Keep it Simple. Simple Can Be Delicious, Too.
This illustration is part of my Collective Food Wisdom series, for which I asked people across different languages and cultures to share a nugget of food wisdom or advice they’ve received that they continue to carry with them in their kitchen, garden, or life.
This piece of advice was given as part of a community potluck for a class I taught called The Power of Food. I'm not 100% sure, but judging by the original handwriting, I'm guessing it was contributed by Michelle Jones, founder of Wayfinding Academy.
I made this art after a weekend in which I shared four consecutive meals and a sleepover with my husband Bjarke's Danish family.
There were candles and games and cups of tea and birthday cake and takeout Thai and easy, flowing conversation.
You'll find many mainstream books praising Danish hygge (hoo-guh), a word and a concept that's tough to translate, but in a sense means coziness. All the items in the paragraph above are central to hygge. To me, it's about embracing and savoring the simple things.
I've been reluctant to discuss it, as so many non-Danish writers have tossed out their two cents on the topic. However, this week's wisdom sparked a thought.
An extremely high number of restaurants in Denmark have received Michelin stars, which are awarded for "mastery of flavor and cooking techniques" and "consistency between visits." These places turn out painstakingly composed, highly perfected plates, and this style of cooking has become synonymous with Danish food culture (and I have nothing against them—they serve an important role).
But that's not at all how people cook in their homes.
At home, a roast with root vegetables broils in the oven while a fire blazes in the living room.
At home, you gather 'round for a breakfast of warm rolls with butter and jam (or thin sheets of melty chocolate if you're lucky!).
At home, hygge prevails. It seems that those who understand hygge know that the effort to prepare complex dishes can quash the spirit they're trying to foster.
They keep it simple, knowing full well that their food—straightforward and made with love— can be just as delicious as any plate you'd get at a fancy restaurant.
To sink your teeth into more Collective Food Wisdom, and perhaps even hang a reminder of it in your own kitchen, head on over to my shop. Sometimes I sell the originals, too, so make sure you're signed up for my monthly inspiration email to be notified next time they go on sale, and you can snag your favorite.