Swedish Meatballs : The Secret I Did NOT Expect...

Поделиться
HTML-код
  • Опубликовано: 28 июн 2024
  • Ep3. I went to Sweden to learn how to make Swedish Meatballs aka Köttbullar. Very different from Italian meatballs. Big thanks to Chef Niklas Ekstedt for having me ! SquareSpace 10% off your 1st order using www.squarespace.com/frenchguy
    This episode is part of the Perfect Meatball Series. Other episodes :
    - Ep1 : Can I make the Perfect Meatball ? • Can I Make The Perfect...
    - Ep2 : The juiciest Italian Meatballs I have ever made ! • The Juiciest Italian M...
    - Ep3 : The Secret I Did Not Expect About Swedish Meatballs... • Swedish Meatballs : Th...
    - Ep4 : My Initiation to True Turkish Meatballs... • My Initiation into Tru...
    - Ep5 : Can I Create a Perfectly Round Meatball ? • Can I Create a Perfect...
    Support my work on : / frenchguycooking
    Get My cookbook : smarturl.it/FrenchGuyCooking
    Get my posters and t-shirts : www.dftba.com/frenchguycooking
    Become a member now ! / @frenchguycooking
    Submit subtitles here : ruclips.net/user/timedtext_cs_p...
    Music by Epidemic sound : share.epidemicsound.com/sLDCS
    Music by Artlist : artlist.io/artlist-70446/?art... ( Get 2 extra months on your Artlist subscription)
    My other social accounts :
    / frenchguycooking
    / frenchguycooking
    / frenchguycookin
    Director, Author, Host & Camera : Alex
    Editor : Joshua Mark Sadler
    Planning a foodie trip to Paris ? Here are my favorite spots :
    www.frenchguycooking.com/wtf/...
    Salut,
    Alex
  • ХоббиХобби

Комментарии • 2,7 тыс.

  • @FrenchGuyCooking
    @FrenchGuyCooking  4 года назад +1262

    Salut ! Highjacking the first comment here to share THE swedish meatball recipe from this very video ( which I got from my man Niklas himself 😁✌️). Enjoy !
    🇸🇪 KÖTTBULLAR RECIPE 🇸🇪
    -------------------
    Ingredients
    ------------------
    200 gram ground beef
    100 gram ground veal
    100 gram ground pork
    0,5 dl bread crumbs
    2 dl heavy cream
    1 onion
    1 tbsp butter
    1 egg
    1 tsp salt
    ½ tsp ground allspice
    A pinch of grounded nutmeg
    A pinch of grounded cloves
    2 tbsp cooking oil + 2 tbsp butter for pan frying
    -------------------
    Instructions
    --------------------
    1. Soak bread crumbs in cream for 5-10 minutes
    2. Chop onion. Heat 1 tablespoon butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, and cook, stirring frequently, until onions have become translucent, about 2-3 minutes.
    3. In a large bowl, combine all three grounded meat, sioaked bread crumbs, egg, spices, salt and cooked onion.
    4. Using a wooden spoon or clean hands, stir until well combined.
    5. Roll the mixture into 1 1/4-to-1 1/2-inch meatballs, forming about 20 meatballs.
    6. Add 2 tablespoon cooking oil + 2 tbsp butter to the skillet. Add meatballs, in batches, and cook until all sides are browned, about 4-5 minutes.
    7. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. End.

    • @mrpepin
      @mrpepin 4 года назад +20

      Hey Alex, hijacking the first comment to tell you to go to Liege, Belgium in your search of the perfect meatball. "Boulets sauce lapin" are a staple there.

    • @diopets
      @diopets 4 года назад +7

      Alex thank you so much, for that amazing content you always bring, and off course to Niklas for teaching us his recipes and even gave it for all of us food lovers :)

    • @idnarbjm
      @idnarbjm 4 года назад +25

      In the video, he says the bread crumbs and cream set for 1 hour.

    • @idnarbjm
      @idnarbjm 4 года назад +17

      Also, what about the sauce and the cucumbers. Must have the whole thing, minus the lingonberries. :-)

    • @parsvanstrom5791
      @parsvanstrom5791 4 года назад +10

      Hey! That's not how my mother does köttbullar! :) Just kidding, the meatballs you and Niklas made looked awesome and is pretty close to how my family's recipe looks like.

  • @QuizMasterEntertainment
    @QuizMasterEntertainment 4 года назад +5140

    what a great man, he takes you into his kitchen, he teaches you the recipe, he serves you a plate with the full dish and to top it all, he also gives you a beer.
    Seems like the trip is not even over yet, that's exciting to know.

    • @alvarhedman5985
      @alvarhedman5985 4 года назад +175

      He is actually a pretty famous chef in Sweden with some cooking shows and books

    • @QuizMasterEntertainment
      @QuizMasterEntertainment 4 года назад +42

      Oh that's neat to know, thanks for the fun fact

    • @ivanllopis5882
      @ivanllopis5882 4 года назад +50

      That's the Swedish gentle style!

    • @stealthylunatik2823
      @stealthylunatik2823 4 года назад +41

      QuizMaster Hanzo It struck me too. It made me want to plan a trip to Stockholm and enjoy his cuisine. What a great man!

    • @joakim2k10
      @joakim2k10 4 года назад +40

      Don’t get me wrong, he seems like a genuinely friendly and hospitable guy, but this is great exposure for his restaurant as well.

  • @Buzzcook
    @Buzzcook 4 года назад +2812

    "No one will make better Swedish meatballs than my Swedish grandma", said every Swede that ever lived.

    • @BubbasKlubba
      @BubbasKlubba 4 года назад +33

      Buzzcook it’s true tho

    • @Berthrond
      @Berthrond 4 года назад +65

      got 100 handmade meatballs from my farmor as a Christmas present. I ate them all that day.

    • @AchtungKarate
      @AchtungKarate 4 года назад +23

      Except when it comes to my grandma, it's true.

    • @Pathrissia
      @Pathrissia 4 года назад +7

      Lived here my whole life. First time I hear this

    • @icurm5862
      @icurm5862 4 года назад +14

      My grandma makes the best meatballs, I can say that with confidence as a swede c:

  • @TokyoBlue587
    @TokyoBlue587 4 года назад +778

    The Swedish chef seems like such a cool chef, everything in his kitchen with fire and no electricity, does it old school.

    • @PatrikThornemo
      @PatrikThornemo 4 года назад +19

      "No electricity" now thats not quite true is it?

    • @Halvtooth
      @Halvtooth 4 года назад +9

      @@PatrikThornemo Did you see any electric driven devices? All stoves used birk.

    • @nyquilrq3254
      @nyquilrq3254 4 года назад +32

      Also did u notice he said it was a pleasure to have Alex in his home. Like he considers that restaurant lime a house to him where he feels the most comfortable then again this is all from face value.

    • @Nation4
      @Nation4 4 года назад +15

      His English is very American. I see he worked at Charlie Trotters in Chicago. Nice restaurant.

    • @cinograhn9244
      @cinograhn9244 4 года назад +4

      he was my hero when i was litel ,

  • @joshewert13
    @joshewert13 3 года назад +108

    This is how Swedish people truly are. Travelled with a group in Australia, and I see so much of them in this guy. They truly are the bro nation of the world.

  • @hahalalatralala
    @hahalalatralala 4 года назад +1096

    "Ive got only 40, 50 years to do this and that stresses me"

    • @Meezy70
      @Meezy70 4 года назад +78

      existential crisis energy

    • @cesteres
      @cesteres 4 года назад +36

      Optimistic about health

    • @zackbill603
      @zackbill603 4 года назад +51

      @@cesteres Average swedish lifespan is 82.5 years, so not really

    • @schuegrafma
      @schuegrafma 4 года назад +12

      @@zackbill603 Well, unless medicinal development stalls out over the next few decades, we'll be living longer than ever. Eventually, we'll just be brains with exoskeletons.

    • @zackbill603
      @zackbill603 4 года назад +1

      @@schuegrafma Totally. Some claim those already alive today will be the first to live past 200. Some day we might just be uploaded minds running on some server. Check out Isaac Arthur on youtube

  • @maheshbava4166
    @maheshbava4166 4 года назад +521

    Gotta love this guy, so over the top, but so keen to show us his passion for food. Always puts a smile on my face. This episode was so much fun to watch, can't wait for the next one

    • @icinight
      @icinight 4 года назад +5

      I really can't agree with that more. The production of the videos is always good as well and they are entertaining to the point I feel like his passion for it makes me want to try making the stuff myself.

  • @Vegarrd
    @Vegarrd 3 года назад +472

    Son: "Dad, why is my sister called Rose?"
    Dad: "Because your mum loves roses"
    Son: "OK"
    Dad: "No problem, Chef Niklas Ekstedt"

  • @chan-vuluu8397
    @chan-vuluu8397 3 года назад +37

    Swedish people seem so relaxed and friendly. Hopefully one day I'll have the chance to see sweden too.

  • @ejenglin
    @ejenglin 4 года назад +1477

    I love how the kitchen sounds. There's no mixers or blenders. I don't hear electric appliances of any kind. Just humans and fire. Primal.
    I would love to eat there.

    • @nilslindqvist8825
      @nilslindqvist8825 4 года назад +42

      Joie Englin you wouldn’t like to pay afterwards.

    • @Thisdown
      @Thisdown 4 года назад +9

      It is an amazing experience! And everything served is as true to the swedish cousine that you can get in Sweden!

    • @1873Winchester
      @1873Winchester 4 года назад +8

      @@Thisdown IMO you wanna have the proper swedish cuisine experience, go into the countryside and have some grandma make you some dinner. Not in a restaurant.

    • @zarwil
      @zarwil 4 года назад +48

      @@1873Winchester Can't you say the same about any food culture?

    • @OlafPawbelt
      @OlafPawbelt 4 года назад +3

      @@Thisdown only way to make it truly swedish tho is not in a restaurant. It is home made swedish food, also home made food beats expensive restaurant food

  • @adlibby6448
    @adlibby6448 4 года назад +430

    “Everything tastes better with a touch of butter!” Spoken like a true Frenchman :)
    This is an amazing episode! I would have loved to have this experience going to Sweden and eating like this. You are truly blessed.
    Edit: The recipe for these is absolutely required. I know a Swedish meatball cannot be guessed about! The chef made it very clear it needs to be done exactly.

    • @Kaoskadosk
      @Kaoskadosk 4 года назад +10

      "“Everything tastes better with a touch of butter!” Spoken like a true Frenchman :)"
      That goes for Swedes as well ;)

    • @niklasnilsson7818
      @niklasnilsson7818 4 года назад +4

      It needs to be done as your grandmother made them, Almost every swede has his own interpetation and experience of meatballs. I for example prefer my grandmothers meatballs all year exept for christmas. At christmas i prefer my moms since she uses a different mixture of spices.

    • @katarinatagesson1729
      @katarinatagesson1729 4 года назад +4

      Since recipes are handed down by some grandparents there are quiet a few ”true” meatball ways. As he said, if it is not my grandmas recipe it is not ”right”.

    • @drfoto2673
      @drfoto2673 4 года назад +2

      As the other people have said there are so many ways to make meatballs and everyone has their different favorites. That can either mean that there's no right way to make them, or that there's no wrong way to make them.
      Since I grew up somewhat poor I'm used to making mine out of minced pork or a 50/50 mixture of pork and beef mince. The soaked breadcrumbs can be very different as well, if you have old white bread you can make your own by just leaving it out for a day or two and then crushing it. Some like to buy premade breadcrumbs as well.
      I recently started to boil the meatballs in a stock and then throwing them in the freezer, that way I can just take them out, thaw them and fry them up quickly.
      For me the real important part about meatballs is the sauce and the lingonberries.

