Finnish Meatballs with Lingonberry Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef 500g (1.1 lb) ground beef
• 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork 500g (1.1 lb) ground pork
• 1 small onion, finely chopped 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (120ml) breadcrumbs 1/2 cup (120ml) breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup (60ml) milk 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
• 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1 egg 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons butter, for frying 2 tablespoons butter, for frying
• For the lingonberry sauce: For the lingonberry sauce:
• 1 cup (240g) lingonberries (fresh or frozen) 1 cup (240g) lingonberries (fresh or frozen)
• 1/4 cup (50g) sugar 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Nutrition

• Calories: 450 kcal / 1880 KJ
• Fat: 30g (12g saturated)
• Carbohydrates: 12g (4g sugars)
• Protein: 35g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the ground beef, ground pork, chopped onion, minced garlic, breadcrumbs, milk, salt, black pepper, allspice, nutmeg, and egg. Mix well until all the ingredients are evenly incorporated.
2. 2.
   Shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. 3.
   Heat the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the meatballs in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Cook the meatballs for about 8-10 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and cooked through. Remove the cooked meatballs from the skillet and set aside.
4. 4.
   In the same skillet, add the lingonberries, sugar, and lemon juice. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook for about 5 minutes, until the lingonberries have softened and the sauce has thickened slightly.
5. 5.
   Return the meatballs to the skillet and toss them gently in the lingonberry sauce to coat them evenly. Cook for an additional 2-3 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
6. 6.
   Serve the Finnish Meatballs with Lingonberry Sauce hot, garnished with fresh parsley if desired. Enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Ground beef and pork — Use a mixture of lean ground beef and ground pork for the best flavor and texture in the meatballs.
• Lingonberries — If fresh lingonberries are not available, you can use frozen lingonberries. Thaw them before using in the sauce.

Tips & Tricks

• For extra flavor, you can add a splash of heavy cream to the lingonberry sauce.
• If you prefer a smoother sauce, you can strain the lingonberry sauce through a fine-mesh sieve to remove the seeds.
• To make the meatballs ahead of time, you can shape them and refrigerate them for up to 24 hours before cooking.
• If you don't have lingonberries, you can substitute them with cranberries for a similar flavor profile.
• Leftover meatballs can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheated in the microwave or on the stovetop.

Serving advice

Serve the Finnish Meatballs with Lingonberry Sauce as a main course, accompanied by mashed potatoes or buttered noodles. Garnish with fresh parsley for a pop of color.

Presentation advice

Arrange the meatballs on a platter, drizzle the lingonberry sauce over them, and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Serve with a side of mashed potatoes or buttered noodles for an appealing presentation.