Swedish Meatballs

OK, I detest shopping in IKEA. Well, not entirely true. What I detest are the people. So many people. All cramming into the space I wish to occupy. Who are they and why are they following me around the darned shop?

But the biggest lure is the cafe. In particular, the swedish meatballs. Yum. Now don't get me wrong, I don't hold with mixing jam and savoury, SO not my thing which means that whoever is with me gets my lingonberry jam with my blessing.

But back to the meatballs - you can buy them frozen, rush them home and put the ones you are not going to use into the freezer. But where's the fun in that? So here's a great recipe for Swedish Meatballs.


Swedish Meatballs
Serves 4

INGREDIENTS
meatballs
300g minced pork
300g minced beef
1 minced medium onion
100ml milk
75g dried breadcrumbs
rosemary (finely chopped)
sage(finely chopped)
1 teaspoon dried mustard
salt (pinch)
pepper (pinch)
2 tablespoons olive oil

Sauce
200ml beef stock
400ml double cream
salt (pinch)
pepper (pinch)
1 tablespoon of salted butter
cornflour
Sugar (pinch)


METHOD

1. Put everything (except the oil) into a large mixing bowl and mix - alternatively use a food processor.
2. Mix well until blended
3. Make into 20 meatballs - either use a larger melon baller or you can roll with your hands. If using hands, keep bowl of warm water to hand and keep hands moist which will prevent sticking.
4. Heat oil in large pan
5. When oil is hot place meatballs into plan and fry until brown and cooked through - remember half is pork and should be thoroughly cooked.
6. Shake pan gently during cooking to ensure the meatballs are done on all sides.
7. Remove meatballs and keep warm
8. Deglace the frying pan with a little water and add the stock
9. Reduce by a third
10. Add the butter and a pinch of sugar.
11. Whisk until dissolved completely and reduce by about a third again.
12. Thicken with cornflour to taste.
13. Taste and season with salt and white pepper.
14. Add meatballs to the sauce, or serve them separately.

To complete the IKEA-at-home experience, serve with french fries and lingonberry jam (or give the jam to somebody else - I know I will). Meatballs with no crowds. Bliss.

SPECIAL NOTE: If you don't have fresh beef stock, bottled stock is more than acceptable, or stock cubes. DO NOT use Oxo in the recipe. It contains more than just stock.