Iceland: a place which was saved by a volcano

I have never really done this before, however this trip was really amazing and i think that at some point everyone should try to make it out to Iceland. Its not super cheap, but it is pretty great while nice people and amazing music. This is the coles notes version of an amazing 48 hours.

I didnt have much cash, so i decided to pitch a tent in the city, but 3 km away from the center.



I found out that it was that national birthday, so i quickly walked into town spotting this amazing steel viking boat perched ready to go out sailing.



While walking through the city, i got lost and ended up right near this massive church.



To scared to go to the top on the first day, i decided to look inside and listen to some great organ music that was being played.



I continued back into town and grabbed some lunch while watching some kids do backflips.



and then stopped by some older guys playing some great classic rock.



Needing another break from reading my great but gruesome book, eating animals. Its really great, but i needed some loosning up, so this group which combined juggling and music did the trick.




It was all great, but not nearly as impressive as the breakdancing triplets. These kids are actually in one of the icelandic air commercials, and besides be really cute and identical...can actually dance.




I decided i needed some more music, so i walked deeper into town and found a choir of men singing in icelandic. Though i had no idea what they were singing about, these well dressed guys were great and exactly what i was in the mood for.



Finally i went back up to the hill so that i could listen to some louder music, as i had been up walking around since 5:30 am. It was pretty crowded.



It was pretty busy, but why wouldnt it be, it was seabear was on stage. I had bought there CD earlier and am so glad i did.



I couldnt last much longer so went back to the tent getting ready for the next day. When i woke up, after 12 hours of much needed sleep i walked back into town. I found this great health food store and bought myself breakfast. A chicken fajita with corn and yam. So so tasty.



I kept walking about and managed to find some great street art.



I kept walking and walking so decided to get a cup of coffee. I was lucky and found the best coffee in iceland, Kaffismiðja Íslands.



On a nice coffee rush i overtook my fear and went to the top of the top of the tour. No stairs, but the elevator took 45 seconds. I was in it alone, and it creaked a lot. But i got some nice pictures of the top.



I was feeling really good about myself, so before i went on a bike tour i decided i needed to eat something tasty. I went to icelandic fish and chips. It was really good, and they use all organic stuff. Im still on the fence, but at least i feel better about eating organic than eating non organic. It was right beside the harbour.



The bike tour was great. and though i cant tell you which one it is, but one of the houses below is bjorks. Id suggest it to anyone who visits iceland, they are super nice and i made some new friends on the trip.



Finally the night was upon us, so me and my new friends decided it was time to go to listen to some music, and drink some beer.



We started off at a show at a culture house. Three icelandic bands were playing, all of which were great. My favourite though was no lo. They are really young and the music is perfect for summer.



After those bands had finshed playing, we needed something else to do for a few hours before my friends had to catch a plane. I had heard gus gus (a band i had heard at distortion) was playing in town, so we stopped by to have a listen. I was starting to crash, but the music was good enough to get me psyched for the long walk home.



Well that was my 48 hours in iceland, and yes it was the coles notes version. Ill be back with some actual food posts very soon. I have just been so darn busy.

SPW

So, I called these perogies when i made them, because they were dough filled with pototo and such, But in fact I can't call them pergoies. So im calling the my SPWs.

Buy a packet of wonton wrappers, they are good for dumplings as well.
Than the stuffing was consisted of

• mashed sweet potato, (refer to other recipe)
• Goats cheese
• some balsamic glaze

The wonton wrapper was then folded upon itself to create these rectangular bites of delight. I ate them with salsa, and they were great to freeze.

HINT FOR FREEZING...Put on a tray than put in freezer till frozen...Than put into a plastic freezer bag, that way they wont stick together.

Simple Salad

A simple salad is always great.

• organic mixed greens
• sliced carrot bits
• salami (sliced up and heated in a saucepan)
• goats cheese

the dressing was

• olive oil (always put oil on first)
  
• balsamic vinegar
• truffle oil
• salt/pepper
  

Sausage sandwich

High class hot dog w/ bun.

• Balsamic vinegar and maple syrup put into saucepan on med
• Sausage put in pan, put on lid

toast baguette bread with a touch of dijon mustard

Sunday Brunch

After a sweet night of absinthe some eggs and bacon will hopefully put be back on the right track.