    • @Hwyadylaw
      @Hwyadylaw 4 года назад +3

      It might be because his restaurant is more high-end, but I wouldn't say Swedes are *that* particular about their meatballs.
      Of course, everyone's going to defend whatever they're used to, or "how grandma used to make them"

  • @sebastianbernabe3800
    @sebastianbernabe3800 4 года назад +682

    everybody: let's go to Ikea for meatballs
    Alex: let's go to Sweden to get meatballs

    • @edvins8863
      @edvins8863 4 года назад +40

      Ikea’s meatballs are nothing like the real deal

    • @snig88
      @snig88 4 года назад +8

      IKEAs meatballs are way better for the money than this. It's sad that in Stockholm you have to go to expensive restaurants like this to get meatballs, or any classic Swedish dish, it's absolutely nothing you eat unless you make them at home (or buy frozen, Felix små delikatessköttbullar ftw)

    • @pluppenkuppen6958
      @pluppenkuppen6958 4 года назад +2

      @@snig88 true, meatballs are a poor mans food. Ikea meatballs are as good as any and u get way more for ur money than going to a restaurant. Swedes can't cook.

    • @EterPuralis
      @EterPuralis 4 года назад +13

      The meatballs at IKEA should be considered national treachery, they're that poor.
      @Pluppen just because you can't cook, jesus

    • @michellegompers7584
      @michellegompers7584 4 года назад

      😄

  • @ainalzone
    @ainalzone 4 года назад +201

    Wow, the chef is so humble and fun to watch. One of the best personality I've seen from your guest star

  • @DeanCalhoun
    @DeanCalhoun 4 года назад +1063

    what i took away from this video is:
    Lingonberries are:
    -blueberries
    -cloudberries
    -grown in the forest like cranberries
    Lingonberries are NOT:
    -mulberries

    • @andrewnehme5396
      @andrewnehme5396 4 года назад +38

      I am swedish and lingonberries aren’t cranberries but look very similar

    • @Diabolus1978
      @Diabolus1978 4 года назад +7

      @@andrewnehme5396 same plant family cranberries are more tart.

    • @lenaorsine2366
      @lenaorsine2366 4 года назад +31

      Lingonberries, Blueberries and Cranberries are all species from the same plant-family! They’re Ericaceae, so it’s not surprising they look alike and share a lot of components (strong anthocyanins, different ph!). They are an example for evolution much like Darwin finches.

    • @andrewnehme5396
      @andrewnehme5396 4 года назад +4

      Daniel Karlsson Ja tranbär är surare

    • @mohaje11
      @mohaje11 4 года назад +9

      Lingonberries become much more bitter when they are cooked, so often here in Norway, we just mix them raw with lots of sugar.

  • @maxhaibara8828
    @maxhaibara8828 4 года назад +1287

    "No mixer! No electricity! It has to be a wooden spoon! The wooden spoon has to be from IKEA!"
    Oh, so that's the secret of a great meatball. Thank you.

    • @bub1683
      @bub1683 4 года назад +13

      Hand carved by chef of course,

    • @ninazeitler9763
      @ninazeitler9763 4 года назад +18

      @Raymond Ngu No, birch ;-)

    • @BolinFoto
      @BolinFoto 4 года назад +22

      The world tree is a huge Ash tree for those heathens that don't know.
      Yggdrasil

    • @lilosnitch3247
      @lilosnitch3247 4 года назад +1

      Made by a swedish chef

    • @CristiNeagu
      @CristiNeagu 4 года назад +27

      And after you buy it from IKEA, you have to bring it home in a Volvo! While listening to ABBA!

  • @hedfe
    @hedfe 4 года назад +28

    As extra information, those are Rårörda lingon (sweetened lingonberries)
    basically fresh lingon berries with caster sugar.
    They have a more distinctive taste compared to lingonberry jam.
    Cheers, and keep building your ikeas

  • @davidna1985
    @davidna1985 4 года назад +635

    Memo to self: Visit this guys restaurant..

    • @profpep
      @profpep 4 года назад +17

      Bucket list entry. Funny how the food section of mine has filled up since I started watching Alex.

    • @drdurchblick6871
      @drdurchblick6871 4 года назад +13

      The small menu is a 100 bucks and the large one is 120 bucks, have fun :)

    • @ShaneWalta
      @ShaneWalta 4 года назад +52

      @@drdurchblick6871 if that's a full meal made to a high quality, I'd say that's perfectly reasonable as an experience. Life is so short, you have to treat yourself occasionally

    • @kristofferjohnsen4002
      @kristofferjohnsen4002 4 года назад

      @@drdurchblick6871 Without the wine package, yeah...

    • @drdurchblick6871
      @drdurchblick6871 4 года назад +4

      @@ShaneWalta For sure, I'd like to visit too some day and would generally be willing to pay even more than that for a good menu but it's not like you go out and do that just like that (for most people).

  • @Tesoro1996
    @Tesoro1996 4 года назад +208

    You gotta make a documentary movie. Alex: The search for perfect meatball.

    • @howHumam
      @howHumam 4 года назад +8

      This is it, you just wish you could binge the whole journey before it reaches its end.

    • @FrenchGuyCooking
      @FrenchGuyCooking  4 года назад +117

      This is one. Just in pieces and on RUclips. #tvisdead

    • @maximilianopena
      @maximilianopena 4 года назад +1

      This is so mind opening, would've never thought of caramelized onions on a meatball but for sure gonna try it next time. Thanks for that Alex!

