Plokkfiskur, or Icelandic Fish Stew, is a hearty and classic Icelandic dish that was traditionally made as a way to stretch leftover cod or haddock. Today, however, plokkfiskur is a popular dish in its own right, and its inherent simplicity encourages any number of tasty variations. As a rule, plokkfiskur must contain at least three of the following four ingredients: white fish, white sauce, onion and potato. Of course, not all dishes that include all of the necessary ingredients for plokkfiskur are plokkfiskur, just as there’s more to being human than simply having all four limbs—many people have,  of course, fewer limbs than that. Rather, to be a person, one must be capable of loving. And by the same right, plokkfiskur must have a certain special something, too.

The Book of Icelandic Fish Stew is not your usual cookery book. This quirky and entertaining title includes over 30 unique recipes.