Must-Eat Mountain Recipes For The Ski Chalet

A long day out on the slopes builds up a mountainous appetite like nothing else. That's why we've picked nine hunger-busting recipes that are ideal for a stay at a ski chalet and will keep you going on a full day's skiing.

From paleo banana pancakes and grilled fish to turkey chili and decadent hot chocolate, here are our top, must-eat après-ski recipes for all you snow enthusiasts out there.

Pumpkin and Maple-Nut Oatmeal

A hearty pre-ski brekky should set you up for a day on the snow. Resist the urge to pig out on fatty foods like bacon and sausages; they’ll only leave you feeling sluggish and the salt in them will soak up water from your body.

Instead, grab yourself a bowl of oatmeal or cereal, and a muffin or wholemeal toast if needed. Grains are quickly digested yet release energy slowly; perfect for a full morning on the slopes. And swap coffee for water or fresh fruit juice to stay hydrated. See the recipe for pumpkin and maple-nut oatmeal here

Photo: Outside Magazine — Photo: Outside Magazine

Paleo Banana Pancakes

Not a fan of grains or flour? No worries with this paleo recipe that’s compatible for all you snow bums living a gluten-free lifestyle. Besides deliciousness, bananas and eggs give you the same steady, slow energy release as grains, while eggs are chock-full of important vitamins, minerals and micronutrients for a healthy body.

It takes just minutes to make this delicious four-ingredient breakfast. Mash a couple of bananas with a few eggs and water. Fry the resulting batter in coconut oil and serve with your favourite toppings. We love to eat these with peanut butter and Nutella (you can never have enough Nutella in your life!) or gluten-free yogurt and a handful of blueberries. See the recipe here

Grilled Fish Sandwich

For lunch, a grilled fish sandwich contains the right high-protein and high-carb mix for the most simple and delicious way to recover and refuel quickly. Grill the fish, grill the bun, voila! Top with avocado for a boost of healthy oils and garnish with a tasty aioli. See the recipe here

Photo:  Applesandsparkle — Photo: Applesandsparkle

Lentil Soup

After a long, blistering-cold morning out on the slopes, dive into a bowl of lentil comfort with no regret. Packed with healthy protein and fibre, this dish will keep you feeling full and satisfied for the rest of the day. Lentil soup is comforting, uncomplicated, and easy to throw together with the bare minimum of ingredients. See the recipe for vegan lentil soup here

Cheese Fondue

Cooked right at the table, nothing beats spearing bread cubes onto a long fork and dipping them in warm gooey cheese. This traditional Swiss dish is the perfect appetiser for a whole night of fun with your family and friends. We couldn’t find any specific benefits for skiers to eat fondue apart from sheer pleasure. Go on, treat yourself. See Heston Blumenthal’s fondue recipe here

Turkey Chili in a Bread Bowl

Fill your belly with honest country style home cooked food served in an edible bowl. Turkey chili is one of those irresistible comfort foods with a little extra spice to heat you up after a day of frozen noses and frostbitten toes. The high-protein content in the turkey will help your muscles repair quicker so you can get out the next day and ski or snowboard to your heart's content. Add black beans to keep your digestive system in working order and toast the top of the bun with garlic butter to scoop up any spill overs. See the recipe here

Spag Bol

Probably the easiest apres dish you’ll ever make, spag bol offers a good mix of carbs, fat and protein to maximise your energy and glycogen levels for a full day of skiing. For longer lasting fuel, use whole wheat pasta. It’s higher in complex carbohydrates, which means it burns slower and reduces that sluggish feeling. Stir in zucchini, carrots and eggplant for an extra hit of carbs without the fat density of a creamy sauce. See the recipe here

Banana Split

Who says dessert has to be calorific? Satisfy your sweet tooth the natural way with this mix of potassium-rich bananas, non-fat Greek yogurt, antioxidant-fuelled fresh berries, crunchy granola and yummy dark chocolate chips. Pleasurable goodness without the guilt.

The World’s Best Hot Chocolate

Ok, so we changed our minds, after-dinner treats absolutely have to be indulgent. It’s cold up there! And après-ski delights don’t get any better than cosying up in front of the wood fire sipping a scrumptious hot chocolate. Just don’t be surprised when everyone’s face ends up a hot chocolate mess. See the recipe here

These are just a few of our all-time favourite mountain recipes and by no means a complete list. Skip the busy food stops at the bottom of the hill, prepare ingredients before your ski trip and you'll have all your meals covered.

We also get excited about visiting the best dining experiences the resorts have to offer. Who wants to cook all the time anyway, right!

Pure Brandz7 July 2015mountain food, mountain recipes, must-eat recipes, ski recipes, skiers diet