My Lefse Story
Submitted by Peyton Griffin
My Lefse Story
My mother-in-law is Norwegian and Swedish and she introduced us to lefse at her Lutheran Church in Pequot Lakes Minnesota. Every July her church has a lefse sale for Pequot Lakes’ Bean Hole Days, during which the town celebrates it’s heritage by burying beans in a large dutch oven named “Big Bertha” and cooking them overnight on the town green (there are actually 5 dutch ovens now that it’s become so popular). I think my husband, children, and I are the most enthusiastic lefse customers every July.
When I asked my son last Nov. what kind of cake he wanted me to make for his birthday, he said he wanted lefse! I had the Our Savior Lutheran church lefse recipe, but it all seemed a little overwhelming to this Irish-German-Welsh-English American gal! Fortunately, I found Lefsetime.com and their video made lefse-making alot less intimidating. I also wanted a griddle and lefse stick, which I was able to buy from their website.
I’m happy to say that my first attempt was successful — only one lefse fell apart! — and I’ve made lefse several times since then. The kids thought it was so amusing watching me learn how to make lefse that they made a video of the whole process. My husband said that the church ladies seemed like a well-oiled machine compared to me — and not nearly as hilarious.
Oh well, even if I’m a little more rambunctious and my lefse aren’t quite so perfect looking, they taste pretty darn good!
Glogg Recipe
Glögg is the traditional winter drink during the six weeks leading up to December 25–a cold, dark time of year in Scandinavia. Glogg resembles a variety of historical mulled wines, like wassail.
Note: For a nonalcoholic version, use water or orange juice, and substitute 3 cups Concord grape juice for the wine. Omit sugar, and follow glögg procedure.
Lundquist Glögg Drink
Lefse Makes Me Think of Cousins and Christmas Fun
Out on the farm for Christmas, my Polish relatives made awesome treats and foods, full of sugar and sweetness.
The freezer was full and the old wood stove worked hard.
Now in town for Christmas, my Norwegian relatives brought lutefisk and lefse. I was a sad kid, yuck.
So we all tasted the lutefisk, oh my that was bad. Now it’s time for lefse, I am nervous.
My relatives all showed us kids how to butter the lefse and then sprinkle with brown sugar. Wow, that was yummy, and the memory makes me think of cousins and Christmas fun.
Peace, Kris
PS: my spell check did not know the word “lefse”
Favorite Lefse Story…
Submitted by Sera J. Stevens
Favorite Lefse Story…
My son Nick (who had never tried Lefse in his life)…. I had to “twist his arm” to try it after explaining what it was made of and him insisting it should be “hot” with something “salty” on it like a patato pancake!!!! Needless to say, he ate the entire two pack I had purchased (covered with pear butter and brown sugar) and I had to go back for more for the rest of the family…It has now become something I have to keep in the freezer for when his friends come by so he can “share” this new found food which he dearly loves!
