Askasleikir (Bowl-licker)

Hello everyone! I hope you are having a great weekend so far. Let´s get down to business...

The Santa which came to town today is Askasleikir or Bowl Licker. He is the sixth Yule Lad to make his way down from the mountains. Back in the old Icelandic turf farmhouses the family sat on the edge of their beds to eat. Some Icelanders still have turf on the roofs as a way to keep the culture alive. Each family member had their own bowl which had a lid to keep the food warm. Askasleikir likes to creep into a farmhouse and lies waiting under the bed of the unsuspecting person who innocently puts his or her "askur" down on the floor between bites - then the lad swipes it and licks it spotlessly clean. Sneaky little guy. I remember thinking about the boogeyman being under my bed but to also worry he´ll lick up your dinner must have been annoying! Luckily it is known exactly when this guy will be around so your food is safe the rest of the year.

Last night Christmas party was great. The Cancer Research Laboratory, won the competition! Woo Hoo! Two year champions of nerdy humor. I like it. I was able to try a traditional Icelandic Christmas drink called jólaglogg (it´s similar name to eggnog but tastes NOTHING like eggnog in the States. It´s a hot beverage made of red wine, vodka and spices. Often served with raisins or nuts in it. I think it´s DELICIOUS! Here is the recipe, you can make it non-alcoholic too. I think for fun please try it! Remember to drink it hot! Let me know if you try it and what you think ;)

1 bottle red wine
6 cl. (1/4 cup) vodka or gin
5 cloves
2 crushed cardamoms
2 cinnamon sticks
1-1 1/2 deciliters (1/2 to 2/3 cup) sugar
Peel from half an orange, peeled almonds and raisins

Cut the peel from half an orange into thin strips and leave the white bit. Heat the wine and spirits with the spice and let it stay warm for a few minutes without boiling it. Add sugar and orange peel, stir and keep warm for a few more minutes. Serve hot with raisins and almonds. This recipe was taken from the National agency of alcohol and tobacco here in Iceland.

Be back tomorrow :)