The Danish art of hygge, defined as creating a feeling of cozy contentment and well-being, is especially endearing during dreary grey cold days in winter. Its all about creating your own comfy oasis, warm and inviting, in your home or in what you wear or what you do. It is also about creating a sense of intimacy and a soothing environment with minimal “annoyance” and maximum “pleasure” in the little things. At a deeper level, it encompasses the belief in equality amongst all and that everyone deserves well-being.
As well as creating hygge in the home (a lit fire in the fireplace, candles, soft lighting, even softer music, lots of pillows, soft beds, a pet on my lap, or cuddling on the sofa with a loved one watching a favorite movie, for me, the art of hygge is about food….homey food that either brings back treasured memories from childhood or that creates newly loved memories.
One of my favorite winter/hygee recipes is for mulled wine. Not only does it fill the kitchen with the most inviting aroma but it really hits the spot when you are cold or have come in from a snow storm. I had my first one after a frosty cold day of skiing and it immediately warmed my body and soul.
Mulled Wine
Serves 4-6
3/4 cup water
1/2 cup sugar
1 orange, washed and sliced, plus 1 sliced and reserved
8 whole cloves
1 star anise
2 cinnamon sticks
1 bottle fruity red wine
In a large saucepan, add the water, sugar, orange slices, cloves, star anise and cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil then reduce to low and cook for about 20-30 minutes. Add the wine and cook for 2 minutes then strain into heat-proof glasses or mugs. Garnish with a slice of the reserved orange and enjoy.
Another favorite winter hygge recipe is one I make from the Natasha’s Kitchen website for a decadent creamy homemade tomato soup. It’s a very cozy soup.
Cozy Creamy Tomato Soup (from Natasha’s Kitchen)
Makes 8 cups
Use a Dutch oven or non-reactive pot to make it.
Ingredients:
4 Tbsp unsalted butter
2 yellow onions, (3 cups finely chopped)
3 garlic cloves, (1 Tbsp minced) (I use 4 or 5)
56 oz crushed tomatoes, (two, 28-oz cans) with their juice, preferably San Marzano
2 cups chicken stock (I make it with chicken cubes)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, plus more to serve
1 Tbsp sugar, or added to taste (I use 2 tablespoons)
1/2 tsp black pepper, or to taste
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream, or to taste to combat acidity
1/3 cup parmesan cheese, freshly grated, plus more to serve (lots more to grate over the top so it melts)
Instructions
Heat a nonreactive pot or enameled dutch oven over medium heat. Add butter then add chopped onions. Sauté 10-12 minutes, stirring occasionally, until softened and golden. Add minced garlic and sauté 1 minute until fragrant.
Add crushed tomatoes with their juice, chicken stock, chopped basil, sugar (or add sugar to taste), and black pepper. Stir together and bring to a boil then reduce heat, partially cover with lid and simmer for 10 minutes.
You can leave your soup with a chunky consistency, but if you like a blended/creamy soup, use an immersion blender to blend the soup in the pot to desired consistency or transfer to a blender in batches and blend until smooth (being careful not to over-fill the blender with hot liquid and pulse a few times initially to get it started), then return blended soup to the pot over medium heat.
Add 1/2 cup heavy cream, 1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese and return to a simmer. Season to taste with salt and pepper if needed and turn off the heat.*
Ladle into warm bowls and top with more parmesan and chopped fresh basil.
Book review:
The Little Book of Hygge by Meik Wiking
Knowing who the writer of this book is tells you a lot about hygge. Meik Wiking is the CEO of the Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen. He has a “happiness” manifesto that includes atmosphere, pleasure, gratitude, comfort, harmony and togetherness. The joy of play. Hot cocoa in a warm mug.
So the book is a primer on his philosophy and is a sweet easy read. It doesn’t attempt to solve the problems of the world, but rather offer solutions, as he sees them, for our daily lives. Some consider Danes the happiest people on the planet, so there might be something to this!
I certainly am a big advocate and apostle. Getting along with others in the glow of a fire with a warm mug of hot something or glass of strong something is more appealing to my soul than not getting along with others in the cold light of a fluorescent bulb. What do you think?
Oh, and bringing others to the table over a meal made with love has been my lifelong mantra. So food, for me, is my way of celebrating and practicing hygge.