All in Swiss Main Courses

Pilz Pastetli

Pilz Pastetli

My grandmother was an expert mushroom hunter. She would take morning hikes through the forest, collect them in an old wicker basket, and then make Pastetli with mushroom filling for lunch. The secret of which mushrooms to pick was then passed on to my aunt and cousin.

Because mushrooms can definitely kill you.    

Vacherin Mont d'Or

Vacherin Mont d'Or

Vacherin Mont d'Or is special for a number of reasons.

Firstly and most importantly, it is like its own little fondue, complete with pot. You wrap the whole thing in foil, then stick it in the oven and voilà, dippable cheese.

Zweifel Chip Chicken

Zweifel Chip Chicken

I'm often too lazy to make anything like fried chicken, but if I'm craving something in that vein, this potato chip crusted chicken does the trick. It is absurdly easy to put together, just dip your drumsticks in a yogurt/mustard/mayo dressing then roll in the chips. The result is a glistening and crispy drumstick.

Spargel Speck Flammkuchen

Spargel and Speck Flammkuchen

Originally the flammkuchen was used as a way to test the heat of wood-fired ovens. The embers were pushed aside and a very thinly doughed tart (almost like a pizza, but thinner), usually topped with bacon or cheese, would be set in the middle of the oven. If it could cook in as little as 1 - 2 minutes, the oven was at an ideal temperature.

Maispizza

Maispizza

This recipe for Maispizza (Corn pizza), comes from Betty Bossi's everyday recipe book, Alltags Rezepte mit Pfiff. This book, first published in 1975, is full of strange 70s recipes for meatloaf with banana and nostalgic classics, like this pizza.

Buttery Leek and Hazelnut Risotto

Buttery Leek and Hazelnut Risotto

Flipping through an old Betty Bossi cookbook, I stumbled upon a recipe for a leek and hazelnut tart. I wasn't in the mood to make pastry, but I was intrigued by the combination of leeks and hazelnuts. I decided to give them a whirl as a risotto instead, and the results were delicious.