We have thought quite a bit about the Danish movement Hygge which aims for us to focus upon things which help create a sense of relaxation, well being and health. We thought only a few weeks ago how we can achieve this feeling with simple changes in our homes and we particularly though of our private go to spaces, our nooks! The use of candles, wood and natural materials, warmth, reading material etc. I know a number of you have sent me photos of your spaces and how you have been inspired by Hygge.
Now we can apply a similar thing to food, our food which we eat. Now this isn't something we should ignore but allow to inspire us perhaps. The move from manufactured food, though of course there will be occasions when a ready meal is fine or beans on shop bought bread. But to stop and think about your food and its production and then how we use it to create nutritious meals for ourselves. Now I know that quite a number of you make your own bread which is great as you are applying hygge already in your homes.
The Danes are very into slow food as part of Hygge; that a jar of home made jam is preferable to a shop bought variety of jam because it has been made at home inspired by good ingredients and that it has had to be made, ot juts sent in an online order of shopping. I was in Norway once and in the market they were selling Norwegian Surmelkslapper (a cross between an American and Scotch pancake, extremely light and fluffy) served with tomato jam and soured cream. I wasn't sure I fancied it, but tomato jam is excellent, not rerally sweet but not savoury and delicious. It is different but the whole thing rather lovely and needs to be sampled! Tomato jam takes time to produce but is so well worth the time. One day when time allows I will try to make both the jam and the pancakes!
Hygge is about the length of time to create something as well as the enjoyment of it. It is to be savoured not rushed. The food experience incorporates not just the food items but the process of creating and then the savouring of it as well. It is a slow and long procedure and when we in UK are used to rattling up a meal quickly it is a change of mindset for us. Last year we made elderflower champagne. It was a journey of love; to going out very very early one morning to gather the elderflower heads, the fragrance of the lemons, and so on. then came the first bottle - savoured and wonderful; we gave some away and drank all but one bottle. We decided to try and save it for Christmas and it worked, even better! I suppose this could be an example of slow cooking. I am sure you will have similar things that you have produced in the slow cooking way. Do share those moments.
Hygge and food is more than what we have shared, it is the process of getting from the fine ingredients chosen with care. When you have placed a casserole in the oven or slow cooker for a long slow cook and you relax reading or gazing with a cuppa in your favourite mug in your nook this is hygge! The casserole may well be ok, but the journey of getting to eat it is so important, the smell the sounds, the textures, the colours of the produce etc. How often do we say the end result is disappointing!
So let us learn from this and have hygge in our eating even if we are just one, use a freezer or give a portion to a friend, neighbour or someone in need. Let us also apply this whole approach to creating something in our lives too, gathering things together, creating something with pleasures nd enjoyment and then using it for helping others as well as ourselves.
All good gifts around us, are sent from Heaven above So thank the Lord, oh, thank the Lord for all His love
We thank Thee then, O Father, for all things bright and good The seed time and the harvest, our life, our health, our food