Cleaning vinegar: an ecological, economical multipurpose cleaning product

White distilled vinegar is still a standard cleaning product in Switzerland. It can replace many of the more expensive, name-brand cleaning products with all their “new and improved” claims and hefty price tags.

It’s not new, and it’s not improved, but it serves hundreds of purposes around the house.

You can buy it in any supermarket in Switzerland. You’ll find it in the cleaning products section, under the name Vinaigre de nettoyage. In France, simply buy vinaigre blanc in the vinegar section of the supermarket. Any Carrefour, Super U, Champion or Casino carries it.

Cleaning vinegar is not only economical; it is also ecological and non-toxic.

You can easily pour it into a spray bottle for easier use.

To remove odors

Wipe down inside of refrigerator with vinegar to remove odors. Mix it with baking soda to remove odors from garbage cans. It can generally be used to remove odors of all types, including mildew and musty smells.

To remove build-up of lime or corrosion

Put vinegar on a sponge or soft cloth to shine chrome sink taps. Fill kettle with vinegar and let it sit overnight to remove lime deposits.

To remove stickers and glue

On windows or other spots that have the left-overs of an adhesive hook, price tag or sticker, use pure vinegar.

To clean windows

Use vinegar and old newspaper to clean windows. Newspaper works much better than paper towels, because it leaves no white paper traces.

To remove grease

Vinegar is also good for removing grease on exhaust hoods and oven grills.

General cleaning

Cleaning vinegar is good for removing the film that forms on kitchen cabinets, cutting boards, and stovetops. To remove tea or coffee stains from porcelain or china, soak in vinegar, mixed with either soda or salt. After cutting onions or garlic, clean your hands with vinegar to remove the smell.

WARNING: Vinegar is an acid, so it should never be used on marble.

Geneva’s star of stars: Chateauvieux chef Philippe Chevrier

Philippe Chevrier of none other than the exclusive Domaine de Chateauvieux in Satigny has fond memories of childhood lake cruises in steamboats. It is therefore with nostalgic pleasure that he took on the task of organizing gourmet cruises on the steamboat Savoie in Geneva, commissioned in 1914 and completely renovated to its original state between 1994 and 2006.

Set price menus or daily specials

You can eat on both daytime or evening cruises, or rent the boat for a private function such as a birthday party or a business meeting.

Chevrier’s CHF65, 3-course lunch menu and CHF39 daily special are a good way to get a reasonably priced taste of his style of cooking so cherished by the Geneva crowd. The children’s menu goes for CHF22.

There are two set menus in the evening. The 4-course one at CHF98, or the 3-course one at CHF85. And there is even a hefty sized special in the evening for CHF56.

Just to get your taste buds working, the current lunch menu starts with sea bream carpaccio with Espelette hot peppers, aubergine caviar and sweet garlic toast; followed by guinea fowl ballottine (boned, stuffed, rolled and tied in the shape of a bundle, then cooked) and wild mushrooms with Sherry sauce served with fried polenta; and a grande finale consisting of a Mara des Bois strawberry and ginger dessert served with lemon and lime sorbet.

It is a perfect way to celebrate an anniversary or birthday, or just have a romantic evening out.

Location and booking

Call the CGN at 0848 811 848 to book the cruise, and then book your table by calling 022 753 93 30 (Philippe Chevrier – Le Traiteur) or e-mailing Chevrier at info@savoie-philippe-chevrier.ch.

Look at the CGN site under Croisières Gastronimiques for details regarding times and locations of these gourmet cruises. Unfortunately, the English on the site is not complete, so you’ll have to look at the French for full details.

You can board at Genève Jardin Anglais, Genève Pâquis, Hermance or Versoix.

Dates

Chevrier’s gourmet cruises are available from 26 April to 25 October 2009.

CAFE BERRA

1 Place de l’Ecole
1871 Choëx sur Monthey
+41 24 471 05 30
info@caféberra.ch

http://www.cafeberra.ch

In the hills above Monthey, Jean-Yves André and Josiane Raemy, who worked for many years in Asia, offer a pleasant mix of a solid classic French cuisine with notes of Asia here and there. Portions are generous and they only use high-quality local ingredients and wine producers, including Marie-Thérèse Chappaz. The homemade ice cream, sorbet and panna cotta are delicious. Seasonal menus and delightful service by Josiane. Reservations absolutely necessary. 3-course set menus from CHF50 to 65 and daily special CHF22 at lunchtime on weekdays. Terrace.

Market Day 6 May 2009 photo album, with 27 images from Geneva’s Boulevard Helvétique market.

It was a day for spring flowers, wild garlic, baby turnips, fountain watercress, April Cross radishes, watermelon from Spain and wonderful rye bread. Take a visual tour!

Muguets, to welcome in the spring

Morels, a glorious rite of spring