ChezHelvetica Blog http://chezhelvetica.com/blog Personal culinary adventures Mon, 14 May 2012 18:19:08 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.1 Mother’s Day “Tea for Two” http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/05/14/mothers-day-tea-for-two/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mothers-day-tea-for-two http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/05/14/mothers-day-tea-for-two/#comments Mon, 14 May 2012 17:47:13 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1377 Celebrating my wonderful Mother with an elegant springtime tea follows in the “Tea for Two” theme prevailing at ChezHelvetica. From a Kohler soaking tub to beautiful art created by Jennifer Roberts, this occasion surmounts them all. Inspired by the recipes from the May issue of Bon Appetit Magazine, our feast included Shaved-Radish Finger Sandwiches with Herb Butter on Baguette and Curried Egg Salad (sweetened with Granny Smith apple) on Pita. With Spring Onions and Asparagus purchased the day before from the sun-drenched Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, we delighted in A Savory Vegetable and Goat Cheese Tart. Rather than using the Scone recipe in that issue, I opted for a Lemon Walnut recipe from the archives. Delicious Glashoff Farm’s Lemon Curd frosted the warm, earthy Scones. Peet’s Yunan Fancy Tea accompanied our meal in this sitting, replaced later by a DeLoach Chardonnay as we grazed throughout the evening. The secret ingredient to this celebration was unequivocally my incredible Mother. It is her strength, creativity and love that made this all possible. Thank you Mom!

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/05/14/mothers-day-tea-for-two/feed/ 0 A Spring Sunday Supper http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/04/17/a-spring-sunday-supper/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-spring-sunday-supper http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/04/17/a-spring-sunday-supper/#comments Tue, 17 Apr 2012 17:33:31 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1288 With the happy lightness and warmth of Spring, a casual Sunday supper delighted all at ChezHelvetica this evening. Grilled Portabello Mushrooms (brushed with minced Garlic, Balsamic Vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil) with Grilled Onions and Cheddar Cheese topped LaBrea Multi-Grain bread for an easy-to-eat entree, accompanied by roasted yellow, red and purple Potatoes accented with Rosemary. Our salad boasted the “queen of vegetables” – Endive (a member of the chicory family) and Pink Grapefruit, Avocado and Walnuts, dressed in a luscious Honey, Citrus dressing. Thanks to a recipe from Martha Stewart Living, our delicious dessert featured Meyer Lemons in a heavenly Lemon Custard Cake crowned with fresh Strawberries. Celebrating the present with loved ones!

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/04/17/a-spring-sunday-supper/feed/ 0 A Spanish Seder http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/04/10/a-spanish-seder/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-spanish-seder http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/04/10/a-spanish-seder/#comments Tue, 10 Apr 2012 23:31:29 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1297

The chosen theme for our Seder this year reflects the rich and exotic Jewish culture that flourished for many centuries on the Iberian Peninsula, from the exotic and delicious cuisine to the colorful customs practiced at the Passover/Pesach Seder table. While guests to a Sephardic Seder customarily wear white, our table was set with vibrant yellow and red in keeping with the colors of the Spanish flag. A delicious Leek Soup replaced the traditional matzo ball soup as our starter followed by Charoset Truffles bursting with apricots, dates and cinnamon.  “Huevos Haminados” or eggs turned a beautiful light brown from slow cooking in onion skins with coffee grounds replaced the ritual hard-boiled eggs. With fond memories of the Paella I saw cooking on outside fires while living in Spain, this dish took center stage at our meal with a Kosher Paella recipe. Using chicken wing drummettes, sausages, tomatoes, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and green beans, a savory smoked salmon embellished our fragrant saffron-infused dish. Exquisite wine from the Ribera Sacra region of Spain accompanied the meal as we said our blessings with one glass after another. An amazing Spanish Walnut Cake with Syrup “Tishpishti” was the sweet ending to our Seder and beginning of this year’s exodus to freedom!

