Lihapullat (Finnish Meatballs): Ingredients and Instructions

natostratcon.info – Lihapullat are a beloved Finnish comfort food, often enjoyed with mashed potatoes, lingonberry sauce, and sometimes gravy. These juicy meatballs are easy to make and perfect for a family dinner.

Ingredients:

For the Meatballs:

• 1 pound ground pork
• 1/2 pound ground beef
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 egg
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper

For the Sauce:

• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 tablespoon flour
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

Make the Meatballs:

1. Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the ground pork, ground beef, bread crumbs, milk, egg, onion, salt, and pepper. Mix well until thoroughly combined.
2. Form Meatballs: Using your hands, shape the mixture into small meatballs, about 1 inch in diameter.
3. Brown the Meatballs: Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add a little oil to the pan and brown the meatballs on all sides.

Make the Sauce:

1. Make a Roux: Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook for 1-2 minutes, or until the mixture is golden brown.
2. Add Liquid: Gradually whisk in the beef broth, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
3. Simmer and Thicken: Bring the sauce to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the sauce has thickened.
4. Add Cream: Stir in the heavy cream and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Combine and Serve:

1. Add Meatballs to Sauce: Add the browned meatballs to the sauce and simmer for an additional 5-10 minutes, or until the meatballs are cooked through.
2. Serve: Serve the Lihapullat with mashed potatoes and lingonberry sauce. The gravy can be served on the side, if desired.

Tips:

• Breadcrumbs: You can use fresh breadcrumbs or dried breadcrumbs. If using dried breadcrumbs, soak them in milk for a few minutes before adding them to the meat mixture.
• Meat: You can use different types of ground meat, such as ground veal or ground turkey.
• Sauce: For a richer sauce, you can use cream of mushroom soup instead of beef broth and heavy cream.
• Side Dishes: Lihapullat can also be served with other side dishes, such as boiled potatoes, noodles, or vegetables.