Switzerland's biggest brunch ever

Get ready for the May 1st brunch... because it's gonna be B I G!!!

The organizers of City Brunch have planned an event that will blow your mind away: to orchestrate the longest brunch table of Switzerland.

Their goal is to involve a large number of restaurant owners and producers to offer the widest variety of products, allowing everyone enjoy the good company, locals as well as tourists.

The event will take place on Sunday, May 1, 2016 along the lakeside promenade of Lugano. Ticket holders are invited to beautifully laid tables, which will be prepared near the buffet rich with typical products of the region.

However, the tickets are already sold out but you can win two tickets worth CHF 70.- by participating in the Citybrunch Instagram challenge. Publish your best brunch photo and get the most "like"s to win. Don't forget to hashtag #citybrunchlugano.

Venue: Switzerland's longest CITY BRUNCH in Lugano
Where: Riva Vincenzo Vela, 6900 Lugano
Date: Sunday, May 1st, 2016
Time: 10:30 - 15:30

The Lugano City Brunch will also be held in case of bad weather, keep posted for details. For more info write to: info@citybrunch.ch or click on http://www.citybrunch.ch

Export Shopping

Every time we travel back from Switzerland to Paris, we go "Export shopping" to the Coop supermarket before we hit the road. Each family member is entitled to fill their basket with their favourite comfort foods. Ski break might mean a long drive to the alps but driving allows us to fill the car to the rim on our way back without worrying about overweight luggage. Trust me there was not much space left for us by the time we finished loading the car this morning...

My kids' Export shopping

 My Export shopping

Don't miss the 1. August Brunch

Switzerland's National holiday is approaching fast.

The 1.August Brunch has become a popular activity on our National Day. For the past 22 years Swiss farmers have been inviting city dwellers (Swiss and foreign alike) for brunch on a farm. Last year over 200'000 guests enjoyed the culinary adventure offered by 350 farms throughout Switzerland. Through this movement the farmers' families wish to promote a better understanding and sympathy of local agriculture by the city population.

The 1. August Brunch is an occasion that one should not miss. Hosted by selected Swiss farms who offer you a brunch, they will provide you with the opportunity to taste different kinds of cheese, meat, milk, bread, müesli and many other gastronomic specialities in a very particular atmosphere. You'll also have the certainty to try some excellent products with high quality standard's. If you're lucky you'll enjoy some typical Swiss music, meet a Swiss celebrity, be served out of a giant Roesti frying pan or admire some amazing National costumes. The kids will love all the direct contact with the farms' animals.

Book now for a brunch in one of the farms! Click here to find a list of Ticino's participating farmers.
For a detailed guide with info such as activites, animals or produce for sale click on the following link: http://www.agriturismo.ch/Brunch

My favourite so far is: Alpe Duragno at the top of Monte Tamaro. See purple trail on map.
The Agriturismo Ponte di Vello in Breno looks intriguing. My friends recommend the farms on top of Monte Generoso.

As places in the farms are limited, registration is mandatory and better done early. You can register by telephoning the farmers directly before July 30th 2013. There are still quite a few spots left as of this morning. Please communicate how many children and adults you'll be. look for a brunch place near you here: http://www.brunch.ch/it/ricerca-fattoria/

Venue: 1.August Brunch
When: Saturday, August 1st, 2015
Time: 9:00 - 13:00
Price: CHF 20.- to 40.-
Directions: All participating farms will be signposted with the logo: «Brunch»
For more info:
Tel: 056 462 51 67 on workdays from 8:00 bis 12:00 and from 13.00 to 17:00
or  091 851 90 90 for the Ticino.
E-Mail: info@brunch.ch
Homepage: www.brunch.ch

Lugano's Neapolitan lunch delivery

Have you met Marina Schisa, a Neapolitan who transferred to Lugano many years ago? We all know the Neapolitan cuisine is one of the best in the world... I can vouch for that, my mother-in-law is from Naples! 2010 Marina started a business from her passion and founded the "Chef School Lugano". Marina's mission is to share her secrets and passion of Neapolitan cuisine with her dinner guests.

Apart from her catering service, you can now order lunch or buy typical Neapolitan homemade dishes. She even organises Kids' cooking courses! What are you waiting for? Contact Marina at: marina.schisa@gmail.com or call directly Tel: 079/887'63'62. 

Buon Appetito!!

  

It's Fondue season

No matter if you are off skiing or not these holidays, the season is perfect for fondue. How better to end a day than with a fondue shared with family or friends? Fondue is not just a meal it is a social gathering. It is fun and it warms your soul as well as your tummy.

There are different kinds of fondue: Cheese fondue, Fondue chinoise (where you dip meat into bubbling broth), Fondue bourguignonne (when you dip meat into boiling oil). Both of the latter versions come with an array of yummy sauces such as curry, tartar, mustard mousse, cocktail sauce, just to name a few.

