As promised, here is a recipe for lefse. My grandmothers both made delicious, paper-thin delicacies, and mine is a mere shadow of what I remember eating as a child. Their recipes called for a "little of this, a little of that," so I've had to use some trial and error to find one that works for me. For those of you that have no idea what lefse is, it is a Norwegian flatbread like a tortilla, only made with potatoes.
Disclaimer: All amounts are approximate, and though I make no guarantees I will say that I find lefse to be very easy and forgiving to make. I recommend a generous amount of butter and sugar and cinnamon on each finished lefse for maximum enjoyment!
4 cups mashed potatoes
1/4 cup butter
salt to taste (1-2 tsp)
1-2 cups flour
Mix butter and salt into mashed potatoes. Cool in refrigerator. Knead in flour, without overworking. Form into a log (maybe 3 inches in diam), wrap with plastic wrap and keep chilled until rolled out. Cut off slices of the potato roll and roll out with lefse rolling pin. Use a well-flour surface or pastry cloth, and keep enough flour on the potato slice so it doesn't stick to the rolling pin.
Carefully pick up each rolled lefse piece (a smooth lefse stick is helpful), gently shake of excess flour, and cook on hot, non-stick griddle. Flip when lefse starts to bubble, and has golden speckles. Periodically wipe or brush flour from griddle. Cover finished pieces with cloth, cool completely before storing in fridge in ziplock.
Spread with butter, sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon. Roll up and serve!
I try to not make this too far ahead of time before Christmas, because my family has been known to polish off a batch before I've had a chance to serve it. Lefse-making has been a great family tradition, one we always look forward to. It's easy to make and soooo delicious!
Here is a poem I found at www.lefsetime.com. They also carry Norwegian products and baking supplies.
Yew tak yust ten big potatoes
Den yew boil dem til dar don,
Yew add to dis some sveet cream
And by cups it measures vun.Den yew steal 'tree ounces of butter
And vit two fingers pench some salt,
Yew beat dis wery lightly
If it ain't gude it is your fault.Den yew roll dis tin vit flour
An' light brown on stove yew bake,
Now call in all Scandihuvians
Tew try da fine lefse yew make!
Rachel Anne
