At Mette is Baking, not only are our crackers and dip mixes steeped in Nordic tradition, but our everyday way of living is also inspired by our heritage and culture. Simplicity, mindfulness and connection are our guiding principles - from the very ingredients we use in our award winning products to sharing food with loved ones.

One Nordic concept we love to incorporate into our lives here in Australia is hygge. Hygge, pronounced ‘hoo-gah’ is a Danish word that captures a feeling of contentment and well-being through enjoying the simple things in life.

We all know, Nordic countries are often ranked amongst some of the happiest places to live and work in the world and hygge has a role to play in this as it encourages relaxation, helps to reduce stress and fosters a sense of community and belonging.

Hygge can be intertwined into every aspect of your life too. The secret to hygge lies in slowing down and finding balance, while appreciating life’s big and small moments, enjoying the good things in life with loved ones, mindfulness and creating a warm and inviting environment around you.

As we embrace the winter months in the southern hemisphere, this time of year is a wonderful way to explore winter hygge – an atmosphere where comfort, warmth and togetherness are combined to create a truly cosy feeling in your home. Not only will hygge transform your home, it can also help transform your mindset.

Our Simple Hygge Home in Winter

Nothing beats that feeling of a cosy winter home and hygge can be experienced through small, simple everyday delights – lighting a candle, reading a book under a soft blanket,  enjoying a hot chocolate, coffee or pot of tea, baking cakes or loaves of bread, or playing a board game with loved ones.

Here are three activities we love to do to not only help embrace the cold winter days, but experience hygge and create lasting memories, we hope these inspire you:

• Prepare a delicious, home cooked, hearty meal for your family to enjoy together – see Mette’s delicious Pumpkin Soup recipe below for one of our favourite recipes.

• Spend time with family and friends with an evening outside under a clear sky, sitting around a fire pit, while sharing a winter grazing board – explore our ideal cheese platter suggestions below for some inspiration.

• Enjoy a fun indoor activity with your children or grandchildren – try our quick and easy chocolate covered Mette is Baking cracker pieces. One bite of these and you’ll feel a sense of nostalgia.

“When I moved to Perth many years ago, I had never cooked or even tasted pumpkin soup. Pumpkin was not a vegetable we grew in our vegetable garden on our family’s farm in Denmark.

“I quickly got to know the wonderful vegetable that pumpkin is, after arriving in Australia and over the years have learnt to cook with it in many ways. It’s so delicious and so incredibly versatile! Pumpkin soup is definitely a family favourite with my family here in Australia.

“For this recipe, I have used one of our dip mixes – Hygge Dip Mix. Hygge means cosy, warm, sharing. Our Hygge Dip Mix is a combination of cumin, coriander, onion and salt and brings a warm, earthiness flavour to this recipe. Perfect for creating that cosy winter home feeling.

“I always start by roasting the vegetables first before I make the soup. As much as pumpkin is at the centre of this recipe, I always see if I have a couple of other vegetables kicking about in the veggie drawer that could be added – carrots, onions, sweet potato, potato, celery, garlic etc. On this occasion it was onions, potatoes and garlic, but feel free to use any other vegetables you have on hand.

“I hope you enjoy my Pumpkin Soup recipe as much as my family. It’s simple, warming, delicious and so few ingredients it’s economical. Nothing fancy, just delicious and it will bring those cosy winter vibes to your table,”

Mette, Founder – Mette is Baking.

INGREDIENTS (SERVES 4)

300g – 400g pumpkin, peeled, washed and chopped into large pieces (Mette’s favourite pumpkin to use is Kent Pumpkin, but any variety can be used)
2 brown onions, peeled and quartered
2 potatoes, peeled, washed and chopped into large pieces (feel free to use carrots, sweet potato or celery depending on what you have on hand)
6 cloves of garlic, peeled
Olive oil – for roasting the vegetables or use oil of choice (Mette’s favourite olive oil is from Great Southern Groves) 
1 x Mette is Baking Hygge Dip Mix
500ml vegetable stock

To serve:
Sour cream
Olive oil
Bread

METHOD

1. Pre-heat the oven and set to 180 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, add all of the vegetables and garlic to an oven tray and drizzle with olive oil and then sprinkle Mette is Baking Hygge Dip Mix over the vegetables. Roast vegetables in the oven for approximately 30 minutes, or until the vegetables are soft.

