Meatballs ala Ikea

It’s time to make meatballs again. We always have meatballs for any holiday family meal. Once upon a time, we used to go to Ikea every few months as well. I think we loved their meatballs as much as the fabulous wares.

Due to the inaccessibility of Ikea, they released the recipe so we wouldn’t be totally miserable. Now that was a totally fabulous thing to do.

Ikea’s Swedish meatballs with cream sauce: Makes 16 – 20 meatballs

Ingredients for the meatballs:

• 500 grams (1.1 pounds) ground beef
• 250 grams (slightly more than ½ pound) ground pork
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic (crushed or minced)
• 100 grams (3.5 ounces) breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 5 tablespoons of whole milk
• Salt and pepper to taste

Ingredients for the cream sauce:

• Dash of oil
• 40 grams (1.4 ounces) butter
• 40 grams (1.4 ounces) plain flour
• 150 ml (5 fluid ounces) vegetable stock
• 150 ml (5 fluid ounces) beef stock
• 150 ml (5 fluid ounces) thick double cream
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Here’s how you do it:

1. Combine beef and pork mince and mix thoroughly to break up any lumps. Add finely chopped onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg and mix. Add milk and season well with salt and pepper.
2. Shape mixture into small, round balls. Place on a clean plate, cover and store in the fridge for 2 hours (to help them hold their shape while cooking).
3. In a frying pan, heat oil on medium heat. When hot, gently add your meatballs and brown on all sides.
4. When browned, add to an ovenproof dish and cover. Place in a hot oven, 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius, and cook for a further 30 minutes.

And for the cream sauce:

1. Melt the butter in a frying pan. Whisk in the plain flour and continue cooking, stirring continuously for 2 minutes.
2. Add the vegetable stock and beef stock and continue to stir. Add the thick double cream, soy sauce and Dijon mustard.
3. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken. Continue to stir.
4. When ready to eat, serve with your favorite starch.

*  From the Recipe Box:

These freeze really well, not that you’ll have any left.

You’re on your own with the metric translation, but there are some great conversions on line.

and remember: Two things:   If it makes you happy, do it.  If it doesn’t, don’t. Big kiss, Lynn