Classic Swiss Muesli
Swiss muesli is the stuff I grew up on and it is still one of my favorites. Although mainly used as a breakfast cereal, back in my childhood it was also occasionally served as snack on hot days or even as a light meal or fruity dessert at times.
Muesli was invented/created around the turn of the century by Swiss doctor Maximilian Bircher for the patients in his hospital in Zurich, Switzerland.
He was a pioneer in nutritional research and “healed” his patients with a balanced diet of raw fruits and vegetables, a revolution, considering the eating habits of the people at that time. The term “muesli” comes from the Swiss dialect word of “mus” literally meaning puree, paste or pulp. The added “li” just signifies “a little”.
Doctor Bircher’s original muesli recipes was made with 1 tablespoon of rolled oats, soaked in 2–3 tablespoons of water with 1 tablespoon of lemon juice, sweet cream and ground hazelnuts and 200 gram (7oz) of finely grated apples.
This is quite different from what “Swiss Muesli” is today, however the few basic ingredients of oats, grated apples and dairy (milk/cream) are still the basis for this dish.
Enjoy this traditional Swiss Muesli recipe!
Swiss Muesli
Ingredients
- 120 grams rolled oats
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 1 cup milk
- 1 piece each red & green apple
- 1 lemon
- 100 grams thick natural yoghurt
- 30 grams hazelnuts
- 10 grams walnuts
- 2 oranges
- 150 grams seasonal fruits
- 50 grams berries
Instructions
- Soak the oats with the honey and the milk and chill for 2-4 hours
- Add the yogurt, and the ground hazelnuts and then grate the apples including the skin into the mixture.
- Add the lemon juice, orange juice and segments and combine well.
- Add the diced seasonal fruits and chopped walnuts and dress into your serving dish.
- Decorate with remaining fruits and berries and serve well chilled.
Notes
Related: 20 Popular Swiss Foods
Related: 15 Popular Swiss Desserts
Related: Classic Swiss Cheese Fondue
