MiscellaneousMiscellaneous
Coriander and Pear Salsa
This is a lovely side dish which goes well with all kinds of dishes such as spicy Indian curries and Thai food.
Yoghurt Almond Salad with Bananas and Raisins
This salad is a perfect side dish for various dishes although it teams up especially well with spicy food as the yoghurt acts as a fire extinguisher in the mouth!
Almond and Cucumber Salad
I know I say this about nearly all my recipes but this one truly is amazingly healthy. It contains healthy fats, calcium, protein, fibre, antioxidants and minerals.
Beet Salad - Two Versions (one spicy, one sweet)
Beets have been gaining more recognition in recent years in Iceland.
Breakfast
Breakfast is the most important meal of the day and as the name rightly states, it breaks the long fast of the night. It also gives our metabolism a kick start and sets our energy levels right.
Banana Patties
These patties are gluten free, dairy free and nut free. They are perfect if you have over ripe bananas lying around.
Breakfast in a Glass
I know some people that are not keen on breakfasts and I have often told them that it is not a very good idea to start the day without filling your muscles and brain with energy.
Muesli with Dried Fruits, Nuts and Seeds
My husband once told me that there was one particular restaurant in the world he would like to try, and that he had read some great reviews on it.
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?
Raisin Patties
I often make a LOT of these in one go and then freeze. I use two pans at once so that I can make two or three patties at once.
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.
Energy Bars / Trail Food
I always make my own energy bars. The ones you can buy from supermarkets are usually rubbish unless they are organic and made with the finest ingredients.
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.
Banana, Date and Almond Bars
Have you ever experienced buying some healthy energy bars only to discover that they taste appalling? I have and I get really angry when that happens.
Date and Nut Bar
I make my own energy bars because a) it is cheaper than buying them and b) I like to know what I am putting into my body.
Flap Jack (Power Bar)
I love home made muesli bars (flap jacks) as much as I detest the junk you can find in some stores. Often this junk is labelled ("energy bars", "power bars" or something equally wrong).
Muesli with Dried Fruits, Nuts and Seeds
My husband once told me that there was one particular restaurant in the world he would like to try, and that he had read some great reviews on it.
Oatmeal Biscuits
I love oatmeal biscuits, unfortunately they are not available in Iceland (at least not my favourite kind which is Nairns).
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?
Power Bars with Carob Frosting
These are fantastic power bars, ones that I make very often for me and my husband. They are packed with healthy mono-unsaturated fats, protein, complex carbohydrates and slow releasing energy.
Power Bars with Chocolate Protein Frosting
My husband says he can't go through the day without having at least one or two of those. Which is why I always make a large batch and keep in the fridge.
Protein Frosting for Protein Bars
If you are making protein bars and want added protein and some sweetness, you can make this protein frosting. It is actually like a frosting on cakes but only a little healthier.
Protein Super Bars
These power bars are absolutely packed with protein, complex carbohydrates, healthy mono-unsaturated fats and well....power. You will almost fell like a superhero when eating these.
Simple Trail Noodle Soup
I know it is probably much quicker buying ready made trail food but let me tell you...most of what is sold out there is rubbish.
Trail Casserole with Couscous
The picture accompanying this recipe is taken in the Scottish Highlands were we once went on a hike. It was marvellous.
Trail Mix
This is the perfect trail mix and much cheaper than buying ready made trail mix from a health food store.
Wild Mushrooms and Noodles Trail Soup
Me and my husband are keen hikers. We love nothing more than packing our bags on a Friday evening, heading into the Icelandic wilderness.
Snacks / Starters
I often serve snacks or starters before a main course. I like salads and bruschetta as they are light and go well with almost anything.
Baked Salmon Skin
Yes really, baked salmon skin!!! You might think that I have gone absolutely mad but bear with me here. I can promise you that once you taste this, you won't ever throw out salmon skin again.
Beet Salad with Parmesan and Rocket Leaves
This is the perfect late summer salad. It has vibrant colours and a slightly sweet taste with a peppery kick. I adore beets (beetroots), especially baked as it brings out their subtle sweetness.
Chunky Potato Wedges with Guacamole and Salsa
This is a very healthy snack, perfect as a light lunch or a starter before the barbecue.
Courgette Hummus
This is a similar recipe to the one I found in the wonderful book Rawvolution by Matt Amsden.
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.
Hummus
I love hummus, absolutely love it. Whenever I go to a Middle-Eastern restaurant (especially the Lebanese restaurants in London) I always order some hummus.
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.
Mozzarella, Tomato and Basil Salad (Tricolore)
Although my husband doesn't eat cold cheese (only melted...I know...weird) he loves cold mozzarella.
Pitta Pizzas
Need a quick, tasty, yet healthy dinner but are too tired to make anything decent? Look no further. I often make truckloads of these to freeze and re-heat later.
Potato Chips
These potato chips have absolutely no fat and are still delicious and crispy. Ok they might not be as juicy as your traditional potato chips but if you want a healthy alternative this is the one.
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.
Summer Salad with Oranges and Watermelons
If there was a competition for healthy salads, this one would clearly be a winner.
The Healthiest Popcorn
This is THE healthiest version of popcorn available. It has very few calories and even less fat. The only 'problem' is that you have to own a refillable pump spray hot-air popping machine.
