Cooking for Swiss family...what to make?

First determine how "Swiss" the family is and how much they like "foreign" food (and how much prejudiced they are against British food ).

If they like to discover new tastes, you can make whatever you want, they will like it. The more "exotic", the better, probably.

If not, then believe me: no fish, no lamb unless you checked if they REALLY like fish or lamb. Otherwise you might earn a stern look when you mention the menu and don't expect them to eat more than what they think is a "out of politeness" portion.

Lasagne: No go. Really. They're going to expect an Italian lasagne and I bet that differs from a British one (even if it doesn't). Unless they never entered an Italian restaurant, don't go through all the hassle and then they will comment on it something like "weeeelll... but the ORIGINAL isn't British...".

Cottage Pie: very yummy but most Swiss would probably look puzzled. You invite them for dinner and server them the cheapest meat (minced) available? And all covered with mashed potatoes, probably made from instant mash? Looks like you want to treat them cheaply and don't want to spend time on them, I think even if you do everything by yourself. Do this the next time you invite them over, not the first time.

The way to go: roast. With Yorkshire pudding. "Pudding" for Swiss is a sweet, jelly-like substance and eaten as a dessert, if ever. Wonderfully misleading for Swiss and definitely worth to see the expression on their faces when you serve it. Salad or veggies, there you go.

Tell them in advance about your menu so they get a chance to plan ahead with their lunch being a bit smaller and won't show up and tell you "good grief! If only we've known, we had a big lunch, not sure if we can eat all that!" That's definitely a downturner for the cook.

Swiss aren't used to cut up the meat as being a big honor. My Dad wouldn't know how and make a big fuss about it where my Mom then would step in and the chaos would be complete. Better cut it yourself.

Oh, and this: if your OH invited them over although he FOR SURE knew you're going to have German class, make him do some of the cooking and setting table etc.!!

I agree a Vindaloo. That way you can invite them another 100 times but they will always have an excuse not to come. As for your neighbours they will have something to moan about for the next 6 years. The smells will peel the paint from the walls.

Funny.........they make me laugh when they service 'spicy' food in the shops. Is that why there aren't any Indian restaurants where I live?

Thanks....in an ideal world he would cook and set the table ready for my return. But alas...he is Swiss so a workaholic and generally allows me to cook most days!!!

And invite EF, or maybe just me if you're short on space

Is that right? I learned something new today....thanks

I would make the following:

- Mushroom soup

- Braised beef in stout with creamy mash potatoes and sauteed red cabbage

- Sticky toffee pudding with custard

- A selection of UK cheeses from Grumpy Grapefruit's stand with Jacob's crackers

Cheers,

Nick

Which ones? Can we have a list of their names?

Cheers,

Nick

Confuse them into thinking it's Christmas - serve them a Fondue Chinoise

Maybe you need to get out more. I know loads of fussy eaters. Ask you colleagues want they do not like to eat.

Peter Gugger, lives near Thun, will not eat Lamb (It smells), Fish (The smell) alcohol (His illness), he went to Brussels on business for Swisscom.

They took him to a top fish restaurant, he didn't eat anything. I know many many fussy eaters like that.

I make my own genuine Christmas pudding, nobody wanted it when they heard what suet was.

I now make them with Brat-butter. Everyone loves them except Mr Gugger who insists pudding should wobble like custard or jelly.

Cheese, bacon, onions and potatoes go down well, always!

Hey, we make chinoise at times other than Cristmas!

(though we do normally have it at Christmas, too)

Tom

It's not even a Swiss thing.

An aunt and the uncle (from Germany) won't touch lamb, either.

Fish - most people here around only know in the form of "Fisch Knusperli mit Tartar-Sauce" (disgusting).

Though, I have to say, a gigot can be slow-cooked ahead very well - and tastes delicious (if you like lamb).

Add some rice (or fresh cut pasta) and some green beans with tomatoes...

A single Swiss who dislikes fish and lamb is not MANY.

I hated lamb for years when I was only British, but love it now I'm Swiss too.

Well we checked what they don't like.....Onions and Garlic!!! WTF.....!!

Me too.

And to compound things, many have only experienced fish cooked as knusperli fisch so anything else will not go down well.

Sad, but true!

It is a Swiss thing. Just look at typical Restaurant menus if you're not convinced. It's basically nursery food, albeit very fine quality.

It used to be an English thing as well but isn't any longer.

My tried and true menu for entertaining Swiss guests: Mixed grill.

Good American that he is my husband is happy to fire up the grill in any weather - rain, snow or dark of night.

I prepare a platter of different cuts to grill - beef filet/steak, pork, chicken, and salmon are a safe mixture. Marinated as you wish, or make a few different dipping sauces. Include skewers of various veggies, skewers of potatoes (par boiled, tossed in oil and herbs first). I do a variety of things, as then there is pretty much guaranteed to be something everyone likes.

Then decant a few bottles of your favorite wine, put out a few simple apetizer nibblies and gather the guests round to chat and watch hubby do his grill magic - while I make a nice salad.

Cheese platter, and fresh fruit.

An American style desert: pie or fruit cobbler are usually good choices. A bit different, but only a little bit.

Everything can be done ahead of time. And it takes the stress out of entertaining in-laws, as hubby does the grilling.

Bacon & Egg Pie , A few eggs , ham or bacon,grated cheese, cream, a puff pastry , heaps of hearbs , salt & peper (Aromat a must). 35-45 Min (190°). A nice dessert, a winner, and or ice cream.

Looks like it will have to be the plate of cheese, the jars of pickles, and the little boiled potatoes again!

Oh horrors!

Just make sure that everything was grown in Switzerland! Use nothing foreign.

A swiss can taste the difference between chicken or meat from other countries.

If you choose fish it must come from water in Switzerland, and you must know which river/lake and what type it is.

Local wine too. Preferably.

Pity it`s not winter yet .... I could offer you my fabulous Nüsslisalat recipe - makes a wonderful main meal served with bread - and is Swiss Approved.