Ikea released its famous meatball recipe

Swedish meatballs will brighten any grey day and now, you can make Ikea's famous recipe at home.

Although a day trip to the one of the brand's outlets is always splendid, with the aisles of kitchen utensils on display, bedroom and home sets and the scented candles that you will inevitably end up leaving with always being a treat.

And that's before you end the trip by grabbing a pack of meatballs.

Back in 2020 when everyone was stuck at home during the Covid-19 lockdown, the chain revealed the recipe for its speciality dish, in a very appropriate six-step guide, to keep us all busy.

If, however, just looking at the infographic Ikea released fills you with a sense of familiar dread thanks to previous flat-pack-fuelled arguments over instructions - fear not, because here it is in word format.

INGREDIENTS - MEATBALLS

Makes 16 - 20

• 500g beef mince
• 250g pork mince
• 1 onion finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic (crushed or minced)
• 100g breadcrumbs
• 1 egg
• 5 tablespoons of whole milk
• salt and pepper to taste

INGREDIENTS - ICONIC SWEDISH CREAM SAUCE

• dash of oil
• 40g butter
• 40g plain flour
• 150ml vegetable stock
• 150ml beef stock
• 150ml thick double cream
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard

Ikea

HOW TO CREATE THOSE LOVELY, CREAMY MEATBALLS

Meatballs

1. Combine beef and pork mince and mix thoroughly to break up any lumps. Add finely chopped onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg and mix. Add milk and season well with salt and pepper.
2. Shape mixture into small, round balls. Place on a clean plate, cover and store in the fridge for 2 hours (to help them hold their shape whilst cooking).
3. In a frying pan, heat oil on medium heat. When hot, gently add your meatballs and brown on all sides.
4. When browned, add to an ovenproof dish and cover. Place in a hot oven (180°C or 160°C fan) and cook for a further 30 minutes.

Swedish cream sauce

1. In frying pan, melt 40g of butter. Whisk in 40g of plain and continue cooking, stirring continuously, for 2 minutes, allowing the flour to cook through. Add 150ml of vegetable stock and 150ml of beef stock and continue to stir. Add 150ml thick double cream, 2 teaspoons of soy sauce and 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard. Bring to a simmer and allow the sauce to thicken. Continue to stir.
2. When ready to eat, serve with your favourite potatoes - either creamy mash or mini new boiled potatoes.

And there you have it, perfect (probably) Ikea-style Swedish meatballs to keep you going until you can experience the real thing again.