March 19, 2009

"Fondue for Two"

Breakfast today was my long awaited favorite of Brötchen with Nutella.  If you haven't tried it, and you aren't allergic to chocolate or hazelnuts, you are reallllly missing out.  With a glass of ice cold Swiss Milk (the absolute best milk I have EVER tasted), this to me is the perfect quick breakfast. 

After nearly a week in Switzerland, and no Brötchen (fresh baked hearty rolls that come in a variety of styles and flavors), I woke up extra early to go to the Bäckerei down the street and buy some, still warm from the oven.  I had finally figured out that I wouldn't be able to buy them after work, nor would they be fresh by morning, so I bit the bullet and woke up at 6:30 am and headed out into a north wind they call "Bise" which bit me in the face surprisingly after having pleasant days ever since I arrived.  I scooted back to the flat, cracked open a fresh jumbo jar of Nutella that would make my kids drool, and lathered it on thick, on top of Swiss butter, which sounds crazy but really works and takes me directly back to 1982 when I was enjoying the same with my German exchange partner Sabine at her home in Hildesheim, Germany.

Well sort of, Cindy and I enjoyed our 2nd date via webcam, this time with some homestyle instant Emmi fondue and some good Swiss bread, beer and sausage.  Not bad.  Fondue can be found on the shelves in every grocery store (Emmi Brand is the best), in many restaurants, and I wouldn't be surprised if it showed up in the company cafe one of these days.  Good thing is...I love it, and always have.  It has long been a tradition by our home at the holidays to have a pot of Fondue going, with bread and breadsticks and veggies for dipping.  Maybe I'm part Swiss, I don't know, but it sure seems like it.  Swiss cows really must eat well.  They seem to produce an endless supply of the most delicious cheeses, milk, yogurt, and other dairy products I have ever tasted.  And, I haven't even FOUND ice cream yet...just wait!

At the same time, when dining alone, it's a bit difficult to order Fondue because it's designed for two or more to share, and at a cost of 23.00 CF with a minimum of two I certainly won't be ordering it all by myself in a restaurant anytime soon.  It'll have to wait until I'm out with friends.  In the meantime, we improvised another date and I enjoyed sharing a little more Switzerland with my family. 

P.S.  Today at the office I had a great salad for lunch...

Swiss cows rock!