Healthier Swedish Meatballs

Nothing beats a meatball smothered in a creamy sauce, and mine are even healthier because they’re dairy-free. Last year our deli chiller was broken into, and 1,000 pre-rolled Swedish meatballs were stolen. We can laugh about it now, but it went down in the books as the Great Meatball Heist of Herne Bay!

Makes: 4 serves
Takes: 30 minutes

Ingredients: 
400g pork mince (or half pork, half beef mince)
1 egg, beaten
1 onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, crushed
½ tsp ground allspice
½ tsp ground nutmeg
½ tsp ground cardamom
200g fettuccine
4 Tbsp olive oil
1 onion, sliced
1 Tbsp flour
2 cups chicken stock
2 cups coconut cream
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp lemon juice
2 Tbsp redcurrant jelly
1 tsp ground allspice
½ tsp ground nutmeg
Salt & pepper
Small handful fresh dill, to serve

Method: To make the meatballs, combine mince, egg, onion, garlic and spices in a bowl. Season generously with salt and pepper. Mix with your hands until thoroughly combined. Form the mixture into small balls. Place the meatballs on a baking tray, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until needed.

In a large pot of salted boiling water, cook the fettuccine according to packet instructions.Heat a large frying pan over a medium-high heat.  Add 2 tablespoons of oil and cook meatballs in batches, until browned. Remove and set aside.

In the same pan, add the remaining oil and sliced onion. Cook for 5–6 minutes, until softened and translucent. Whisk in flour and cook for a further 1–2 minutes. Add chicken stock, coconut cream, soy sauce, lemon juice, redcurrant jelly, allspice and nutmeg. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Return browned meatballs to the pan, reduce the heat to low, and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the meatballs are cooked through and the sauce has thickened, about 10–12 minutes. Add a spoonful or two of the pasta water, if needed, to loosen sauce  to your desired consistency while cooking. Fill serving bowls with fettuccine and top with meatballs, extra sauce and fresh dill.