Switzerland was and always will be a Fondue country. 42% of Swiss believe Fondue is the most typical  Swiss dish. Followed by Rösti which is a sort of hashbrown just better and Raclette which consists of slices of melted cheese eaten with new potatoes.

In Swiss tradition if a nugget of bread is lost in the cheese either the person offers the next bottle of white wine (because you drink white wine or hot tea only with cheese fondue) or the other rule is, should you lose your piece of bread you need to kiss everybody of the opposite sex around the table. Enjoy your company and your meal!

Check out my recipe blog for a Fondue recipes here: Expat with Kids recipes

Bon appétit!

Three Kings' cake recipe

In Switzerland, the Three Kings cake is made ​​from sweet yeast dough​, which is formed into balls, arranged in a flower-shape and sprinkled with almonds and coarse sugar.

There are various types of Three Kings' cakes found throughout Switzerland. All have a white plastic king figure “hidden” inside. The person who finds this piece is then “King or Queen for the Day” meaning he or she gets to choose what to do during that day and also what chores to avoid. No washing dishes, no cleaning up, no cooking?!

The Three Kings' cake is one of the most popular traditions in Switzerland. At the Iowa AG alone, which is Migros' bakery wholesale distributor produced over 500'000 pieces in 2000. His rival Coop managed to sell over 250,000. This is without counting the hundred of thousands cakes sold in bakeries throughout the country.  The total sales amount to approx 1.5 million cakes every year. Now beat that. No other celebration is so widely spread across this tiny, multi-cultured country.

Most Swiss buy their Epiphany cake at the local bakery or supermarket.
However, home-made always tastes best. Following is an easy and fast recipe to make with your kids. And who knows, if you're lucky, you might not even have to do the washing up!!!

Ingredients:
500gr flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons sugar
20gr (1/2 dice) fresh yeast, crumbled
60gr butter
1/2 lemon, grated rind
4 tablespoons raisins
3dl milk, warmed

Decoration:
1 egg, beaten
Sugar crysals, almond leaves

Preparation:
1.) Mix flour, salt, sugar and yeast. Add the rest of the ingredients and knead for about 10 minutes unti a smooth dough has formed.
2.) Cover dough and let rise for 2 hours until it has doubled in volume.
3.) Form 8 servings, each weighing approximately 80gr.
4.) Stick a king in one of the balls.
5.) Form the remaining dough into a large ball and place on a baking sheet lined tray with the smaller balls distributed evenly around it.
6.) Let stand for covered for another 30 minutes at room temperature to rise.
7.) Brush with egg.
8.) Bake for approx. 30 minutes in the bottom half of the pre-heated 180° C oven. Cool on a wire rack and then decorate!

The “Swiss Way” to eat the "Torta dei Re Magi" is with a good cheese selection, or butter, jam and hot chocolate at breakfast, lunch OR supper time!

Swiss Fondue recipe

Following yesterday's post on Swiss Fun facts about cheese, I thought I'd share my Fondue recipe with you today.

There are different kinds of fondue: Cheese fondue, Fondue chinoise (where you dip meat into bubbling broth), Fondue bourguignonne (when you dip meat into boiling oil). Both of the latter versions come with an array of yummy sauces such as curry, tartar, mustard mousse, cocktail sauce, just to name a few.

Switzerland was and always will be a Fondue country. 42% of Swiss believe Fondue is the most typical  Swiss dish. Followed by Rösti which is a sort of hashbrown just better and Raclette which consists of slices of melted cheese eaten with new potatoes.

In Swiss tradition if a nugget of bread is lost in the cheese either the person offers the next bottle of white wine (because you drink white wine or hot tea only with cheese fondue) or the other rule is, should you lose your piece of bread you need to kiss everybody of the opposite sex around the table. Enjoy your company and your meal!

Check out my Expat with Kids recipe book for Fondue recipes:
Traditional-Swiss-cheese-fondue

Bon appétit!

Swiss Fun Facts about cheese

Swiss cuisine mirrors the diversity of local history. The Swiss treasure the distinct taste of their regional specialties. Thinking of Swiss cuisine, the first thing that comes to mind is Swiss cheese. Famous Swiss cheese products are Gruyere, Emmental and Appenzeller.

Fondue and Raclette are the most popular Swiss cheese dishes.

Fondue is a dish made of melted cheese adding a bit of wine and garlic. Diners dip bits of bread into it using a fork. Should you drop the piece of bread into the pot you either pay the next bottle of wine OR kiss your table neighbours.

Did you know that the real Swiss eat Fondue only during the winter?

Did you know that people in Switzerland raise their eyebrows when they see Americans eating fondue with fries and Coke?

Did you know that many Swiss have a class of Kirsch – cherry schnapps – with the fondue. The more adventures ones dunk their piece of bread in it before they load it with cheese?

Did you know that “fondue” is French and means “melted”. Even though it’s a French word, it’s called fondue in all four official languages of Switzerland?

