Swedish Meatloaf with Caramelized Cabbage (Kalpudding)

I planned to make this Swedish dish after spending the afternoon at IKEA. 🙂 I knew that we could buy the lingonberry preserves for the topping during our shopping spree too.

This recipe was adapted from The New York Times, contributed by Sam Sifton. I used a combination of ground pork and ground turkey instead of ground beef. Next time I would double the sauce- loved it. Sifton recommended serving it with boiled potatoes. We ate it with mashed new potatoes (my husband’s request) and roasted asparagus. It was such wonderful comfort food. Great.

Yield: 6 servings

For the Meatloaf:

• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 head green cabbage, approximately 3 pounds, cored and shredded
• 3 tablespoons molasses or golden syrup
• coarse salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
• 1 pound ground turkey
• 1/2 pound ground pork
• 1 small yellow onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 cup heavy cream
• 4 tablespoons breadcrumbs
• ⅓ cup chicken, turkey, beef or vegetable stock, ideally homemade or low-sodium store-bought (or water)

For the Sauce:

• ⅓ cup lingonberry preserves
• 1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• dash of Worcestershire sauce, or to taste

1. Shred the cabbage in a food processor.
2. Heat oven to 350, preferably on convection.
3. Put a large pan over medium-high heat, and add the butter. When it starts to foam, add the cabbage and molasses, lower the heat to medium and sprinkle with salt. Cook slowly, stirring often, until all the liquid has evaporated and the cabbage is caramelized, approximately 20-25 minutes.
4. While the cabbage is cooking, lightly mix the meats in a large bowl, then add the onion, cream, breadcrumbs, salt and pepper. Mix again to combine.
5. When the cabbage is done, add about a third of it to the meat mixture, and mix to combine.
6. Grease an 8-inch-square or 8 x 10-inch baking pan, and transfer the meat mixture to it, spreading it out to cover the whole surface evenly.
7. Spread remaining cabbage over the meat, pour the stock or water over the top and place in the oven, on a parchment-lined baking sheet, to cook for approximately 40 to 45 minutes, or until the cabbage is very, very caramelized, almost dry and crunchy at the edges.
8. Allow it to sit for 10 minutes or so before serving.
9. While the meat and cabbage cooks, make the sauce. Heat lingonberry preserves, vinegar and butter in a small pot set over medium heat, then add Worcestershire sauce to taste. Serve alongside the kalpudding.

One Year Ago:

• North African Meatballs

Two Years Ago:

• Pork & Ricotta Meatballs in Parmesan Broth

Three Years Ago:

• Pan-Seared Pork Chops with Thyme

Four Years Ago:

• Italian Braised Pork
• Pastitsio

About Josette@thebrookcook

I live in Stony Brook, New York on Long Island. I love garlic and baking. My hobby (and love) is to try new recipes. My favorite recipe resources include The New York Times, Food and Wine, Bon Appetit, and Martha Stewart Living. Enjoy!

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