Milk Lefse Recipes

LEFSE I

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.

MILK LEFSE

Steps:

• In a large bowl combine flour, sugar and salt.
• Put milk and lard in pan heat to scalding point.
• When it begins to bubble pour all milk over the flour mixture.
• Keep stirring until all flour has been mixed into the milk.
• Let cool.
• Pinch off walnut size portions and roll THIN. About the size of a dinner plate.
• Bake on lefse iron or large griddle.
• Watch carefully, so not to burn them, it only takes a minute for this step.
• When you see the lefse start to bubble and turn a light brown, flip and bake the other side.
• Lay it on top of waxed paper and keep stacking them up. Keep a piece if waxed paper on top to keep them from drying out.
• Store in airtight container or freeze.
• Butter and sprinkles lightly with sugar, roll up and eat.
• If needed when you're ready to eat place lefse between damp dishtowels to soften, about 15 minutes.

NORWEGIAN LEFSE

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.

LEFSE

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.