Basic Lefse Norwegian Potato Flatbread Food

NORWEGIAN POTATO FLATBREAD (LEFSE)

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.

LEFSE (POTATO FLATBREAD)

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat. Add the potatoes and cook until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain well.
• Rice the potatoes into a large bowl. Add the evaporated milk, oil, sugar and salt and mix well. Let cool, then cover and refrigerate for a few hours and up to overnight.
• When ready to make the lefse, add 2 1/2 cups flour to the potato mixture and mix well. The dough should be sticky and hold together, but not so sticky it's impossible to work with; if necessary, add the remaining 1/2 cup flour. Divide the dough into 2 logs. Cut each log into 9 or 10 pieces and shape into small balls. Work with one dough ball at a time and keep the rest in the fridge.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat (or a lefse grill to 400 degrees F). Generously dust a work surface 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. Roll the disc into a circle about 1/4 inch thick, lifting and flipping frequently so it doesn't stick; use more flour as needed.
• Use a large offset spatula to transfer the lefse to the grill pan (or lefse grill). Cook until the lefse is steaming and small bubbles appear on the uncooked side, about 1 minute. Flip and cook for another 1 minute on the second side. Transfer the lefse to a clean dish towel and cover with another. Repeat, stacking the lefse atop one another between the dish towels.

LEFSE- NORWEGIAN FLAT BREAD

Steps:

• Peel and cut potatoes. Boil in well salted water until soft. Use more salt than you normally would. You do not want to add salt once they are cooked as it will not dissolve as well.
• Drain well and return to pot. Steam for a few minutes to ensure all water has been evaporated.
• Measure out 4 cups of potatoes, packed well. Rice potatoes now while potatoes are still hot. You may have potatoes left over.
• Place riced potatoes in a plastic bowl with a good sealing lid. Add butter and milk and mash with a HAND masher. Do NOT use an electric mixer as it will get sticky.
• Allow to cool on the counter until potatoes are at room temperature then place several paper towels on top, seal tightly with the lid and place in the refrigerator overnight.
• Next day: Much easier to work with. Mix in flour and sugar and form into small balls. Now roll them out thin and flat using a rolling pin, preferably one with grooves and covered with a sock. You can just cut an old CLEAN sock and slide it over the rolling pin.
• Using a lefse stick or a long flat stick or long thin spatula roll the raw lefse around the stick and then unroll onto a HOT griddle (450 degrees) Flip once the first side starts to form bubbles and is lightly browned or freckled. Cook other side just until lightly browned.
• Using stick again remove lefse from griddle to a towel and place a towel on top to keep them warm and pliable.
• Eat warm or store in the refrigerator in a well sealed container lined with more paper towels. Can also be frozen with waxed paper between each lefse.