It's good pre-packaged, but it's so much better homemade.
Like other classic dishes we know about, Swedish Meatballs is one of those things you can most often find coming in a box (or, at least, find in a packet for a quick and easy sauce). And truth be told, it works decently well for an easy meal in theory: cook the meatballs, add water to the sauce packet, simmer a little while, serve with something like potatoes or rice.
You could do that. And you could save yourself a tiny bit of time. But given how quick and easy these things are to make from scratch, it makes you wonder: is a few minutes worth sacrificing the extra flavor and satisfaction of knowing you did it all yourself?
For me, absolutely not.
And beyond that, when you look into all the things used in this delicious comfort meal, it's easy to see where the potential for some extra magic comes in, too: namely magic that rejuvinates, heals, and energizes. Because I mean, if you're eating comfort food, it's likely because you need some comfort—but after that comfort, you need some inspiration to keep on trucking, too.
Magic in Swedish Meatballs
We're looking at some key things today: parsley, allspice, and cranberry.* Yes, cranberry. Apparently something like Swedish meatballs are traditionally eaten with lingonberry jam, in which cranberry sauce or jam is a close second for us Americans (and don't knock it 'til you try it! It really helps balance that otherwise rich and hearty flavor of the dish).
The elements here are air, fire, and water, with planets like Mercury and Mars doing the heavy lifting. Cranberry itself is actually a bit of a dual food, associated with both water and fire and big in all manners of healing, abundant energy. If you're looking to get your snap back, to feel empowered enough to really speak up for yourself and get back in the ring, these three ingredients will help you recover from whatever's beating you down and hop right back into things with a bit of extra bite to your bark.
Comfort food, after all, doesn't just mean easing your feelings. It means putting you in the mindset to feel safe, empowered, and grounded when speaking up for your and others' needs—as how can we do that effectively when our nerves are everywhere, our souls are tired, and our very being doesn't feel safe? A big bowl of this, blessed with that healing and abundance and purification, the protection and rebirth, the luck and energy—it'll put you in the zone.
*If you don't have any cranberry, or just don't want to get brave mixing those flavors (though I do highly recommend you try it!) you can get the same powers of cranberry with the onion, bringing you that same fiery Mars protection and healing.
Swedish Meatballs
Prep time: 40 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Makes 3-4 Servings
Ingredients:
FOR MEATBALLS | ​ |
2lbs | Ground Beef (or Beef & Pork) |
2 Large | Eggs |
3/4 Cup | Plain Breadcrumbs |
1/4 Cup | Light Cream |
1 Large | Onion, diced fine |
1 1/2 Tbsp | Parsley |
1 tsp | Allspice |
To Taste | Salt & Pepper |
FOR SAUCE | ​ |
2/3 Cup | Light Cream |
4 Tbsp | Butter |
1 - 2 Cups | Beef Broth or Water |
1 Tbsp | Parsley |
1 tsp | Allspice |
1/3 Cup | Flour |
To Taste | Salt & Pepper |
OPTIONAL | Cranberry Sauce |
Directions:
Dice your onion and add to your ground meat along with your other ingredients.
Mix everything together until equally distributed and roll into 1 inch balls
Cook in a hot skillet until both sides are browned, then set aside.
Add 4 Tbsp butter and scrape up the brown bits with the butter liquid
Slowly add flour and mix, then slowly incorporate cream until a paste forms
Slowly add broth or liquid until the paste becomes a sauce
Add your spices, then nestle the meatballs back in the sauce to simmer until your carb is ready, turning once to coat evenly & making sure it doesn't burn
Serve with mashed potatoes or rice!
These are so delicious with the allspice and the parsley added in. The little bit of extra flavor takes an otherwise simple roux and makes it much more memorable for the tongue (and a whole lot more magical, too)! It's rich, it's hearty, and it's so good after a long day, so definitely give it a try!
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