In some places, a singular phrase can illustrate a really complex emotion that can only be described in sentences or even paragraphs. For instance, “wabi-sabi” in Japanese is a word to describe finding beauty in imperfection or things that are unfinished or suffering. Then there is the word “petrichor” to describe the smell once it begins raining after days of hot weather. Hygge is the Scandinavian word to describe feeling content or coziness, so what does that mean as far as food goes?
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Brontë Aurell is the author of cookbook ScandiKitchen: The Essence of Hygge and owns a restaurant in the center of London called ScandiKitchen with her Scandinavian husband. Aurell believes we are overthinking and overexplaining what the word “hygge” means. She states that hygge is “in its purest form it is simply about appreciating life.”
Probably one of my favorite pages in the book is actually how to pronounce the word hygge. You say it like “who-guh”… one thing is for sure, which I was corrected on, it never ever rhymes with jiggy! Not only that, but it shares the correct uses of the word. I know I am butchering the definition! This is why I need this cookbook.
I appreciate that Aurell gives us hygge. The ScandiKitchen: The Essence of Hygge cookbook emulates what hygge should really be. Short, sweet, and to the point. This cookbook balances between recipes and how to achieve hygge in everyday life. Aurell’s writing is very down to Earth – nothing fancy.
There are 160 pages and many of those pages are colorful photographs. In order to understand hygge we need to see the simplicity.
Each Chapter is based on “Hygge and…”:
1) The Basics
2) Happiness
3) Sharing
4) Baking
5) Darkness
6) Light
7) Time
8) Stress
9) Soul
10) Nature
11) Stuff
12) Your Home
There are 30 recipes in this cookbook that will make experienced bakers very happy. Many of these recipes are a bit complicated or require quite a few ingredients. ScandiKitchen: The Essence of Hygge is worth a space on the shelf when you’re ready to conquer a pretty complicated baked treat.
Some may wonder about why a book that emphasizes simplicity and taking it easy would have such complicated recipes (I know I did at first.) But truly this is about enjoying the journey. Even if the recipe takes a few hours, you can learn to smell the roses and enjoy each step. It’s almost a test of your hygge abilities!
I know ScandiKitchen: The Essence of Hygge cookbook will teach me a few recipes and about how to live a more well-rounded life! What are some things that you do that are hygge?
~Kaiti
