Swedish meatballs are called "Köttbullar" and they are made popular by IKEA's cafes. In the Netherlands, a meatball goes by the name "Gehaktbal" (ball of chopped meat). Meatball is and has been for many years the most common dish in Swedish and Dutch households.
Swedish Meatballs with Cream Sauce Recipe (Serves 4)
Meatballs:
- 250 g minced beef
- 250 g minced pork
- 1 egg
- 200-300 g cream and water (or milk and water)
- 2 1/2 tbsp onion, finely chopped
- 50 g unsweetened rusk flour (you can replace with breadcrumbs)
- 2 cold boiled potatoes
- 4-5 tbsp butter, margarine or oil
- Salt, white pepper
- Allspice (optional)
Cream Sauce:
- 100 ml cream
- 200 ml boiling water or beef stock
- 1 tbsp white flour (optional)
- Salt and white pepper
Method
- Heat the onion till golden in a couple of tbsp of lightly browned butter. Removed.
- Mash the potatoes.
- Moisten the rusks in a little water.
- Mix minced beef, minced pork, egg, onion, mashed potatoes, rusks, cream and water into a smooth mixture of the right consistency and flavour generously with salt, pepper and allspice (optional).
- Using a pair of spoons rinsed in water, shape the meat mixture into relatively large, round balls and transfer to a floured chopping board, then fry them quite slowly in plenty of butter.
- To make the cream sauce: Swirl out the pan with boiling water or meat stock. Strain the pan juice and dilute with cream. Thicken with white flour if preferred. Season well, and serve this and the meatballs with freshly boiled potatoes, uncooked lingonberry jam (Opps!!! I forgot to buy this jam on my recent trip to IKEA!), a green salad and salted or pickled gherkins.