Savory Scandinavian Delight: Authentic Swedish Meatballs Recipe 🇸🇪🍽️

Time/Life Swedish Meatballs Recipe

Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: Makes approximately 40 small meatballs

Description:

According to the 1968 Time/Life book, Foods of the World: The Cooking of Scandinavia, this recipe creates authentic Swedish meatballs, known as Sma Kottbullar. These delectable meatballs are a delightful blend of lean ground beef, onions, potatoes, and cream, seasoned to perfection with parsley and salt. They are then fried to a golden brown and served with a luscious cream sauce, making them an irresistible dish for any occasion.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 4 onions, finely chopped
• 1 potato, boiled and mashed
• 3 cups fresh bread crumbs
• 1 pound lean ground beef
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 3/4 cup light or heavy cream

Instructions:

1. Prepare Onions:
   In a small frying pan, melt 1 tablespoon of butter over medium heat. Add finely chopped onions and cook for about 5 minutes until they are soft and translucent but not browned.

2. Mix Ingredients:
   In a large bowl, combine the cooked onions, mashed potato, bread crumbs, lean ground beef, heavy cream, salt, egg, and chopped parsley. Knead vigorously with both hands or beat with a wooden spoon until all ingredients are well blended and the mixture is smooth and fluffy.

3. Shape Meatballs:
   Shape the mixture into small balls about one inch in diameter.

4. Chill:
   Arrange the meatballs in a single layer on a baking sheet or flat tray. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for at least 1 hour before cooking.

5. Fry Meatballs:
   In a large heavy skillet, melt 2 tablespoons of butter and 2 tablespoons of oil over high heat. When the foam subsides, add the meatballs, 8 to 10 at a time. Reduce the heat to medium and fry the meatballs on all sides, shaking the pan almost constantly to ensure they keep their shape. It should take about 8 to 10 minutes for the meatballs to brown on the outside and show no trace of pink inside when one is broken open with a knife.

6. Keep Warm:
   As you finish frying each batch of meatballs, transfer them to a casserole dish and keep them warm in a preheated 200°F oven.

7. Prepare Sauce (Optional):
   If desired, you can prepare a creamy sauce using the pan juices. Remove the skillet from heat and pour off all excess fat. Stir in 1 tablespoon of all-purpose flour, then quickly add 3/4 cup of light or heavy cream. Boil the sauce over medium heat for 2 to 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until it thickens and becomes smooth.

8. Serve:
   Pour the sauce over the meatballs and serve with noodles or potatoes.

These Time/Life Swedish Meatballs are sure to be a hit at your next gathering, whether it’s a potluck dinner or a cozy weeknight meal. Enjoy the rich flavors of Scandinavia with this classic recipe! 🇸🇪🍽️