**Explore the Culinary Delights of Lefse: A Traditional Norwegian Flatbread with a Twist**
Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Norwegian tradition with lefse, a delectable flatbread that has captivated taste buds for centuries. This versatile bread, crafted from simple ingredients like potatoes, flour, and butter, boasts a soft, pliable texture and a subtle, earthy flavor that pairs perfectly with a variety of toppings. From the classic combination of butter, sugar, and cinnamon to creative savory fillings, lefse offers a blank canvas for culinary exploration. Discover the secrets behind this beloved flatbread and delve into a collection of recipes that showcase its versatility, from traditional Norwegian preparations to modern twists that elevate this humble dish to new heights.
LEFSE
Lefse is a Scandinavian flatbread made with potatoes. We traditionally make these delicious breads during the holiday season. Serve them topped with butter and a sprinkle of sugar or jelly, then roll them up. It's hard to eat just one. -Donna Goutermont, Sequim, Washington
Provided by Taste of Home
Time 1h5m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until tender, 10-12 minutes. Drain. Press through a potato ricer or strainer into a large bowl. Stir in cream, shortening, sugar and salt. Cool completely. , Preheat griddle over medium-high heat. Stir flour into potato mixture. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead 6-8 times or until smooth and combined. Divide into 12 portions. Roll each portion between 2 sheets of waxed paper into an 8-in. circle., Place on griddle; cook until lightly browned, 2-3 minutes on each side. Remove to a platter; cover loosely with a kitchen towel. Repeat with remaining portions. When cool, stack lefse between pieces of waxed paper or paper towels and store in an airtight container.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 180 calories, Fat 7g fat (3g saturated fat), Cholesterol 8mg cholesterol, Sodium 151mg sodium, Carbohydrate 27g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 1g fiber), Protein 3g protein.
LEFSE I
A special Scandinavian treat. Beginner lefse makers might want to make only a third of the portion the first time through! Serve any number of ways. A favorite is with butter or margarine and sugar. Some people like cinnamon with this, too. Jellies make an excellent topping as do thinly sliced fried sandwich meat.
Provided by Helen H.
Categories Bread
Yield 16
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- In a large bowl mix together the boiling water, shortening, milk, salt, sugar, and potato flakes. Place in the refrigerator until thoroughly chilled.
- After dough is thoroughly chilled, add the flour, using a pastry blender to cut in.
- Divide dough into 3 equal size portions. Form into 3 logs. Chill thoroughly in the refrigerator.
- Heat an electric griddle to 375 degree F (190 degrees C).
- Divide logs into 8 pieces. Roll to about the size of a 10 inch tortilla. Work additional flour into rounds as needed. Use care to press lightly with rolling pin when forming into rounds as they are much more tender than pie dough. The weight of a large rolling pin is nearly enough.
- Bake on the griddle until each round feels dry but not crisp. Turn frequently.
- Cool on cloth. Cover with an additional cloth. Stack pieces on top of each other as they are baked. The steam will create a more tender product.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 220.8 calories, Carbohydrate 31.8 g, Cholesterol 4.6 mg, Fat 8.2 g, Fiber 1.4 g, Protein 4.8 g, SaturatedFat 2.5 g, Sodium 172 mg, Sugar 2.5 g
NORWEGIAN LEFSE
I was raised on Lefse as a special treat for the holidays. We still make it every holiday season, and this is the best recipe ever. We eat ours with butter and sugar. Note: you will need a potato ricer to prepare this recipe.
Provided by DEBBA7
Categories Bread Quick Bread Recipes
Time 2h
Yield 15
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Cover potatoes with water and cook until tender. Run hot potatoes through a potato ricer. Place into a large bowl. Beat butter, cream, salt, and sugar into the hot riced potatoes. Let cool to room temperature.
- Stir flour into the potato mixture. Pull off pieces of the dough and form into walnut size balls. Lightly flour a pastry cloth and roll out lefse balls to 1/8 inch thickness.
