Nature takes care of producing the best ingredients
For more than a thousand years, Icelandic sheep have spent their summers roaming free. From the valleys and up into the highlands, they devour all the best grasses, herbs and berries Icelandic nature has to offer and it shows in every tasty morsel. The dependably unique and delicious taste of Icelandic lamb makes it a favorite among everyday people and top chefs alike.
All in the Family
Among those connoisseurs of Icelandic lamb is chef Gísli Matthías Auðunsson of Slippurinn restaurant in the Westman Islands (Vestmannaeyjar), just off the south coast of Iceland. As he is known for bringing out every wild and deeply flavorful note of this distinctly Icelandic meat and was recently featured in FOUR magazine
Just as Icelandic sheep farms are family-run, so is Slippurinn restaurant which Gísli opened more than a decade ago with his sister and parents. Gísli shows his love and respect for Iceland and its produce by focusing on sustainability, and buying locally and seasonally.
As Gísli says, “We have to value the bounty of the land and of the sea. We have to respect it. It’s very important to me to get the most out of the available ingredients and allow them to shine. Having something that’s overlooked or undervalued like a cod head or lamb innards be the star of a dish–that’s satisfying.”
Versatility, Thy Name is Lamb
Through his years of experience cooking with Icelandic lamb, Gísli has discovered that because it is raised on wild grass and herbs, Icelandic lamb can stand alone but also pair well with just about any and everything.
Gísli works with local farmers to get the highest quality ingredients for his restaurant creating a distinctly Icelandic farm-to-table experience for his patrons. Cured lamb is a classic and staple on the Slippurinn menu and visiting chefs from all over the world collaborate with him to create new and innovative dishes, highlighting Icelandic lamb and the season’s best produce.
Check out our website Icelandic Lamb for recipes and more to help you create your own Icelandic lamb dish using your local and seasonal ingredients.