Icelandic Ponnokukur Recipes

Steps:

• Cook the maple bread in two batches: Heat a large, heavy skillet over medium heat and, when hot, add 1/4 cup of the maple syrup, 1 1/2 tablespoons of the butter and a pinch of salt. Add 4 slices of the bread and immediately flip to coat in the buttery maple syrup. Cook, flipping often with a butter knife, until the bread is lacquered with the syrup and takes on a toasted look and the bottom of the pan is coated with just a dry film, about 4 minutes.
• Transfer the maple bread to a lightly oiled plate to cool. (Repeat the process with the remaining pieces of bread.)
• Smear a chunk of soft cheese into the bread and serve immediately.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, cardamom and nutmeg and set aside. In another bowl, beat the eggs until smooth. In alternating turns, add half of the flour mixture and half of the milk to the eggs, whisking until combined; repeat with the remaining flour and milk. Mix in the cream and vanilla. Let the batter sit 30 minutes, refrigerated.
• Preheat a crepe pan over medium-high heat. Rub with a stick of butter to lightly coat the pan--the butter should foam but not brown. Swirl up 3 to 4 tablespoons of batter into the pan, tilting the pan to thinly and evenly cover the entire surface. When the edges turn golden (after about 30 seconds), flip the pancake with an offset spatula or pie server, and brown the other side. Flip the pan upside down over a large plate, dropping the pancake onto the plate. Repeat with the remaining batter.
• Serve immediately, or stack the pancakes with a layer of parchment between each. They can be wrapped tightly in plastic and frozen, or used within 2 days (stored wrapped at room temperature).

Steps:

• Put the whole, unpeeled potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and simmer gently until a fork goes through the potatoes with little resistance, about 40 minutes.
• Cut the potatoes into smaller chunks and press through a ricer. If you don't have a ricer, peel the potatoes and mash with a fork or masher. Measure out 4 loosely-packed cups of riced potatoes and put in a large bowl. Heat the heavy cream, butter, sugar and salt in a small pot until the butter melts. Add the butter/cream mixture to the potatoes and mix gently. Put the mashed potatoes in the refrigerator to cool down, about 30 minutes. Once cooled completely, add the flour and work it gently into the potatoes. Do not over work the dough. Allow to rest at room temperature for 10 minutes.
• Take 2 tablespoons of dough and form it into a ball. Sprinkle flour on a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Using a rolling pin, roll out the dough into a very thin circle, about 1/16-inch thick and 7 inches wide. Flour the dough as necessary to avoid sticking.
• Heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Turn the parchment or wax paper upside down and gently peel off the thin circle of dough onto your hand. Place the dough directly in the heated skillet. Cook on one side until some brown speckles start to form, about 1 minute, and then flip the dough and cook for an additional 30 seconds. Transfer the cooked lefse to a plate and keep covered with a clean kitchen towel. Repeat with the remaining dough.
• To serve, spread butter and sprinkle sugar on a warm lefse and roll it up. If the lefse is cold, you can warm it up quickly in a heated skillet.