SANDRA’S SENSATIONAL SWEDISH MINI-MEATBALLS APPETIZER

A heartwarming appetizer where you can

easily prepare the meatballs ahead of time

or the night before and store in refrigerator,

just bring to room temperature 30 minutes

prior to browning...

Yields: (Appx. 40 small 1” meatballs)

Prep: 15 Mins.

Cook: 25 to 30 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Mini-Meatballs:

2 slices whole wheat bread, without the crusts, cut into small pieces

1/4 cup milk

1 lb. lean ground meat (I used venison-bacon burger)

--[Feel free to use beef, caribou, elk, moose, and so on]

1/4 yellow onion, finely minced

1 egg, slightly beaten

Pinch of ground allspice

Pinch of ground cardamom

Pinch of ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

-1 tablespoon unsalted butter

-1 tablespoon olive oil

Sauce:

4 cups low-sodium beef broth

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or more if you prefer a thicker gravy)

2 teaspoons worcestershire

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup milk

METHOD

In a small bowl, soak the bread in milk until soft. In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients except butter and olive oil, and add the soaked bread. Combine meat mixture with clean hands; do not overwork. Shape into small 1” meatballs (I do so using a miniature scoop while scrapping it up the side of bowl to form uniform meatballs).

Heat butter and olive oil in a large electric skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs, and gently par-cook and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to remove browned meatballs and place on a plate, and set aside.  Retain drippings in skillet.

Prepare gravy by deglazing skillet with 2 cups of stock; letting it simmer for 2 minutes while scraping bottom with a wooden spoon. Add remaining 2 cups of stock to a small bowl or measuring cup, and whisk in flour, onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, and pepper until smooth. Whisk spiced slurry mixture into warm gravy, while constantly whisking to prevent lumps, until thickened and boiling.  Reduce heat to simmer, about 3-5 minutes. Add milk, and stir to combine.  Return meatballs to low simmering gravy to reheat, about 10 minutes, while gently stirring (so as not to break apart meatballs), until fully cooked.

To serve, arrange meatballs in a shallow serving bowl, with toothpicks alongside. ~ Enjoy!

SANDRA’S SENSATIONAL SWEDISH MEATBALLS over MASHED POTATOES

A heartwarming meal where you can

easily prepare the meatballs ahead of time

or the night before and store in refrigerator,

just bring to room temperature 30 minutes

prior to browning...

Servings: (4 to 6)

Prep: 15 Mins.

Cook: 25 to 30 Mins.

INGREDIENTS

Meatballs (Yields appx. 40 small 1” meatballs):

2 slices whole wheat bread, without the crusts, cut into small pieces

1/4 cup milk

1 lb. lean ground meat (I used venison-bacon burger)

--[Feel free to use beef, caribou, elk, moose, and so on]

1/4 yellow onion, finely minced

1 egg, slightly beaten

Pinch of ground allspice

Pinch of ground cardamom

Pinch of ground ginger

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1 tablespoon dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

1 tablespoon olive oil

Gravy:

4 cups low-sodium beef broth

1/2 cup all-purpose flour (or more if you prefer a thicker gravy)

2 teaspoons worcestershire

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

2 tablespoons dried parsley

1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

1/2 cup milk

Garnish:

1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped

--Prepared mashed potatoes

--Prepared fresh salad and vinaigrette

METHOD

In a small bowl, soak the bread in milk until soft. 

In a large bowl, combine all meatball ingredients, except butter and olive oil, and add the soaked bread. Combine meat mixture with clean hands; do not overwork.

Shape into small 1” meatballs (I do so using a miniature scoop while scrapping it up the side of bowl to form uniform meatballs).

Heat butter and olive oil in a large electric skillet or saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the meatballs, and gently par-cook and brown on all sides, about 10 minutes. 

Use a slotted spoon to remove browned meatballs and place on a plate, and set aside.  Retain drippings in skillet.

Prepare gravy by deglazing skillet with 2 cups of stock; letting it simmer for 2 minutes while scraping bottom with a wooden spoon. 

Add remaining 2 cups of stock to a small bowl or measuring cup, and whisk in flour, onion powder, garlic powder, dried parsley, and pepper until smooth. Whisk spiced slurry mixture into warm gravy, while constantly stirring to prevent lumps, until thickened and boiling.  Reduce heat to simmer, about 3-5 minutes. 

