The Meatball School!!

You read this right.. I did say school.. this recipe is the only recipe you will ever need for any meatball..

When I moved here almost 10 years ago to the meatballs' country of Sweden.. I tried of course to make my own and my husband's comment was "they are good but my grandma's were the best!" and in Barney Stinson style I said "Challenge accepted!" Since then I have tried a gazillion of recipes and about two years ago after yet another experiment I got the long awaited for comment from my husband "These are the best meatballs I have ever had.. even better than my grandma's!" WOOHOO!! I did it! 

The thing about minced meat in general is that it's so versatile and every culture has it's own sauce and it's own way of making meatballs. They fit every occasion and kids love them.. so without further a due here is my recipe for meatballs: 

A TIP: Always make a small flat pate after you mix all the ingredients and fry that in a tiny bit of butter and taste it to make sure your meatballs have the right amount of saltiness and the right balance!! 

Basic Ingredients:

The following ingredients are constant no matter what kind of meatballs you are making:

1 potato, medium size, finely grated

1 carrot, , medium size, finely grated

0,5 dl créme faiche
2 tbsp bread crumbs

1 small yellow onion, minced

0,5 dl concentrated veal stock (I use Touch of Bong)

freshly ground black pepper to taste

1. Mix all the ingredients including the various meat combinations, and spices that are listed below for the different kinds of meatballs.

2. take about 3 table spoons of the mix in your hand and roll into meatballs, and place on a baking sheet like a little marching army.

3. Bake in a 200 Celsius degrees oven for 15 minutes. 

4. At this point you can freeze the meatballs if you are not cooking them immediately. They last for about 1 month in the freezer. 

5. If using them immediately then melt 2 tbsp of butter in a pan then fry the meatballs till they are golden brown and either serve them as they are or mix them with one of the sauces mentioned below. 

Christmas Meatballs: (served traditionally in Sweden's Julbord)

1 tbsp pepparkakskryddor (a mix of ground  1/2 tbsp cinnamon and equal parts of ginger, cloves, cardamom)

500 g mixed equal parts of minced beef and pork 

Swedish Meatballs: 

1 tbsp dried oregano

500 g minced beef

Sauce:

2 dl whipping cream

200 g chopped mushrooms (optional, the traditional way is without mushrooms but I love them)

1/2 dl sharp cheddar cheese (if in Sweden then of course use Westerbottenost)

1 tbsp concentrated veal stock

freshly ground pepper to taste

1. Add the mushrooms to the meatballs in the pan and fry for a couple of minutes till the mushrooms are tender. 

2. Add the cream, and concentrated stock then let reduce on low heat while stirring every few minutes. When it starts getting thick add the shredded cheese and pepper and mix till the cheese is completely melted. Careful with the saltiness. If it tastes too salty for you make sure your potatoes have little salt, or add a big spoon of créme faiche towards the end. That should solve your problem.

3. Serve with mashed or boiled potatoes.

Middle Eastern Meatballs:

1/2 tbsp dried coriander

1/2 tbsp dried oregano

1 tsp cumin

1 big pinch of chilli flakes

1 clove garlic, minced

500 g mixed equal parts of minced beef and lamb

Sauce: 

1 yellow onion chopped finely

1 garlic clove minced

4 dl crushed tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

1 tbsp brown sugar

1 vegetable stock cube

1 tsp cumin

1/2 tbsp dried coriander

1/2 tbsp dried oregano

freshly grated ground pepper

1 pinch of chilli (optional)

1. Add the garlic and onions to the meatballs in the pan and fry for a few minutes till tender.

2. Add the tomato paste and crushed tomatoes then add the rest of the ingredients and stir till the stock cube is dissolved.

3. Let simmer for 10 minutes on medium heat you might need to add a table spoon of water if it gets too dry.

Italian Meatballs:

1 tbsp dried oregano

2 tsp dried thyme

1 tsp dried marjoram

1 clove garlic, minced

500 g minced veal 

Sauce:

1 yellow onion chopped finely

1 garlic clove minced

4 dl crushed tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

1, 5 tbsp brown sugar

1/2 dl red wine

1 vegetable stock cube

1 tsp marjoram

2 tsp dried thyme

1/2 tbsp dried oregano

1 dl fresh basil chopped 

freshly grated ground pepper

1. Add the garlic and onions to the meatballs in the pan and fry for a few minutes till tender, then add the wine and stir for a couple of minutes.

