Frikadellers

These delicious Danish meatballs are made with a mixture of beef and pork, but you can use just beef if you prefer. The soaked bread is traditional and keeps them moist and tender.

Serves 2

2 shallots, finely sliced, or 30 ml/2 tbsp frozen diced onion
1 small garlic clove, crushed, or 2.5 ml/½ tsp garlic purée (paste)
1 celery stick, thinly sliced
½ red (bell) pepper, seeded and sliced, or 75 g/3 oz frozen sliced peppers
200 g/7 oz/small can of chopped tomatoes
100 ml/3½ fl oz/scant ½ cup boiling beef stock
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
For the meatballs:
1 slice of white bread
45 ml/3 tbsp hot water
100 g/4 oz minced (ground) beef
100 g/4 oz minced pork
A pinch of ground allspice


  1. Put the shallots or diced onion, the garlic, celery and sliced pepper in the ceramic cooking pot. Pour the tomatoes and stock over and season with salt and pepper. Switch on the slow cooker to Low, cover with the lid and leave to cook for a few minutes while making the meatballs.
  2. Tear the bread into small pieces and put in a bowl. Sprinkle the hot water over the bread, leave to soak for a minute or two, then mash with a fork until pulpy. Add the beef, pork and allspice and season with salt and pepper. Using your hands, mix all the ingredients together thoroughly.
  3. With damp hands shape the mixture into 10 meatballs. Carefully drop the meatballs, one at a time, into the tomato sauce. Re-cover with the lid and cook for 2-3 hours or until the meatballs are cooked through and the vegetables in the sauce are tender.
  4. Spoon half the meatballs and sauce into a bowl or freezer container and allow to cool. Serve the remaining meatballs and sauce with pasta.


Second serving
Either cover the cooled meatballs and sauce and chill in the fridge for the following day, or freeze for up to a month. If frozen, allow the meatballs to defrost in the fridge overnight. To serve, transfer to a saucepan and heat until piping hot.


Cook's tip
Always buy good-quality extra-lean mince. It may cost a little more, but is better value as it contains less fat.