Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, set with the sun and promising seal for a good New Year. After remembering our lost loved ones and pondering what more could be done to improve ourselves and help others, it was now time to break the day’s fast. 
At ChezHelvetica, this meant Mezze, small dishes of Middle Eastern heritage to share. Our feast started with Fuji Apple slices and the sweetest Honey from Tierra Del Cielo Bee Farm in Santa Margarita (gift from sister Abby), then progressed to savory Zucchini/Brussel Sprout Fritters spiced with Mint, Basil, Garlic and Lemon Zest, served with Galbani Ricotta Cheese. My dear friend Joan provided a platter of wonderful La Mediterannee bites (Dolmas, Spinach and Chicken Filos) with Hummus, Aubergine Dip, Pita Bread and Challah (made by daughter Arielle) and Balsamic Beets Salad with Medjool Dates and Walnuts. Our cups runneth over with Frei Brothers Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley (stains removed from the white linens with some salt and Wine Away). 
This special night ended with a delicious Apple Tart (home made by the Shabbos Goy) à la mode. Let all our futures be special, filled with hope!
Rosh Hashanah at ChezHelvetica braided the New Year, culinary renewals and the heart-breaking loss of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Jewish tradition calls one who dies at this auspicious time a tzadik, or righteous person. RBG’s tireless fight for the rights of all people will forever imprint our history. Hopefully, Ruth also would have delighted in the “
OZY Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi added a blessed touch. Fuji Apple slices with Honey started this evening’s special meal and then came full circle with a dessert of Apple Pie (made by the Shabbos Goy), topped with Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. The second night featured beautiful linens from Israel (gift from sister Abby) and a Caprese Salad of Heirloom Tomato, baked Cod, strips of the Kugel and Basil Chiffonade atop Organic Spinach and Kalamata Olives. Let RBG’s resilience, optimism and pursuit of justice inspire and motivate us all!
Red, white and blue or rainbow colors, black and sparkles? With mixed emotions at this troubling time in our history, 
ChezHelvetica presented the most uplifting table possible with William Tabar‘s 
Thank you to Rachel Ray for the simple instruction to brush the cobs with oil and season with salt. A tangy 
The Question Now: Why is this seder different from all other seders? In this surreal time, commemorating our ancestors release from bondage has been supplanted by family and friends ordered to stay in place – in self-isolation. ChezHelvetica honored both by first conversing with nuclear relatives and old friends virtually, then launching into a very authentic, traditional dinner atop beautiful new white, blue and silver Lamé linen placemats from Jerusalem (gifts from sister Abby).
Soup.
Delicious 
Surreal times call for inspiration and imagination. At ChezHelvetica, this meant diving deep into cupboards and sacks of produce and staples to create a heartwarming dinner. Behold mouthwatering 
Shimmering place cards adorned with sea shells and trinkets (created by sister Abby) welcomed family and friends to ChezHelvetica’s milestone birthday celebration. Mom’s 90th!
Our kaleidoscope of sea world fantasy began with delicious Jumbo Shrimp Cocktails – the Shrimp from Antonelli’s, the pungent Cocktail Sauce home made with Ketchup, Horseradish, Worcestershire Sauce and Lemon Juice. Two savory 
A wonderful Field Greens Salad with Apricot Dressing, made by friend Joan, accompanied. Then, a legendary aquatic creature appeared! An image of our incredible Mother (Beverly Lassen) from the Carmel Valley Athletic Club pool transformed into a Mermaid by the “Black Magic” of Sweet Things Bakery. With Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay in hand, we toasted this inspirational woman and sang Happy Birthday!!!🎶🎶
New beginnings at ChezHelvetica! This day started with delicious deli at Toy Boats on Clement Street, fueling our search for the perfect locally sourced fresh fish to star in a “Sheet-Pan Harissa, Fish with Potatoes and Citrus” recipe, adapted from the New York Times.
Our discovery at last – Monkfish from the Seafood Center. The fish roasted in Stonehouse Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Kosher Salt, Pepper, Ginger, Garlic, Moroccan Harissa Spice and juicy Tangerines and Oranges from Tory Farms and Meyer Lemons from my sister’s tree. Organic Green Beans, Tomatoes and Red Onion from Trader Joe’s with Brussel Sprouts and Red Potatoes accompanied. Delectable! We toasted the special night with Zonin Prosecco and Reed’s Ginger Beer. A gift of Gudrun Fine Belgian Chocolates concluded this wonderful New Year’s Eve, the last night of 2019. The first chapter of the Roaring 20’s, a Holy Roller on Ocean Beach – a huge cylinder stamped with symbols of many religions leaving marks in the sand, ushering in spirituality, creativity and peace for the new decade! Click to view short iMovie 
“The first candle glows with a wish for the best things in life.” ChezHelvetica celebrated the first night of Chanukah filled with optimism. Miracles were imminent! The stunners this evening began with Chicken Soup made from Rotisserie Chicken with Onion, Garlic, Celery, Carrots and Dill. Next, delicious Potato Latkes (made by dear friend Joan) served with Sour Cream and homemade 
Arugula Salad filled with Smoked Salmon, Cherry Tomatoes and Red Onion, covered with Apricot Salad Dressing (made with Apricots from my sister’s tree) accompanied the Latkes. Another marvel this evening – Silver Oak Cabernet Sauvignon. Sweet cookies concluded this gathering, for which the Maccabees would certainly declare another victory. Happy Holidays to All!
First Course: Delicious Tea Sandwiches – Egg Salad with Chives, Honey Smoked Salmon, and Pear Pecan Blue Cheese, paired with an assortment of Celestial Seasonings Herbal Teas and J Sparkling Wine. Second Course: Incredible Blueberry and Currant Scones, served with Somerdale Double Devon Cream, English Clotted Cream, Ollalaberry/ Blackberry Jam (made by my friend Priscilla) and Lemon Curd. Third Course: Desserts! Chocolate Crinkles, Orange Cookies, Ginger/TCHO Cocoa Powder Cookies (made by my niece Rachel) and Iced Pound Cake. Now wine, a luscious Twomey Russian River Valley Pinot Noir, donated by The Duncan Family. And then a Fourth Course: Besparkling Angels. Each Cava decorated a wooden angel with Glitter Glue for the perfect ornament to decorate their Chanukah Bush or Christmas Tree.
ChezHelvetica’s first experience with Cranberry Beans, also known as Borlotti, opened a new world in dining. Sensuous in their curved shells, these beautifully pink-speckled oval beans added creamy, delicious flavor to a Tri Color Barilla Pasta dish, nestling on Earthbound Farm Organic Baby Spinach. An Epicurious 
Grated Parmesan-Reggiano Cheese showered the Pasta Salad, studded with 
