So I went to the furniture store to get some meatballs. What, you say? Surely she doesn't think she can find food everywhere she goes (and don't call me Shirley, R.I.P. Leslie Nielsen). But I did find meatballs at the furniture store; mashed potatoes and gravy too. How is this possible, you might ask? Easy, I went to IKEA.
IKEA, in case you've been housebound without media for the last several years, is the huge build-it-yourself store that hands you paper, pencil, and measuring tape as soon as you enter its vast premises. Your job is to go around and write down the stock numbers of everything you want to buy (and you will want to buy), then pick up your goodies in the huge warehouse you eventually end up in. Besides furniture they have every sort of household need or want, dishes, rugs, bathroom fixtures, bedding, etc. Oh, and meatballs.
When I've ever mentioned going to IKEA, people would invariably say, "Don't forget the meatballs!" "Did you try the meatballs?" "Are you going to have some meatballs?" What?
But it seems they are as famous for their Swedish meatballs (and meatball dinners) as they are for their furniture. That's how it came to pass that, as we were checking out after some Christmas shopping, we came upon a freezer full of frozen meatballs, mashed potatoes, and gravy packets. Plus, they were on special. The balls, taters, and two packs of gravy were only $9.99. Now that's one inexpensive dinner, and one I couldn't resist. We took the feast home in our trusty freezer bag (I know - ready for anything).
THE VERDICT: Delicious! These tiny bite-sized meatballs were very tasty and plentiful. The mashed potatoes were real and tasted it, and the gravy was thick, creamy and a real asset to the whole meal. We were all very impressed. Best of all, it was so easy to prepare. All it took was 15 minutes from frozen state to dinner plate (hahahaha). It was 15 minutes in the oven for the balls, 10 minutes in the microwave for the taters and five minutes on the stove for the gravy. You can do everything at once. After a day of walking around the cavernous IKEA, it was nice coming home to a quick, delicious, hot meal.
Will I go back to IKEA? Of course I will. Will I get the meatball dinner? Most definitely. You should, too.
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