How to Hygge

Nordic countries have consistently been rated as the best places to live for quality of life. So what's their secret?

One key factor is 'hygge' (pronounced 'hoo-ga'), a word that translates as 'cosiness' and which implies warmth, conviviality and kinship. Hygge is also about finding solace in nature, the joy of outdoor activities, and taking pleasure in the simple things in life. It's about being able to make a few useful things. And it's about everyday acts of kindness, both to yourself and others.

In How To Hygge, Leiths-trained cook and food writer Signe Johansen explores the secrets of Nordic living and shows you how to adopt these elements into your daily life, wherever you are in the world. With fifty delicious recipes, this book explains how to enjoy the outdoors the Nordic way, not to mention the joy of 'fika' (coming together over cake and coffee) and why alcohol is integral to the healthy hedonism of hygge. Find inspiration for quick and easy dishes in the chapter on the Nordic Kitchen, and a few meditative recipes to linger over on lazy weekends, too.

For those who have long admired the region's stylish design heritage, Johansen gives practical advice on how to achieve that timeless, cool Nordic aesthetic in your own home, without breaking the bank. With an economy of effort, hygge can be achieved at any time, anywhere.