Swedish Meatballs With Beetroot Apple Salad Food

SWEDISH PICKLED BEET AND APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium high heat.
• Add the onion and apples and saute for three to five minutes, until apples have softened.
• Transfer to a medium bowl and sprinkle with the lemon juice.
• Add the beets and capers and toss well.
• Mix the mayo and sour cream together, then add to the salad, tossing gently to coat.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Transfer to serving bowl or individual plates and garnish with the parsley and chives.
• Note: Use a glass or stainless bowl because the beets will stain plastic and some ceramics.
• Note 2: You can also do this with baby beets if you're lucky enough to find them at a farmer's market--increase the number of beets relative to their size.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200 degrees F.
• Tear the bread into pieces and place in a small mixing bowl along with the milk. Set aside.
• In a 12-inch straight sided saute pan over medium heat, melt 1 tablespoon of the butter. Add the onion and a pinch of salt and sweat until the onions are soft. Remove from the heat and set aside.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the bread and milk mixture, ground chuck, pork, egg yolks, 1 teaspoon of kosher salt, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and onions. Beat on medium speed for 1 to 2 minutes.
• Using a scale, weigh meatballs into 1-ounce portions and place on a sheet pan. Using your hands, shape the meatballs into rounds.
• Heat the remaining butter in the saute pan over medium-low heat, or in an electric skillet set to 250 degrees F. Add the meatballs and saute until golden brown on all sides, about 7 to 10 minutes. Remove the meatballs to an ovenproof dish using a slotted spoon and place in the warmed oven.
• Once all of the meatballs are cooked, decrease the heat to low and add the flour to the pan or skillet. Whisk until lightly browned, approximately 1 to 2 minutes. Gradually add the beef stock and whisk until sauce begins to thicken. Add the cream and continue to cook until the gravy reaches the desired consistency. Remove the meatballs from the oven, cover with the gravy and serve.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS WITH BEETROOT & APPLE SALAD

Steps:

• To make the meatballs, tip the pork into a bowl and add the grated courgette and onion, half the dill, half the garlic and plenty of black pepper. Break in the egg and mix well with your hands. When everything is well combined, break off walnut-size pieces and roll into balls - you should end up with about 28. The mixture will be very soft.
• Heat the oil in a large non-stick frying pan then gently fry the meatballs in two batches until firm and pale golden, turning them every now and then so they brown evenly. Each batch should take 6-8 mins.
• Wipe out the pan to remove excess fat and add the remaining garlic and thyme, then pour in the bouillon and bring to the boil. Turn off the heat, stir in the crème fraîche and remaining dill, then return the meatballs to the pan and turn them in the mixture until coated.
• For the salad, mix the apple, onion, parsley and capers with the lemon, then stir through the beetroot. Serve the salad alongside the meatballs. If you're cooking for two people, eat half the meatballs and salad now, and chill the rest for another day - it will keep in the fridge for up to three days. Reheat the meatballs in the microwave until piping hot.

SWEDISH BEETROOT, HORSERADISH AND APPLE SALAD: RODBETSALLAD

Steps:

• Mix all the chopped vegetables and fruit together - making sure that they are cut into a similar size.
• Stir the grated horseradish into the sour cream - bit by bit, checking for taste after each addition.
• Then add the chopped vegetables and fruit to the horseradish and sour cream mixture.
• Put into an attractive serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped dill.
• Serve with the Smorgasbord, or with cold cuts, quiches and pickled fish. Also wonderful to take on a picnic.