Cheese.
I’d venture to say it’s possibly the greatest food on earth. Do you not agree? I know, there are some of you weirdos out there that don’t like it—sorry, you know who you are, and you’re weird. It’s okay, don’t be offended, I’m weird too, in other ways. But on this matter, I know this to be truth: cheese is the best.
I am in the right place to have this mindset—although there’s the occasional Swiss cheese-hater as well. Did I mention that I am in Switzerland? One of the greatest places on earth? With some of the greatest cheeses on earth? I’ve eaten three dinners here now that are centered around cheese. It’s just tradition.
My grandfather, my dad’s dad, hailed from a small village in the French part of Switzerland so I would hear stories of this country growing up, and we had various traditions centered around this part of our heritage. Every Christmas Eve we would all gather round a steaming pot filled with garlic, wine, kirsch, and Gruyere cheese, long, two-pronged skewers in hand, our hearts warm and our eyes gleaming with hints of greedy hunger. Fondue happened every year at Christmas, and while it seemed to be much too infrequent to eat it, it made it all the more special.
Little known fact: in Switzerland they eat fondue every other night… and on the nights in between, they eat Raclette!
Now I’m lying… It’s also a special thing here (though more frequent than only Christmas Eve), but lucky for me it seems to be an opportune occasion for entertaining guests!
So up above you can scroll through some pics of my cheese-filled meals this week. First: Fondue—made with champagne and onions instead of white wine and garlic which my friend was out of. Turns out champagne and onion fondue (with Gruyere of course) is freaking delicious. Second: Raclette—more stinky melted cheese, topping boiled potatoes with pickle, baby unicorn horns, peppers, and salad. Third: Italian-made pizza—a classic. Enough said.
This is the life. They really know how to eat here. Now, don’t you worry, I’ve been eating plenty of fruits and vegetables too, to balance this out. Sometimes I’ll pop a prune in my mouth for a quick snack. Gotta keep things moving, you know.
Santé!
PS. Some bonus pics of me in the village of Gruyere (yes, where the infamous cheese is made) and some Scotch whiskey for dessert paired with Swiss chocolate.