    • @Tesoro1996
      @Tesoro1996 4 года назад +1

      @@FrenchGuyCooking haha, true, but it would be nice to improve the quality of Netflix with some of your journeys! 😀

    • @niklasaxelsson2571
      @niklasaxelsson2571 4 года назад +2

      @@maximilianopena the important thing to remember is that the onions are in the meatball when mixed, not on top. Sure you could have them on the side but that is not what Ekstedt does in the video.

  • @MrLarryLicious
    @MrLarryLicious 3 года назад +36

    The whole vibe of his restaurant & kitchen makes me want to crawl in and spend my winter sleep there.

  • @kevskevs
    @kevskevs 4 года назад +51

    6:48 From my experience, the most important ingredient in French cuisine is an item called "plus de beurre".

  • @lotte6809
    @lotte6809 4 года назад +73

    Omg. Omg. I'm so starstruck. You actually got to meet Mat-Niklas! Holy cow! He was my hero when I was a kid. I loooved his cooking show! I'm honestly so jealous. Wow!

    • @ChristianFS1
      @ChristianFS1 4 года назад +4

      Seriously, is that the same guy!? I think he's famous all over Scandinavia. Man, would've never connected those dots on my own.

    • @Diabolus1978
      @Diabolus1978 4 года назад +4

      @@ChristianFS1 japp samma kille.

  • @jonaslundholm
    @jonaslundholm 4 года назад +121

    Great to see Niklas! He is such a nice guy. And great chemistry with Alex. They should collaborate more!

    • @jaguarke069
      @jaguarke069 4 года назад +10

      Yes! there sure was some great chemistry as you said. Hey Alex, why don't you invite Niklas to make his interpretation of the ultimate Swedish croissant?

    • @janm2473
      @janm2473 4 года назад +2

      Pardon my impertinence, but he's also delicious to look at! ;). You are as well, Alex..... ;).

    • @Cabiotube
      @Cabiotube 4 года назад

      Yes, absolutely!!

  • @TwinkTwinkle
    @TwinkTwinkle 4 года назад +34

    I reallyyyy want a miniseries where Niklas and Alex compete to make a swedish and a french version of things.

  • @mrjockey87
    @mrjockey87 4 года назад +179

    The lingonberrys and pickled cucumber is essential, happy to see it brought to its potential. Also very nice series!

    • @tessjuel
      @tessjuel 3 года назад +9

      Lingonberry is mandatory of course but as a Norwegian the pickled cucumber surprised me. One of our traditional meatball variants is very similar to the Swedish but I'd expect carrots or mashed rutabaga instead of cucumber.

    • @profilen5181
      @profilen5181 3 года назад +8

      @@tessjuel And that's why Sweden is the big brother

    • @Jonsson474
      @Jonsson474 3 года назад

      @@tessjuel your Norwegian meatballs originates from Sweden of course. But the copy will never be as good as the original.

    • @tessjuel
      @tessjuel 3 года назад

      @@Jonsson474 Oh yes you're right but Swedish style meatballs is not the common kind of meatballs/cakes in Norway. The common ones, kjøttkaker, medisterkaker and karbonader and the other rare ones, joikakaker, benløse fugler, hakkebiff, hamburger, kålruletter etc. aren't anything like your lovely Swedish balls at all.

    • @snorpenbass4196
      @snorpenbass4196 Год назад

      @@tessjuel Yeah, all the Scandi countries have a veritable onslaught of dishes based on varieties of minced meat, cooked, grilled, oven-roasted, fried... I'm fairly sure we Swedes stole Lutefisk from you Norwegians, though I can't be sure since it goes back far enough it gets hazy.

  • @theamazingeuph5632
    @theamazingeuph5632 4 года назад +604

    "Everything tastes better with a touch of butter."
    - Alex, a French person

  • @jonathanharmeyer2255
    @jonathanharmeyer2255 4 года назад +296

    Of course Alex is traveling again, I couldn’t imagine Alex not doing something so over the top, just to make meatballs

    • @andersbodin1551
      @andersbodin1551 4 года назад +7

      business write off to traval.

    • @angrymario8259
      @angrymario8259 4 года назад +2

      'Meatbowls 😂

    • @maximilianopena
      @maximilianopena 4 года назад +4

      Love that, the moment they mentioned Turkey I knew where the next episode was gonna be

    • @PatrikGluchowski
      @PatrikGluchowski 4 года назад +1

      Why not if you can and have a passion for it. I travel anywhere where I get answers to my passion.

  • @lasvegas2995
    @lasvegas2995 4 года назад +35

    "Amazing, you have all set up already". Yeah, Niklas has been a TV-chef since way before youtube existed.

  • @hypnozzz
    @hypnozzz 4 года назад +12

    This is much better food show than any other I've seen. It's authentic, it's real, it teaches you secrets of good food. Don't lose your authenticity Alex!

  • @the_attic_woodworker
    @the_attic_woodworker 4 года назад +88

    Love this format with travel, history and cooking all together, like you did for mozzarella or when you visited Naples for pizza. Connecting the world with meatballs is so amazing. Well done

  • @soilgrasswaterair
    @soilgrasswaterair 4 года назад +155

    12:18 I knew he had left the second I saw that mug of tea because we do not serve it like that in Sweden 11:33 and the signs in the background looked so different. It looked delicious though that tea!😍

    • @MmeHyraelle
      @MmeHyraelle 4 года назад +4

      Once he heard turkey, it was in his face it was it's next step.

    • @soilgrasswaterair
      @soilgrasswaterair 4 года назад +1

      Mme. Hyraelle 2:55 Yep! 😂💕

    • @jagexja
      @jagexja 4 года назад +2

      As a Turkish guy who is not very fond of tea, it is delicious and goes great along with simit. Turkish tea is over extracted, astringent, tiny bit of bitter but fresh especially with bergamot. Simit might be the first fast food ever by the way.

