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
Winter's here, and as always the Maison du Lac is transformed with a stylish Scandinavian decor in warm, sophisticated tones. Danish owner and keen decorator Kristine Rasmussen has created a cosy, festive boutique offering stylish, seasonal ideas for your interior. Look out for a host of unusual accessories, a veritable invitation to the delights of hibernation and cocooning: after you have purchased a few essential items at Maison du Lac you will be able to curl up by the fireside with a soft alpaca throw, or watch the snowflakes fall outside your window while sipping a delicious hot chocolate from one of the boutique's mugs, whose captions invite you to "Have tea with me" or sample a rich "latte").
Best of all, you will be able to invite family and friends to a festive meal around a table decked with "reindeer" candleholders and frosted candles. If you are struggling for home decoration and gift ideas this Christmas, this boutique is definitely one to put on your shopping itinerary!
Maison du lac, Rue Saint-Victor 24, 1227 Carouge / Tel. 022 301 8522 / www.maisondulac.ch
The new edition of Know-it-all passport has today (6 September) topped the best-selling charts of the English Travel section of Payot ‘s online bookshop.
The 7th edition of the popular English-language guidebook for Geneva, Vaud and neighboring France, was distributed to local outlets on the 16 August and was formally launched at Payot Bookshop over a glass of wine on the 2 Setpember.
A team of 13 people updated the latest edition, which includes over 700 pages and features literally hundreds of new entries. In response to customer demand, two new sections covering NIGHT LIFE and CHOCOLATE have also been added.
To help readers look up information more quickly than before, all entries have been reclassified to form a new, improved TABLE OF CONTENTS. The new sections can be easily identified by the full-page photos, which were sent in for our photography contest - see the winner's names here. Thousands of individual entries can also be accessed via the 27-page index at the back of the book.
A portion of the profits of this guide are donated to the Alzheimer's association. Fr. 6,000.- was already donated from the 6th edition.
Know-it-all passport® was first published in 1999 under the name Know-it-all parents®, but changed its name to the current title in 2006. It is now updated every two years by our team. Additional information is sent in by contributors like you. Make sure to see their names on the last page of the book, you might see someone's name you know! With Know-it-all passport, "you won't need anything else!"
Visit Payot's online bookshop at http://www.payot.ch/en/home.html.
Order Know-it-all passport onlline at http://www.payot.ch/en/ourBooks/ourBookshelves?payotAction=1&ean13=9782970066415&navigation=907&newTheme=01
