Retro Food - Swedish Meatballs

Swedish Meatballs

Ingredients

2 lbs ground beef or ground beef/ground pork mix
2 slices white sandwich bread
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 eggs
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
salt
white pepper


for the sauce:

3 cups pork or chicken stock
1 cup milk or heavy cream
1/3 cup flour
1/2 cup defrosted frozen spinach
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
salt
white pepper


to serve:

lingonberry preserves
1 lb egg noodles, cooked to package instructions or boiled small red potatoes


Directions:

Tear the bread into small pieces place in a small pan and top with milk. Allow to soak 2 minutes over low heat or until the milk is full absorbed by the bread. Combine the milk-soaked bread with the rest of the meatball ingredients in a large bowl. Then follow these directions to make mini meatballs or simply roll 1 tablespoon's worth of the meat mixture into balls and broil, turning once until they are cooked through.

Meanwhile, in a heavy saucepan, melt the butter. Whisk in the flour and spices then the milk and broth. Bring to boil then add spinach and reduce heat and simmer until slightly thickened, about 3-5 minutes. Add the meatballs and cook for an additional 5 minutes.

Serve over noodles or with boiled red potatoes for a meal or with toothpicks as an appetizer.


Yield: 6-8 meal sized servings or 10-15 appetizer sized servings