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/04/10/a-spanish-seder/feed/ 0 A Candlelit Lunch http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/03/22/a-candlelit-lunch/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-candlelit-lunch http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/03/22/a-candlelit-lunch/#comments Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:46:29 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1271 It’s a weekday. It’s lunchtime. Outside, it’s dark, cloudy and cold. Like magic, the burst of candlelight, vivid colors and warm food transform the day. Grilled stovetop, whole wheat and corn tortillas, avocado, baby spinach, cheddar cheese and salsa (embellished with Campari tomatoes) become Veggie Burritos. A Green Bean Salad (Food Network chef Ellie Krieger’s recipe) accompanies our entree. Trimmed and steamed green beans, fragrant toasted walnuts, vibrant parsley and a mustard vinaigrette burst with flavor. A happy union. BTW – the matchbook used to light the candles reads “Kathy & Freddy June 5, 1981″. More than 30 years later, the matches still ignite immediately.

 

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/03/22/a-candlelit-lunch/feed/ 0 Soothing the Soul http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/01/23/soothing-the-soul/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=soothing-the-soul http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/01/23/soothing-the-soul/#comments Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:55:25 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1244 The magical elixir of Spicy Chicken Sausage & Chickpea Stew proved the perfect potion for warming stomachs and souls. Thank you Amanda Gold of the San Francisco Chronicle for the soulful connection! Aromas of browning onions and sausage filled the air as the stew simmered and chickpeas danced in the broth, garnished before serving with fresh rosemary and Parmesan cheese. A recipe from my archives, Gourmet Magazine’s Date, Goat Cheese and Mesclun Salad, with its juxtaposition of creamy, sweet flavors and sharp red-wine vinegar and soy sauce dressing, sided beautifully with the stew. Warm, multi-grain La Brea bread quite literally pulled it all together as a Bogle Zinfandel provided even more comfort. Delectable Chocolate Pecan Bars concluded the meal at ChezHelvetica. An evening of simple indulgence and deep love!

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2012/01/23/soothing-the-soul/feed/ 0 Tostadas Tonight http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/12/16/tostadas-tonight/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=tostadas-tonight http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/12/16/tostadas-tonight/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 05:19:24 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1181 With a tablecloth from Cabo San Lucas, plates handcrafted by the unparalleled Rose Kahn and glassware taken from a photo shoot, the colorful tabletop was set and ready to receive the lively cuisine at ChezHelvetica tonight. Fittingly, Foodbuzz provided the recipe for the Black Bean Tostadas. Instead of using sour cream, luscious Crème fraîche with organic chives and dill dressed the romaine and black beans with salsa – all cradled by Trader Joe’s organic wheat and corn flour tortillas. Mushrooms al Ajillo, a recipe from Cesar Tapas Bar, accompanied the Tostadas. Rather than using chiles, Dave’s Gourmet smoky chile salt seasoned the shiaitake mushrooms to perfection. The velvety texture of the Cream of Cauliflower Soup with Saffron (a recipe found in Epicurious) proved an excellent counterpoint to the spicy dishes. Almost like finding buried treasure, tawny Victoria Beer paired with our food. ”In Mexico it’s a very important beer, because it’s very traditional and historic because this is the oldest beer brand in Mexico,” said Cesar Martinez, Victoria beer brewmaster. With the holidays upon us, See’s premiere candies were the fun ending to our meal as we selected one delectable gem after the other.  As Forrest Gump quoted -  My momma always said, “Life was like a box of chocolates. You never know what you’re gonna get.”

 

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/12/16/tostadas-tonight/feed/ 0 Wisdom Is Sage http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/11/28/wisdom-is-sage/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=wisdom-is-sage http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/11/28/wisdom-is-sage/#comments Mon, 28 Nov 2011 23:44:06 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1127 Black Friday dinner, the counterpart to a Thanksgiving feast, featured Sage as the wise choice to bridge both occasions. The Salvia officinalis (from Three Bees Nursery) used in a Brown Butter Sage Sauce was almost sweet, deliciously bathing Monterey Bay Organic Spinach and Cheese Ravioli. But let me digress, this meal began with a wonderful Roasted Squash Soup with Maple-Glazed Bananas, an “autumn in a bowl” recipe from Food & Wine magazine. A LaBrea Bakery Whole Wheat Bread, baked right before our meal, filled the air with the fragrance of its nutty taste, serving as the perfect accompaniment to sop up sauce and eat with soup. Piquant Kalamata Olives from Haig’s Delicacies and Smoked Salmon from Bryan’s Market rounded out our main course. An excellent Klinker Brick Zinfandel brought black magic to the Black Friday celebration, as did a ChezHelvetica favorite dessert – Lemon Squares from the Neiman Marcus cookbook. So here’s to being grateful and thankful, still, for the love of family and all the bounty life has to offer!

