Swedish Turkey Meat Balls



For the meatballs:
1/4 to 1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 medium onion, finely food processed
10 ounces challah bread, food processed to crumbs (about 3 1/2 cups)
1 large egg
1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
2 teaspoons salt
25 grinds freshly ground black pepper
1 3/4 to 2 pounds ground turkey

For pan sauce:
1 tablespoon butter
10-ounces button mushrooms, sliced
1/3 cup medium-dry sherry
1 cup chicken stock
1/4 cup instant flour (Recommended: Wondra)
1 cup half-and-half
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
2 bay leaves
Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1/4 cup tart berry preserves, such as cherry or cranberry

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
2. For the meatballs:
Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Saute onions until soft and translucent. Set onions aside to cool and wipe skillet clean. In a large mixing bowl combine the cooled onions with remaining meatball ingredients. Form the mixture into 1 1/2-inch balls. Heat remaining oil in skillet over high heat. Brown the meatballs on all sides.
3. For the pan sauce:
Set meatballs aside. Add the butter and mushrooms to the pan and saute until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the sherry and chicken stock, to deglaze the pan. Sprinkle in the instant flour and cook until sauce thickens. Add the half-and-half, Worcestershire and bay leaves. Bring to a simmer, whisking often until thickened. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Remove pan from heat, add meatballs back to the pan. Bake in the oven for 25 minutes. Discard bay leaves.
4. Serve meatballs with preserves.

Yield: 5 servings

Dave Lieberman Recipe