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Muesli ( ) is a cold Swiss cuisine that has become a common breakfast cereal prepared without cooking. Developed around 1900 by Swiss physician Maximilian Bircher-Benner for patients in his hospital, in Switzerland, it is also consumed for supper as , i.e., muesli with café complet (milk coffee accompanied by Butterbrot bread,).
Traditionally, the primary ingredient is rolled oats which have not been processed further. The original preparation was to soak the oats in water overnight ("overnight oats") and eat the next morning with fresh apple, nuts, lemon juice, and sweetened condensed milk. Variation over time was natural: substituting other citrus juice or adding additional ingredients such as grains, seeds, and fresh and dried fruits. Yogurt, milk or other milk products, or milk substitutes are now common ingredients in both homemade and commercially packaged muesli recipes.
Modern commercial brands market muesli that is toasted. If it is processed further, by adding sweetener and oil to bind the ingredients together and baked, it is granola.
It was introduced around 1900 by Bircher-Benner for patients in his hospital, where a diet rich in fresh fruit and vegetables was an essential part of therapy. It was inspired by a similar "strange dish" that he and his wife had been served on a hike in the Swiss Alps.
Bircher-Benner himself referred to the dish simply as d Spys, Swiss German for "the dish" (); it was commonly known as Apfeldiätspeise (). Bircher opened a chalet-style sanitorium on Zürichberg called Lebendige Kraft (). These facilities had risen in popularity during the era of lebensreform, a social movement which valued health foods and vegetarianism.
The dish was prepared by mixing the cream and honey or condensed milk with the soaked oats and lemon juice and, while stirring, grating the whole apple into the mixture. This method prevented the apple pulp from browning. The intent was to serve the dish fresh, immediately before any other dishes in the meal.
The preparation of home-made muesli varies according to the tastes and preferences of the cook, but the basic proportions are around 80% grain, 10% nuts and seeds and 10% dried fruits. Some home cooks prefer to mix the dry ingredients ahead of time and store a batch of it in a container, adding wet ingredients such as fresh fruit, dairy products, honey and fruit juice immediately before serving.
There are many varieties, which may also contain honey, spices, or chocolate. Dry packaged muesli can be kept for many months and served quickly after mixing with milk, filmjölk, yogurt, coffee, hot chocolate, fruit juice or water. If desired, pieces of fresh fruit may be added. Alternatively, the mix may be soaked overnight in milk and then served with fresh fruit or compote to taste.
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