• slicing the bacon the same way as before, perpendicular to the ridges, I put it into a frypan.
• The eggs, I whisked together with some jerk sauce, to give them some added flavour
• Put eggs in fry pan, add some cheese and you’ve got an omellete type thing that goes great as is, or in a sandwich.

Its seen here with some toasted baguette and a mixed green salad. Viva le breakfast.

My own sub...panini w/ humus

Everyone went to subway, i wanted to get some bread for hummus, so i got a baguette.
This sandwich is what came from all this, inside is

• sliced salami (heated in a fry pan)
• organic mixed greens
• goats cheese
  
• cheddar cheese
• hummus

Than put into a george forman, so tasty

Rocket Pasta

I found this in one of my cookbooks, they use penne which I think would work well. I didn’t have any penne so I used a mix of different types of pasta. Hell why not.

Simple Rocket Pasta-
Make a pasta, I used a mixture of spaghetti and medium shell pasta
• Cook pasta till all dente (a little hard)
• Drain, than add the following
o Touch of chili powder
o Chopped handful of arugula
o ½ cup of parmesan
• I added some goats cheese too
o some capers
o olive oil
• Toss all together till arugula is slightly wilted

Balsamic Glaze, start of the sauces

The first thing I did when I arrived in my new house in Hamilton was make a mess. Yes im sorry housemates, but during this first few days I spent cleaning my room and making essentials too cook with. Now, one of those essentials was my balsamic glaze. Usually costing around $10 a bottle, this stuff is amazing and can be put on anything from chorizo sausage to asparagus. Its not that hard to make, but needs a careful eye, so it doesn’t burn. Also, this does make an intense vinegary smell, but trust me it is soo soo worth it.

What your gonna need:
Balsamic Vinegar
Honey
Other herbs of flavours (ie, dried figs…)

Put balsamic vinegar and honey into saucepan, medium heat till it is bubbling. Than put on low heat and let simmer. Use a spoon to mix it around, and wait till you can dip spoon in, it cools and becomes a nice thickness. Remember it is hot, so it is much liquidy than when it will cool. The longer you simmer, the thicker the glaze.

Place in a squeeze bottle or any container that stores food. It can be stored in most areas that aren’t fully heated, and will last a while, if not too oxidized.

Sandwich and Salad

The good old salad and sandwich. I love the greens, and the salad is simple

Greens w/ some corn

Olive oil (touch of truffle oil if you have/like it)

Balsamic Vinegar

Salt and pepper (key, that people always forget)

Okay now for the sandwich, Basically this is the evolved grilled cheese

Bread,

Cheeses: Goats, Cheddar, Peppered Jack

Corn

Greens

Cured meats

Touch of BBQ sauce

Touch of butter on bread, make like a grilled cheese, easy enough. Though remember to put a lid on pan, this will help the cheese melt more and melted cheese is ohh so much better.

Good old Fried Rice

The best part of making rice is being able to use the rice the next day with fried rice. I used last night's Brown and Wild Rice and heated it up with some salami (diced and heated in saucepan), veggies (beans and carrots). Adding a bit of soy sauce, some maple syrup, for some sweetness, and a touch of salt and pepper.

Lemon Saffron Risotto

I got a new book at the second hand book store. Ive been wanting to make a risotto for so long, this is how it went.

Ingredients

• 4 cups of veggie stock (Heat in seperate pot)

Combine below over med heat till onion soft

• 1 pinch of saffron
  
• 2 tb of butter
• 1 onion, finely chopped

Add till full covered and glossy

• 1 cup of arborio rice (risotto)

Add all veggie stock slowly, and add the following ingredients once all stock is absorbed

• 1 cup of Parmesan
  
• salt and pepper to taste
• lemon juice
  

If you want to add some toppings, you can add asparagus, best if blanched

• Asparagus (best for summer)

Twas the Crustinis at 2:37 am

Wednesday night, 2:37, having biked to and from the dancing haven of MoTown I needed something quick, tasty and that would use up Dampers' sliced bread. Cruistini's are what I finally made.

Slice bread (best if its baguette, so bite size)
mix: oil, garlic, salt pepper and
Add a little of spiced oil onto the sliced bread
put in oven, at 350
bake for 5 min, than add a little goats cheese on top
put back in oven for another 5 min