In Denmark there is this thing called Hygge. Every Dane knows about it and so should you. Hygge, though, is a bit difficult to explain as the exact word does not exist in any other language.
The closest word to it is probably Cosiness. Hygge is an atmosphere, an inner feeling that we have when spending a good time with people we love. Hygge is taking it slow, enjoying time and another. Hygge is mostly connected to the winter time where, in the many months of cold and darkness, a special need for a good feeling is needed (often by the candlelight), but in summer it can certainly be found as well.
Hygge can be sitting around a dinner table enjoying a good meal with good people. It can be coffee time with a good cake. It can be a walk outside or a picnic somewhere nice. Hygge is friends and family, building traditions with those people and to cherish them.
I am very into hygge and love the times and traditions we have as a family. I don’t do candlelight a lot as it often doesn’t fit the outside weather here in Israel, but the rest of it, I love.
Hygge is very well connected to food and you will not find a lot of hygge-situations that doesn’t incorporate it. It doesn’t always have to be a three course meal, but something small and sweet that goes well with a cup of coffee. Like these “Bounty” bars that are surprisingly easy to make:
Bounty Bars (about 8 pieces)
100 grams condensed milk
150 grams grounded coconut
100 grams dark chocolate
Mix the condensed milk and the coconut in a bowl until you get a mass that is firm and not too sticky. You might have to add a bit more coconut or milk.
Form about 8 bars and place them on a baking sheet, then let them stay in the fridge for a few hours.
After that, melt the chocolate and spread it evenly on the bars on all side. I used a silicone brush and it was fairly mess free!
Put them back in the fridge and after about half an hour you can have one, two or all of them.
Now go hygge!
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