Finding Hygge in Moving Chaos and a Tomato Basil Bisque Recipe

I can hear the rain outside and I have a cup of tea. As I type this, I’m bundled up in my sweats and a blanket. It’s officially soup and stew season. My favourite. But 99% of my kitchenware – so, everything – is packed up. Naturally.

A couple weeks ago, I wrote about beginning a year of immersing myself in the Danish concept of hygge. You may wonder why I decided to start this at the same time a moving house. I do, too. Ha. But really, it’s been a good way to balance out the chaos. Particularly since I made a point of keeping one corner completely box free, which has also helped. Behold my temporary and slightly disheveled hyggekrog (cozy space):

Between my cozy corner, yoga, and The Brit making me laugh, it’s been good. (I’m looking forward to having a proper hyggekrog in the new place. The Brit has been made aware that décor shopping is happening in the very near future.)

Except for the lack of home-made soup. When I have access to my pretty pots and pans again, I will be making two of my favourite recipes: Creamy Tomato Basil Bisque and Spelt Flour Soda Biscuits for sopping it all up – recipes below! I cannot find the photos for a particular instance of this meal combo in 2014, but it’s a good memory of a nice meal with friends when things were feeling a bit wobbly. My laptop hard drive had died and, separately, my life was beginning a huge shift; but I was in one of my happy places in the world – Scotland! – and in good company. I decided that making it my turn to cook dinner would cheer me up, and it absolutely did.

CREAMY TOMATO BASIL BISQUE

Servings: 6-8
Time: 30 mins
Difficulty: Easy
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INGREDIENTS:

1 Tbs. olive oil
1 small onion, chopped (1/2 cup)
3 cloves garlic, minced (1 Tbs.)
2 28-oz. cans diced tomatoes (try to get these unsalted)
2 tsp. honey
1 tsp. balsamic or sherry vinegar
1 tsp. dried basil
1 bay leaf
2 1/2 cups low-sodium vegetable broth
1/3 cup almond milk (if you’re feeling decadent or can do dairy, whipping cream or half-and-half are amazing to add)
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil, for garnish

METHOD:

Heat oil in a dutch oven or stock pot over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook 5 minutes. The onion pieces will be translucent.
Add tomatoes, sugar, vinegar, basil, bay leaf, and broth. Cover, and simmer 10 minutes
Remove bay leaf (Remember to do this or you will end up with bay leaf bits in your soup when its blended. They hurt your tongue…)
Purée soup in blender, food processor, or with a stick blender (this is what I use) until smooth. (OPTIONAL: Strain through a mesh strainer into a large bowl (or if you were using a blender, back into the pot); return to simmer.)
Remove from heat, and stir in chosen “dairy” – I use almond milk
Season with salt and pepper, if desired
Garnish with basil (optional)
Serve with with grilled cheese sandwiches or with some soda biscuits. Bon appetit!

HEALTHY SPELT FLOUR SODA BISCUITS

Servings: 12 biscuits
Time: 12 min
Difficulty: Easy
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INGREDIENTS:

2 cups spelt flour
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp (or less) salt
2-3 tbsp fresh chopped or dried herbs to taste (I use fresh rosemary and thyme)
1/4 cup olive oil
3/4 cup almond milk or whatever milk you have on hand

METHOD:

Preheat oven to 450 F
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper
Whisk flour, baking soda, and salt together in a medium sized mixing bowl
Whisk in herbs
Stir in olive oil and milk with a spatula or a wooden spoon (they are the best) until dough comes together.
Use your hands to lightly gather dough into a ball
Separate dough into 12 discs (they don’t have to be perfect!) on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper
Bake for 10-12 minutes or until biscuits have risen and are a light golden brown (The longer you leave them in, the crispier they will be.)

If soda biscuits aren’t your jam, this soup is also excellent with a grilled cheese sandwich.

What is your favourite soup?

Soup is a lot like a family. Each ingredient enhances the others; each batch has its own characteristics; and it needs time to simmer to reach full flavor.

~ Marge Kennedy