**Introducing Lefse, a Norwegian Flatbread with Many Variations**
Lefse is a traditional Norwegian flatbread that holds a special place in the country's culinary heritage. Its origins can be traced back to the 16th century, and it has since become a beloved dish served during special occasions like Christmas and weddings. Lefse is characterized by its thin, pliable texture and mild flavor, making it a versatile bread that can be enjoyed in various ways. In this article, we present two delectable recipes for Lefse: the classic potato-based Lefse and a unique variation using almond flour for a gluten-free alternative. Both recipes provide step-by-step instructions to guide you in creating these delicious flatbreads at home. Additionally, we delve into the fascinating history and cultural significance of Lefse, exploring its role in Norwegian traditions and celebrations. Join us on this culinary journey as we uncover the secrets behind this beloved flatbread and discover the joy of making and savoring Lefse.
LEFSE (EASY INSTANT MASHED POTATO VERSION)
Lefse is a traditional Scandinavian flatbread made from potatoes. This easy, instant mashed potato version is perfect for those who want to enjoy lefse without all the effort.
Time 50m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Combine the butter, salt, and boiling water in a large measuring cup. Stir until the butter melts. Place the instant potatoes in a large bowl. Pour the water mixture over the potatoes and stir until incorporated. In another bowl, whisk together the milk and flour until smooth. Add to the potatoes and mix until all is smooth and combined. Cover the bowl and place in the refrigerator just until cooled. Using golf ball sized amounts of the lefse dough, roll out the dough on a lightly floured work surface until very thin. Stack the raw lefse between sheets of waxed paper while you roll out the remaining dough. Heat a non-stick griddle over medium-high heat. Add the lefse one at a time or as many as will fit on the griddle and cook, turning as needed, until browned on both sides. Remove the cooked lefse from the griddle and place in a single layer on a parchment paper lined baking sheet to cool. The lefse can be served slightly warm or let cool completely and store in an airtight container at room temperature. The lefse can also be frozen.
Nutrition Facts :
BASIC LEFSE: NORWEGIAN POTATO FLATBREAD
Steps:
- Gather the ingredients.
- Preheat the oven to 175 F. Peel the potatoes, making sure that no peels or eyes remain. Coarsely chop them into 1-inch pieces.
- In a stockpot, bring water to a boil and add the potatoes. Boil them until they are fork-tender, about 15 to 20 minutes.
- Drain the boiled potatoes well. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bring them into the hot oven for 15 minutes to dry them further.
- Remove the potatoes from the oven and pass them through a ricer . You need them to be finely riced, so twice through the ricer might give you a better texture. You should have at least 4 cups of riced potatoes.
- Mix in the heavy cream, butter, sugar, and salt.
- Mix well and place the potato dough in the refrigerator, covered, to chill overnight.
- Preheat a lefse griddle or your skillet of choice to 425 F. You need a very hot surface to properly cook the lefse. Use a pastry blender to cut the flour into the chilled potatoes, or vigorously knead the flour in until you have a smooth dough.
- With the help of an ice cream scoop, divide the dough into 16 to 20 biscuit-sized balls.
- Generously flour a pastry cloth or board and a rolling pin. Roll out each piece of dough into a 12-inch circle, dusting with more flour as needed.
- Carefully lift the circle with a lefse stick or the handle of a flat wooden spatula. Transfer it quickly to the griddle.
- Cook the lefse on the griddle until brown spots begin to appear.
- Flip and cook the other side.
- Remove the cooked lefse to a plate lined with a damp clean cloth to cool. Cover with another damp cloth. Continue to cook the remaining dough balls until you've used all of the dough.
- Serve the lefse smeared with butter to taste and a sprinkle or two of sugar.
- Enjoy.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 181 kcal, Carbohydrate 31 g, Cholesterol 13 mg, Fiber 2 g, Protein 4 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Sodium 235 mg, Sugar 3 g, Fat 5 g, ServingSize 16 to 20 pieces, UnsaturatedFat 0 g
NORWEGIAN POTATO FLATBREAD (LEFSE)
This is my take on Norwegian flatbread. Without really knowing what I was doing, these came out delightfully tender, supple, almost fabric-like in texture, and tasting deliciously like something between a crepe and a potato pancake. They're traditionally served with butter and a sprinkle of sugar, but I also enjoy them with some smoked salmon, sour cream, and fresh dill. My other favorite topping combo is butter and some kind of berry jam and sour cream.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Bread Quick Bread Recipes
Time 4h55m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Line an oven-safe skillet or baking pan with aluminum foil.
- Poke the potato skin all over with a knife and place on the prepared pan.
- Roast in the preheated oven until very tender and easily pierced with a knife, about 1 hour. Let sit until cool enough to handle but still very warm.
- Scoop potato flesh out into a bowl. Mash smooth with the back of a spatula until there are no lumps left. You can also use a potato ricer. Add the butter and mix until it disappears. Add the salt, sugar, and cream; mix until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until chilled, about 2 hours.
- Mix in flour in several additions until the dough is able to be kneaded by hand. Add enough flour to form a soft, but not too sticky, dough. You need to be able to roll it out fairly thin without it falling apart.
- Wrap dough with plastic and refrigerate until chilled, about 1 hour.
