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Swedish Meatball Upgrade: Turkey Meatballs with Currants in Ginger Gravy

Swedish Meatball Upgrade: Turkey Meatballs with Currants in Ginger Gravy

Ingredients

  • 1 ¼ lb. ground turkey or chicken

  • Salt and finely ground black pepper

  • ½ cup homemade breadcrumbs or panko, moistened with about 1/4 cup milk

  • A small handful (about 1/4 cup) of fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped, plus more for serving

  • 1 egg

  • ¼ cup finely chopped dry-roasted peanuts

  • 3 tbsp. dried currants

  • About 3 tbsp. grated onion with juices

  • 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard

  • 1 tsp. (a scant 1/3 palmful) ground sage

  • 1 tsp. (a scant 1/3 palmful) granulated garlic

  • ½ tsp. ground allspice

  • ½ tsp. ground ginger

  • About 1/8 tsp. freshly grated or ground nutmeg

  • White pepper

  • Olive oil cooking spray, or olive oil for drizzling

  • 3 tbsp. butter

  • 3 tbsp. flour

  • 2 cups turkey or chicken stock

  • 2 tbsp. lingonberry jam or jelly or grape jelly

  • 2 tsp. grated peeled fresh ginger

  • 1 tbsp. Worcestershire sauce

  • ½ cup heavy cream

  • ½ lb. buttered cooked egg noodles or spaetzle, or warm bread, for serving

Directions

  • Step 1

    Preheat the oven to 425°.

  • Step 2

    In a bowl, season the turkey with salt and pepper. Add the moistened breadcrumbs, a handful of parsley, the egg, peanuts, currants, onion with juices, Dijon, sage, spices, and 1/2 tsp. white pepper. Mix gently to combine. Using a small scoop, form the turkey into meatballs (about 1 1/2 inches in diameter). Place on a parchment paper–lined baking sheet. Spray the meatballs with cooking spray. Bake until cooked through, about 15 minutes.

  • Step 3

    Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, melt the butter over medium to medium-high heat. Whisk in the flour; season with black pepper and white pepper. Cook, whisking often, until the flour is absorbed, about 1 minute. Whisk in the stock. Cook, whisking often, until the sauce thickens, 4 to 5 minutes. Add the jam, ginger, and Worcestershire, then the cream. Reduce heat to low. Season the sauce with salt.

  • Step 4

    Stir the meatballs into the sauce. Serve on the noodles for an entrée or with toothpicks for a party snack. Top with parsley.