 


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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/11/28/wisdom-is-sage/feed/ 0 Chez Panisse Meets ChezHelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/09/15/chez-panisse-meets-chezhelvetica/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=chez-panisse-meets-chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/09/15/chez-panisse-meets-chezhelvetica/#comments Thu, 15 Sep 2011 00:09:56 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1099 With all of the recent press celebrating Alice Waters and her recipes from the past 40 years, I was inspired – in “Julie & Julia” fashion – to create some of her signature dishes. Pulling from the San Francisco Chronicle Decade 2 recipes, a delicious Baked Goat Cheese With Garden Lettuces served as a combination salad and cheese course. Goat cheese disks soaked up extra virgin olive along with fresh thyme and rosemary from the garden, then rolled in bread crumbs made from a whole wheat walnut sourdough baguette. These were baked and placed on a bed of arugula, dressed with sherry and red wine vinegars and oil. A “Thyme In” feature from the Wall Street Journal captured my attention with a Chicken with Garlic Purée and Zucchini Salad recipe. Raw summer squash from the Fillmore Farmers Market came alive in a marinade of Meyer lemon juice, basil and parsley. The savory roasted garlic purée electrified succulent grilled chicken breasts accented with sage, oregano and thyme. A perfect wine pairing was found with Husch Vineyards Mendocino Chardonnay made from sustainably grown grapes. A toast to Alice and her legacy of fresh, simple food!

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/09/15/chez-panisse-meets-chezhelvetica/feed/ 0 Grilling for Burners http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/08/29/grilling-for-burners/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=grilling-for-burners http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/08/29/grilling-for-burners/#comments Mon, 29 Aug 2011 23:30:52 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1084 It’s time once again for a Bon Voyage meal for those headed to the Black Rock Desert, embarking this year on their “Rite of Passage”. The meal highlight for My Burner was a Grilled Chicken and Corn Salad with Avocado and Parmesan, a recipe from Real Simple magazine. Kosher chicken from Trader Joe’s and organic white corn from the Fillmore Farmers Market were grilled stovetop, along with a baguette brushed with oil infused with basil. This dish was delightfully simple to make, thanks in part to some knowledge just learned from Food & Wine magazine about removing corn kernels from the cob. Using a bundt pan, you place the ear in the center hole and then slice off the kernels; they fall weightlessly right into the pan. Luscious red strawberries from Medina Berry Farms (also found at the Fillmore Farmers Market) were the Sweet Send Off.

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/08/29/grilling-for-burners/feed/ 0 Sicily in San Francisco http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/08/17/sicily-in-san-francisco/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sicily-in-san-francisco http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/08/17/sicily-in-san-francisco/#comments Wed, 17 Aug 2011 01:02:41 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1063 Food & Wine’s September 2011 issue promised Sicilian flavor with a fresh Garlic-Tomato Sauce using orange zest and saffron. Let the vicarious travel expedition begin! Early Girl Tomatoes from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market, first softened with garlic and red pepper then simmered with precious saffron and oregano, filled the air with sensuous aroma. True Wild Cod fillets (discovered at AK Meats on Clement Street) nestled in the sauce topped Arborio Rice scented with fragrant orange zest, bay leaves and cloves. Grilled Eggplant, roasted walnuts and ricotta cheese on arugula was the perfect accompaniment. With the season’s bounty of Meyer Lemons and Blackberries, the ChezHelvetica dessert this evening featured a Williams-Sonoma recipe for Lemon Bread. A sweet lemony syrup with blackberries drenched the bread for a fitting end to our journey!

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/08/17/sicily-in-san-francisco/feed/ 0 Independence Day!*!*! http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/07/05/independence-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=independence-day http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/07/05/independence-day/#comments Tue, 05 Jul 2011 22:04:21 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1031 Celebrating freedom this Fourth of July with the incredible bounty of our country! With a nod to the diversity of this nation, flavors were All-American, Mexican and Italian. The American component was a Lemony Potato Salad, a recipe from Epicurious, offering the zing of Meyer Lemon juice and zest, crunchy celery and buttery Yukon Gold Potatoes. Luscious creme fraiche enriched the dressing. Guacamole and chips, a natural segue from the U.S. to Mexico, took a twist with the use of cumin along with sweet red onion to flavor the organic avocado. Primavera Butternut Squash Tamales, filled with corn and Jack Cheese, paired with a new partner -Dave’s Gourmet Roasted Red Pepper Chipolte Hot Sauce. This delicious sauce delivered smoky soft fireworks! Savory Aidell’s Italian Sausages completed our entree and sweet ripe strawberries completed our holiday meal. With a salute to the Armed Forces and my Father, the folded flag was used to adorn the table.

