Vegetable dishes
I am a vegetarian and have been so from a very young age. I absolutely hate the smell and taste of lamb which is, for an Icelandic person similar to being an Italian person and not eating pizza. I remember during our Christmas dinners I used to look forward to the asparagus soup that my mother served before the main course, roast pork (a traditional Christmas dinner in Iceland). I could hardly eat it and always asked for a second helping of the asparagus soup which I dipped the super soft bread in (only served with the Christmas dinner). The other reason for my being vegetarian is because of animal welfare. The standard of animal welfare is not exemplary in Iceland although probably not as bad as in many other countries. The cows and sheep graze all day during the summer and the lamb is inherently organic and free range as it only grazes in the mountain during the summer, eating herbs and grass before it is slaughtered. Chicken and pork on the other hand is a totally different matter and the dreadful battery conditions exist her as they do elsewhere. My husband is therefore a vegetarian whenever we visit or live in Iceland because thankfully he agrees with my policies.
I use beans, peas and pulses, potatoes, vegetables, tofu, nuts, pasta and more when creating my vegetarian dishes. Some of them include free range and organic eggs or milk products as I am not vegan. I never fry/deep fry food, ever, although sometimes I stir fry vegetables. I bake everything I can (such as baking nut patties/cutlets/burgers) instead of frying them, saving a billion calories and fat. For Christmas I usually create a nut roast with loads of side dishes.
4 Market Place Cafe's Broccoli and Leek Soup
Maria and Pete are dear friends of ours who used to own and run a cafe called 4 Market Place in central London (very close to where we used to live).
Asparagus Soup
I could not believe my taste buds when I first tried out this asparagus soup. It was so good and not at all what I had envisioned when I set out to create a more healthy version of the soup.
Autumn Soup with Sweet Potatoes and Apples
This must be the perfect autumn soup! It is warming, slightly sweet (not too much though), mild and packed with vitamin C. This soup is quite popular with kids and easy on the stomach.
Baked Sweet Potatoes with Cheese and Salsa
I love sweet potatoes. They taste lovely and are super healthy too, packed with vitamins A and C, fibre, and antioxidants. They are also very filling and cheap.
Black Bean and Sweetcorn Soup
This is an easy mid-week soup, perfect for the left over vegetables found at the back of the fridge.
Burritos
If I ask my husband what he would like to have for dinner, without hesitating he always says "Burritos". He absolutely adores these burritos and no wonder because they are actually quite lovely.
Carrot Fritters
These fritters could be named carrot cakes (as they might be called in some countries). However I can't use the name 'cake' with anything savoury.
Cauliflower and Potato Soup
Since we don't have a very warm climate in Iceland our only hope for growing something we can eat is potatoes and hardy vegetables such as cauliflower, broccoli, beets, carrots etc.
Cauliflower Soup
I remember when I was a young girl (ok not THAT long ago), the kids in my neighbourhood used to attend a large garden where each kid had a plot for growing vegetables (we are not able to grow
Chickpea Patties with Yoghurt Garlic Dressing
I usually make a whole lot of these patties and freeze. The patties are excellent when re-heated and can also be enjoyed cold as in a lunch box with a little yoghurt garlic dressing.
Chickpea Soup
I love Jamie Oliver's recipes and his whole philosophy on and approach to food, which is "use organic, local ingredients and avoid the junk". This is an adaptation of one of his recipes.
Chinese Five Spice Vegetable Noodles
'Five Spice' is a seasoning regularly used in Chinese food. It should be available in most supermarkets (and some health food stores), just ensure it contains only spices, not additives.
Chunky Potato Wedges with Guacamole and Salsa
This is a very healthy snack, perfect as a light lunch or a starter before the barbecue.
Coconut and Lime Soup
This soup is amazingly versatile as the base itself is perfect for all kinds of vegetables, sea food or even chicken or rice.
Crêpes with Garlic Sauce, Shiitake Mushrooms and Spinach
One day I looked into my fridge and cupboards and the ingredients listed below are the same ones I had available that day.
Crêpes with Pearl Barley, Mushrooms and Mustard Sauce
I love crêpes...the French pancakes originating from Brittany in France.
Curry Nut Loaf
This is my favourite nut loaf. It is originally from a book called World Food Cafe in London. The cafe is amazing and so is the book, I definitely recommend both!
Dhal (Lentil Soup) with Pumpkin and Coconut Milk
I actually had to bake this soup in an oven proof baking dishes since the gas on my stove finished, just in the middle of my cooking!
East African Vegetable Soup with Nuts and Sweet Potatoes
This is a substantial soup and for those who think that soups are "not a meal" (like my dear father), think again because with all these ingredients you can't help but feel satisfied and full.
Egg-drop Soup with Sweetcorn
This is a very cheap, easy and simple soup to make and is light as well. I really like that combination! I often make this recipe mid week when time is limited.
French Fries (Chips)
I would never, ever, ever buy deep fried French fries or any other deep fried food for that matter because in my view, anything that is "cooked" in that way is completely ruined.
Grilled Bread with Tomato Sauce, Carrots and Cheese
Just before you shake your head in disgust, keep in mind that the tomato sauce I use is NOT the usual, disgusting, red sauce (sometimes called ketchup, filled with additives and sugar) that many people buy and put on everything, especially on children's food.
Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
This must be the shortest recipe on this website. The ingredient's list has one ingredient only...sweet potatoes!
Grilled Vegetable Sandwiches
I often make these when I have some "past their best" vegetables in the fridge. My husband absolutely loves these sandwiches and I have to admit, so do I.
Hadda's Tomato Soup
Hadda Fjola Reykdal is a friend of mine I met in art school. We studied the beautiful art of printmaking (a technique which I absolutely adore) although she is now a renowned painter.
