Swedish Meatballs

David Lebovitz wrote a hilarious piece about his recent visit to the Ikea store in the suburbs of Paris. He ended up buying the only thing that he liked, the candy Daim which is similar to English toffee. He also poked fun at the restaurant's food offerings, one of which is my favorite, meatballs with lingon berry preserves.

I LOVE Swedish meatballs and regularly make them either with gravy or lemon flavored sauce and always serve them with lingonberry preserves. The lingonberries are a smaller version of cranberries but they are sweeter and not as tart. They are perfect with the meatballs. The meatballs are served at Ikea with steamed vegetables, usually carrots and broccoli and a few buttered boiled potatoes. I had them with a buttered hot dinner bun (pan de sal).

Swedish Meatballs
3 slices bread, chopped and soaked in 1 cup half & half
2 pounds lean ground beef
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 teaspoons salt
¼ teaspoon freshly grated black pepper
1 egg
¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• Mix all ingredients, form into 1½ inch balls. Bake in a 350°F oven or fry in very little oil until golden brown. Serve with Swedish lingon berry preserves and salad of your choice.