2. Add the tomato paste and crushed tomatoes then add the rest of the ingredients and stir till the stock cube is dissolved.

3. Let simmer for 10 minutes on medium heat you might need to add a table spoon of water if it gets too dry.

4. Serve with spaghetti and top with freshly grated parmesan.

Baby Meatballs:

These I always make for my son or when we have little ones over.. a huge success every time!

An Important change in the basic ingredients:  I only use half a small red onion instead of a full yellow onion, minced.

1 tbsp dried oregano

500 g minced beef

Sauce: 

4 dl crushed tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste

1, 5 tbsp brown honey

1 vegetable stock cube

1/2 tbsp dried oregano

1/ freshly chopped parsley

1. Add the tomato paste and crushed tomatoes then add the rest of the ingredients and stir till the stock cube is dissolved.

3. Let simmer for 10 minutes on medium heat you might need to add a table spoon of water if it gets too dry.

ENJOY!!

Baked Eggs!

Lately eggs have become my absolute favourite breakfast, especially these all in one baked eggs. And since Easter is soon this recipe can be used for an Easter brunch as well.

Ingredients:

4 big eggs

2 slices of smoked ham or smoked turkey finely chopped

4 tbsp shredded cheddar

1 tbsp fresh parsley or dill finely chopped

2 tbsp sun-dried tomatoes finely chopped

2 medium floury potatoes grated

1 tbsp melted butter

salt and pepper

butter for greasing 

1. Grease 4 holes in your muffin form for medium sized muffins. And set your oven on 200 degrees Celsius. 

2. Mix the shredded potatoes with the melted butter and split into 4 equal portions.

3. Form into the muffin forms to create a basket all the way up to the rim. Bake in the oven for 10 minutes and you might need to put the grill on for the last 3 minutes to get a bit of golden colour on the potatoes.

4. Take out the muffin form and divide the smoked ham/turkey, sun-dried tomatoes, then break an egg in each of the baskets. 

5. Sprinkle the cheddar cheese and parsley on top, then sprinkle a tiny bit of salt and some pepper on top as well.

6. Bake for 10 minutes.

ENJOY!

Peanut Butter & Chocolate Chips Banana Bread

This is actually the first time I ever make a banana bread.. I read quite a few recipes and got inspired by some ingredients here and some there and well.. this is the outcome...

Ingredients:

2,5 dl unbleached bread flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp  ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/4 tsp ground nutmeg1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
  2  bananas, mashed
1 dl cane granulated sugar
1 dl cup crunchy peanut butter
1 large egg
1/2 dl sunflower oil
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
150 g dark chocolate chips

1. Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl and stir.
2. In a stand mixer beat the sugar, egg and bananas, mix till fluffy, then add the oil and vanilla extract.
3. Add the dry ingredients and mix for a few minutes till throughly mixed, then add the peanut butter and mix for a few seconds.
4. Fold in the chocolate chips with a spoon.
5. Grease a loaf pan and bake for 45 minutes in a 180 degrees Celsius. 
6. Let cool when you take it out then go around the edges with a knife before taking out. 

SILCE AND ENJOY!

A Giant Grilled Skilled Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cookie!

This recipe is perfect for a BBQ party. After grilling your burgers or anything else that you choose instead of wasting that beautiful heat put in a giant cookie in a skillet and serve warm with dollops of vanilla ice cream and invite everyone to take a spoon and dig in. YUMMY!

Ingredients:

75 g butter (room temperature)

1 egg

100 g brown sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

130 g unbleached flour

1/4 tsp bicarbonate

50 g crunchy peanut butter

100 g Lindt 70% dark chocolate chopped roughly

1. Mix the butter and sugar and cream for 3 minutes. 

2. Add the egg and vanilla extract. Keep mixing with a hand mixer till it's fluffy.

3. Mix the dry ingredients in a separate bowl then add to the egg,sugar & butter mix.

4. Finally add the peanut butter and mix for a few more seconds.

5. Mix in with a spoon 70% of the dark chocolate. Butter a skillet and press the cookie dough into it then sprinkle the rest of the chocolate on top.

