Aquavits Swedish Meatballs Food

JAMIE OLIVER'S SWEDISH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Set aside a few of the herbs, then put the rest into a large bowl with the pork, beef, egg, milk, breadcrumbs and allspice. Add a good pinch of salt and pepper, then get your clean hands in there and scrunch and mix it well.
• Divide the mixture in half, then pat and roll each half into a sausage shape. Cut each one into 15 equal pieces, then wet your hands and roll 30 little balls. Keep wetting your hands as you go so you get nice round elegant meatballs. Put them on a large oiled tray, then cover with clingfilm and pop into the fridge for 1 hour to firm up.
• When you're ready to cook, put your largest pan on a medium heat and add a glug of olive oil. Once hot, add the meatballs and fry gently for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing occasionally, until they are golden brown.
• Transfer the meatballs to a large plate. Spoon away any excess fat from the pan, then add the lemon juice, a splash of stock, the flour, the cream, a heaped tablespoon of lingon berry or berry jam and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Bring to the boil, then turn the heat down and reduce until you have a nice consistency that will cling to the meatballs. Taste it, then season with a pinch of salt and pepper. Return the meatballs to the pan and move them around so they get coated in the sauce.
• Serve your meatballs - eight per person is about right - drizzled with any lovely sauce left in the pan and with a few spoonfuls of warmed-up jam on top.

AQUAVIT'S SWEDISH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Prepare the Meatballs.
• Combine the bread crumbs and 1/4 cup cream in a small bowl, stirring until all the crumbs are moistened.
• Set aside.
• Heat the oil in a small skillet over medium heat.
• Add the onion and saute for for about five minutes, until softened.
• Remove from heat.
• In a large bowl, combine ground beef, veal and pork, onion, honey and egg, and mix well with your hands (remember Julia--your impeccably clean hands).
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Add the bread crumb/cream mixture and mix well.
• With wet hands (to keep mixture from sticking) shape the mixture into meatballs the size of golfballs, placing them on a plate slightly moistened with water.
• You should have about 24 meatballs.
• Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add the meatballs, in batches if necessary, and cook, turning frequently, for about seven minutes, until the meatballs are browned on all sides and cooked through.
• Transfer the meatballs to a plate and keep warm.
• Discard all but one tablespoon of fat from the skillet.
• Prepare the Sauce.
• Return the skillet to the heat.
• Whisk in the stock, 1/2 cup of cream, preserves and pickle juice, and bring to a simmer.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Add the meatballs to the sauce, reduce heat to medium, and simmer for about five minutes, until the sauce thickens slightly and the meatballs are heated through.
• Serve hot with garlic mashed potatoes, lingonberry preserves and pickled cucumbers.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees. Tear bread into pieces and place in a small mixing bowl along with milk. Set aside.
• Melt 1 tablespoon of the butter in a large electric skillet over low heat. Add onion and pinch of salt and sweat until onions are soft. Remove from heat and set aside.
• In the bowl of a electric mixer, combine bread and milk mixture, ground chuck, pork, egg yolks, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and cooked onions. Beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes.
• Using a scale, weigh meatballs into 1 ounce portions and place on a sheet pan (an ice cream scoop heals here). Shape meatballs into rounds.
• Heat remaining butter in the skillet over medium-low heat, or set to 250 degrees. Add meatballs and saute until golden brown on all sides, about 7-10 minutes. Remove meatballs to an ovenproof dish using a slotted spoon and place in warmed oven.
• Decrease heat to low and add flour to skillet. Whisk until lightly browned, approximately 1-2 minutes. Gradually add beef stock and whisk until sauce begins to thicken. Add cream and continue to cook until gravy reaches the desired consistency. Remove the meatballs from the oven, cover with the gravy and serve.

AQUAVIT'S QUICK PICKLED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Slice the cucumbers as thin as possible, using a mandoline if you have one.
• If you only have regular cucumbers, slice them in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds before slicing.
• Put the slices in a colander and toss them with the salt.
• Let the cucumber sit while you prepare the marinade (or for up to about 30 minutes.
• Combine water, vinegar, sugar, bay leaf and allspice in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• Rinse the salt off the cucumber slices and squeeze out as much moisture as possible, using paper towels to blot them dry.
• Put the cucumbers in a medium bowl and add the marinade (the cucumber should be completely covered).
• Cover the bowl and refrigerate 3 to 6 hours before serving.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• In a heavy skillet over medium-high heat, melt 1 Tbs butter.
• Add onions and saute, stirring often until soft, about 1-2 minutes.
• Remove from heat and set aside.
• In bowl of electric mixer combine bread crumbs and water; let stand until soft; about 1-2 minutes.
• Add reserved onions along with beef, pork, egg yolks, salt, pepper, nutmeg, and allspice.
• Beat on low speed until smooth.
• Turn mixer to high and beat until mixture is light in color and fluffy; about 10 minutes.
• Shape into 1-inch balls.
• In large skillet over medium heat, melt remaining 4 Tbs butter.
• Cook meatballs in batches of about 15 at a time until brown on all sides.
• Remove with slotted spoon and drain briefly on paper towel before removing to a warmed serving platter
• Cover to keep warm.
• When all meatballs are cooked, reduced heat to low and add flour to skillet.
• Cook, stirring until lightly browned.
• Slowly add beef stock
• Cook, whisking until gravy is thick and smooth.
• Strain if desired.
• Pour gravy over meatballs and serve hot.