This innovative selection of recipes highlights the best of modern Nordic food, themed around ancient cooking methods. Fire pits are easy and affordable to source, even portable types are available for those with limited outdoor space, and wood is re-emerging as a fuel source. Considering how little specialist equipment is required, the flavors achievable with this back-to-basics method of cooking are outstanding. Niklas' book naturally features plenty of fire-building tips, aromatic smoking recipes, pickling and preserving techniques, but he doesn't expect you to go foraging for ingredients...

'With equal parts of birch wood and passion, we keep the flames alive. We cook all our ingredients over an open fire. Charcoal and smoke are our most powerful tools. No electric griddle, no gas stove - only natural heat, soot, ash, smoke and fire. We have chosen these ways to prepare our food as a tribute to the ancient way of cooking. At Ekstedt it is the flames that are superior.' Through his bold flavours at the eponymous Michelin-starred restaurant, Niklas Ekstedt ignites our primal fire-side instincts. His abandonment of modern technology may be a little difficult to replicate in...