I decided to do a post just on fondue in Switzerland, not only because it’s delicious, but it’s important to know how the Swiss really do it!
Thanks to our wonderful teacher friend Iniyal, for connecting us with her highschool friend Amy, who is currently working in Geneva.
Amy and her partner Joao brought us to a beautiful place down on Lake Geneva called Le Bain des Paquis where they specialize in fondue. The restaurant is right on the lake – in fact there is a beach right across from it where we had walked through earlier in the day (27 degrees in October!).
The restaurant has long tables and benches that you share with other fondue dippers. We learned a lot about fondue that night so we thought we would share with you all!
First of all, fondue is only done with bread and cheese – there are no veggie sticks or cubes of meat – you only dip in bread. If you want to do meat cubes, or chocolate fondue – then you go to the tourist restaurants.
When I looked up more about the dish, it turns out that it is always the main meal, not an après ski, or an appetizer. This is a true Swiss fall/winter dinner which all people would be able to create due to the large amounts of cheese and bread available at reasonable prices.
The bread should be crusty so each piece has some crust when dipping.
The hot cheese mixture is usually a combination of Gruyère and Emmenthaler cheeses along with some wine which really adds to the flavour.
We really enjoyed spearing the bread and dipping in the delicious cheese mixture. We drank Swiss white wine while the girls had apple juice. It was divine!
We were not able to finish the pot of cheese – it was just too rich. But we wanted to try the bottom of the pan. When the cheese is poured off, the cook scrapes the bottom of the pan and serves it to the group. It is called the “religieuse”. We all had a small taste and it was heavenly:)
The fondue is followed by a lovely fruit salad dessert with apples and grapes to cleanse the palate.
Now that we’ve done the real Swiss experience, I need to remember where I packed my fondue pot – I don’t think I’ve used it since university!
Big thanks to Amy and Joao for helping us with our “proper Swiss fondue” experience – we loved every minute of it! We so appreciate their kindness for taking us out and spending the evening together!
Comments
14 responses to “A Proper Swiss Fondue!”
Hi Kat
Sounds yummy – I can find my fondue pot – no problem…..when you get home??????
Of course I will have to do the tourist type too and melt the toblerone. You all look great, refreshed and happy.
Enjoy the next adventure and thanks for sharing this one, I learned a great deal about fondue. Love Doreen xoxo
I’m in with the Toblerone…we can act like tourists when we get home!
White wine and fondue – the perfect combo! Yumm……
Yes..and good friends and conversation make it even better!
Fondue was all the rage in the 60’s and 70’s. I just gave away my fondue pot a few years ago. Maybe i’ll have to get a new one because your recipe sounds so good. I’m enjoying your posts and it looks like you are having a fabulous trip!
Sandra
We are having a great time Sandy…it’s been a fabulous trip. I don’t know how we will go back to “normal life”. But we’ll enjoy trying!
Mmmm. Your fondue sounds absolutely heavenly. Fresh bread, cheese and wine – it doesn’t get any better than that.
Lots of love,
Helen
Do you still have your fondue pot? Otherwise we’ll have to dig up some 70’s memorabilia and have a party when we get home!
That really looked yummy!
It was delicious! We should have a fondue party when we get home!
I have multiple fondue pots and forks and have one at least once a year – but I do include meat and finish with chocolate and fruit. it is slow food at its best – lots of time for chatting and enjoying the company.
Hi Gail,
The slow food experience has been an incredible part of our trip thus far. We are able to relax and enjoy the food, conversation, and environment….how we will ever return to “normal”?
Between the cheese, the wine, and the chocolate I can’t take my eyes off your website!!! So glad to see you guys are enjoying yourselves so much. Your kids have learned more than they could ever learn in school and will have such amazing memories. I am so impressed with their blogs!
Hi Elysa,
So nice to hear from you! I hope all is well and that you are enjoying your year. We are having a great time exploring and learning….we’re doing school on the road. It’s interesting because in Germany they don’t allow homeschooling and so many were asking how I was able to take them out of school. In the last 3 months they have seen and done so many things that I think it may be somewhat of a “letdown” to go back to regular school next year. But, not to worry, we’ll just enjoy the time we have and let things unfold as they should. The blog is a diary of their learning and something all of us will be able to look back on in future years.
Take care