SummerSummer
Ok so what we call 'summer' in Iceland our European neighbours would probably call spring or even autumn, but definitely not summer. An Icelandic heatwave constitutes of 20 degrees Celsius (68 degrees Fahrenheit). Even though the mean temperature during those 'sweltering summer days' is normally only around 10°C (50°F) you will still see people 'sweating' in T-shirts and shorts, 'melting' in the sunshine, licking litres of ice cream (you know...to stay a bit cooler). If you go for a picnic in an Icelandic park, you will see people wrapped in blankets drinking hot drinks, shivering a little, trying to hold on to the cups and plates so that they don't blow away in the ever present chilly winds. At the end of the first sunny day during 'summer' in Iceland you will see dozens of lobster-faced Icelanders walking around with a big grin on their face (nobody uses sun screen, we think SPF 8 is a sun block). They most probably are heading home to cook up a barbecue and party all night because the sun won't set anyway so why go to sleep? I must admit that it is very confusing waking up at 4 in the morning with the sun shining directly into your eyes. Seriously though, if you wish to visit Iceland I would recommend going there during summer time (and then again during winter time). It is a very nice place to visit at this time of year.
I have collected recipes that are perfect for summer (in Iceland or anywhere else really) such as cold sauces (dressings) that go well with grilled food, juices, ice creams, ice lollies, salads, shakes and more.
Pineapple and Passion Fruit with Toasted Coconut Flakes
This is an extremely easy, cheap and healthy dessert to make.
Pineapple Smoothie
This is an excellent smoothie for the digestive system since pineapples contain bromelain, an enzyme that breaks down proteins and is very good for your stomach.
Pistachio and Date Muffins
I don't know why I thought of pistachio muffins the day I was sitting by the Ugandan equator in March 2008.
Refreshing Pineapple and Coconut Drink from Uganda
It was a baking hot day in a town called Jinja, Uganda.
Rhubarb and Banana Smoothie
I know that this smoothie doesn't look beautiful...it has a brownish colour and looks kind of uninteresting.
Rhubarb and Strawberry Ice Cream
I love rhubarb, especially when teamed with strawberries. My friend Elva often gives me rhubarb and when she does I go rhubarb-crazy making everything with rhubarb.
Rhubarb and Strawberry Ice Lollies
These lollies are delicious. They don't contain any dairy products and are therefore perfect for those who are intolerant or allergic to dairy.
Rhubarb and Strawberry Milk Shake
I love, love, love this "milk" shake (which is actually not made with any dairy products). Forget the milk shakes you can buy in those fast food places because this is the real deal.
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.
Rhubarb Muffins
When I have a lone jar of something in the fridge, like a jar of rhubarb jam staring at me for a very long time, I kind of become obsessed thinking about ways to use it.
Salsa (Tomato Salsa)
I love tomato salsa. It is one of those healthy side dishes you can even order at a crap restaurant, serving disgusting food and it will still be mostly healthy and most often delicious.
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.
Soba Noodle Salad with Wakame, Ginger and Vegetables
I made this salad immediately after arrived home from a trip to Japan.
Strawberry and Banana Ice Lollies
I love ice lollies. When I was a little girl I used to live in Canada (from 3-7 years old) where of course there are warm summer days.
Strawberry and Banana Tofu Smoothie
When I was working in Denmark during a couple of my summer holidays I used to train horses. Each morning I had to go out and feed them and it so happened that I crossed a small strawberry patch.
Strawberry and Watermelon Drink
I love the texture of this drink because it's very light and almost frothy and wonderfully refreshing.
Strawberry Jam and Soy Dessert
I can't make up my mind as to whether this is a breakfast treat or a dessert. Sometimes I definitely want to make this in the morning but other times I really crave this after dinner.
Strawberry Smoothie
Strawberries are packed with vitamin C and they contain fibre and antioxidants as well. Sweet, organic strawberries, freshly picked from a field (think Danish strawberries) are my favourite fruit.
Summer Salad with Oranges and Watermelons
If there was a competition for healthy salads, this one would clearly be a winner.
Sweet Dinosaur Juice
Well the juice is not exactly made from dinosaurs or for dinosaurs (I guess you figured that out) but they name is actually designed to make the juice more appealing for kids...and it works (at lea
Sweet Potato Morning Juice
This is a sweet and delicious juice which has one unusual ingredient, sweet potato. Don't be afraid to use it though, you won't detect any potato taste.
Tanzanian Sambaro Carrots
These carrots I often call "carrots with a twist" and I love them served as a side dish of African or Indian food.
Tuna Salad
When preparing my husband's lunch I am always trying to maintain a balance of complex carbohydrates, protein and healthy fats.
Uganda Wraps with Avocado and Carrots
The wraps pictured were the ones I was served at the equator in Uganda when we were travelling there en route to Rwanda (gorilla trekking).
