Lyons Family Cookbook

Finnish Meatballs

¾

cup

whole milk

3

slices white bread, crusts removed

6

oz

Valley Shepherd Califon Tomme, Cato Corner Dutch Farmstead or other mild

and buttery Gouda-style cheese

1 ½

cups

loosely packed fresh parsley leaves, finely minced

¾

cup

finely minced onion

2

large eggs

2

tsp

salt

½

tsp

ground white pepper

¼

tsp

freshly ground black pepper

1

Tbs

ground allspice

1

lb

lean ground beef

1

lb

ground pork

½

cup

flour

¾

cup

chicken or beef broth

¼

cup

vegetable oil, or as needed

½

cup

heavy cream.

1

In a small saucepan over medium heat, warm the milk just until steaming. Remove from heat and press bread into the milk; set aside.

2

Grate cheese on large holes of a box grater and place in large bowl. Add parsley, onion, eggs, salt, white pepper, black pepper and allspice. Stir well to combine. Add ground beef, ground pork and milk-soaked bread. Knead by hand or mix with a large wooden spoon until well-blended.

3

Spread flour on a plate. Roll meat mixture into 1½" balls (1 oz. each if using a scale), and roll in flour to coat. Add 3/4 cup broth to a Dutch oven over very low heat.

4

Heat 1/2 of the oil (2 Tbs) in a large 12" non-stick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, add 1/2 the meatballs, sear for about 1 minute, then shake pan to turn meatballs. Continue until well-browned on all sides. Transfer meatballs to Dutch Oven with broth. Repeat with second 1/2 of meatballs, adding 2 Tbs oil, and brown as the first batch. Transfer all meatballs to Dutch Oven, and allow them to gently simmer 20-30 minutes, stirring carefully intermittently.

5

Add cream and heat just until warmed. If desired, serve with small potatoes or egg noodles that have been tossed with butter and parsley.

Preparation Time: approx. 1 hour Makes approx. 8 servings, 40-45 1 oz. meatballs One excellent cheese is Maple Leaf Geliefde Gouda Cheese, available at Sprouts. Alanna, NY Times reader commented: In Finland, this is one of a couple of favorite meals served at school lunches, usually I recall, with potatoes and lingonberry sauce.

Source

Source: New York Times - October 2006