ChristmasChristmas
I am quite the Christmas girl. When I was younger EVERYTHING had to be exactly according to tradition or otherwise I felt really bad all Christmas evening. We open up our Christmas presents on the eve of 24th of December, after dinner and desserts. I am not too hung up on the details any more because now I know that it's not what you eat, what you get for presents or how you decorate that is the most important thing. What is important is that you embrace your family, your children, your health and that you thoroughly enjoy the time you spend together. Christmas for me is being thankful for everything you have got in your life. That to me is what Christmas is all about and whether the table runner is red or orange or whether the dessert is chocolate treats or ice cream doesn't matter. At 6pm on the dot the church bells in Iceland start chiming and most families will sit down at around that time, the children squeeky clean wearing their best clothes. Most households will offer meat of some sorts (usually roasted, smoked pork with all the trimmings) and some will offer turkey. For me a lovely asparagus soup, a nut roast (perhaps free range turkey for my husband), healthy sauces, salads and home made bread really make „Christmas” come to life. A couple of lit candles also make the magic. I also make several desserts such as ice creams, confectioneries and cookies to enjoy with our coffee/mulled „wine” afterwards but the most important thing is that we have a roof over our heads, our good health and food in our tummies. For that I am always grateful.
Golden Cinnamon Cookies
I love cinnamon cookies and I always make a whole lot before Christmas. I usually have to make them a couple of times during Christmas since my husband loves them and he is SUCH a cookie monster.
Greek Almond Cookies
These are Greek delights and are perfect as a gluten free treat with an espresso. I often make them myself even though I am not gluten intolerant.
Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
This must be the shortest recipe on this website. The ingredient's list has one ingredient only...sweet potatoes!
Italian Chocolate and Almond Cookies
I love these little treats. They are also fairly healthy, packed with calcium and heart-healthy fats from the almonds.
Jam Cake with Carob Frosting
If you like cakes that are packed with protein, antioxidants, vitamins, healthy fats, complex carbohydrates, are not too sweet and are very filling then this is the cake for you!
Kachumbari (Tomato and Onion Salad) from Africa
This recipe was given to my by my sister in law, Lucy Mwangi who is from Kenya. Wherever I have travelled in East Africa, I have always been served a similar salad.
Lísa's Chocolate Chip Cookies
If you have been using my site you should be familiar with my friend Lísa by now. We are foodie friends and know each other through my website. We share recipes, thoughts on food and much more.
Lisa's French Chocolate Cake
Lisa Hjalt is a dear friend of mine and one of the site's super users. She is a mother of three young children and she also has time to make amazing and healthy food for her whole family.
Lobster Soup (Bisque)
I am not particularly fond of lobster or shrimp although I might eat it a couple of times a year. My husband however loves both.
Lunchbox Salad
I often make a large salad as a side dish to a dinner and pack the rest for my lunch the next day.
Magical Pumpkin in Coconut Sauce
I famously had a very similar side dish once in Nairobi which you can read all about in the The Spinach Dish From the Mystical House in Nairobi's Forest. It is a lovely, slightly sweet side dish with a delicate coconut aftertaste. It is absolutely lovely served with main dishes that include spinach, especially Indian and African food.
Mango and Cashew Ice Cream
This is a wonderful, wonderful ice cream and it is packed with protein, and healthy fats.
Mango and Coconut Ice Cream
This ice cream is a bit of tropical sunshine in a bowl. It doesn't contain any white sugar (only agave nectar) and is lactose (dairy) free, egg free and nut free.
Maple Syrup and Tahini Cookies
These cookies I call "Hlynsíróps- og sesamsmjörssmákökur" in my not-so-smooth mother language, Icelandic.
Maple Syrup and Vanilla Cookies
These are absolutely perfect for Christmas, especially if you cut them into fun shapes such as stars, snowflakes, snowmen or whatever reminds you of the festive season.
Middle Eastern Sesame Treats (Halvah)
There are several different varieties and even names for Halvahs, the healthy Middle Eastern treats.
Mini Fruit Pies with Carob and Cashew Frosting
I love bananas and cashews mixed together, it is such a creamy blend and I often use it as a frosting for cakes as well as in smoothies and ice creams.
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).
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.
Oatmeal and Raisin Cookies
These are typical Christmas cookies in the Icelandic household. My grandmother and mother made similar cookies and my husband's grandmother and my mother in law also made them.
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.
Oven Baked Root Vegetables
There is nothing better than preparing this dish with your own vegetables from the garden.
Peanut Butter Cookies
This must surely be the recipe with the shortest ingredients list ever, only three items! These cookies are very simple to prepare and are moorish and delicious.