    • @vedran5582
      @vedran5582 4 года назад +1

      @@jagexja I just googled Simit and realised it's a thing I often eat for breakfast. Here in Croatia we call it Đevrek and I often eat it with some kefir or yogurt, tastes like heaven!

    • @tams805
      @tams805 4 года назад +1

      @@MmeHyraelle Surely we all knew he'd end up in Turkey. I think the only question is if he will go to Italy for meatballs.

  • @royalewithcheese7138
    @royalewithcheese7138 4 года назад +9

    I like the fact you were able to distinguish 'having a great time' and 'having a great meal' at a restaurant! The Swedish chef not only provides you an extraordinary meatball dish but a great time in the kitchen. These two are indispensable for an amazing experience in their restaurant. You didn't exaggerate
    their individual impact on your whole experience making them more realistic for the viewer experience. Great video!

  • @katemansfield9339
    @katemansfield9339 4 года назад +77

    I’ve just made this recipe. They are the most AMAZING meatballs I’ve ever made. Thanks for this fantastic recipe!

    • @reallivebluescat
      @reallivebluescat 4 года назад +15

      You did it with all the condiments too? Potato mashed with milk and some butter (nutmeg, white peppar and salt is trad). Cucumber we pickle with ättika (a very strong distilled white vineger) parsley and sugar to taste. The lingon-berries are just stirred with caster sugar.
      The gravy is just cream deglaced panjuice, with added soy sauce (yes, that is authentic!!)
      Thats how you really need to eat it. The acutal meatballs are just one part of the plate, its really about the entire dish 😊
      Me personally i never soak bread crumbs in cream always milk. Cream is for the gravy.
      Good eating!

    • @ccc4102
      @ccc4102 4 года назад

      Meatballs are big in South Africa among Afrikaans people. They are called Frikadelle. We use allspice as well but use only beef mince. An egg and a slice of white bread soaked in milk. Also a drop of vinegar and chopped parsley. So good.

    • @smievil
      @smievil 3 года назад +1

      in Swedish frikadeller seem to refer to some smaller meatball-like things you boil in soup.
      didn't know that, but i've tried boiling meatballs in sauces. but i think some other surrounding countries uses the term frikadeller

    • @jeannepainchaud1796
      @jeannepainchaud1796 3 года назад +1

      I also did the whole recipe with sides. DELICIOUS. I used cranberries instead of lingonberries because cranberry is a local food fruit here in Québec (very similar in acidity). I especially love the texture of the meat mixture. Almost like paté, as Alex says. I cooked my onions for 1 1/2 hours. Totally worth it. The gravy is out of this world. If you make it at home, don't leave out the pickled cucombers, they balance everything :) What a treat

    • @GreenLarsen
      @GreenLarsen 2 года назад

      @@ccc4102 old post I know, but.. In Denmark we make something that is very similar to Swedish meatballs and they are named frikadelle. I did not know that name was also used in south africa, thats so funny. Learn something new every day ^^

  • @davidem759
    @davidem759 4 года назад +226

    "It's a little bit like the italians are towards"........any freaking italian recipe

    • @guidoferri8683
      @guidoferri8683 4 года назад +12

      I'm Italian, can confirm

    • @BruceCruce
      @BruceCruce 4 года назад +11

      everyone in sweden makes them differently though, and no one gets mad about it, not that pretentious, it's everyday food, they make it with what they got

    • @petrini9585
      @petrini9585 4 года назад +6

      As a Swede of Italian decent, I can double confirm :)

    • @stella209173
      @stella209173 4 года назад +1

      Sounds about right :)

  • @CRPankow
    @CRPankow 4 года назад +185

    Something Alex does amazingly: he is so expressive about good food and grateful to the people who teach him. I just love seeing the joy and emotions that he explains when encountering a delicious dish!

  • @scottdenis
    @scottdenis 4 года назад +7

    There is so much in this video! The ambiance of the kitchen, so rustic or primordial even. The relaxed, warm welcome and friendliness of Niklas. The plated meal, a simple masterpiece, Great editing, pacing and soundtrack. Videos like these are what I come to RUclips for. Thanks, Alex!

  • @Peeenos
    @Peeenos 4 года назад +10

    That Swedish Chef was so cool, such an amazing and passionate person.

  • @jjohnkobbeman
    @jjohnkobbeman 4 года назад +33

    Alex, you're becoming the next Bourdain right before our eyes.

  • @ohh5178
    @ohh5178 4 года назад +359

    I love this dude. He’s incredibly charismatic (especially in his native language) and his TV show is just really good :))

    • @kaynekayne1137
      @kaynekayne1137 4 года назад +4

      TV show?

    • @Ajzer85
      @Ajzer85 4 года назад +33

      @@kaynekayne1137 It's called "Food & Fire" and takes you around the world to see different traditional ways of cooking over open fire. The show is in english. He also has a book in swedish, "Eksted över öppen eld", that focuses on cooking without modern appliances. This guy is all about fire.

    • @emilj883
      @emilj883 4 года назад +5

      i live next to him :)

    • @oliverdking
      @oliverdking 4 года назад +1

      @@Ajzer85 i cant find this anywhere? What platform is it on?

    • @minecraftexperten1
      @minecraftexperten1 3 года назад +1

      @@oliverdking Hey, sorry for beeing really late, but if you still have not found it, it can be seen on ''Viaplay''

  • @ante1439
    @ante1439 3 года назад +5

    Glad you enjoyed it! I am a Swedish chef. If you want to make this I would say cranberries is closest to tastewise to lingon. For pickling like cucumbers we call 1-2-3 liquid which is 1 part ättika, 2 parts sugar and 3 parts water. Ättika is vinegar or acetic acid often 12% acetic acid and water. You bring it to boil to solve the sugar, add som bayleafs and whole pepper seeds let it cool down, pour over the vegies you wanna pickle. Cucumber needs presure also for fast pickling. 1-2-3 liquid is also used for salted herring, fried herring, red onions etc. For the balls, gravy and mash there is a ton of recipies there's not much to it just use good produce. My favorite from the Swedish kitchen is Cod with egg sauce or Raggmunk with pork which is a potato pancake.

