photos & recipes: m.charles



Not all food that is cheap is bad for you. CHEAP EATS features gourmet recipes with high quality ingredients for under 20 CHF (€13).

This Issue : French classics Moules et Frites and Tarte Tatin = TOTAL 18.90CHF .

* in Zurich, most of the produce was purchased at Migros and Barkat (Birmensdorferstrasse 143, 8003 Zürich, phone 043 811 54 90.

MOULES ET FRITES

  • 600 gr of live mussels, scrubbed and debearded
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter
  • 1/2 cup white wine
  • garlic, minced
  • 1/4 tsp of ginger, finely chopped
  • onion, finely chooped
  • 1/2 tsp dried thyme
  • 1/2 tsp rosemary
  • 1 tbsp of fresh parsely
  • 1 tsp of lime juice

  1. 1. In the butter, sautee onions, garlic, ginger, thyme rosemary, parsely, lime juice and wine together for 3-5 mins. Than add the cleaned mussels to pot, stir quickly than cover for 5 mins until mussels have opened.
  2. 2. Discard any closed mussel and serve in bowl while hot..



  3. For the Frites:
    • 2 red or yukon potatoes, thinly sliced
    • olive oil

    1. 1. In hot oil, fry potatoes until dark golden brown (5-8 mins).
    2. 2. Transfer to paper towel and pat to remove excess oil and serve with mussels.


VINI VERGANI recommends: Tocai Friulano DOC Zuc di Volpe, 2006
Producer: Volpe Pasini, Togliano di Torreano, 100% Tocai
Degustation notes: Aromatical, rich in texture, full-flavored and balanced. A scent of bitter almonds and a wide texture, that makes it's character. Given time, the bouquet gets stronger and multi-layered.



TARTE TATIN (adapted from the original Tarte Tatin recipe )

  • 7-8 baking apples, peeled, cored and quartered
  • 125 gr icing sugar
  • 150 gr unsalted butter
  • lemon juice
  • puff pastry

1. In a pan on medium-high heat melt butter and sugar together until the sugar has browned and started to caramelize.
2. Place apples into pan and cook until apples are softened and browned. Add lemon juice evenly over mixture.
3. Than transfer apples (with a bit of the liquid) into a buttered, deep pie dish completely covering the bottom.
4. Place the puff pastry on top folding the edges . With a fork, perferate pastry.
5. Place in 200 degree oven for 15- 20 mins. Remove from oven and let cool slighty.
6. Place a large serving dish on top of the tarte and quickly flip the pie over onto the plate. Slice than serve.





VINI VERGANI recommends: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi classico sup. DOC, 2007
Producer: Andrea Felici, Apiro, 100% Verdicchio
Degustation notes: Straw yellow color, scents of peaches, apples and rose. A fresh and minerally flavor on the palate, known for this type of vine. Finish with a well supported tannin.