What is Hygge? - Kaali Mirchi ka Chaar (Tomato Pepper Rasam)

Hygge. Or hoo-gah. It's the Danish word for a sense of cozy contentment. Or, more simply, it means the joy of the little things and being together. G first mentioned this last winter, when we were shuttered in our house, just us, distancing from friends and doing too many things over zoom.

The term dates back hundreds of years. And it encompasses so many little things. G introduced his hygge corner. He moved over his Ikea lounger, a dark fake leather chair that is well-loved. A friend gave it to him years ago, and it sits perfectly in our family room, a reminder of the power of friends. The lounger took a special spot by the window overlooking the backyard. He put a blanket and a pillow on it, and for a few months, it was his cozy spot—a simple place to retreat from the cold greyness of winter.

I think we all have our own versions of hygge. It doesn't necessarily need a fancy name or label, but it truly is in the little things. I love to have a hot cup of chai in the afternoon. My mom would always have her cup of chai, or maybe more than a few. A cozy daily ritual for her. There is nothing better than sitting on the sofa, curled up, looking out the window, and watching the world go by.

Poet and Flower too, have their comforting routines. They will come home from a long day of school, filled with math and reading and sitting still for way too long. Poet loves to draw or put together towering structures with magnatiles. And Flower will sit with a book on a couch, quietly, reading and enjoying the pictures. Each loves to retreat peacefully to activities that give them quiet joy.

This week I made Kaali Mirchi ka Chaar. It is a South Indian peppery soup. Made with tomatoes and black pepper, it's light and delicious. Black pepper, tomatoes, and tamarind offer a bright, spicy, tangy soup perfect for a cold winter's day. It's comfort food in India enjoyed with steaming white rice and a dollop of ghee. You can also enjoy it on its own as a hot bowl of soup. Chaar is like hygge in a bowl. My mother would make it often when everyone wanted something simple and delicious.

As we've emerged from our cocoon and slowly ventured back into our new normal and the outside world, I won't soon forget these daily rituals. Hygge is not just for the Danes, but for all of us who look to the comforts and joys of small things and family.

Kaali Mirchi ka Chaar (Tomato Pepper Rasam)

A South Indian peppery soup. Black pepper, tomatoes, and tamarind come together for a bright, spicy, tangy soup. Eat with steaming white rice and a dollop of ghee.

Serves 4

• 2 tablespoons neutral oil
• 3 medium tomatoes (coarsely chopped)
• 3-4 cloves garlic (crushed)
• 6 dried red chilis
• 2 stems curry leaves
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 cup cilantro
• tamarind pulp (1 inch piece of dried tamarind soaked in 1/8 cup boiling water)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Dry Masala

• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon toor daal (ground)

1. In a small bowl, mix the black pepper, cumin powder and ground toor dal. Mix with 2 tablespoons of water and set aside.
2. In a blender, chop tomatoes with 1/4 cup water until fine. Mix with tamarind pulp.
3. In a medium sauceapan, heeat oil over medium heat. Add the mustard seeds. When they begin to pop, add curry leaves, garlic and red chilis. Saute for 30 seconds.
4. Lower heat to low medium and add the dry masala paste. Saute for 1 minute until fragrant. You might have to add a tablespoon of water or two to keep the spices fro burning.
5. Add the ground tomato and tamarind mixture, cilantro and salt. Simmer for 30 minutes.
6. Serve with ghee and white rice.