The coronavirus pandemic has been a thorn in collective humanity’s side for months now. With quarantines and lockdowns becoming the new abnormal, people are starting to lose their minds from boredom and necessary house arrest. Many are going through all types of withdrawals, and not just drug-related. But there’s still hope – many individuals and organizations have stepped up heroically to relieve the ongoing stress.

IKEA, the famous Swedish home goods and furniture store, has temporarily closed for weeks. But IKEA offers a lot more than home furnishing items…

Perhaps one of the pandemic’s biggest losses is IKEA’s beloved Swedish meatballs.

On April 20th, IKEA released their famous meatball and sauce recipes on Twitter. The announcement’s akin to Mr. Krabs revealing the secrets of the Krabby Patty.

The meatball ingredients are as follows:

• 500 grams (~one pound) of ground beef

• 250 grams (~½ pound) of ground pork
• 1 onion chopped
• 1 clove of garlic minced or crushed
• 100 grams of breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 5 tablespoons of whole milk

• Salt and pepper liberally applied

And here are the cream sauce ingredients:

• Hint of oil
• 40 grams of butter
• 40 grams of plain flour

• 150 mL (5 fluid ounces) of vegetable stock
• 150 mL of beef stock
• 150 mL of thick double cream
• 2 teaspoons of soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon of mustard, preferably Dijon

That’s just the start – the blueprint. IKEA goes on to provide the recommended preparation methods to the meatball madness.

Meatball methodology:

1. Mix beef and pork mince thoroughly and massage the lumps away. Add the chopped onion and supplement with breadcrumbs, garlic, and eggs before mixing. Then, add milk and season liberally with salt and pepper.
2. Roll the mix into small, round balls – meatball-shaped. Put the balls on a clean plate. Cover the food and store in the fridge for 2 hours. This will help maintain the shape during the cooking process.
3. Heat oil on medium within a frying pan. Add the meatballs to the hot pan and cook until they’re brown on all sides.
4. Next, cover them and place them in the oven on an oven-appropriate dish or tray. Set the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius, cooking for another 30 minutes.

Sauce methodology:

1. Melt the butter in a heated frying pan. Add plain flour and continue to cook for 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.
2. Add the vegetable and beef stock, continuing to stir. Next, include the thick double cream, soy sauce, and mustard.
3. Bring the dish to a simmer and let the sauce thicken. Keep stirring.
4. When they’re ready, feel free to serve them with some delicious potatoes, whether mashed or boiled.

The meatballs in tandem with the sauce should satisfy even the hungriest quarantined stomach. Don’t let the quarantining deprive you of delicious food and daring, new recipes. If you aren’t a prolific chef, now’s a perfect time to learn!

Ah, that’s it – right from IKEA to your digital doorstep. For IKEA Swedish meatball addicts, fret no more! For those who have never tried them, well… you might have more free time now than ever – get to cooking. Unfortunately, we’re still waiting for IKEA’s vegetarian and vegan alternatives.

If you’re craving an incredible individual meal or something for the whole family, look no further. You now have the keys to the proverbial car… or maybe I should say food truck? Make the most of it. Bon appétit!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Washington Post, Tip Hero, IKEA UK