    • @user-us7xb1yb6e
      @user-us7xb1yb6e Год назад +1

      Cranberries and lingonberries are a different genus of the same species, it's probably the closest you can get to them in most of the world

  • @carljohantihkan2035
    @carljohantihkan2035 4 года назад +41

    OMG I'm so sad I didn't have the opportunity to say hi, I live in Stockholm and I have only been a chef for 1 year but my dream is to work for Niklas Ekstedt one day. Its so amazing how one of my favorite channels go to my Idol for an episode, you definitely went to the right place! If you want to come here again and need a guide or any tips on where to go or what to do I would take a few days off for you.

  • @MunifTheGreat
    @MunifTheGreat 4 года назад +37

    i just watched some Alex's old video and watched this one.... GOOOOSHHH how much has he improved over the years.

  • @toko25
    @toko25 4 года назад +53

    That ending felt like the climax of a Jason Bourne film. Looking forward to more!

    • @INF1NI73
      @INF1NI73 4 года назад +5

      I can tell you the individual weights of every meatball on those plates. I can tell you that the waitress is left-handed and the guy sitting up at the counter weighs two hundred and fifteen pounds and knows how to handle himself. I know the best place to look for a spatula is on the wall in the prep area. And at this altitude, I can make 3000 meatballs at high speed before my hands start shaking.

    • @toko25
      @toko25 4 года назад +1

      @@INF1NI73 your comment is amazing.

  • @DJMiczed
    @DJMiczed 4 года назад

    Honestly, I've been enjoying this meatballs series a lot so far! It just has everything I like about this channel: nice food and recipes, background infos, lovely people and a compelling story to glue it all together. Keep up the great work Alex!

  • @dthamilton79
    @dthamilton79 3 года назад

    @Alex your videos have a certain curiosity to them that keep me watching. Your desire to understand the creation and playfulness of the whole process is enjoyable to watch. I'm not much of a cook but I live through your cooking. Thank you my friend.

  • @ErickMurage
    @ErickMurage 4 года назад +23

    I was a bit apprehensive about this new series approach, but I'm now sold. The production value is so good and the travelling is a nice touch.

  • @RobertHeadley
    @RobertHeadley 4 года назад +31

    "No matter how you make them, they are always wrong". I feel that in my soul.

    • @RobertHeadley
      @RobertHeadley 4 года назад +1

      @YES I was a verified account on Google+

  • @thecultofjuliarobert484
    @thecultofjuliarobert484 3 года назад +6

    I have tried making this for many years, and FINALLY found the right way. Made some tonight for my family. They approve! Thank you very much, Alex and Chef Niklas.

  • @Sparrow141420
    @Sparrow141420 4 года назад +1

    Ahhh!!! I love this series!! It feels like your style is becoming something new in it's own essence! Can't wait for the next installment.

  • @--Paws--
    @--Paws-- 4 года назад +59

    2:26 Everything he just said pretty much describes how the restaurant looks; old and rustic but a touch of contemporary. It's like his mission conveys not only with the food but it also manifests into the the entire setting as well.

    • @Sebbe1
      @Sebbe1 4 года назад +4

      He said it like that because there are several restaurants in Stockholm where you can dine or drink in very old basements/store rooms/prison dungeons of old town. In those places the decor is always very medieval.

    • @--Paws--
      @--Paws-- 4 года назад

      @@Sebbe1 Interesting.

  • @franzfanz
    @franzfanz 4 года назад +44

    "Everything tastes better with a touch of butter." That's about 90% of all you need to know about French cooking.

  • @jshepard5840
    @jshepard5840 3 года назад

    I have to tell you...every time I watch one of your videos, it just puts me in a good mood. You have a very likeable personality and that, combined with your passion for cooking is just infectious. You seem like such a kind person too, which with the way the world is right now, especially here in the States, is so desperately needed. So thank you. Thank you for making me, and I'm sure countless other people, feel good and happy and joyful, if only for a short while. Chapeau!

  • @ErikAndersonNorthStar
    @ErikAndersonNorthStar 3 года назад +6

    "Every time I'm having a bit, I'm having a different emotion."
    Me too, Alex. Swedish meatballs is my favorite food.

  • @tehias
    @tehias 4 года назад +22

    This style of episode is perfect, working with pro chefs

  • @SuzanneBaruch
    @SuzanneBaruch 4 года назад +6

    As an American, I've always heard that Swedish meatballs are only made with nutmeg, salt and perhaps pepper -- and I hated it. But now I see they're *really* made with my favorite spices and I'm in love with this recipe. *MIND. BLOWN.*

  • @derauditor5748
    @derauditor5748 4 года назад +1

    Oh Boy! That KITCHEN!!!! It blew me away! Flippin awesome! The Tools and Ovens and real FIRE everywhere! I really like that Chefs approach and mindset. AND THE MEATBALL ADVENTURE CONTINUES!!! YEAH!

  • @expertzeus6647
    @expertzeus6647 4 года назад +10

    I love how when he wants to perfect something he goes to the roots and builds from there

  • @muizzy
    @muizzy 4 года назад +58

    11:03 - "It's finger licking good"
    RUclips - "Yup, that's a copyright strike!"

    • @Jauny78
      @Jauny78 4 года назад

      With Popeye's in the back :D

    • @benmcnutt223
      @benmcnutt223 4 года назад

      What do you mean KFC have claimed my video

    • @JosephDavies
      @JosephDavies 4 года назад

      Nope, slogans are Trademarks! ;)

  • @zwete
    @zwete 4 года назад +78

    "no matter how you do them, they're gonna be wrong" Literally me when he brought out the cloves and allspice.

