Lefse - a Norwegian Tradition
Serving Lefse (pronounced "lef-suh") during the holidays is a tradition in my family. Having lefse on the Thanksgiving or Christmas table was always a given, and it wasn't until the last few years that my grandma stopped making it (and I really miss having it!).
Lefse looks like a tortilla, but is in fact a Norwegian potato flat bread. It can be used as a sweet treat or as part of a savory course of a meal. There are several variations of the lefse recipe, each handed down from one generation to the next. I happen to think my family's recipe is best. And I tell you - of all the dishes served for our family's Thanksgiving and Christmas meals, lefse is my absolute favorite. It even beats the turkey stuffing, in my opinion!
Keep reading for more information about Lefse, as well as some products to help you include lefse into your family's holiday tradition.
My Family's Lefse Recipe
The best lefse recipe - thanks to my Great-Grandma Alice!
Well... I'm not sure I can reveal this recipe yet. I need to talk to Grandma first, just to see if she minds.Now, I don't anticipate any problems because our family really isn't one to keep secrets. Well, there ARE some secrets, because someone might threaten another that "I'll never talk to you again if you tell..." But we eventually find out anyways because the aunts all have loose lips. Grandma can keep a good secret, though.
Grandma didn't threaten me when she handed over the recipe, but since this is the best lefse recipe in the world, I just can't reveal it... yet. Check back!
What You Need to Make Lefse
Heat up that lefse grill!
Any way of passing down our familiy heritage is a good thing. And I suspect my kids will pass the swordfighting turning sticks to their kids!
Silverstone® Heritage Lefse Grill
Amazon Price: $89.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
Lefse Accessory Kit with Flour Mix
Amazon Price: $44.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
Lefse Rolling Pin, Grooved
Amazon Price: $22.95 (as of 07/19/2008)
Bethany Pastry Board and Cloth Set
Amazon Price: $22.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
Bethany Lefse Apron
Amazon Price: $22.99 (as of 07/19/2008)
Yummy Ways to Eat Lefse
Fill your belly with lefse!
In my family, lefse is enjoyed as a sweet treat. We spread softened butter on the lefse and then sprinkle it with either white or brown sugar. One of my aunts simply spreads peanut butter on it, and some people spread it with jelly. Then it needs to be rolled up to eat (a piece of lefse is often around 10-12" in diameter).Some savory ways to eat lefse include wrapping it around the more traditional lutefisk (lye-preserved whitefish - NOT liked by this Swedish/Norwegian girl!) or sausages. Also, meatballs can be wrapped in lefse, as can beef, ham and eggs, and anything else you can imagine.
Norwegian Food for the Holidays
Lefse is a must for the holildays!
The Last Word on Lefse
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 07/19/2008)
The Great Scandinavian Baking Book
Amazon Price: $12.89 (as of 07/19/2008)
OooLaLa! Lefse
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 07/19/2008)
Kitchen of Light: The New Scandinavian Cooking
Amazon Price: $18.21 (as of 07/19/2008)
Norwegian Touches: History, Recipes, Folk Arts Notably Norwegian
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 07/19/2008)
Learn Norwegian so you can Eat Lefse in Norway!
Uff Da!
Or, perhaps you want to travel to Norway to taste some genuine Norwegian lefse (not that the lefse made by Norwegian-Americans is any less genuine, but there is something about eating ethnic foods in their native lands!).
These instructional books and CD's will have you saying "uff da!" like a true-blue Norwegian!
Teach Yourself Norwegian Complete CoursePackage (Book + 2CDs) (Teach Yourself Complete Language Courses)
Amazon Price: $18.45 (as of 07/19/2008)
Pimsleur Norwegian: Learn to Speak and Understand Norwegian with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur)
Amazon Price: $32.97 (as of 07/19/2008)
Colloquial Norwegian: A Complete Language Course (Colloquial Series (Multimedia))
Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)
Talk Now! Learn Norwegian - Beginning Level
Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)
Norwegian-English Dictionary: A Pronouncing and Translating Dictionary of Modern Norwegian (Bokmal and Nynorsk) with a Historical and Grammatical Introduction
Amazon Price: $19.77 (as of 07/19/2008)
Norwegian Clothing
Selbu Orkla Norwegian Cardigan Women's
Amazon Price: (as of 07/19/2008)
Lefse Grills on eBay
Time to make some lefse!
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Norske on CafePress
Lefse Lovers Unite!
And you don't even have to be Norwegian!
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Thanks bunches!
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kathysart
~~*~~ Posted March 24, 2008 |
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VenniCaprice
I have that when I go to Norway at Epcot in disney world!! its so yummy :) Posted January 16, 2008 |
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juliekatherine
This is a great lens. Very informative and different. You have wonderful heritage and it is great you are sharing it here. Posted November 26, 2007 |
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rockycha
excellent lens! high fives! Posted November 24, 2007 |
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DebraD
Awesome lens and great lefse resource...Holiday dinners are not the same without lefse! I'll have to check back for the recipe ;) Posted November 23, 2007 |
