Nordic Fusion Meatballs

🕒 Prep: 30 min
🔥 Cook: 40 min
🍽 Serves: 6
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Welcome to the delightful world of Nordic Fusion Meatballs, where traditional Scandinavian flavors meet a modern twist. This recipe combines the comforting warmth of classic meatballs with a surprising touch of sweetness and umami, making it perfect for cozy dinners or special occasions.

Ingredients for Nordic Fusion Meatballs

Ground beef and ground pork form the hearty base of these meatballs, providing a balanced texture and flavor. The breadcrumbs and milk act as a binder, keeping the meatballs tender and juicy. A single egg helps hold everything together. Onion and garlic add depth and aromatic flavors. For that Nordic touch, we use allspice and nutmeg to bring subtle warmth and complexity. A pinch of salt and black pepper seasons the mixture just right. The butter in the skillet adds richness, while the flour helps thicken the sauce. Beef broth provides a savory base for the sauce, complemented by luscious heavy cream. The surprise ingredient, lingonberry jam, introduces a touch of sweetness and tartness, balanced by a dash of soy sauce for depth. Finally, a sprinkle of parsley adds a pop of color and freshness.

Tips & Tricks

  • For uniform meatballs, use a cookie scoop to portion out the mixture.
  • If you can't find lingonberry jam, cranberry sauce makes a good substitute.
  • Make sure not to overcrowd the skillet when browning the meatballs; work in batches if necessary.
  • Use a gentle touch when mixing and forming the meatballs to keep them tender.

Serving Suggestions

These Nordic Fusion Meatballs are perfect served over a bed of mashed potatoes or egg noodles to soak up that delicious sauce. A side of roasted root vegetables or a crisp green salad with a tangy vinaigrette complements the richness of the meatballs beautifully. For a Scandinavian touch, serve with a slice of rye bread on the side.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I freeze these meatballs?
Yes, you can freeze the cooked meatballs in their sauce for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight and reheat gently on the stovetop.
What if I don't eat pork?
You can substitute the pork with an equal amount of ground turkey or chicken for a lighter option.
How do I store leftovers?
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Reheat gently in a skillet or microwave.

Nordic Fusion Meatballs Recipe Walkthrough

Start by prepping your breadcrumb mixture. In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs with milk and let it sit for a few minutes until the milk is fully absorbed. This ensures your meatballs are moist and tender. Next, add the ground beef, ground pork, egg, onion, garlic, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the bowl. Mix everything together gently until just combined; overmixing can make the meatballs tough.

Now, shape the meat mixture into 1-inch meatballs. You should end up with about 20-25 meatballs, depending on how big you make them. Next, heat a large skillet over medium heat and melt the butter. Once the butter is bubbling gently, add your meatballs in batches, browning them on all sides. This should take about 5-7 minutes per batch. Once browned, transfer the meatballs to a plate and set them aside while you prepare the sauce.

In the same skillet with the drippings, sprinkle in the flour and stir continuously for about a minute to cook out the raw flour taste. Gradually whisk in the beef broth, making sure to scrape up any browned bits from the bottom of the skillet — these add fantastic flavor to your sauce. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then stir in the heavy cream, lingonberry jam, and soy sauce. Let it simmer for a few minutes until the sauce thickens.

Return the meatballs to the skillet, ensuring they are coated in the sauce, and let them simmer for about 10 minutes until cooked through. This allows the flavors to meld beautifully. Just before serving, sprinkle with chopped parsley for a fresh finish.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

  • Unique blend of spices and ingredients for a flavorful twist on a classic dish.
  • Perfect balance of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors.
  • Easy to make with simple, straightforward steps.
  • Impressive enough for guests, yet comforting for a family meal.

Ingredients

1 lb ground beef
1 lb ground pork
1 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup whole milk
1 large egg
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp ground allspice
1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp black pepper
2 tbsp butter
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups beef broth
1/4 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup lingonberry jam
1 tbsp soy sauce
Chopped parsley for garnish

Step-by-step Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and milk; let sit until the milk is absorbed.
2. Add the ground beef, ground pork, egg, onion, garlic, allspice, nutmeg, salt, and pepper to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix until just combined.
3. Shape the mixture into 1-inch meatballs.
4. In a large skillet, melt the butter over medium heat and cook the meatballs until browned on all sides.
5. Remove meatballs from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add flour to the drippings and cook for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
6. Gradually whisk in the beef broth, scraping up browned bits, and bring to a simmer.
7. Stir in the cream, lingonberry jam, and soy sauce; simmer until thickened.
8. Return the meatballs to the skillet and simmer until cooked through, about 10 minutes.
9. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

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