WinterWinter
During winter time I love making comforting food that warms me up, such as soups, stews and casseroles. Often, when enjoying my meal I can hear the very strong winter wind screaming at the windows and if you peek outside you might see a blizzard covering up everything in snow. And you wonder where you parked your car because you might not find it in the morning. Icelandic winters can be harsh and when Mother Nature is determined to keep you inside, the best thing to do is cook something nice. When I was a little girl we often had to leave our house through the balcony on the first floor because there was so much snow in front of the main door on the ground floor we couldn't get out. We rode snowmobiles to school and in the evenings we laid out in the snow watching the Northern Lights dance around in the sky. I am not fond of the cold winters which is why I am like a bear that goes into hibernation. I just want to be inside in my warm house (all houses in Iceland have geothermal heating which means that the houses are some of the comfiest and warmest you can find).
The recipes that I have collected in this category really reflect the long winter days when the only thing you want to do is crawl under a warm blanket with a mug of lovely, chunky soup.
Moroccan Orange and Olive Salad
This is a exceptionally lovely salad and a bit different than the salads we are used to since there is no lettuce or anything green in it.
Mulled Wine/Glögg (non-alcoholic)
Mulled wine usually contains red wine combined with spices and sugar. The reason for the additional spices was to make the wine drinkable again in the old days (since it often went bad).
Mulligatawny (Indian Vegetable Soup)
This soup is Anglo-Indian i.e. the influence is both from Asia and Europe.
Mushroom Soup
I think I would have to vote this one of my all time favourite soup recipes. It is simple, cheap, easy and that is always a good combination in my view.
Mussels and Potato Soup
In Iceland lots of people pick fresh mussels from the coastline. There are several places you can do this and one very popular is in the South-western part of the island.
Orange and Cinnamon Tea
I love the scent of oranges and cinnamon. There is something very soothing about that lovely combination of sweet and spicy.
Orange, Carrot and Ginger Juice
This is a lovely juice and one you could easily buy (overpriced, mind you) in a juice bar or a health food store as it is a classic combination.
Oven Baked Root Vegetables
There is nothing better than preparing this dish with your own vegetables from the garden.
Oven Baked Vegetables with Pasta
A very simple and cheap dish, perfect for the mid week headache of "what should I have for dinner?".
Pad Thai Noodles
This is a very healthy version of Pad Thai noodles and I often use both tofu and vegetables only in this recipe and it still tastes grate.
Pear and Ginger Juice
This is a very cleansing and refreshing drink, perfect when pears are in season. Pears are rich in fibre and vitamin C and are very good for cleansing our systems.
Pearl Barley baked with Spinach, Garlic and Mushrooms
This is a light yet healthy meal, perfect as a light dinner. It is packed with complex carbohydrates, iron, folate and other vitamins and minerals.
Pesto, Parmesan and Olive Bread
I tried these bread rolls with an African Zanzibar tomato soup I often make.
Pinto Beans and Vegetables from Rwanda
In February 2008 I went gorilla trekking in Rwanda. It was absolutely magical.
Porridge
I don't understand people that can go to work or school on an empty stomach. It is like driving your car without fuel...now you wouldn't do that would you?
Pumpkin and Banana Muffins
Pumpkins (the meat) are very high in carotenoids which gives pumpkins their deep orange colour (the same compound as in carrots).
Pumpkin and Walnut Loaf
This is the perfect bread for savoury or sweet toppings/fillings, depending on your mood! I sometimes team it up with hummus or cheese or, if I am in a sweet mood I use jam or peanut butter.
Rhubarb and Strawberry Smoothie
When we were kids growing up in Iceland every neighbour had a garden plot outside their home with potatoes, carrots, cauliflower and rhubarb.
Rice Patties
This recipe was given to me by a friend of mine named Lisa Hjalt. She got the recipe from her friend named Sigga Runa.
Shrimp Salad
This is a classic, Icelandic salad, served with bread, on crackers, as sandwich fillings and often when there is a gathering of people such as for birthdays.
Spaghetti Bolognese (with Minced Soy Meat)
Although I was not at all fond of meat in my early years (and I am of course a vegetarian today) I loved the tomato sauce which surrounded the meat balls my mother made in her "spaghetti and meat b
Spaghetti ya Mboga (Spaghetti with Roasted Vegetables)
This recipe really surprised me I must say. I left the tomatoes simmering for a long time and that really made the flavours pop.
Spicy Christmas Fruit Loaf
Although the loaf seems quite complicated to prepare it is actually fairly easy, especially if you are able to break the task down over a few days (chop the fruits on day one, prepare the batter on
Sunflower and Sesame-seed Bread
Sunflower- and sesame seeds are such a wonderful and healthy duo. They fit in almost every bread recipe (unless you are allergic of course).