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/07/05/independence-day/feed/ 0 Skewered http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/06/25/skewered/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=skewered http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/06/25/skewered/#comments Sat, 25 Jun 2011 00:01:54 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=1006 It’s Summer Solstice! As apropos, this evening’s entree featured something grilled – Grilled Oregano Prawns, an inspiration from Epicurious. With fresh oregano from our garden, sweet red onion and succulent prawns (from local market, AK Meats), this first of the season venture was off to a great start. A French Fingerling Potato Salad was the perfect complement with its buttery potatoes from Zuckerman Farms (purchased at the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market) and a piquant sherry, shallot vinaigrette. Warm multi-grain bread from Grace Baking sopped up the dressing as we enjoyed a golden Chardonnay from BR Cohen. Ya gotta have ice cream as your dessert on an occasion like this and Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia Ice Cream was the ultimate choice!

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/06/25/skewered/feed/ 0 Mother’s Day http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/05/10/mothers-day/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=mothers-day http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/05/10/mothers-day/#comments Tue, 10 May 2011 05:58:11 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=977 Celebrating Mother’s Day with the most incredible, inspirational, creative, strong woman. The menu featured all her favorites, from Caesar Salad, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Rosemary to Lobster Thermidor. This classic recipe, originated in the 1940′s by Gourmet chef Lois P. DeGouy, received a San Francisco touch with Baby Shiiatake Mushrooms from the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market. Fire engine red lobster tails, doused in an intoxicating thermidor sauce with sherry, were declared “Most Delicious Ever” by the honored guest. A baguette from Grace Baking soaked up the sauce and the salad dressing as the sun illuminated our celebration. Linens used also encompassed the classic and current with handmade placemats and napkins from Willemstad, Curacao, purchased decades ago on a Royal Viking Line cruise, to a new table cloth from 24th Street. The eternal dessert of choice – a Hot Fudge Sundae – was the perfect sweet ending to our special occasion!

 

 

 

 

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/05/10/mothers-day/feed/ 0 In What Way Do You Find This Night Different? http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/04/21/in-what-way-do-you-find-this-night-different/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=in-what-way-do-you-find-this-night-different http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/04/21/in-what-way-do-you-find-this-night-different/#comments Thu, 21 Apr 2011 19:13:13 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=925 The leader of our Passover Seder posed this traditional question to the Chosen Family and Friends present. The Wise Son quickly responded with a non-traditional answer: Matzo! The same could be said for the first Italian Seder at ChezHelvetica, “From San Francisco to Siena”. Drawing from archives of classic Italian Passover recipes, together with suggestions from Chef Claudio, the menu came to life. Our first course featured Laura Chenel chèvre spiked with minced garlic and parsley and wrapped in Breseola with Mission figs. A tantalizing Matzo Ball Soup made with matzo meal and ground chicken followed along with Italian Charoset bursting with fragrant spices, orange, almonds and luscious dried fruits. We reclined, thanks to Alois Lageder Pinot Grigio, Pio Cesare Barolo and Villa Antinori Toscana wines. Ah, the main course – Spigola Arrosta, Red Snapper (delivered to Antonelli’s Market that morning) accented with rosemary and anchovies then slow roasted on a grill, Porcini Matzo Polenta enhanced with basil and oven roasted artichoke hearts with garlic. For dessert, beautiful sweet strawberries from a roadside stand in Rio Vista and French Vanilla yogurt from Trader Joe’s with incredible Ricciarelli di Siena, almond and meringue cookies dusted with confectioners’ sugar. An almost biblical journey to freedom and epicurean delight!

