BajaNomad

Julekake and Lefse for Baja Christmas

Pompano - 12-25-2009 at 09:51 AM

God jul

We think..and hope... you will like this addition to your Christmas feast. If not, at least you will find out something about why us Norskis are mostly XXL.

Some of my best Christmas memories are of my Dad making Julekake for us on Christmas Day. In my family the father did that baking...nobody else could go near his mixing bowl on this holiday.

Well, there were no problems from all of us. You just can't beat the smell of bread baking and Dad was a great baker...both in the house and on the trail. The best way to eat this bread is still warm from the oven or even better - toasted and slathered with real butter.



We hope you'll enjoy my family's favorite Christmas bread. If you hurry, there is still time to make it.

Prep Time: 2 hours, 30 minutes
Cook Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients:
1/2 cup margarine
2 cups milk
1/2 cup water
8 cups flour, divided
2 packages rapid rise yeast
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
2 cups mixed diced candied fruit
1 bottle of good red wine
1 wine glass
kiss the wife or co-pilot

Preparation:

Melt margarine with milk and water. In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of flour with dry ingredients. Add margarine mixture and combine with an electric mixer. Beat until batter falls in sheets from beaters.

Stir in candied fruit. Gradually add remaining flour; knead dough until smooth and elastic, 6 to 8 minutes. Shape dough into a ball, and place in a greased bowl. Cover. Let rise in a warm place (80 to 85 degrees F) until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down and place on pastry board; shape into 2 loaves. Place each in a greased 9 x 5 x 3-inch loaf pan. Brush tops of loaves with milk. Cover and let rise until doubled in bulk, 45 to 50 minutes.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 to 40 minutes or until lightly browned.

Place hot fresh loaf on a cutting board. Have butter dish (REAL BUTTER ONLY!) and maybe some homemade raspberry jam at hand. Only one person at a time should attempt slicing this bread. Eat, smile, enjoy.


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NEXT: REAL NORSK LEFSE


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LEFSE RECIPE:

....Forget it. You don't have enough time to make a traditional Norsk lefse recipe. You should have started yesterday.

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If I can find some time later..when the Julekake is all gone, I will post a good potato lefse recipe for you. (Think Norsk Tortilla.)


Okay, enough for now. God Jul! Merry Christmas All!


I gotta go try out my new Red Ryder BB gun.


[Edited on 12-26-2009 by Pompano]

David K - 12-25-2009 at 10:01 AM

You would have been a big hit at our local House of Norway and 'Viking Fish Club Odin'... I was a member (fish club name: 'Balder'), having a small bit of Norsk blood... and I like to eat fish and drink beer and Aquavit! SKOL!

KurtG - 12-25-2009 at 10:03 AM

I do miss those Up North country Christmas family gatherings where all the ladies worked at outdoing each other in the quality and QUANTITY of those wonderful Norsk baked goods.

Also lefse hot off the grill rolled up with a little butter, cinnamon, and sugar was incredibly good when the outside temp was -20!

ELINVESTIG8R - 12-25-2009 at 10:04 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano


I gotta go try out my new Red Ryder BB gun.


Don't, you'll shot your eye out, kid!

Bajahowodd - 12-25-2009 at 12:26 PM

Guess I now know why there aren't any Norwegian restaurants.:lol:

Pompano - 12-25-2009 at 12:45 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Guess I now know why there aren't any Norwegian restaurants.:lol:


Really? May I suggest you try Bloms the next time you're in Oslo.

Merry Christmas. :rolleyes:

Mexicorn - 12-25-2009 at 01:04 PM

Thank you for the reciepe. There something very Chuckie like with the grimace on the little boys smile on the painting. Maybe he laced the cookies with ruffey's so that you will wake up in a bathtub full of ice with a couple of organs missing......
Or more likely a planed trip to the Norse taxidermist in order.

The little girl show a remakable likeness to Majorie drake....
I understand she has a room up at her place in San Antonio del mar that has a downstairs room with the mounted heads of prior nomads. A fiendish little woman.

vandenberg - 12-25-2009 at 01:49 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
May I suggest you try Bloms the next time you're in Oslo.


As a born European, not too familiar with the Oslo location.
How far a drive from, say Bismark.:?: Ferry service :?:
Love to try some of that Norsk chow. Similar to that great Dutch cuisine, maybe.:?:

Pompano - 12-25-2009 at 04:56 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by vandenberg
Quote:
Originally posted by Pompano
May I suggest you try Bloms the next time you're in Oslo.


As a born European, not too familiar with the Oslo location.
How far a drive from, say Bismark.:?: Ferry service :?:
Love to try some of that Norsk chow. Similar to that great Dutch cuisine, maybe.:?:


Hola Ed...Norsk cuisine is some of my favorite food in the world. The tastes, textures, and charm in preparing and serving are second to none. Of course it is traditional with me.. plus all about family and friends serving quality food. Especially at Christmas time.

BLOMS is one of my two favorite places to eat in Oslo, but then, I am slighty predujiced. I go back to visit often. My ancestors come from a seacoast area with lots of fish and game. My last name loosely translates to.. 'house at the end of a fjord...or just 'fjord house'.

(I think it also means 'baby carriage' in Olde Duetsch. My ancient Viking brethren may have done a little rampaging and plundering down your way.... )

Ed, Blom's is in central Oslo, by a shopping centre called Paleet's. It's all excellent traditional Norwegian seafood and game dishes...and some great libations. Some of the menu would read like this: Grilled reindeer with a warm walnut cream sauce (I knew you'd love that!)..also redfish and scallops with sea grass and saffron spuds. The outstanding dessert menu will feature such delicacies as iced soufflé of hazelnut filled with Frangilco and served with an almond basket of fresh berries. If you decide to try Blom's, make reservations well in advance...you'll never get walk-in service.

Bloms address is: Karljohans gate 39/41, Oslo 0162
phone: 23-13-95-00 · FAX: 22-42-04-28


My other Oslo eatery:

BABETTE'S GJESTEHUS
Roald Amundsens gate 6, Rådhuspassasjen, Oslo 0160
Phone: 22-41-64-64 · FAX: 22-41-64-63

Locals and most of my relatives think Babette's is one of Oslo's finest eateries. It has an older Norsk home decor with blue walls, antiques, and lace curtains. If you like game dishes like me, try the pheasant breast with fresh-picked mushrooms, the succulent marinated rabbit...or maybe a reindeer roast with lingonberries? Well, don't mean to scare the timid palates too much, as the menu includes many other dishes. Americans love this place, and soon learn to make reservations well in advance.

Bon appetite! and send me some Banketstaaf, okay?



[Edited on 12-26-2009 by Pompano]

doradodan - 12-25-2009 at 06:49 PM

grew up in north dakota, lefse, coogen bread, lutefisk. good memories. lefse with butter and sugar mmmm

BajaNuts - 12-25-2009 at 07:30 PM

where's some carrageenan when you need it?:?: