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1st of August Buns

It's coming up next Wednesday: the Swiss national holiday 1st of August. Fire works, picnics, brunches, speeches by politicians and hopefully warm summer weather will be part of this fun holiday also this year. 1st of August commemorates the founding of the original Swiss federation by the four "original cantons" (= Urkantone) Uri, Schwyz, Nidwalden and Obwalden in the first half of August 1291. (Correction: there are only three Urkantone since Nidwalden and Obwalden are the two halfs of the canton Unterwalden. Thanks Martin!) It does not mark Swiss independence but rather the start of a the several century long formation of the Swiss nation.

1st of August Bun 

Although it is nice to remember the beginnings of Switzerland and to think of some of the legends surrounding them like William Tell or the Oath at the Rütli, 1st of August is nowadays mainly a fun daz off with lots of good food and fireworks. One of the typical ingredients of a Swiss 1st of August celebration is the 1st of August Bun. The soft sweetish bread appears on almost every table that day - bought or home made. :) They are tasty and great with cold meat, cheese or jam and taste best when coming straight from your oven (as is the caste with most baked stuff). I found this recipee for 1st of August buns and thought I'd share it with you. Just in case you want to try your hand at Swiss baking...

1st of August Buns (for 4 people)

Ingredients:
  • 1/2 kilo white flour
  • salt
  • 25 grams of yeast (can be bought in cubes at the super)
  • 60 grams of butter
  • 2,5 deciliter of milk
  • 1 egg
  • 4 small paper Swiss flags for decoration :)

Directions:
  1. Pour flour and a pinch of salt into a bowl and mix with your hand. Form a well in the flour.
  2. Warm milk in small pan (do not boil!) and add butter and yeast to it. 
  3. Pour milk into the flour and mix with your hand until the dough is smooth (it's gonna be less messy if you only use one).
  4. Put dough on a clean surface and knead well (i.e. until it is soft and elastic and doesn't stick to your hands anymore). You might have to add a bit of flour if it's too moist.
  5. Put dough into a bowl and cover with a towel. Leave it at a warm place until it has risen to double its size. 
  6. Heat the oven to 200 C
  7. Form 4 small buns and cut the top slightly with two straight lines forming a cross (imagine cutting a circle into 4 even parts with two cuts). This is gonna give the buns their typical 1st of August Bun shape. 
  8. Put in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. If the buns sound hollow when you tap their bottom they are ready.
  9. Add the Swiss flags and serve!

En Guete - enjoy your meal!







© 2012 IRENE WYRSCH "A HUMOROUS GUIDE TO SWITZERLAND" ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
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Comments

  1. LaurèneJuly 29, 2012 at 6:55 PM

    Nice, thank you for sharing! :)

    I also heard it was quite traditionnal to go for a brunch in a farm (have a look at www.brunch.ch in case you're interested). I will try on Wednesday and will make a report on my blog. :)

    Have a good national day and thank you for this very nice blog, really like it! :)

    Laurène
    Http://www.carnetdescapades.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. MartinAugust 2, 2012 at 5:41 PM

    Actually, there were only three, since there were also only three men swearing the oath. Namely, Walter Fürst from Uri, Werner Stauffacher from Schwyz and Arnold von Melchtal from Unterwalden, at least as far as the myth goes. Those days, the term canton was not even yet in use, these were just three different sites. But fact is: Ob- and Nidwalden are the two halfs of the canton Unterwalden!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Scott HaasJuly 31, 2013 at 11:53 PM

    Merci viel mal!

    ReplyDelete

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