    • @SimonWestman
      @SimonWestman 4 года назад

      Same!

    • @cesteres
      @cesteres 4 года назад +3

      I like mustard in mine

    • @Lotdol
      @Lotdol 4 года назад +1

      @@cesteres AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

    • @zwete
      @zwete 4 года назад

      @@cesteres Mustard, black pepper and worchestershire sauce

    • @yron33
      @yron33 4 года назад

      @@zwete That's illegal

  • @NickyKnickerson
    @NickyKnickerson 3 года назад

    Chef Niklas is a real one. Warm and welcoming and excited to share something he clearly loves! What a great experience!

  • @BruceBoschek
    @BruceBoschek Год назад +15

    I have always made Köttbullar (we just called them Swedish meatballs) the same way, but did not know about homogenizing the meat mixture. I will try this the next time. Thank you and thanks to Chef Niklas.

    • @kristinanordkoskela4232
      @kristinanordkoskela4232 Год назад

      In the north parts of sweden you often use a combination of moose and beef instread. Even better 😊

    • @mikaellindqvist5599
      @mikaellindqvist5599 Год назад

      Thats because you dont. What he creates here looks like an industrial sludge made to be pressed threw pipes and work well in an ibdustrial setting normally when cooking you strive to get as far away from that as possible.

    • @mikaellindqvist5599
      @mikaellindqvist5599 Год назад

      @@kristinanordkoskela4232 Moose and beef? Sounds awfully dry to me.

  • @peregrine1970
    @peregrine1970 4 года назад +11

    Well... I now know where I want to eat if I ever go to Sweden. That place looked fantastic!

  • @linklink999999
    @linklink999999 4 года назад +52

    2:42
    Ikea: Am i a Joke to you?

    • @andrewakrause
      @andrewakrause 4 года назад

      Lukas Dare I point out pumps?

    • @hariboi8840
      @hariboi8840 4 года назад +3

      Let's be honest: It's not like Sweden has Ikea. Ikea has Sweden.

  • @philipthavenius9801
    @philipthavenius9801 4 года назад +1

    Love this idea of flying around learning about- and eating a lot of different food. On a sidenote I really appreciated that the Chef Niklas cooked the dish with you, good guy Niklas!

  • @kennychiang9239
    @kennychiang9239 2 года назад +2

    Niklas is the type of chef that makes you feel the restaurant is an extension of your home dining experience. You ease in, relax and have a wonderful meal there.

  • @Shinkajo
    @Shinkajo 4 года назад +100

    And I'm sitting here in Sweden eating store bought economy package meatballs

    • @jozigirl7114
      @jozigirl7114 4 года назад

      Are they good?

    • @smirnoof1860
      @smirnoof1860 4 года назад +13

      Mamma scans köttbullar är ju skit gött

    • @Shinkajo
      @Shinkajo 4 года назад +1

      @@jozigirl7114 they are decent and cheap. Go great with mustard. I hate lingonberries.

    • @PLF...
      @PLF... 4 года назад +6

      The bought ones are awesome. I fry them, then add herbs, garlic and paprika and a splash of sweet chili sauce. Cook for a few minutes and the sauce turns into a glaze. Cheap and good.

    • @Ninjaznexx
      @Ninjaznexx 4 года назад

      Felix?

  • @Theshrimpification
    @Theshrimpification 4 года назад +18

    Welcome to Sweden! Hope you had a good stay! 🇸🇪😁

  • @Ursaminor31
    @Ursaminor31 4 года назад +1

    I love the only old fashioned cooking techniques. Fabuloussssss. Keep the traditions alive.

  • @thebestMJfan
    @thebestMJfan 4 года назад

    Niklas Ekstedt was on a video series about Swedish food a couple of years ago too, and I just have to say that I love the man. He seems so genuinely nice to be around and he's super passionate about what he does. Glad to see him be a part of this epic meatball journey as well.

  • @erikn.7540
    @erikn.7540 4 года назад +40

    I wish this restaurant actually had meatballs on its menu these days

  • @angrypotato_fz
    @angrypotato_fz 4 года назад +5

    That was awesome! It was tremendously nice that you could have participated in the cooking progress. As viewers we can also feel how welcome you were in Niklas' kitchen. What an amazing man, I hope his business go well and that you meet again in the future with some bigger project :)

  • @milesmetcalfe94
    @milesmetcalfe94 4 года назад +11

    Watching this makes me really really really miss Stockholm, went there on holiday in 2018 and absolutely fell in love with the city. Really wish that I could go back this summer. :(

    • @Astronic
      @Astronic 3 года назад

      Go Back after corona! Im sure Stockholm want you back!

  • @bobdinitto
    @bobdinitto 3 года назад +3

    You've made Swedish meatballs so exciting! I do love them and now you've given me a new perspective on their origin and proper accompaniments. And the restaurant is charming!

  • @stropheum
    @stropheum 4 года назад +7

    What a beautiful man! He's so genuinely happy with what he's doing and so happy to just share his food and knowledge with you

  • @SchreiRulesYouKnow
    @SchreiRulesYouKnow 4 года назад +19

    The guy was so nice! I love that.

    • @stgflt
      @stgflt 4 года назад +4

      He had a show on kid's TV a few years ago and is colloquially known as "Matniklas" (lit. Food-Niklas) and has published a few cookbooks on classic Swedish food. Very nice and friendly dude.

    • @patrickkruidenberg2581
      @patrickkruidenberg2581 4 года назад

      I liked him too!

  • @TwoCherriesIns
    @TwoCherriesIns 4 года назад +2

    The shot where your plating with the fire in the background is like magic, I can almost smell that kitchen.