Did you know the other very popular Swiss cheese dish, called Raclette, where cheese is melted and scrapped directly from the wheel of cheese?

Raclette originated in the canton Valais. It is heated and then scraped onto the plates. Served with new potatoes, pearl onions and baby pickles and sprinkled with Paprika.

Did you know that – while Switzerland is very famous for its cheese – it’s also the home of the first wine growing area in the world that has been made a UNESCO world heritage site? It’s the area called Lavaux between Montreux and Vevey on Lake Geneva.

Did you know that Gruyere is not just the name of the world famous cheese, but also the name of a wonderful town and a beautiful region close to the mountains and on the border of the French- and German-speaking parts of Switzerland. They also produce Gruyère Double cream, a sort of smooth creamy-rich butterfat from mountain cream which they serve with their other speciality: delicate, thin, sweet meringues.

Did you know that Switzerland doesn’t just have holes in its famous cheeses? It also has holes in its mountains, among them the world’s longest train tunnel through a mountain: the 35-mile (57 km) Gotthard Base Tunnel.

Expat Store delivers to Lugano

Feeling homesick? In search of some comfort food? Fancy that dish from back home? My Expat Shop solves all your whims and cravings.

From Vegemite to Betty Crocker butter cream icing. From Peri-Peri to Cajun Sauce. From real pork sausages to Ella's kitchen smoothies. From Twiglets to PG Tips. All at the tip of your fingers via e-shopping.

MyExpatshop is the British Food Online Shop delivering over 600 of your favourite British food products to your home in Switzerland.

Fresh products are shipped Monday through Wednesday only so that your order will arrive before the weekend.
For over 5 years, MyExpatShop has followed their basic principles by providing a wide and varied choice or products and first class service.

They have worked to bring you those hard to find items at the best price. Real English Bacon, high quality British Cheeses such as Extra Mature Vintage Cheddar and Christmas Crackers are just part of the growing list.

You can pay either at the time of placing your order, or when your order is delivered to by you using the Swiss Post Office Giro (pink payment slip) that is included in the package.

Getting the munchies? Go ahead and enter your Expat Store here.

For more International food delivery sites scroll down the right sidebar to the Food for the Homesick section.

Swiss Cheese Award 2012 in Ticino

Of course, Switzerland would have a Swiss Cheese award. I have just never heard about it until this week but yet again it is all happening in the Ticino. So, to appease your hunger after yesterday's flashmobbing choreography session why not head to Bellinzona?

For four days, Bellinzona has become the capital of Swiss cheese where the experts have decided on the king of all cheeses: the Swiss Champion 2012 title goes to Charles und Patrick Hauser (Le Lieu VD) for their Vacherin Mont-d’Or.

I am wondering at this point: how DO you decide for the best cheese when you have a choice of 700 different ones?

Well, find out for yourself. Visit the Palazzo Civico in Bellinzona today and tomorrow to discover the winners of each of the 28 categories. Then take a stroll on the Piazza del Sole along the local cheese market. If you're lucky you might even spot Dimitri, the famous Swiss clown/actor who is performing with his Theatre company.

Click here for the programme: http://www.cheese-awards.ch/it/program/

I know what you'll be having for dinner!

A little help from Betty Bossi

"What is patriotism but the love of the food one ate as a child?"
Lin Yutang

If you grew up in Switzerland you will know who Betti Bossi is. A fictitious chef, Betty Bossi has been help­ing the Swiss with cooking and home making since 1956. She pub­lishes four new cookbooks per year fea­tur­ing orig­inal regional recipes that are very easy to pre­pare. The Betty Bossi label produces ten mag­a­zines annually devoted to cookery with a total circu­lation of 825,000 copies. Over the past decades, I have had my magazines sent to Geneva, to Buenos Aires, to Milano, to Madrid, to Lugano and now I look forward to receiving my monthly Swiss dose of homemade flavours in Paris.

Start your own collection by ordering Betty Bossi’s “Schwiizer Chuchi”, a collection of over 130 Swiss traditional recipies! Schwiizer Chuchi means Swiss Kitchen in Swiss German. And if you can pronounce the word Chuchichästli (Kitchen cupboard) then your on your way to becoming a real Swiss.

The recipes are organized by region. In a land with four languages and such cultural diversity, this is a necessity. There is a brief description of each region and its cuisine, along with attractive photos. Each recipe is accompanied by a photo.

The ring binding and glossy pages make it practical to use. The Swiss Cookbook is appropriate for Swiss people as well as for expatriates, because it gives a good overview of traditional Swiss cuisine and contemporary cuisine using Swiss ingredients.

An English copy can be ordered online from the Betty Bossi online shop, and is also available in many supermarkets in Switzerland.

National dishes

Click here to enter my  

expatwithkids recipe book

or click on the photo 

to get directly to the recipe.

Each recipe can be printed individually

by clicking the "Print" button at pink page bottom

in Google pages.

(This recipe page is still under construction.)