Fake It >> IKEA Meatballs

Fake It  >>  IKEA's Swedish Meatballs

Prep Time: 50 minutes, plus chilling

Serves:  6-8, about 45 meatballs



For the Meatballs:

1  Cup  Breadcrumbs (I used Panko breadcrumbs)

2  Tablespoons  Butter

1/3  Cup  Minced Red Onion

2  Cloves  Garlic, minced

1/4  teaspoon  Ground Allspice

Salt

Black Pepper

1/2  Cup  Milk

1  teaspoon  Worcestershire Sauce



3/4  pound  Lean Ground Beef
1/2  pound  Lean Ground Pork
2  Eggs, beaten

For the Gravy:
2  Tablespoons  Butter
2  Tablespoons  Flour
1-1/2  Cups  Beef Broth
3/4  teaspoon  Worcestershire Sauce
Salt
Black Pepper
1/4  Cup  Heavy Whipping Cream
2-3  teaspoons  Dried Parsley

For Serving:
Lignonberry Jam or Whole-Berry Cranberry Sauce and Boiled Red Potatoes

To make the Meatballs:

Place the Breadcrumbs in a large bowl.  Melt the Butter in a skillet over medium heat.  Add the Onion, Garlic, Allspice, 2 teaspoons Salt, and 1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper and cook, stirring, until Onion is softened, about 5 minutes.  Add the Milk and Worcestershire Sauce and bring to a simmer.  Pour the hot Milk mixture over the Breadcrumbs and stir to make a thick paste; let cool.  Add the Beef, Pork, and Eggs to the bowl and mix until well combined.

Roll the Meatballs into 1-inch balls (a small cookie scoop also works great) and place on a well-greased rimmed baking.  Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least one hour.

Preheat oven to 400*.  Bake meatballs until cooked through, about 20 minutes.

To make the Gravy:

Melt the Butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat.  Add the Flour and cook, whisking until smooth.  Slowly stir in the Beef Broth and Worcestershire Sauce and bring to a simmer.  Add the Whipping Cream.  Reduce heat to medium low and simmer until the gravy thickens, about 10 minutes, stirring frequently.  Season to taste with Salt and Black Pepper.  Stir in Parsley.  Transfer to gravy boat and serve over Meatballs.

Serve with boiled new Red Potatoes and Cranberry Sauce for a satisfying, comforting meal.

Slightly adapted from Food Network Magazine, October 2011.  If doubling, using a total of 3 eggs (not 4).

There is something so peaceful, so satisfying, so refreshing to me to serve a simple meal to my family, using a vintage white tablecloth and white dishes.  To me, it seems as if we can focus on each other better at a simple, uncluttered table than we can when we sit down to an elaborate meal with many-hued plates and flavors.

"Be still and know that I am God..."  Psalm 46:10

"O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him."  Psalm 34:8