Last year, during the run up to Christmas, we featured a short article listing a few ideas for quick and easy apéritifs, with ingredients sourced from local supermarkets.
The emphasis in each case was on simplicity – none of us want to spend hours creating gourmet dishes at this time of year. So read on… and if you have a few ideas of your own, please send them in to us and we will add them to this year's list.
If you still need further inspiration, then why not try out one of the "festive" cookery lessons that the Ecole-Cub Migros are running throughout December? Click here to download the flyer or visit the website at www.ecole-club.ch for more information.
Mini pizzas (contributed by Jenny Jeffreys)
Toast nature pour canapés (e.g. Carrefour own brand)
Tube of tomato purée (e.g. Panzani Sauce Tomate from Carrefour)
Mozarella cheese (e.g. Galbani Mozzarella Maxi from Carrefour)
Sliced tin mushrooms (e.g. Carrefour discount Champignons de Paris)
Some pepper and chives to garnish (e.g. Carrefour Herbe aromatique: Ciboulette)
Spread the purée on each slice of bread.
Put a slice of mozarella on each piece.
Add a few sliced mushrooms on top.
Grate some pepper over the top and add a couple of pieces of chopped chive on top.
Just before your guests arrive place them under the grill. Must be served warm.
(n.b. Don’t prepare too early otherwise the bread can go a little soggy!)
OfftheShelf is 8 years-old! To celebrate they are offering a special deal from August 30th to September 17, 2011!
Buy a book, choose any other for just Fr. 8.-!*
So what are you waiting for! If you need your copy of Know-it-all passport 2011/2012, know that it is in stock and you can take advantage of this offer now! Stock up on your Christmas, birthday, children’s books, guide books, reference books for school, and more; and save some money to buy yourself something too! Of course if you already have your copy we won't mind if you buy something else...
*No minimum purchase — the cheapest book will be charged Fr. 8.-; applies to in-stock items only — no special orders, no reserves; not in conjunction with other offers or discounts; only one Fr. 8.-/book per person per day; payment by cash or debit/credit card only.
Monday closed
Tuesday - Friday 9h-18h30 (closed September 8 for Jeûne Genevois)
Saturday 10h-17h
Sunday closed
OffTheShelf English Bookshop
15, blvd Georges-Favon
1204 Genève
022 311 10 90
Can you tell the difference between mozzarella that was hand-made this morning and a ball of the mass-produced type? Expand your culinary knowledge by trying out some of the cheese, made fresh every morning at Casa Mozzarella, a shop opened less than one year ago near Plainpalais, Geneva! Read to the end of this article to find the answer to our competition question and maybe win a voucher for Fr. 100.- to buy whatever you want from Casa Mozzarella!
Fabio Magno and Angelo Albrizio decided to bring Italy to Geneva in its most delicious form: mozzarella made entirely from local Geneva milk! They are both from Puglia, Italy, where mozzarella is famed to originate, and now live in Geneva. The opening of their shop took time in preparing. They found an Italian cheese-maker who comes from a long line of cheese-makers, Nicola Antonicelli, who was delighted to participate in this venture.
Every morning before dawn a trip is made to the Laiteries Réunies de Genève. Nicola follows in his father’s footsteps and transports the 300-400 liters of fresh milk and lovingly cooks, stirs, cuts, sieves, and stretches the curds to make 30-50 kilos of balls of fiordilatte — the official name for mozzarella made from cow’s milk.
Do you want to throw a party but are put off by the idea of spending all that time in the kitchen preparing all those little nibbles that everyone loves so much at this time of year?
Well you don’t need to panic. Here are a few ideas for quick and easy apéritifs, with ingredients that have all been sourced from local supermarkets.
The emphasis is on simplicity – none of us want to spend hours creating gourmet dishes at this time of year. So read on… and if you have a few ideas of your own, please send them in to us and we will add them to the list.
Mini pizzas (contributed by Jenny Jeffreys)
Toast nature pour canapés (e.g. Carrefour own brand)
Tube of tomato purée (e.g. Panzani Sauce Tomate from Carrefour)
Mozarella cheese (e.g. Galbani Mozzarella Maxi from Carrefour)
Sliced tin mushrooms (e.g. Carrefour discount Champignons de Paris)
Some pepper and chives to garnish (e.g. Carrefour Herbe aromatique: Ciboulette)
Spread the purée on each slice of bread.
Put a slice of mozarella on each piece.
Add a few sliced mushrooms on top.
Grate some pepper over the top and add a couple of pieces of chopped chive on top.
Just before your guests arrive place them under the grill. Must be served warm.
(n.b. Don’t prepare too early otherwise the bread can go a little soggy!)
As you’re crossing the customs posts with bags of shopping from the New Year sales, be aware that customs officials can be extra vigilant at this time of year.They will often stop your car and ask if you have any merchandise to declare – so be sure you know your rights. The quantities and value of goods that you are allowed to take over the border change each year, so do check the relevant websites to make sure you have the latest facts.
Also be aware that customs officials will check your wallets and purses for old receipts – so if you have been making any large purchases recently, make sure you have the right paperwork with you to support the receipt. You don’t even have to have the goods with you in the car – a receipt is sufficient proof for the customs officials to fine you if you have gone over the limit!
If you are bringing goods back from France into Switzerland, the total value of goods must not exceed Fr. 300.-, or else tax will be applied. However, total value is not the only factor to bear in mind when you cross the border – how you spent the money is equally important. There is a limit on the quantities of certain items that you can bring over, principally food, drink and cigarettes.
Page 611 of Know-it-all passport 2011-2012 summarises the key merchandise affected by these limits – if you want more information, visit the website: http://www.ezv.admin.ch/zollinfo_privat/essen_trinken/00356/index.html?lang=fr
If, on the other hand, you are crossing from Switzerland to France, different rules apply. Children under 15 may bring goods up to the value of 150 euros over the border (before tax is applied) whilst adults can bring up to 300 euros of goods (if they are travelling by any means other than air or marine transport), and 430 euros (if they are travelling by air or marine transport). The following web page covers the essential points: http://www.douane.gouv.fr/data/file/1636.pdf
