The Ritual Master Hello friends ! It’s December 21st, so tonight we’re celebrating the Winter Solstice. Up north in the lands of the Vikings, this is the feast of Jule, connected to the Germanic god Odin.
But I didn’t choose the way of the Old Norse mythology for my shortest day of the year. Instead, I wanted to talk to you about the greatest concept ever to be exported from Scandinavia to the whole world (I’m talking concept, so no, it’s not Ikea): the philosophy of hygge.
Before this became a lifestyle, hygge was a Danish and Norwegian word, used to express a feeling of cosiness and comfort, an uncomplicated contentment that generates joy. It wasn’t until the 20th century that this feeling was transformed into a whole philosophy.
So what are the Danes actually doing in order to live a cosy, hygge life ? They embrace the darkness and the cold. This means dimmed lights and fluffy socks, scents that awaken your olfactory memory and bring you into a cocoon of tranquility. Activities that promote calmness and joy, to balance our spirit. I like this mantra for the winter solstice : out of darkness, comes the light. And what marvellous thing to be your own light. To be able to shift a situation that brings the spirits down, into a celebration of the time we are given in order to regenerate.
I like to pair my Danish hygge moments with another northern tradition, the Swedish fika.
Fika is a coffee break accompanied by a sweet snack, that has become an essential part of Swedish culture. The fact that you can replace coffee with tea or any other beverage of your choice, makes Fika appropriate for any time of the day. This is an excuse to take a break in our busy schedule and find some pleasure through our taste buds.
For my solstice Fika time, I’m making a traditional gluten-free Swedish cookie : nöttoppar. All you need is hazelnuts, sugar, eggs and butter. I’m adding some vanilla sugar to compliment the nuttiness of the recipe, and we’re ready to begin. This is the easiest cookie I have ever made, and also the most delicious, though I have to admit I have a soft spot for hazelnuts.
So when night falls, and today I don’t have long to wait for it, I get cosy on my couch with a cookie and a good book.
Until tomorrow, have a hygge winter solstice !
Nöttoppar (Swedish hazelnut macaroons) Recipe
Ingredients :
250gr ground and slightly roasted hazelnuts (to enhance the flavour)
90gr brown sugar
20gr vanilla sugar
50gr room temperature butter
1 or two eggs (mine were small so I used two, you’ll feel the consistency too dry and then you’ll know if a second one is needed)
Preheat your oven to 175°C / 347°F.
In a bowl mix all the ingredients until you have a moist mixture that can be formed with the help of two teaspoons. Form your cookies on a baking sheet, top with a half hazelnut and bake for 13 minutes, until the edges are lightly brown and the texture is still soft to touch. Let them cool completely before transferring to a tin.
