Zoë Bakes Deep Dive: Nordic Treats
Lefse, krumkake, Swedish cream, and more.
One of my favorite activities as a child was playing dress-up in my Granny’s jewelry box. For the most part, it was filled with 1970s brightly colored plastic baubles that looked like candy. However, deep in the box, below the costume jewelry, wrapped in velvet, were the Norwegian Sølje pins. They were clearly special and not just for play.
I always knew they carried a story with them, but was too young to understand that they represented the Larson family's journey from Norway. My Granny was very proud of her Norwegian heritage and spoke of it often and always at the holidays, which was the only time she wore the pins. Not only did she gift me a pin when I got married (something old), but she left her collection to me when she passed away, along with photo albums of the Larsons in Norway and her recipe box. The costume jewelry is long gone.
Those recipes were featured in Episode 10 | Season 2 of Zoë Bakes. You can join my dad and me as we make Lefse for the very first time with Deb Simon and a group of women at the Historic Trondhjem Church, who have carried their families’ traditions for generations. Not only did they share their recipes (Extras subscribers: you’ll find them below) and techniques for making lefse with us, but also their journey in food and a few other Nordic Treats!
I’m so grateful to have had this time with my dad and to learn more about the culture and food that was so important to my Granny.
Season 2 | Episode 10: Nordic Treats
Zoë pays tribute to her Nordic heritage by preparing Swedish cream and krumkake, a pressed cookie, and visiting a ladies' church group for a lesson in making the traditional Norwegian flatbread, lefse.
Lefse
A super-simple and surprisingly delicious Norwegian flatbread made by mixing mashed potato, flour, and butter together, rolling it thin, and cooking it on a griddle. The recipes are all similar and yet every Norwegian family seems to have their own secret way of making them. Some like a thicker pancake and others roll until you can read through the dough. Having the right equipment makes the process easier and it all gets passed down through the generations. I just ordered my own Lefse kit and can’t wait to roll them out with the boys for the holidays.
Topping them is up to you. I’ve been told they are served with savory dishes but I’ve always had them with butter and lingonberry jam or a dusting of sugar that’s been spiced with cardamom. Serve with a cup of Deb Simon’s Gløgg (recipe below for Extras subscribers).
There were so many delicious recipes in this episode. Don’t forget to try them all! And if you have made any of these recipes, please don’t forget to leave them a rating/review!