WHAT IS SKYR?

Skyr is pronounced “skeer” in Icelandic and is a very typical and enjoyed food eaten by all Icelanders – normally as a healthy breakfast or snack. Skyr is considered to be a yoghurt kind of food, although it technically is produced the same way cheese is. Commonly, skyr is referred to as – “Iceland´s secret to healthy living”, since it is very high in protein, calcium, vitamins, minerals and also consists of low-fat. The flavor of skyr can be anything from the range of plain flavored to `vanilla-chocolate-chip´-flavored.

WHERE TO BUY SKYR

Make sure to purchase some different varieties of Skyr during your stay in Iceland! Eating skyr as part of your Icelandic breakfast adventure will definitely make your trip as authentic and similar to what your next door Icelandic neighbor will be eating! You can buy skyr in any Icelandic supermarket – all year round!

If, you do not have the opportunity to taste our delicious Skyr in the nearest future or able to purchase this in your country, well then try out this recipe on making your own skyr!

SKYR: A VIKINGS FOOD

Historically speaking, skyr has a long and interesting story, since it can can be traced back to the 800s, when the Norwegian vikings settled down in Iceland. Eating skyr back in the days, was part of the Scandinavian food culture and even though it faded out in the rest of the Scandinavian countries, the Icelanders did absolutely NOT consider passing out on this tasty food!

Today, skyr has been getting world-wide recognition for its tasty, healthy and delicious taste. Hopefully you can also taste this marvelous food in your home country! If, you are planning on coming to Iceland – you can also taste skyr on our FUN and delicious Reykjavik Food Walk Tour.

Do you want to know more about skyr? Check out our blog about the Icelandic Skyr / Jogurt!

Join our amazing and delicious Reykjavik Food Walk, were you can try out the tasty skyr! Photo by @dan_vlz and @jush_jush

SKYR-CHEESECAKE: RECIPE

(16 servings)

Ingredients:

• 260 g Bastogne cookies (Cinnamon cookies)
• 75 g. butter
• 2 cups cream cheese
• 1 cup plain skyr
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 tsp grated lime zest
• Fruit for decoration, eg. blue grapes and pomegranates.

Tips: If skyr is not possible to buy in your country, then substitute it with low-fat sour cream. You can also substitute Bastogne cookies with for instance Digestive cookies or any cookie of your desire.

Direction:

1). Preheat the oven to 325 Fahrenheit (160 Celsius). Mix and combine the Bastogne cookies with the butter in a food processor until it is all crushed. Press the cookie mass in a 10-inch springform and smooth the surface with a spoon so it is even.
2). Wrap the outside of the springform with heavy-duty foil.
3). Beat the cream cheese, skyr, sugar and vanilla sugar in a large bowl with an electrical mixer on medium speed. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating on low speed until blended. Stir in the lime zest.
4). Pour the batter into the springform and set into a large roasting pan.
5). Pour boiling water into the roasting pan to come halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Bake 30-35 minutes.
6). Turn off the oven and prop open the door with a wooden spoon. Leave the cake in the oven for additionally 30 minutes.
7). Transfer to a rack and run a knife around the edge of the pan to release the cake.
8). Cool completely, then cover it and refrigerate it at least 3-4 hours before serving.
9). Before serving the cake decorate it as an Icelandic flag with fruit. Fancy other fruits? Try decorating the skyr cheesecake with other fruits and berries, e.g. strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, etc.

HAPPY baking and “Gjörðu svo vel” as the Icelandic saying goes (meaning ENJOY….)!

I hope you enjoy the baking and last but not least eating this peace of heaven! Please do not hesitate to write me a comment below if you need any tips, help and/or inspiration with baking &/cooking Icelandic foods or need more information about skyr.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Text by: Kristina Daisy Rácz

HEY there fellow food-lover! My biggest passion in life is FOOD! I am a health nutritionist from    Copenhagen and I recently moved from Denmark to Iceland. Even though I´m educated within this  healthy field, it does not mean that I live on only carrots and water! Health is so much more and when it  comes to my life philosophy regarding my food intakes – I feel it is way more important to eat foods  with a balance and variety, rather than restricting myself from certain foods. There will definitely always be room for baking goods and tasty cakes in my life! When using both skyr and fruits in this delicious SKYR Cheesecake, I therefore pronounce it both healthy and pretty darn tasty! So go ahead, enjoy life…… and CAKE!