- Divide dough into 8 portions. Dust each with flour and roll out onto a well-floured kitchen towel to 1/8-inch thick, or thinner.
- Heat a very lightly buttered nonstick pan over medium-high heat. Cook the lefse in the hot pan, poking the surface lightly with a fork, until golden brown blisters form, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Stack on a plate as they're cooked and keep covered with a towel. Serve warm.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 139.2 calories, Carbohydrate 20.7 g, Cholesterol 15.9 mg, Fat 5.1 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 2.7 g, SaturatedFat 3.1 g, Sodium 296.9 mg, Sugar 0.9 g
NORWEGIAN POTATO LEFSA
Traditional Norwegian Potato Lefsa that's usually reserved for holiday meals. NOTE: It is important that dough balls stay cold till they are rolled out.
Provided by Thomas
Categories Side Dish Potato Side Dish Recipes
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Peel potatoes and place them in a large pot with a large amount of water. Bring water to a boil, and let the potatoes boil until soft. Drain and mash well.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 8 cups mashed potatoes, cream, butter, salt, and sugar. Cover potatoes and refrigerate over night.
- Mix flour into the mashed potatoes and roll the mixture into balls about the size of tennis balls, or smaller depending on preference. Keep balls of dough on plate in the refrigerator.
- Taking one ball out of the refrigerator at a time, roll dough balls out on a floured board. To keep the dough from sticking while rolling it out, it helps to have a rolling pin with a cotton rolling pin covers.
- Fry the lefsa in a grill or in an iron skillet at very high heat. If lefsa brown too much, turn the heat down. After cooking each piece of lefsa place on a dishtowel. Fold towel over lefsa to keep warm. Stack lefsa on top of each other and keep covered to keep from drying out.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 755.6 calories, Carbohydrate 133.4 g, Cholesterol 50.9 mg, Fat 18.1 g, Fiber 12.2 g, Protein 16.6 g, SaturatedFat 10.9 g, Sodium 989.4 mg, Sugar 5.5 g
INSTANT POTATO NORWEGIAN LEFSE
This is a traditional Norwegian dish that my Great Grandmother, Mina Taylor, would make that was handed down to us. As children, we always had lefse for our Christmas Morning breakfast. I found an easy way using instant potatoes and this makes the process a lot easier to make the lefse in the mornings! We would eat the cooked lefse by rolling the lefse in cooked bacon with cream cheese and it is so good that way! I am not including the refrigeration time, which could be anywhere from 2 hours to overnight, which is what I do when I make them for Christmas morning. You could also try using a gluten free flour to see if it would be used for a gluten free diet.
Provided by LDSMom128
Categories Potato
Time 30m
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large saucepan or pot, bring the water to boil and add the milk, butter, sugar, and salt. When the milk has come to a boil, add the potato flakes and stir until smooth. Pour the potatoes into a large bowl and refrigerate.
- When ready to make the lefse, take out 2 cups of potatoes at a time and add 1 to 1 1/2 cups of flour and stir until it becomes a workable dough. Flour a counter surface and roll the dough out as thin as possible. Cut individual slices with the a round cookie cutter, or the top of a medium sized glass.
- Add about 1 tsp oil to a skillet pan and cook the lefse for about 3-5 minutes, or when brown blisters start to form on the top. Flip and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
- Continue to cook the individual slices until the potato dough is gone. You may be able to cook several lefse at a time if you have a large enough skillet, if not cook one at a time. Any leftover cooked lefse may be refrigerate and used for about 3-5 more days.
INSTANT POTATO LEFSE
Make and share this Instant Potato Lefse recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Sageca
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h
Yield 100 3-inch pieces
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Place dry ingredients into 3 quart bowl.
- In a saucepan, bring to boil water, milk, Half & Half, and margarine.
- Stir liquid into bowl of potato mixture until smooth.
- Refrigerate overnight.
- Lefse dough:.
- Work together with hands until flour has been absorbed. If sticky, add more flour. Place about 1 cup of dough on floured board and roll as thin as possible.
- Cut with 4-inch cookie cutter or 1 pound coffee can.
- Bake on hot griddle until light brown blisters appear; turn to complete baking. (Electric skillet or pancake griddle set at 400 degrees F.).
- Repeat process until all of potato mixture is used. Yield: 100 (3-inch) pieces.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 41.3, Fat 3.1, SaturatedFat 0.7, Cholesterol 1.2, Sodium 106.2, Carbohydrate 2.9, Fiber 0.2, Sugar 0.4, Protein 0.5
Tips:
- For the best results, use fresh mashed potatoes. Leftover mashed potatoes can be used, but they may not produce as light and fluffy lefse.
- Make sure the mashed potatoes are completely cooled before using them in the lefse dough.
- If the dough is too sticky, add more flour a little at a time until it is smooth and easy to handle.
- When rolling out the lefse, use a light touch and roll the dough as thinly as possible. This will help to create a delicate and crispy lefse.
- Cook the lefse over medium heat in a lightly greased skillet. Cook each side for 1-2 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Serve the lefse warm with your favorite toppings, such as butter, sugar, cinnamon, or jam.
Conclusion:
Instant potato Norwegian lefse is a quick and easy way to make this traditional Norwegian flatbread. With just a few ingredients, you can create a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Whether you serve it plain or with your favorite toppings, instant potato Norwegian lefse is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.
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