Traditional Norwegian Meatballs (Kjottkaker) Recipe | Wanderzest (2024)

FAQs

What is kjottkaker made of? ›

So what makes a kjøttkake? In Norway, they are traditionally made from minced cattle, pork, lamb, or game meat, and shaped into thick, flat patties and fried. The dish is served with delicious brun saus (brown gravy). Kjøttkaker are usually served with boiled potatoes and carrots, and sauerkraut or mashed peas.

Norwegian recipes are made with all beef, while some Swedish recipes also use pork. Norwegian meatballs tend to be larger and flatter than their Swedish cousins.

If you're wondering what's so special about Swedish Meatballs, or what they taste like, close your eyes and imagine this: incredibly soft meatballs, made extra juicy by using a combination of both pork and beef and soaked bread instead of breadcrumbs, lightly spiced with just a touch of nutmeg and all spice that gives ...

To make, combine wine with brandy, lemon juice, and sugar in a 3-quart pitcher. Stir until sugar is dissolved, then add peaches, strawberries, and grapes. Let chill at least 2 hours and up to overnight. Mix in banana just before serving.

This recipe calls for vodka, simple syrup, lemon juice, and an American bar mainstay—apple schnapps. What is apple schnapps? Descended from the German schnapps, which is a spirit made with fruit juices, American schnapps (notice the two "p's") are sweet, flavored liqueurs often used as mixers, as it is in this recipe.

ANSWER: Usually when meatballs fall apart, it's the binder that is the problem. Most meatball recipes call for using bread crumbs and eggs. But too much bread crumbs make them too loose, and not enough bread crumbs won't help them hold together either.

Traditional Swedish way: Do not make the cream sauce at all. Serve meatballs over plain or stewed macaroni, plain or mashed potatoes, and lingenberry jam (optional)

So, we all know meatballs are made with minced beef. However, there's another version in Iceland that Icelanders swear by meatballs made with sausage meat. The sausage meat is basically the same as in the famous Icelandic hot dogs.

Ground beef, pork and veal are the most common choices in Italy when making meatballs. Some prefer just one, others a mix. It's really up to you. We definitely recommend staying away from chicken or turkey, though.

Are homestyle meatballs the same as Swedish meatballs? ›

While both varieties include ingredients such as grated onion and panade (milk-soaked bread) or bread crumbs, plus the usual salt and pepper, Swedish meatballs traditionally use spices like allspice, nutmeg, white pepper, and sometimes ground ginger as flavoring.

Both Norwegians and Swedes actually have a version of this dish, kjøttkaker and köttbullar respectively, with a few differences: Norway's features ginger-y beef meatballs and a creamier, heavier white sauce; Sweden's has compact beef/pork balls in a lighter brown gravy.

A fun fact is that even though most Swedes think that the meatballs are one of the most important things on the Julbord it wasn't until the early 1970's that the meatballs started to be a common dish on the Julbord. So traditions don't always date as far back as one might think.

However, there are also differences.

In addition, Norwegian cuisine puts more emphasis on traditional cooking methods such as smoking and pickling, while Swedish cuisine is known for its fried dishes and use of sauces.

The Danish meatball is a little rugged in texture and can be served in multiple ways – with a lightly spiced curry sauce, for example, or a rich gravy. A Swedish meatball, in comparison to the crispy, pan-fried Danish version, is often a little smaller, with a very smooth, even texture and a rounder shape.

"Finnish meatballs are meatier and bigger than Swedish meatballs. They are also served with lingonberry jam and boiled/mashed potatoes, and a gravy, but they are juicier and yummier.

Form meatball mixture into 1 1/2 tablespoon-sized balls and cook in batches until the outsides are evenly browned, approximately 5 minutes. The meatballs will still be pink inside. Transfer to a baking dish when browned and add more butter to the skillet as needed to cook all of the batches of meatballs.