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.
Almond Cookies with Chocolate Frosting
Almonds are packed with calcium and protein and macadamia nuts also contain healthy stuff, notably the mono-unsaturated fats which are good for our heart.
A Selection of Baked Fruits with Ice Cream
I quite like warm, ripe fruits. I first had this dessert after dinner one time at my brother's place. Smári, my youngest brother is a very good cook and so is his wife Anna Stína.
Almond and Pine Nut Cake with Sweet Potato Frosting
You might think it strange to make a cake with a sweet potato frosting? Sounds ridiculous, I know. You will have to trust me on this one though.
Almond Coconut Loaf with a Bilberry Base
I love fresh blueberries, especially the lovely bilberries found in the Icelandic highlands (and in some other parts of the world).
Apple and Walnut Cake
This cake is very heart friendly and good for you since it contains omega 3 fatty acids, a special type of protective fat the body can not manufacture.
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.
Australian ANZAC Biscuits
I have read several stories about the origin of the ANZAC Biscuits (never to be called cookies) and some myths are prevalent.
Avocado and Cantaloupe Salad with Lemon Grass Dressing
I love this salad, especially in the summertime. Cantaloupes are packed with Beta Carotene (which are converted into vitamin A in our bodies) and vitamin C and are very good for our eyes.
Avocado Pineapple and Red Onion Salad
This salad is interesting and a bit different. You wouldn't necessarily bet on pineapple and red onion as a duet but it works!
Banana and Carob Chip Cookies
These are very simple and easy to make. I use tahini (sesame paste) quite a lot.
Banana and Chocolate Chip Cookies
There is something wicked about chocolate and bananas. Think grilled bananas with dark, organic chocolate melting on top...for me...that is heaven.
Banana and Date Cookies
These cookies are sweet without being too sweet. They are also moist and absolutely wonderful when freshly baked.
Beet Salad - Two Versions (one spicy, one sweet)
Beets have been gaining more recognition in recent years in Iceland.
Biscotti with Almonds
This biscotti recipe contains raw cane sugar and spelt flour and virtually no fat.
Biscotti with Macadamia Nuts and Cranberries
'Nice' is the first word that popped into my head when tasting these for the first time. I had in my mind to try a festive combination of orange, macadamia and cranberries and it went really well.
Biscotti with Pistachio Nuts and Orange Zest
The orange aroma that fills the kitchen when making these is wonderful. I sometimes make these biscottis just to fill the kitchen with that lovely orange scent.
Blueberry and Chocolate Ice Cream
Blueberries and chocolate are a fairly unusual combination, at least in an ice cream.
Blueberry Cheesecake
Cheese cakes are often mistaken for healthy cakes although they are most often far worse than mine.
Blueberry Ice Cream Cake
I often make treats from blueberries in the autumn since the only berries we get in Iceland are blueberries and bilberries (and redcurrants).
Brazil Nut and Carob Chip Cookies
These are absolutely lovely. They are not too sweet and not too rich, just perfect with a glass of ice cold soy milk (or regular milk if you prefer).
Cashew and Banana Ice Cream
How often can you eat ice cream without worrying about clogging your veins?
Cashew and Mango Ice Cream Drops
This is a delicious treat. I love the look on my guests' faces when I serve them frozen treats. They never expect it (but are very delighted when they try it out).
Cashew Cream
This is an egg free, lactose free, gluten free and vegan cream, perfect for those that have food intolerances. I often make this cream for myself as I am not big on the cream made from dairy.
