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By:Pamela Reed
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Betty Draper’s Swedish Meatballs Recipe – classic dish straight from Mad Men!
“Hot or cold? Swedish meatballs or chicken salad” asks Betty Draper when Don comes home late from work one evening. Don chooses the chicken salad, but in my opinion he misses out. Betty’s Swedish Meatballs are where the magic is at.
If you’re reading this and wondering who Betty Draper or Don it, let me grab you for a quick hug and tell you what you’re missing out on. The Drapers (or previously were – no spoilers!) are 2 of the main characters on the hit show Mad Men which I’ve been obsessed with since the beginning. On Sunday night they will air the first episode from the final season – weep weep. If you’re a Mad Men fan, do you have predictions? How’s it going to end? How’s Don going to end up? Are you rooting for him? Do you think Don Draper is amazingly sexy no matter what horrible things he does? Me too, I can’t help it. Smoking, drinking,overtly sexual, heart breaker, etc. “Don Draper cheats on his wife, never does any housework, hardly spends time with his kids—he shouldn’t be sexy, but he is.” All the things that your mother told you to stay way from. Except with Don he chases you in and you’re like “Ok”.Why do you have to be so complicated Mr. Draper?
I’m rooting for Don. He’s living the American dream that he’s earned since his not so great upbringings. I’m not sure if he’ll ever be able to get rid of the demons in his closet, but I hope we get some clarity for him. After all, this is the guy who pitched the Kodak Carousel, one of the greatest memories of the show.
Now back to Betty Draper, or BettyFrancis if you want to be official. Betty’s Nordic heritage might mean she knows a few things about Swedish meatballs so in this recipe we’re celebrating the Drapers and Mad Men. These Swedish Meatballs are covered in a delicious cream based sauce that will have you licking your plate. Serve them over some egg noodles, with some mashed potatoes on the side and you have the perfect dinner!
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Betty Draper's Swedish Meatballs Recipe
Betty Draper's Swedish Meatballs Recipe - classic dish straight from Mad Men!
By: Pamela Reed
serves 4
Ingredients
- 1 cup soft bread crumbs
- 1/3 cup milk
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 cup finely grated onion
- 1 egg beaten
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons all purpose flour
- 1 beef bouillon cube dissolved in 1 cup of boiling water
- 1/2 cup light cream
Instructions
Soften bread crumbs in milk in a mixing bowl. Drain excess milk. Add beef, onions, egg, salt, pepper and nutmeg and mix and combine with hands.
Shape into balls about 1 inch in diameter. Melt butter in a large skillet; add meatballs and brown over medium low heat. Remove with a slotted spoon to a baking dish.
Whisk flour into pan drippings and blend well. Cook, stirring constantly, until bubbly. Gradually add beef broth to the flour mixture, stirring constantly until smooth. Add cream. Continue cooking or approximately 3 minutes, stirring constantly, until sauce thickens.
Add meatballs to sauce, and simmer for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until sauce is of desired consistency. Serve warm.
Notes
Serve these over egg noodles for dinner.
Did you make this?I love seeing what you’ve made! Tag me on Instagram at @BrooklynFarmGirl and don’t forget to leave a comment & rating below.
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I have to admit that I (brace yourself) don’t actually watch Mad Men. I’ve heard it’s awesome though! And these swedish meatballs totally bring back such awesome memories of childhood. My mom would make them all the time for us!
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CakeSpy says
I LOVE this type of recipe. Retro and so satisfying! <3
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Jessica @ Sweet Menu says
Oooh seriously craving meatballs now! These looks so scrumptious!!!
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Carol at Wild Goose says
I know nothing about the characters. I watch very little TV, but I do LOVE meatballs. They are on my menu for this week. What a FAB version. I tried to pin it, but it didn’t happen. BUT I will remember!
I don’t normally talk about ME, but please make note of the slight name change from Wild Goose Tea. Plus I have a new web design—whoopee and some new features coming on.
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Zainab says
Ahhhh!! I know Don is so sexy and I am routing for him this season. He needs a happy ending…yet needs to deal with his skeletons. Anyway…can’t wait for the end. these meatballs do look amazing and have Betty written all over it.
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I love Swedish meatballs! And the sauce, the sauce is what makes them so delicious!
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Mary Frances says
Meatballs are the key to my heart. Nothing says comfort food like meatballs! I remember the first time we had Swedish meatballs as part of a geography project (food always makes school better 🙂 ) but it was love at first taste. So so good!
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Lux Ganzon says
I like the fashion inspired by Mad Men.
But most of all, those meatballs!Happy Easter!
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Launna says
I have never seen Mad Men… I have heard lots about the show… it sounds intriguing but I keep telling myself I shouldn’t add another show… Maybe in the Fall, I am going to be super busy this Spring and Summer with exercising… the meatballs look delicious Pamela xox
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Betty says
I love watching Mad Men and remembering the styles from the era. My mom didn’t make Swedish Meatballs, but I had friends whose moms did. 🙂 These look good!
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Kate @ framed Cooks says
I’m in complete denial that this is the last season…I think I need to make me a big plate of Swedish Meatballs to cheer myself up. YUM!
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I’ve never watched Mad Men before bit I sure would like to eat some of these Swedish Meatballs!
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Ami@NaiveCookCooks says
Which world have I been living in??!! I need to watch Mad Men like now!!! And these meatballs! Seriously he is missing out! 😉
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I used to make Swedish Meatballs quite often when my sons still lived at home, except my version included mushroom soup in the sauce….they were pretty tasty! You know, I have some ground beef in the fridge – it’s leftover from something I’m planning to post tomorrow – and I didn’t know what to do with – BUT – now I do!!! ; o )
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Debra says
Do you need a co*cktail to go along with that? I am sad this is the end but I do want to know how everyone turns out.
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Pamela says
Feel free to have a co*cktail with it Debra.
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Fabulous post, Pamela! My favorite pitch that Don ever made was for the Kodak Carousel as well. Such a complex character. We adore Don but abhor many of his actions. I have relished each Mad Men ep since the series began. Thanks for sharing your Swedish Meatballs recipe inspired by Betty Draper!
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Ashley says
For some reason I stopped watching Mad Men after a few seasons … but now you’re making me regret it! Meatballs are always a good idea – they look delicious!
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