Danish Meat Patties

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                            FOOD FUNNY
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This isn't really a food funny, but I think you'll enjoy it anyway.
Thanks to Laurel Jackson for sending it in.

Night Before Christmas in Aussieland

'Twas the night before Christmas; there wasn't a sound.
Not a possum was stirring; no-one was around.
We'd left on the table some tucker and beer,
Hoping that Santa Claus soon would be here;

We children were snuggled up safe in our beds,
While dreams of pavlova danced 'round in our heads;
And Mum in her nightie, and Dad in his shorts,
Had just settled down to watch TV sports.

When outside the house a mad ruckus arose;
Loud squeaking and banging woke us from our doze.
We ran to the screen door, peeked cautiously out,
snuck onto the deck, then let out a shout.

Guess what had woken us up from our snooze,
But a rusty old Ute pulled by eight mighty 'roos.
The cheerful man driving was giggling with glee,
And we both knew at once who this plump bloke must be.

Now, I'm telling the truth it's all dinki-di,
Those eight kangaroos fairly soared through the sky.
Santa leaned out the window to pull at the reins,
And encouraged the 'roos, by calling their names.

'Now, Kylie! Now, Kirsty! Now, Shazza and Shane!
On Kipper! On, Skipper! On, Bazza and Wayne!
Park up on that water tank. Grab a quick drink,
I'll scoot down the gum tree. Be back in a wink!'

So up to the tank those eight kangaroos flew,
With the Ute full of toys, and Santa Claus too.
He slid down the gum tree and jumped to the ground,
Then in through the window he sprang with a bound.

He had bright sunburned cheeks and a milky white beard.
A jolly old joker was how he appeared.
He wore red stubby shorts and old thongs on his feet,
And a hat of deep crimson as shade from the heat.

His eyes - bright as opals - Oh! How they twinkled!
And, like a goanna, his skin was quite wrinkled!
His shirt was stretched over a round bulging belly
Which shook when he moved, like a plate full of jelly.

A fat stack of prezzies he flung from his back,
And he looked like a swaggie unfastening his pack.
He spoke not a word, but bent down on one knee,
To position our goodies beneath the yule tree.

Surfboard and footy-ball shapes for us two.
And for Dad, tongs to use on the new barbeque.
A mysterious package he left for our Mum,
Then he turned and he winked and he held up his thumb;

He strolled out on deck and his 'roos came on cue;
Flung his sack in the back and prepared to shoot through.
He bellowed out loud as they swooped past the gates-
 
MERRY CHRISTMAS to all, and goodonya, MATES!'

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                            TODAY'S RECIPE
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This is a Danish classic that has counterparts throughout Scandinavia.
In Denmark they call it "Frikadeller." I don't know what it's called in
Swedish, but I'm sure their word must have little dots over all the vowels and lines through all the O's.

Danish Meat Patties (Frikadeller)

1/2 lb (225 g) ground beef
1/2 lb (225 g) ground pork
1 medium onion, grated
3 Tbs (45 ml) flour
1 1/2 cups (375 ml) club soda
1 egg, well beaten
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
3 Tbs (45 ml) butter and/or vegetable oil for frying

Using a wooden spoon and a large mixing bowl, or an electric mixer, beat
the meats, grated onion, and flour until thoroughly mixed. Gradually add
the club soda and continue beating until the meat mixture is light and
fluffy. Add the egg, salt, and pepper, and combine thoroughly.
Refrigerate, covered, for 1 hour, until the mixture has firmed a little.
Shape the meat mixture into 8 oblong patties about 4 inches (10 cm)
long, 2 inches (5 cm) wide, and 1 inch (2.5 cm) thick. Heat the butter
or oil, or mixture of the two, in a heavy skillet over moderate heat and
add the meat patties 3 or 4 at a time, being careful not to crowd them.
Cook for 6 to 8 minutes per side, until they are a rich dark brown.
Remove the cooked patties to a warm platter and repeat until all the
patties are cooked. Since these contain pork, they should be cooked to the well-done stage.
Makes 8 patties to serve 4.
Received on Mon Dec 28 02:38:33 2009