the creative cooks

The Invitation read:

In preparation for the summer garden gatherings, we will offer a presentation of various great tasting hor d'ourves and easy fingerfood.  We will even quench your thirst with some lovely berverages for those warm summer afternoons.

If you have a favorite, we welcome your contributions.  Otherwise, come and enjoy the selection of Chris Gschwend and Victoria Rollason. 

As we dine on these fine delicacies, we will make opportunity for "Symphony" - a time to share, this time of your favorite places to spend some summer days here in Geneva.  In addition, we welcome information on food found in the wild.  What can we eat that grows naturally in the forests or mountains or gardens here in Switzerland?

SYMPHONY 

Margaret Skjulestad shared:

I hung up a new decoration--a sign above the door saying "In Everything Give Thanks".  Summer vacation can be full of expectations, some of them happily come true and others just bring about discouragment.  Let's approach summer by being thankful about even the hiccups along the way.  Smile!

An example from a famous American film, Pollyanna, depicting an orphan that gets adopted by her wealthy aunt after her family tragically dies.  Pollyanna revolutionizes the entire town with her "Glad Game".  She had an amazing ability to always find something to be "glad" about. 

Some thought they could stump her by asking her what could be so good about Sundays. (The local preacher had a technique of wanting to scare the congregation and make them feel guilty long enough into the week that they would make it "sinfree" until the next Sunday of "fire and brimstone".  Pollyanna, after some thought, said that 'we could be glad because it would be a whole week again before the next Sunday threatening sermon.'  Smile! 

But then she had a talk with the preacher and told of what her dad clung to as a minister.  Then she quoted an American President, Abraham Lincoln, 'If you look for the bad in someone you will surely find it.'  Well, the preacher understood what the opposite would obviously be, and the next Sunday was about all the "happy texts" in the Bible.  Then, he dismissed the congregation to go enjoy their Sunday for a change.  Smile!

Jenny Fee informed:

Of course honey suckle in the garden is a favourite with kids!

Here in Switzerland dandelion salad and nettle soup are both pretty common and those are some
local plants. In the mountains, wild strawberries and blueberries are
delicious, and so different from the "big" blueberries and strawberries.

There is a VERY poisonous berry to beware of, it looks just like a blueberry but there is only one per plant so easy to tell (but not so easy for kids). we had an experience of a camper rushed to hospital for that one... all ok in the end.

Note: there is no poison ivy in Switzerland.  Also, to help nettle stings, rub dirt/mud on the sting. 

Lindi Trinsey presented:

Château et parc de Penthes

http://www.panoramio.com/photo/2023678

rice paper
mint
red pepper
mango
green onion
bean sprouts
grated cucumber and carrots
lettus
tofu, chicken, shrimp or beef
Wet rice paper in bowl, place a tiny amount of each item in center and roll up as firmly as possible.

Peanut sauce

Peanut butter

Honey

Soy sauce

Asian hot sauce

Hoisan Sauce

Coconut milk

Sprinkle crushed peanuts on top of sauce

*Mix desired amounts of each (sorry I can't be more specific, but I just put in spoonfuls of this and that without much measuring!)

Smoked Salmon Bites - by Chris Gschwend

-smoked salmon

-cream cheese (I used the light version)

-chopped fresh dill

-green onions

-lemon juice

-sea salt and ground pepper

-crushed nuts

* Mix ingredients from cream cheese to S&P in desired amounts and spread cream cheese over smoked salmon as you would a topping on a crepe.  Roll up, cut into bite size pieces and cover with crushed nuts (peanuts, pistachios, walnuts)

Rumaki - by Chris Gschwend

-1 can of waterchestnuts (scallops or fiques also work well with this recipe)

-1 package of bacon

-1/2 cup ketchup

-1/3 cup sugar

* Wrap waterchestnuts in bacon and cook at 300 degrees C. for 1 hour.  Remove from oven, dip into ketchup/sugar sauce (or maple syrup - yumm!) and return to oven for 45 minutes. Serve warm.

Orange Mint Tea - by Chris Gschwend

Got it from the link http://southerfood.about.com/od/orangerecipes/r/bl40328l.htm