Bring hygge to your plate
According to Columbia University's World Happiness Report, Denmark is currently ranked the world's happiest nation. What do they credit for their happiness? Hygge.
Hooga? Hhyoogah? Heurgh? Forget how you pronounce, what is it? According to Meik Wiking of The Happiness Research Institute in Copenhagen, “Hygge is an atmosphere and an experience, rather than about things. It is about being with people we love. A feeling of home. A feeling that we are safe.”
Taste is definitely one of the key dimensions of hygge and it’s all about creating comfort food that brings friends and family together. Here is your easy DIY hygge list to ensure you have a happy (and cosy) winter table.
1. Go for leafy and root vegetables. They’re tasty, comforting and wholesome.
2. Switch off and savour. Forget phones, TV and tablets. Set the table, chat and make an occasion of each meal.
3. Use spices to create a festive flavour. The most hygge time of the year is Christmas, but since our Christmas is quite toasty you can embrace the flavours of the yule tide now with cinnamon, cloves, cardamom and ginger.
4. Don’t skip dessert. Spiced baked apples or malva pudding – it’s like a giving yourself a hug.
Freshly baked bread
Frikkadels
They say boller and we say frikkadels. The Danes usually eat them in a mild curry sauce, but you can also go for a fresh tomato sauce.
Mulled wine
Spicy warm red wine in front of the fireplace is one of the best ways to welcome your guests. Buy a ready-made bottle or make your own. Combine red wine, sugar, cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves and cardamom and heat just below boiling. Sieve the mixture and then add red wine, rum, vodka, orange peel, orange juice and chopped almonds and heat up again.