Worth my time with Funny Meatballs

I don’t know why my kids have developed this affinity for meatballs, but they have. Alex started eating them at a very early age in Qatar. They were of course Halal ones (special Islamic blessed food) no less. When we moved to Sweden, I thought he’d nearly faint when he found out he, in theory, could eat meatballs everyday. Swedish Meatballs are in fact served at street side cafes, by street vendors and it’s always the kid’s platter at a restaurant (think Sweden’s chicken nuggets.)

Upon arriving home to the U.S., Alex would ask for meatballs at every restaurant, and every time I would have to explain that was not a choice. Too bad because they are a much healthier choice to chicken nuggets. We have found comfort in the Trader Joe’s meatballs or even the Swedish ones from Ikea. This past weekend, I had some left over meat and decided to try my Swedish meatball recipe. I spent almost two hours mixing, balling and frying to have every meatball come out looking like a meat patty instead of a ball. I vowed never to do this again until….not only do both my kids eat the entire batch and ask for more. But a few days later, Alex very sweetly asks for “mommy’s funny meatballs.” When I asked what he was talking about his response: “Funny meatballs are the ones you made. They’re funny because they were oval. I like the oval ones. They were yummy funny meatballs.”

Here is the recipe I have for those that asked:

Meatballs (Kottbullar)

1/2 cup Fresh Bread Crumbs (Would advise having more on hand as I had to use more)

1 cup of milk (I would use much less as I had trouble. Recommend 1/2 cup)

1 onion minced

Butter or oil

10 oz ground beef

4 oz of ground pork

1 egg

Salt, pepper, allspice to taste.

Soak breadcrumbs in milk. Brown onion in butter. Combine ground meat, bread mixture, onion and egg. Season with salt and petter and allspice. Mix lightly adding water if necessary. Make small balls with wet hand and spoon. Fry meatballs in butter. Shake pan frequently so they stay round.

Sauce if you're interested. 2TBLS of butter; 2 TBLS of flour; 1 1/4 cup beef stock; 1/2 beer. Brown butter in a pan whisk in flour. Whisk in stock and beer. Bring to a boil and simmer for 10 minutes until flour disappears.