- Cook on a hot (400 degree F/200 C) griddle until bubbles form and each side has browned. Place on a damp towel to cool slightly and then cover with damp towel until ready to serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 367.6 calories, Carbohydrate 71.2 g, Cholesterol 16.3 mg, Fat 6.6 g, Fiber 5.5 g, Protein 6.9 g, SaturatedFat 4 g, Sodium 522.7 mg, Sugar 3.2 g
LEFSE
Lefse, thin potato-dough flatbreads like Scandinavian tortillas, or Oslo injera, can be found on holiday tables throughout the upper Midwest, wherever Norwegian families settled to farm. The recipe is adapted from Ethel Ramstad, 90, who learned it from one Ollie Amundson in North Dakota decades ago. We picked it up when she was teaching it to Molly Yeh, 25, a Chicago-raised food blogger marrying Ms. Ramstad's great-nephew, on a farm in the Red River Valley, right before Thanksgiving. The riced potato mixture that forms the basis of the dough should be very, very cold when it is rolled out, to prevent stickiness. And although you do not need a lefse griddle to make great lefse, a lefse stick - essentially a long, thin, wooden spatula - is an admirable investment in success.
Provided by Sam Sifton
Time 2h20m
Yield About 18 large or 36 small lefse
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Cook potatoes until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well.
- Rice potatoes into a large bowl, continuing until you have 8 cups. Add oil, evaporated milk, sugar and salt, and mix well. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate for a few hours, or overnight.
- When ready to make lefse, add 2 1/2 cups flour and mix well. Divide dough into two logs if you have a lefse grill, and four if you do not. Dough should be sticky and hold together, but not so sticky it's impossible to work with; if necessary, add remaining 1/2 cup flour. Cut each log into 9 or 10 pieces, shape into small balls and place on plates in refrigerator.
- If you have a lefse grill, heat it to 400 degrees. If you don't have a lefse grill, set a wide, low-lipped nonstick pan over medium-high heat.
- Generously dust work space with flour and flour a rolling pin. Roll one dough ball in flour, then use the heel of your hand to press it into a thick disk. If you have a lefse grill, gently roll dough into a large, thin circle (if you are using a regular pan, roll into a thin circle just smaller than the size of your pan), lifting and flipping frequently so it doesn't stick; use more flour as needed. Brush excess flour from dough. Use a lefse stick to carefully transfer to grill (use a thin spatula if cooking in a pan). Cook for 1 minute, or until lefse is steaming and small bubbles appear on uncooked side. Using lefse stick or spatula, flip lefse and cook for 45 seconds or so. Place lefse on a clean dish towel and cover with another. Repeat, stacking lefse atop one another between the dish towels.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 270, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 43 grams, Fat 9 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 225 milligrams, Sugar 7 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- Use high-quality ingredients: The quality of your ingredients will greatly affect the final outcome of your lefse. Use fresh, high-quality potatoes, butter, and cream.
- Cook the potatoes correctly: The potatoes should be cooked until they are very soft and can be easily mashed. Do not overcook them, or they will become gummy.
- Mash the potatoes thoroughly: The potatoes should be mashed until they are very smooth and free of lumps. This will help to create a smooth and creamy lefse.
- Use the right amount of butter and cream: The amount of butter and cream you use will affect the texture of your lefse. For a soft and tender lefse, use more butter and cream. For a crispier lefse, use less butter and cream.
- Roll the lefse thinly: The lefse should be rolled out very thinly, until it is almost translucent. This will help to create a light and flaky lefse.
- Cook the lefse on a hot griddle: The griddle should be hot enough to cook the lefse quickly and evenly. If the griddle is not hot enough, the lefse will not cook properly and will be gummy.
- Serve the lefse warm or cold: Lefse can be served warm or cold. If you are serving it warm, wrap it in a clean kitchen towel to keep it warm. If you are serving it cold, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Conclusion:
Lefse is a delicious and versatile bread that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It is a popular food in Norway and is often served at special occasions. With the right ingredients and a little bit of practice, you can make delicious lefse at home. So next time you are looking for a new bread to try, give lefse a try. You won't be disappointed!
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