The kitchen has always been where my family congregates. In times of happiness or sadness, cooking is our greatest indulgence and passion. There is a great democracy in the kitchen – you work as a team for a common goal – you can have difficult conversations, you can laugh, you can argue, all over a hot stove or a chopping board. Some of my most important conversations have taken place in the heart of my home. And if I’m ever unsure about a recipe or life, I just phone home to my 92-year-old grandmother.
Heritage from the kitchen
In my family, the most precious heirlooms are from the kitchen. I was recently given my grandmother’s favourite cooking pot. I have watched this in action all my life, and felt a little melancholy being given it, but my grandmother felt it was time to rehome the pot with me. I hope she will have many tasty meals cooked by me in this treasured pot.
My father was a connoisseur like no other, and has left behind such a legacy. Whenever he cooked, which was a daily passion, we all knew we were in for a treat. His dishes are the ones I make all the time: especially his spaghetti with tuna fish sauce or the incredible yet very simple roast chicken with pickled cucumber, which he had every year on his birthday.
The magic surrounding family recipes passed down through the generations is next to none – find them, make them and treasure them always.
Caroline remembers being as excited about her made from leftovers as the actual roast the night before
The perfect use for leftover chicken, this salad is simple and makes a great side. Source: Jacqui Small / Lisa Linder
Quite simply, cooking is my favourite pastime, my greatest passion. To cook for my family and to cook for my friends is as gratifying to me as embracing my loved ones. To cook with them is magic. The times I spend in my kitchen with my children are my greatest pleasures – the food preparation, baking and eating together is such a ‘glue’ in our lives, it’s the happiest times spent together, full of cosiness and hygge.
Adopting a Danish way of life
Hygge doesn’t translate exactly, but roughly means a feeling of ‘cosiness’. For us Danes, this means always being in a warm and cosy environment, being safe and secure as a child, knowing you are loved and supported unconditionally, never working too hard or too many hours, thereby never sacrificing time with your family, which comes first in our world.
Hygge is now becoming a part of life outside of Denmark, the power of its meaning slowly moving into homes across the globe. Everyone is waking up to the fact that life is short. It is about living life to the fullest and being as happy as you can. As a consequence of this attitude to life, food has also become much more important and dishes have developed stronger meanings and importance through time.
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these
Source: Jacqui Small / Lisa Linder
A lifelong love of cooking
I have always loved cooking and I have always cooked. Cooking is very nostalgic and reminds me of my past, yet it also keeps me in the present and is a very mindful exercise. Cooking satisfies all my senses and it is a great way of showing love through the time spent thinking about – and preparing – food for the ones you care about. I put a lot of thought into developing each of my recipes. I think of my children, family and friends and the goodness I am preparing for them, and I think of my parents and grandparents and the love they poured into me through our meals and the special times spent together. In my family, even when we are eating we are talking about the next meal. We are enjoying it, dreaming about it and discussing it at great length. Cooking and the results are (for me) ‘love’ that you can taste, smell and touch – all a big part, I think, of making us the happiest people.
This is an edited extract from by Caroline Fleming (Jacqui Small, hb, $49.99). You can find her on Instagram .
Cook the Book
This dish is just the most delicious combination of onions, feta, walnuts, lemon and parsley in my opinion. Fresh-tasting and vibrant, it is perfect for a lunchtime salad or as a starter in the evening.
The tangy onion pairs beautifully with the creamy feta, brining and wholesome and filling salad. Source: Jacqui Small / Lisa Linder
This completely delicious version of Danish rye bread is gluten free, dairy free and wheat free, which I know means a lot to many people. When I make this bread I make a double batch and freeze it in slices, so I always have it handy.
Source: Jacqui Small / Lisa Linder
These toffees are made for Christmas, but they're delicious at any time of year!
These toffees are made for Christmas, but they're delicious at any time of year! Source: Jacqui Small / Lisa Linder
These are so good that cravings for artificial sugary confections will disappear.
Snack on some guilt-free apricot slice and leave refined-sugary sweets behind! Source: Jacqui Small / Lisa Linder
