minutes. Remove from pan. Pour off all but a tablespoon or so of fat.
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5
Over low heat, add flour, stirring until well-distributed in fat. Add remaining cup half-and-half, increase heat to medium, stirring constantly (a whisk is useful here) until smooth. Stir in lingonberries.
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6
Add meatballs and any accumulated juices to pan. Return to a gentle simmer, and stir occasionally, until meatballs are cooked through, 10-12 minutes, thinning sauce with water or stock if needed.
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7
Serve with additional lingonberries, if desired. Other good accompaniments include mashed potatoes or lightly buttered egg noodles.