2. Transfer the vegetables to a Thermomix and blend on high speed until smooth, add 300ml of vegetable stock and blend again until smooth. Continue adding vegetable stock until you have the desired consistency.

3. To serve add soup to serving bowls, add a dollop of sour cream to the top of each and a drizzle of olive oil and serve with a slice of bread. Enjoy!

Is there anything more magical than spending time with family and friends around a fire pit on a cold winter’s night under clear, starlit skies?

The crackling of the fire, your favourite glass of red wine or mug of hot chocolate and a delicious winter inspired grazing board - there’s something quite special about how the warmth of the flames and conversation shared between loved ones can create that feeling of hygge. These ingredients make for a cosy winter’s night and it is these simple moments that remind us to find joy in the simplicity as well as the company we share.

For this grazing board we have specifically used a dark wooden board to help bring a sense of warmth as it has a seasonal connection with its deep, rich tones associated with winter.

With such an array of of cheeses, dips, cold meats and condiments to choose from, here are our recommendations for the perfect winter inspired grazing board:

Photography: @perthfoodphotography

1. Cheese
   A hard cheese is perfect for a cold winter’s night, we especially like Gouda for its rich, smooth and creamy taste, plus it pairs well with cured meats and winter fruits such as pears.

2. Cured meats
   There are a number of different types of cured meats that compliment a winter grazing board, our favourite is Chorizo for its robust smoky and spicy flavour. You can also try Prosciutto or Bresaola.

3. Olives
   All olive varieties work perfectly on a winter grazing board, complimenting hard cheeses such as Gouda and cured meats including Chorizo. We opted for Green Sicilian Olives to not only add visual appeal, but their slightly tangy flavour and firm meaty texture adds complexity and depth to our cosy winter grazing board.

4. Dip
   We can’t go past our Mette is Baking Dip Mixes for something truly unique. Simply add our dip mixes to sour cream, natural yoghurt or plant-based alternative. For our winter inspired grazing board we have used our Scandi Summer Dip Mix. Lemon myrtle, black pepper and sumac make for a warming combination.

5. Seasonal fruit
   We have opted to use pear as a delicious contrast to Gouda and Chorizo. Other fruit choices you could use include apples and dates or a combination of fresh and dried fruit including dried figs and apricots.

6. Crackers
   Don’t forget Mette is Baking Crackers – the perfect bite sized crunch full of healthy seeds which compliment cheeses, dips and cured meats.

Our Mette is Baking Chocolate Covered Crackers are an indulgent treat – the salty crunch of the crackers covered in sweet, smooth chocolate remind us of chocolate covered pretzels or bite sized portions reminiscent of chocolate crackles once enjoyed at childhood birthday parties.

This is the perfect cosy winter indoor activity to help keep your children or grandchildren entertained on a cold, rainy day. With just two ingredients and an afternoon - you can create a hygge home and lasting memories, spending quality time together.

INGREDIENTS

1 x Mette is Baking Crackers – Traditional or Gluten-Free
1 x Block of Lindt Dark Chocolate – we used 95% Cocoa
Freeze dried raspberries
Freeze dried orange pieces
Small patty pans

METHOD

1. Before opening the packet of Mette is Baking crackers, break the crackers by using a rolling pin – simply lay the packet of crackers on a bench and carefully roll the rolling pin over the packet. Once the crackers are broken, open the packet and empty into a bowl.

2. Over a double boiler melt the chocolate, stirring well. Once the chocolate has completely melted, pour over crackers pieces and stir well.

3. Using a small spoon, fill each patty pan with the chocolate cracker mix and top each with either freeze dried raspberries or orange pieces.

4. Place each filled patty pan on a baking tray and place in the fridge to set. Enjoy!

We’d love to see your creations – tag us on Instagram @metteisbaking

Visit our online store and purchase our Nordic inpsired crackers or dip mixes delivered straight to your door.