Add milk, and stir to combine.  

Return meatballs to low simmering gravy to reheat, about 10 minutes, while gently stirring (so as not to break apart meatballs), until fully cooked.

To serve, arrange meatballs on serving plates over mashed potatoes, pour hot gravy over top, and garnish with fresh parsley. Place fresh salad drizzled with vinaigrette alongside. ~ Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Tips:  You might alternatively wish to serve the Swedish meatballs over steamed rice or noodles.  

Another option is to serve the Swedish meatballs alone as an appetizer, with toothpicks...(See below)...

Sensational Swedish 
Mini-Meatballs Appetizer

SANDRA’S SENSATIONAL HERB SCALLOPED POTATOES

This low-temperature process

allows all the flavors to gradually and fully

meld into the potatoes

over the 2-hour baking period...

Servings: (6)

Prep: 15 Mins.

Bake: 2 Hrs.

INGREDIENTS

5 medium russet potatoes, peeled and thinly sliced (about 1/4" thick)

1 medium yellow onion, chopped

3 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1-3/4 cup low-sodium chicken broth

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

½ teaspoon garlic powder

½ teaspoon onion powder

¼ teaspoon dry mustard

½ teaspoon dried sweet basil

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1/8 teaspoon white pepper

1 teaspoon dried parsley

¼ teaspoon paprika

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  

Peel and slice the potatoes, and chop the onions.

Spray a 2-quart baking dish with olive oil, and alternatively layer potatoes and onions; three times.

In a medium saucepan, melt the butter; whisk in flour until smooth, and cook for 2 minutes while continuing to whisk. Gradually whisk in chicken broth, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, dry mustard, sweet basil, kosher salt and white pepper; cook and stir for 2 minutes, until thick and bubbly. 

Pour sauce over potatoes. Sprinkle with parsley and paprika. 

Cover baking dish, and bake for 2 hours, until potatoes are tender. ~ Enjoy with your favorite main dish and salad or sauteed veggies.

Tip:  This side dish can be prepared in the morning, refrigerated, and then baked when you return home from work in the early evening.

SANDRA’S SENSATIONAL SOUTH-OF-THE-BORDER POTATO BAKE

A very hearty one-dish mexican casserole 
you can whip together without a lot of fuss... 
[Featured on 9-23-11 on "Pinterest 
@ http://pinterest.com/pin/192061310/]

Servings: (6)
Prep: 15 Mins. |
Bake 45 Mins.

Posted by Sandra

INGREDIENTS

***Potato Bake:

1 lb. extra lean ground venison burger, (or moose, or beef)
½ onion, chopped
¼ red bell pepper, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 (16 oz. can) refried beans
2 tablespoons organic taco seasoning
1 teaspoon organic chili powder
½ teaspoon sea salt
¼ teaspoon freshly ground pepper
¼ cup (of a 10. oz. can) rotel diced tomatoes and green chilies, undrained, and divided (see *Tip below)
3 medium russet potatoes, peeled and cut into small ½” cubes
1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro

***Garnish:

Fresh Homemade Salsa

1 cup Sandra's fresh salsa (Shown in photo to the left, and link to the recipe.)
6 teaspoons sour cream
2 teaspoons fresh cilantro, chopped

METHOD

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a 9”x9” casserole dish with oil, and set aside.

Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat, and brown the burger until 3/4s the way done.  Add the onions, bell pepper, and garlic, and saute until the onions are translucent.  Add the refried beans, organic taco seasoning, organic chili powder, sea salt, ground pepper, and rotel; stirring until warmed through and refried beans are soft and incorporated; remove from heat.

Meanwhile, place the small cubed potatoes into the casserole dish in an even layer.

Spoon the meat/refried bean mixture atop of potatoes; smoothing to an even layer.

Hot out of the oven

Cover with lid (or foil), and bake for 35 minutes.  Remove from oven and sprinkle with freshly chopped cilantro, and cheese over top, and return to oven to bake for a final 10 minutes, until cheese is melted.

Top each serving equally with Sandra's fresh salsa, dollops of sour cream, and freshly chopped cilantro. – Enjoy!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 *Tip – I add the remaining rotel by draining it, and then folding it into the fresh salsa!