Swedish Meatballs

This meal has officially been declared a favorite for my entire family. This has already been requested for a birthday dinner (six months in the future!) and I've been reminded twice, lest I forget. These were some of the best meatballs I have ever tasted. The texture is light, not heavy at all; as I typically expect with most dishes like this one. The meatballs were also very easy to form. They held their shape quite well and I didn't have a single one fall apart on me.

My boys (all four of them) ate a ridiculous amount of this meal. Even after doubling the recipe, we still only had a small amount leftover. The sauce is perfect; flavorful and light. The blend of beef broth and cream helps make it much lighter than many other full cream sauces. Meatballs are not typically something I crave, but I am already looking forward to making these again.

Swedish Meatballs
recipe adapted from The View from Great Island

Meatball Ingredients:
1/2 pound ground pork
1/2 pound ground beef
4 tablespoons finely minced onion, I used a food processor to get them to an extremely fine mince (The smaller the pieces, the better the meatballs will hold together.)
2 tablespoons butter
1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 egg beaten
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon white pepper
1/4 teaspoon allspice

Cream Sauce Ingredients:
1 cup beef stock
1/4 cup cream
1 1/2 tablespoon arrowroot, cornstarch or flour
1 1/2 tablespoon butter
1 teaspoon soy sauce
kosher salt
white pepper
1/2 cup fresh parsley, minced
freshly ground nutmeg

In a large glass measuring cup or small bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs and the cream. Stir to combine and then let rest for 5-10 minutes, until the cream is absorbed. In a large skillet over medium high heat, saute the onions with the butter for about 5 minutes.

While the onion is cooking, place the meat in a large mixing bowl and break it up with your hands. Add the egg, spices, and the breadcrumbs and cream mixture. Add the onions and stir with a wooden spoon or your hands to gently combine. Form into small balls. I used a 1" scoop to make them uniform, and then set aside. (You can refrigerate the meatballs at this point and then brown and bake them right before dinner.)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Wipe out the skillet that you cooked the onions in and add 2 tablespoons of butter. Heat over medium high. When the butter has melted, add the meatballs in batches. The skillet should be hot enough that they sizzle when they contact the pan. I used tongs to place the meatballs into the hot pan and then two forks to turn them side to side. Brown the meatballs on all sides and then transfer to a large baking sheet lined with aluminum foil.

If you aren't familiar with cooking things in batches, here is a tip. Start placing your meatballs in the pan, at the outer edge, next to the handle. Go clockwise around the pan and then fill in the middle. It is easy to remember which ones have cooked the longest that way and by the time you fill in the middle, it is time to start flipping them over and continue around the circle again.

When all of the meatballs have been browned, place the baking sheet in the preheated oven. Bake for 10 minutes. If you cut a meatball in half, it should not be pink. The interior temperature should be 170 degrees.

While the meatballs are baking, heat a small saucepan over medium to medium low heat. Melt the butter and add the flour. Whisking constantly, cook for about a minute, being careful not to let it brown. Once it combines, add the stock and whisk well. Bring to a simmer and let it thicken, this should only take a couple minutes. Add the cream and heat through.

Remove from the heat and season with soy sauce, salt and pepper. Taste and adjust the seasonings. Add the parsley and nutmeg, taste again and adjust as needed. Drizzle sauce over the meatballs right before serving. Enjoy!

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