6. Grill till it firms with the lock on then serve warm with dollops of vanilla ice cream.

ENJOY!

Simple and Very Easy Flatbreads!

This recipe is dedicated to all the busy mums or dads that don't have time to stand for a couple of hours to make bread. When I made this bread my husband said "How do you do it?"
Well, here is how..



Ingredients:

250 g unbleached bread flour (you can exchange 100 g with rye flour for a darker bread)
1 tsp salt
1/2 tbsp baking powder
1 tbsp honey
250 g naturell yoghurt or greek yoghurt
1/2 tsp crushed fennel seeds, anise seeds or cumin seeds (if in Sweden you can use a pinch of brödkryddor) OPTIONAL!



1. Mix all the dry ingredients together in a bowl.
2. Add the yoghurt and honey and knead for 5-10 minutes. Till you have a smooth dough. You might need to add a dash of flour..
3. Take out on a lightly floured surface then shape into a log and cut into 8 buns.
4. Roll out each bun till they are about 1 cm think, then stab with a fork a few times. If you have a flatbread pin roll then you do not need to use a fork.
5. Bake for 10 minutes on a baking sheet in a 225 Celsius degrees oven.


ENJOY!

Juicy Burger Pates

After posting the recipe for my burger buns I was asked to include the recipe for the burger pates themselves :)

Ingredients:

500 g pure beef minced meat

1 small yellow onion minced

1/2 tsp chili flakes

(1/2 tbsp concentrated meat broth (or 1/4 a cube meat broth crumbled will also do)) optional!!

salt & pepper (careful with the salt as the meat broth is salty if you are using it!)

2 tbsp sunflower oil

1. Add all the ingredients in a bowl and mix with your hands for a few minutes till everything is mixed completely.

2. Divide the mixture into four portions and form the pates. I use a burger press which makes life much easier!

3. Brush with a bit of oil on both sides then grill for 4 minutes on each side.

ENJOY!

The Perfect Burger Bun

These burger buns are amazing.. I have been trying out loads of recipes and mixing different ones together till I reached this :)

Ingredients:

25 g fresh yeast

2,5 dl milk (37 Celsius degrees, finger warm)

25 g baking syrup (you can use honey)

35 g sunflower oil

15 g brown sugar

8 g fine salt

450 g unbleached flour

Egg Wash:

1 egg

1/2 tbsp water

1 pinch of salt

1/2 dl pealed sesame 

1. Crumble the yeast in a baking bowl, then add the warm milk and stir till it's dissolved. 

2. Add the syrup, salt, oil and sugar and stir. 

3. Add the flour bit by bit while stirring then knead with your hands for 15 minutes. 

4. Cover with a towel and leave to proof for 1,5 hours. 

5. Bring out on a lightly floured surface and form into a long loaf and slice into 70g and 100g buns (I make the 70 g buns for Ramsi and myself and the 100g buns are for Petter) 

6. This dough makes 4 small buns and 4 big buns.

7. Place the buns on a baking sheet and cover with a towel and let proof for another hour.

8. Press the buns down with your hand or a plate to flatten them a bit.

9. Make the egg wash and brush over the buns then sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

10. Bake in a 225 Celsius degrees oven for 9-11 minutes or until they are golden brown.

and for the perfect burger experience here is the recipe for the burger pates!

This is not just healthier but also tastier and cheaper.. a win/win situation!

ENJOY!

Cheddar Cheese Biscuits

This recipe is one that I did for the first time a year ago when Ramsi was sick and would not eat anything. He loved it and ate a bucket load and every now and then I do it for him. Along the way I fell in love with them completely.. these are delicious and melt in your mouth :)

Ingredients:

2,3 dl all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp brown sugar
1 big pinch of cayenne pepper (optional)
1 egg yolk
1/2 teaspoon salt
2,3 dl grated sharp cheddar cheese
1/3 dl oil
3/4 dl milk

1. Mix all the dry ingredients and mix together.

2. Add the milk, egg yolk and oil and kneed for 10 minutes. 

3. Roll out on a lightly floured surface about 0,5 cm thick.

4. Cut out with a cookie cutter (or play dough cutter!!! :) just clean it first)

5. Place on a baking sheet and bake for 6-9 minutes in a 200 degrees Celsius or until golden.

Enjoy!