  • @scothunter3221
    @scothunter3221 2 года назад

    I feel really blessed here. We have a Swedish chef and a geeky French guy telling me how to make these meatballs in English. It’s an awesome video and I have a special interest because my sons mother is from Scandinavia :-) I shared it with him and my grandson who is a budding chef

  • @FunkyPants3D
    @FunkyPants3D 4 года назад +14

    If I ever get around to visiting Sweden, I want to eat at this place 😍

  • @Rune2650
    @Rune2650 4 года назад +58

    fun fact: the way Alex pronounce "köttbullar" the first time ( 5:37 ) is very close to the danish pronunciation of meatballs "kødboller"

    • @AlparslanE
      @AlparslanE 4 года назад

      The Craft Dude Is it related with köfte in Turkish?

    • @arnoboy96
      @arnoboy96 4 года назад +3

      @@AlparslanE Could be the case! Altho Köfte is a collection name for different dishes made of minced meat in Turkey and Kött in Swedish or Kød in dansih, means meat specifically. Mince is "färs" in Swedish...

    • @thedude4795
      @thedude4795 4 года назад

      bageallekakerna

    • @SlowSlowSloth
      @SlowSlowSloth 4 года назад +9

      @@AlparslanE No, there's no relation. It's a completely norse word. Kiot, kiøt, køt, kött. It comes from the old-norse word kjǫt, which in turn comes from the proto-germanic word ketwą. All meaning meat or flesh.
      The turkish Köfte comes from kufte, which means to grind or something like that.

    • @AlparslanE
      @AlparslanE 4 года назад +1

      SlowSlowSloth Oh thanks. I checked it too, and what you said is true. The origin of the word köfte is Persian. However, I also know that there are many relations between the Nordic words and Turkish.

  • @hummels8393
    @hummels8393 4 года назад

    This series is your best yet! I cant wait to see more

  • @PPYTAO
    @PPYTAO 4 года назад

    Alex you should be proud, you’re creating a really authentic and high quality cooking show with a new and interesting format 👏👏

  • @michielg.7445
    @michielg.7445 4 года назад +9

    the new editing style is hilarious, keep it up Alex love your stuff!!!

  • @dmarsub
    @dmarsub 4 года назад +8

    I love that you show the ad duration on top! Fairplay.

  • @micahityalcin5668
    @micahityalcin5668 4 года назад

    When I saw you with a çay in your hand I was like 'wait... is that what I think it is' and then I saw the Mado restaurant behind. I'm so hyped for the next video. And the warmth of this restaurant's chef just gave me the wish to go there, he is so chill and passionated.

  • @ylwolfy
    @ylwolfy 4 года назад

    Love these crazy adventures you go on traveling across the world to explore food with a passion. Keep it up, and don't ever lose that passion!

  • @stepchildofsoul
    @stepchildofsoul 4 года назад +25

    I love the energy, enthusiasm and genuine sensory gratification of this host, all of which the chef welcomed, complemented and reciprocated in equal measure. Two good friends sharing what they love is one of the best things one can observe.

    • @sfmc98
      @sfmc98 4 года назад +2

      This is why I pretty much have moved to RUclips entirely for entertainment. There's literally almost the exact opposite of what you describe on television. Yet you can easily find it on channels like this one if you look. I don't relax by watching conflict, I relax by watching skilled, intelligent people show their passion in a collaborative spirit.

  • @RainbowGardens
    @RainbowGardens 4 года назад +6

    Probably one of the best comfort foods ever.

  • @ericafors6039
    @ericafors6039 4 года назад

    Niklas was so wonderful to share his wisdom and cooking talents! Thanks Alex for that great video!

  • @benjaminbohannon4432
    @benjaminbohannon4432 4 года назад

    What a wonderful chef! So kind and intelligent!

  • @ahmeddjeghri6879
    @ahmeddjeghri6879 4 года назад +9

    As interressing as ever, also your editing became TOP NOTCH, bon travail !

  • @gogogomes7025
    @gogogomes7025 4 года назад +8

    "everything tastes better with a touch of butter" french cuisine in one sentence right there

  • @9999plato
    @9999plato 3 года назад

    I love that diningroom with the wood table and the last of that cold norther hemisphere light. There is something special about that for me.

  • @MuturiKevin
    @MuturiKevin 3 года назад +2

    This video was amazing Alex! Seeing meatballs as an everyday kind of food here in Sweden with the frozen meatballs as Niklas said is one thing. But these real OG kind of meatballs are always a very special treat. Going to make my own this week for sure!

  • @Sophie-and-Ken
    @Sophie-and-Ken 4 года назад +11

    Love this series, it’s like a treasure hunt for the perfect meat ball. Very Indiana Jones of you. Can’t wait for you to find the holy grail.

  • @lucianostreetandfood
    @lucianostreetandfood 4 года назад +54

    When he said "Turkey" I saw the fire in Alex's eyes! Ooo la la la la la

    • @ofsabir
      @ofsabir 4 года назад

      @KampKarl Naturally. How could someone's eyes catch fire?

  • @mohammadalhusaini1115
    @mohammadalhusaini1115 4 года назад

    I think what you have done for your channel is truly a step in the right direction. You're a brilliant story teller Alex!

  • @melvynnl1395
    @melvynnl1395 4 года назад

    This episode is even better than the previous one!! Chef Niklas is so nice and welcoming!

  • @JMigUK
    @JMigUK 4 года назад +3

    2:43 love how he avoids the Surströmming subject lol

  • @999ThingsToCook
    @999ThingsToCook 4 года назад +3

    Incredible!!! wow I love this channel so much! By Far my favorite food channel!!

  • @jrmint2
    @jrmint2 Год назад

    I'm so in love with this episode...I could watch it forever.

  • @Erin_Wilson_Studios
    @Erin_Wilson_Studios 4 года назад

    Oh man...this video is fantastic. And definitely your best series yet.