Sexy Meatballs on Sundays

There are many ways to prepare meatballs as there are many countries and cultures. In Sweden, meatballs is integral to the Swedish identity. The more one eats meatballs (and herrings) on very special and not so special days, the more one becomes a Swede, so goes the joke among immigrants. There's meatballs for the sumptuous Christmas table and there's meatballs for the mid-summer feast. There's ready-made meatballs for the harassed housewife and meatball sandwiches for the hurried executives. That is how staple meatballs are in the Swedish diet, just like sex in marriage.

But one can have sexy meatballs on special Sundays. Think of Spanish tapas, ripened red paprikas, olive oil, tomato sauce, lentils, chili,cumin and latin music. I have gone low on red meats for fear of heart and high blood pressure anomalies, and more lately due to some ICA -the biggest Swedish food chain- store's meatball expiry date scandal. But the allure of preparing meatballs wafts in my kitchen, like Bulgari perfume in the bedroom.

Here's a sexy meatball recipe inspired by Spanish tapas. Do it on a weekend when you have the time, the inspiration and the desired guests to share with. For 1 to 1 and 1/2 kilo ground beef, add two beaten eggs, 2 tbs soja sauce, 1 tbs cumin (spiskumin), 1 tps mineral salt, pepper, 2 tbs olive oil, 1/2 tsp chili oil, chopped onions and garlic and 3 tbs tomato sauce. (I'm calculating. You need to taste!). Mix very well. When you are ready to fry, heat oil in a frying pan and test the meatball mixture by frying a small piece. Guess what's missing- salt? chili? cumin? And simply improve by adding what's missing to your taste. Form the the meatballs and fry direct. Don't over-fry!

In a casserole, prepare the bed for the meatballs with the following: Buy one of Findus latest green deli - one with chick peas, spinach, paprika and lentils and fry gently using olive oil. Pour one can of tomato sauce and stir carefully. If you can't find Findus outside of Sweden, just use the same ingredients plus olive oil and tomato sauce. Add chili oil according to your endurance ability. Add a can of big white lentils. And lastly, add the hot sexy meatballs. Careful not to stir hard. Gently.

For starters, I have a special preference for diced mango with Swedish shrimps and chopped chili arranged on a bed of lettuce. If you are allergic to shrimps, make a green salad with chunky tuna fish, lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper. The desert is a personal choice. I hope this helps in spicing up the Swedish meatball identity.