Icelandic Lamb Soup

We got back from Iceland late last week, and I already miss the stark landscapes, black lava fields, golden grass, slate gray sky, the buildings of Reykjavik  ... and, me being me, most of all I miss the food.

Summertime Swedish Meatballs: Lamb, Mint, Saffron Cream

Generally speaking, I despise chain restaurants.  I hate the idea of all that  sameness  turning America into one big Land of the Bland. It's depressing. I have no desire to ever visit a Ruby Tuesday or a Panera Bread or a Chipotle.  Twice I have resorted to Boston Market take out in a pinch, and I felt dirty after. Once, many years ago, I ate at a Red Lobster, and I am still trying to scrub the greasy memory of that overcooked scampi out of my soul. I don't think I'm a food snob (well, maybe a little), but mainly I just don't want to be able to get the exact same thing wherever I go. It's boring and lame.

Juicy Lamb & Purple Potato Shepherd's Pie with a Blackberry Demi Glace

The Dr. Seuss-ian purple mashed potato topping you see here consists of extras from the Basque potato tortilla that I made for last week's French Fridays with Dorie.  I first got a bee in my bonnet to make a shepherd's pie because Claudia from What's Cooking? recently made an Italian-style version of the dish, which got my tummy rumbling.  I also just happened to have eight braised lamb shoulder chops sitting around.

But why, you ask, when it's just Poppa Trix and me, would I ever need to make such an obscene amount of lamb all at once?  Why, indeed!