Trail Mix
This is the perfect trail mix and much cheaper than buying ready made trail mix from a health food store.
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).
Wraps with Spinach and Hummus
In my view wraps are the perfect lunch and the perfect light meal, they always go well down with dinner guests and each and every time I serve them I get asked for the recipe.
Side Dishes
You may find all kinds of recipes for side dishes on this page.
Abdalla Hamisi's Barbecue Sauce
In 2006 we were on one of our trips to Kenya as tour guides and we stayed in private cottages run by friends, down by Diani beach, Mombasa.
Aduki Bean Sprouts
There are some tools available that are supposed to make your sprouting easier, however I have had fantastic results with just a glass jar and water.
Almond and Cucumber Salad
I know I say this about nearly all my recipes but this one truly is amazingly healthy. It contains healthy fats, calcium, protein, fibre, antioxidants and minerals.
Apple and Tamari Dressing
This is a lovely, fat free salad dressing which can also be served with nut patties, burgers, grilled vegetables and more.
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!
Baked Salmon Skin
Yes really, baked salmon skin!!! You might think that I have gone absolutely mad but bear with me here. I can promise you that once you taste this, you won't ever throw out salmon skin again.
Beet Salad - Two Versions (one spicy, one sweet)
Beets have been gaining more recognition in recent years in Iceland.
Beet Salad with Parmesan and Rocket Leaves
This is the perfect late summer salad. It has vibrant colours and a slightly sweet taste with a peppery kick. I adore beets (beetroots), especially baked as it brings out their subtle sweetness.
Carrot, Pineapple and Sultana Salad
An easy and very healthy salad, the perfect side dish for the barbecue. I have tasted a similar version of this salad several times in Kenya.
Chickpea Sprouts
I adore bean sprouts. They are so versatile and delicious. I often eat them as a snack, put them on my sandwich, in a salad or as a side dish with radishes, raisins and oranges.
Coconut and Banana Salad
My sister in law, Elin (who has travelled extensively through Africa along with my brother) often makes this accompaniment and serves with Indian or African food.
Coconut and Garlic Chutney from Tanzania
Well his recipe is tsort of not FROM Tanzania because this was served in an Indian restaurant IN Tanzania.
Coriander and Pear Salsa
This is a lovely side dish which goes well with all kinds of dishes such as spicy Indian curries and Thai food.
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 Pepper and Olive Relish
This is a delightful little salad/relish, perfect as a sandwich topping or as relish with grilled food. It is a nice alternative to the usual salad.
Grilled Sweet Potato Wedges
This must be the shortest recipe on this website. The ingredient's list has one ingredient only...sweet potatoes!
Irio (Mashed Potatoes with Onion and Peas)
I have had Irio on many occasions when travelling through Kenya. It is originally a dish of the Kikuyu people.
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.
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 Chutney
I love mango chutney but the ones you buy from your local supermarket are very often packed with additives, sugar and rubbish. I would never eat such a thing.
Mayonnaise
Mayonnaise which you can buy from your local supermarket is usually absolutely packed with additives and bad stuff.
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.
Mung Bean Sprouts
I love bean sprouts. They are so healthy and versatile. I often eat them on their own like a snack or I use them in salads, on sandwiches and even in casseroles.
Mustard Sauce
I use mustard sauce with everything, on my salad, my sandwich, on nut patties, with fish, with grilled vegetables, as a dip for raw vegetables...you name it.
Chutneys / Jams / Pickles
Each autumn back home in Iceland the Icelandic women (mostly women) go absolutely nuts in jam making. They make jam out of everything.
Abdalla Hamisi's Barbecue Sauce
In 2006 we were on one of our trips to Kenya as tour guides and we stayed in private cottages run by friends, down by Diani beach, Mombasa.
Coconut and Garlic Chutney from Tanzania
Well his recipe is tsort of not FROM Tanzania because this was served in an Indian restaurant IN Tanzania.
Coriander and Pear Salsa
This is a lovely side dish which goes well with all kinds of dishes such as spicy Indian curries and Thai food.
Date Jam
I use this jam for everything...as a layer when making cakes, on my toast, with hummus, on oatmeal biscuits, in my yoghurt and on waffles. It just goes with everything and is so easy to make.
Grilled Pepper and Olive Relish
This is a delightful little salad/relish, perfect as a sandwich topping or as relish with grilled food. It is a nice alternative to the usual salad.
Mango Chutney
I love mango chutney but the ones you buy from your local supermarket are very often packed with additives, sugar and rubbish. I would never eat such a thing.
Rhubarb Jam
I love rhubarb jam, I use it on waffles, on yoghurt, on toast and wherever I can because it is very, very good for you.
Spicy Blueberry Jam
This is more of a thick sauce than a jam as I don't use gelatin or other thickening agents. You can make it thicker by using pectin.
Biscuits
Biscuits are usually the 'bad buys' in terms of healthy diet. The biscuits you find in the supermarket are usually packed with trans fats, sugar and additives.
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.
Linseed Biscuits
Linseeds (flaxseeds) is the richest source of omega 3 essential fatty acids which is also found in oily fish. Because it comes from a plant source, it is perfect for vegetarian and vegan diets.
Oatmeal Biscuits
I love oatmeal biscuits, unfortunately they are not available in Iceland (at least not my favourite kind which is Nairns).
