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Swedish Meatballs

swedish meatballs
Print Recipe
This familiar Swedish dish can be terrifyingly high in calories due to the creamy gravy. I've made this version as lean as possible, but it still has all the traditional flavours. Garnish with fresh dill and serve with a little cranberry sauce if you like.
Course Main Course
Prep Time 25 minutes mins
Cook Time 40 minutes mins
Total Time 1 hour hr 5 minutes mins
Servings 4 people
Calories 324

Ingredients

  • 250 g lean minced beef
  • 250 g minced pork
  • 1/2 medium onion, roughly chopped
  • 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped
  • 15 g fresh dill, finely chopped, plus extra to garnish
  • 15 g flat leaf parsley, leaves finely chopped
  • 50 g fresh white breadcrumbs
  • 1 tsp flaked sea salt
  • oil, for spraying or brushing
  • ground black pepper
  • 4 tbsp lingonberry or cranberry sauce, to serve
  • For the gravy
  • oil, for spraying for brushing
  • 1/2 medium onion, very finely chopped
  • 2 tbsp plain flour
  • 750 ml beef stock, made with 1 beef stock cube
  • 2 tsp tomato puree
  • 1 tbsp single cream
  • flaked sea salt
  • ground black pepper

Instructions

  • To make the meatballs, place the beef and pork mince into the bowl of a food processor with the onion, garlic, herbs, breadcrumbs and salt. Blend until a thick paste is formed, similar to sausage meat. Divide the mixture into 20 portions and roll into small, neat balls.
  • Spray or brush a large, deep non-stick frying pan with the oil and fry the meatballs for 6-8 minutes, or until nicely browned. Roll and turn the meatballs around in the pan as they brown to prevent them becoming flattened on the side. Transfer them to a medium saucepan or saute pan using a slotted spoon.
  • To make the gravy, spray or brush a little oil in the same pan used to fry the meatballs. Fry the onion over a low heat for 3 minutes, or until softened and lightly browned, stirring regularly. Sprinkle the flour into the pan and stir well.
  • Slowly stir in the stock, then add the tomato puree and bring to a simmer, stirring continuously. The gravy may have become a little lumpy, but keep stirring (using a silicone whisk preferably), and it should come together. Cook for 4 minutes, stirring continuously. Season and strain the gravy through a sieve into the pan with the meatballs.
  • Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Cover loosely and cook for 20 minutes, or until the meatballs are tender, stirring occasionally. Add a little extra stock or water if the sauce has reduced too much. Remove the lid, stir in the cream and increase the heat under the pan.
  • Simmer the gravy for a further 2-3 minutes or until thickened enough to lightly coat the meatballs. Adjust the seasoning to taste and serve.

Notes

Freeze the cooled gravy- coated meatballs in labelled zip-seal bags or freezer-proof containers for up to 3 months. Defrost in the fridge overnight and reheat thoroughly in a large, wide based saucepan, stirring gently until piping hot.
Buy ‘COMFORT FOOD’ Without the Calories: Low-calorie Recipes, Cheats and Ideas for Feel-Good Favourites

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My gooey microwave ‘baked’ camembert is featured i My gooey microwave 'baked' camembert is featured in @dailymailweekend today, along with scrambled eggs, warm fruit compote and pitta bread pizzas - all taken from Ping!⁠
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My latest book – PING! – is published today.⁠
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It’s a collection of over 100 energy-saving, family-friendly recipes cooked using just a microwave oven. ⁠
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It’s a bit of departure from my recent books, but one I hope you'll find useful – and perhaps intriguing too. There's something fascinating about cooking in the microwave and, even though I’ve been using them for many years, I was surprised by the huge variety of different - and very delicious - dishes that could be cooked successfully using microwave power alone. Everything from easy curries and 'casseroles', to lasagne, barbecue-style chicken, spicy rice, banoffee pie, sticky toffee pudding, rich chocolate brownie and lemon drizzle cake! ⁠
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If you do fancy taking a peak at Ping!, you can find it in your local bookshop, online and via the link in my bio.⁠
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#microwaverecipes #microwavemagic #quickandeasymeals #familymeals #energysaving #tastyinminutes #microwavecuisine #convenientcooking #microwaverecipebook #justinepattison⁠
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For a healthy midweek meal, why not try a simple v For a healthy midweek meal, why not try a simple veggie bolognese? Taken from my slow cooker book, this one makes four really generous servings or six smaller portions. It freezes very well and can be used for a lasagne, pasta bake or base for veggie cottage pie. Perfect if you like to go meat-free or simply fancy a change.⁠
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Slow cooker pulled pork makes an easy meal for ove Slow cooker pulled pork makes an easy meal for over the weekend. My version is rich and spicy - perfect for piling into warmed wraps with pink pickled onions, avocado, soured cream and shredded lettuce. ⁠
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