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Donal Skehan
Swedish Meatballs | DonalSkehan.com, My favourite Swedish dinner dish!
  • main-meals

Swedish Meatballs

August 01

These have been made world-famous by IKEA, where they serve them in the food hall, however unless you have tried the homemade version, I personally think you haven’t properly tasted this traditional Swedish dish. I have to admit I was a little put off when I was first served them with a big dollop of jam on the side, but I was quickly converted and now I’m convinced these meatballs have to be served with lingonberry sylt (lingonberry jam) in order to be truly authentic.

 

  • serves Serves 4
  • time 60 mins

Method

  1. 1. Combine the minced beef and pork in a bowl with the breadcrumbs, onion and egg. Season with a generous pinch of salt and black pepper and form into 24 bite-sized meatballs.
  2. 2. Melt the butter in a large frying pan until foaming and fry the meatballs for 10–12 minutes, making sure to turn half way through the cooking time. Remove the meatballs from the pan, place on a plate, cover and set aside.
  3. 3. Add the flour to the hot butter and crusty bits still in the pan and whisk to combine. Still whisking, add the milk, a little at a time, until it is all combined. Simmer for 2–3 minutes until the sauce has thickened then season with sea salt and black pepper.
  4. 4. Meanwhile, place the potatoes in a large saucepan of cold water and bring to the boil over a high heat. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for 10–15 minutes or until tender when pierced with a fork. Drain the potatoes, return them to the pan and toss with a good knob of butter and the chopped dill.
  5. 5. Serve the meatballs with the sauce, a few dill spring potatoes and a hearty dollop of ruby-red lingonberry sylt.

Ingredients

250g beef mince

150g pork mince

2 tbsp fresh white breadcrumbs

1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped

1 large egg, lightly beaten

Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

30g butter, plus some extra

1 tbsp plain flour

200ml milk

750g baby potatoes

A few fresh dill sprigs, roughly chopped

Lingonberry sylt, to serve (available in good Swedish food stores or try Ikea)

You'll Need

Mixing bowl

Large frying pan

Large saucepan