Monday, July 21, 2025
Sunday, March 9, 2025
Meatballs Around the World: A Global Comfort Food
A Classic Dish with Endless Variations
At their core, meatballs are made by mixing ground meat, breadcrumbs, minced onion, eggs, butter, and seasonings, shaping them into balls, and cooking them by frying, baking, steaming, or braising. While many meatballs are made with beef, pork, chicken, fish, or even game meats, plant-based options using lentils, mushrooms, or chickpeas are also popular for a vegetarian twist.
Meatballs from Around the World
Italian Meatballs (Polpette) – These rich, herby meatballs are often served in a hearty tomato sauce with pasta or crusty bread. Unlike American-style meatballs, Italian polpette are sometimes eaten as a standalone dish rather than over spaghetti.
Swedish Meatballs – Made with a blend of pork and beef, these tender meatballs are served in a creamy, savory gravy with lingonberry jam and mashed potatoes. They’re a staple of Nordic cuisine and are famously found in IKEA cafés worldwide!
Turkish Köfte – These spiced, grilled, or pan-fried meatballs are a street food favorite in Turkey. They're often made with lamb or beef and served with rice, pita, or yogurt sauce.
Lion’s Head Meatballs – A Chinese delicacy, these oversized, tender pork meatballs are slow-cooked in a flavorful broth and served with steamed bok choy.
Indian Malai Kofta – Unlike traditional meat-based meatballs, malai kofta is a vegetarian delight made with paneer (Indian cheese) and potatoes and served in a rich, spiced tomato-cream sauce.
Serving Meatballs in Different Ways
Meatballs can be served in countless ways:
🍝 Over pasta with a rich tomato or creamy sauce.
🍛 With rice or flatbread, accompanied by flavorful spices.
🥣 In soups or broths, adding depth and texture.
🥪 In a sandwich or sub, packed with melted cheese.
A Dish That Stands the Test of Time
With a history that spans centuries, meatballs remain a staple in kitchens worldwide. Whether you're enjoying a plate of Italian polpette, Swedish köttbullar, or Turkish köfte, meatballs showcase the beauty of cultural diversity and how food connects us all.
Next time you’re in the kitchen, why not try making your own version of meatballs inspired by flavors from around the world?
Recipes
Healthy Meatball recipes, EatingWell
Wednesday, September 18, 2024
National Cheeseburger Day - Healthy Homemade Cheeseburger
Ingredients
3/4 lb extra-lean ground beef
2 tbsp finely chopped onion
2 tbsp chili sauce
1 tsp Dijon mustard
4 slices (3/4 oz each) reduced-fat cheddar
4 whole-wheat hamburger buns
Lettuce and tomato slices
Preparation
1. Mix first 4 ingredients.
2. Form mixture into four 1-inch-thick patties.
3. Broil 5 to 7 minutes on each side for medium to well-done burgers.
4. Top each burger with a cheese slice right before removing from the oven.
5. Transfer burgers onto buns, top with lettuce and tomato and serve.
Thursday, April 27, 2023
Dietitian Blog List
-
The Beautiful "French-Inspired" Glasses Everyone Is Buying at Anthropologie - Ooh la la! *READ MORE...*1 hour ago
-
Free 7 Day Healthy Meal Plan (August 4-10) - A free 7-day, flexible weight loss meal plan including breakfast, lunch and dinner ideas and a shopping list. All recipes include macros and Weight Watcher...19 hours ago
-
67 Family-Friendly Dinners Kids Can’t Wait to Eat - Grilled chicken thighs with couscous, store-bought ravioli in mushroom sauce, falafel-spiced turkey burgers, and more meals even your pickiest child will a...1 day ago
-
Cooking Class in Tuscany - We recently returned from Italy, and we stayed the night at Podere Vergianoni a family-run villa with guest rooms. Here are some details "Vergianoni Tusc...1 month ago
-
8 Healthy Foods Safe to Go Down the Garbage Disposal - A garbage disposal is a convenience, but it cannot help you if you place the wrong things inside. When you do this, it can create clogs, lead to smelly odo...6 months ago
-
New MyPlate Is a Useful Tool for Consumers to Follow Dietary Guidelines and Eat Healthfully | Newswise - Newswise - New MyPlate Is a Useful Tool for Consumers to Follow Dietary Guidelines and Eat Healthfully | Newswise Newswise14 years ago
-