What Are Swedish Meatballs?
Swedish meatballs are a traditional Scandinavian food. They first appeared in a Swedish cookbook in 1754. They are smaller than Italian meatballs and usually eaten with a sauce or gravy. There are many recipes for Swedish meatballs, probably due to their unusual history. These meatballs are also found in other areas of the world, including America. Does this Spark an idea?
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History
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Swedish meatballs originated in Sweden and Scandinavia. They were probably brought about as a way to use up leftovers. The meatballs were served at smorgasbords and buffets and were highly prized because beef was thought to be a luxury item. Scandinavian immigrants brought their love of meatballs to America with them. Many of these people settled in the Midwest. Swedish meatballs were a popular food in America at the turn of the 20th century. They also made a comeback in popularity in the 1950s and 1960s. Traditionally, they were served with some type of sauce and buttered noodles.
Meatball Ingredients
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Because the meatballs originally were made to use up leftover ingredients, there are many different recipes that can be found. Whatever was on hand was used in the meatballs. The ingredients also depended on the family's taste preference and traditions. Today, most Swedish meatballs are composed of a mixture of beef, pork or veal. Spices such as mustard, nutmeg and allspice are common in most recipes. A few recipes also incorporate onions, cream and butter.
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Cooking Process
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After mixing the ingredients, the meatballs are hand-formed by rolling about a teaspoon of the mixture into a ball. Just as many recipes differ on ingredients, they also differ on the best way to cook meatballs. Some choose pan-frying, while others insist on baking them in the oven. While putting them in the oven is easier, most recipes use pan-frying for the best result.
Sauce
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Variations of the Swedish meatball abound. Many of these variations are found in the sauces that accompany them. Traditionally, the sauce that accompanied the meatballs was a result of the preference of the family. Some sauces that can be found in recipes today are brown gravy, red wine sauce, sour cream sauce and white sauce. They are also eaten with a sauce made from ligonberries, a plentiful berry in Scandinavian countries. Swedish meatballs served with cream sauce and ligonberries is the highest-selling restaurant item at the Sweden-based store IKEA.
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References
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