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/04/21/in-what-way-do-you-find-this-night-different/feed/ 0 A Lucky Dinner http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/03/19/a-lucky-dinner/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=a-lucky-dinner http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/03/19/a-lucky-dinner/#comments Sat, 19 Mar 2011 03:45:49 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=897 The luck of the Irish and the fine shops in San Francisco came to the table this St. Patrick’s Day. Shenson’s corned beef from Costco, roasted in a convection oven, brought smiles even to the leprechaun. Or maybe it was the Guinness Draught?! Pureed herb roasted root vegetables and yams, combined with cream cheese, made a wonderful spread for the Irish Soda Bread. Fresh from the ovens of John Campbell’s Irish Bakery, this raisin-studded bread was the best I have ever tasted. A radish, parsley and green onion salad – along with an “artichoke heart four leaf clover” – completed  the holiday meal. Yep, feeling lucky!

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/03/19/a-lucky-dinner/feed/ 0 And Now a Volcano! http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/03/15/and-now-a-volcano/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=and-now-a-volcano http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/03/15/and-now-a-volcano/#comments Tue, 15 Mar 2011 00:33:32 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=863 With earthquakes and tsunamis on my mind, the flowing Garlic Volcano Bread at Boudin Bakery certainly caught my attention. Happily, this delicious bread proved the perfect accompaniment to Spaghetti And Meatballs Allamatriciana. This recipe from Bon Appétit Everyday Meals provided a new twist on the traditional dish with the use of mouthwatering applewood smoked bacon as the charcuterie of choice in combination with ground beef, panko breadcrumbs aromatics and the spices. Let the truth be known that instead of using the tomato sauce ingredients from the recipe, I used Prego tomato sauce left over from Burning Man. The organic Trader Joe’s whole wheat spaghetti couldn’t have been happier. The Wall Street Journal’s “Off Duty” section inspired our salad. The ChezHelvetica version used horizontally sliced Tory Farms navel oranges, arugula, goat cheese and toasted walnuts with a balsamic vinaigrette enhanced by Italian parsley and fresh oregano from our garden. And ZAP, a tantalizing bottle of Zynthesis Zinfandel quaffed our thirst!

 

 

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/03/15/and-now-a-volcano/feed/ 0 Vitamin C http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/03/03/vitamin-c/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vitamin-c http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/03/03/vitamin-c/#comments Thu, 03 Mar 2011 23:09:36 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=838  

While most people are somewhat cognizant of trying to eat a healthy diet, perhaps even Michelle Obama, Alice Waters and my own Mother would be impressed with the latest dish served at ChezHelvetica.  Thanks to Michael Chiarello of Food Network fame, the Arugula Pesto with Pine Nuts recipe called for the inclusion of Vitamin C.  So – from the medicine cabinet to the Cuisinart, a half tab of Vitamin C was pulverized, providing a subtle flavor similar to lemon. The pesto dressed whole wheat fettucinne (from Pezzini Farms in Castroville) and seared ahi tuna (from Costco). The aforementioned three women may be less impressed with the health benefits of the dessert –  multiple See’s Candies, left over from Valentine’s Day. Life – it’s all about balance, right?!

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/03/03/vitamin-c/feed/ 0 Under the Tuscan Sun (at Land’s End) http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/02/17/under-the-tuscan-sun-at-lands-end-3/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=under-the-tuscan-sun-at-lands-end-3 http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/02/17/under-the-tuscan-sun-at-lands-end-3/#comments Thu, 17 Feb 2011 04:51:45 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=759 Warm rays of sunshine, interlaced with the warmth of good friends, created the perfect ambience for this Tuscan-inspired luncheon.  We toasted our “salute” and long friendship with Prosecco while devouring our delicious appetizer. Chef Claudio’s recipe for Bresaola (an Italian air-cured beef,) stuffed with goat cheese, garlic and parsley, received a special ChezHelvetica touch with the addition of sweet mission figs. Fresh ciabatta and mixed olives accompanied this course as well as our entree.

Fried asparagus wrapped with prosciutto (then quickly roasted) sided the new house favorite, Nude Gnocchi with a Butter Sage sauce. These pillowy Ricotta and Arugula dumplings melted in our mouths as we moved on to samplings of a Pinot Grigio and two different Italian red wines. Pellegrino helped balance our imbibing!

“Torta della Nona” or Grandmother’s Cake, a luscious custard filled tart with raisins and pine nuts, further sweetened the afternoon. And then there was Limoncello, the grand finale!

NB: The resource for most ingredients used in this menu were from Cal-Mart.

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2011/02/17/under-the-tuscan-sun-at-lands-end-3/feed/ 0 From the Maccabees to Martha, Via Tuscany http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2010/12/09/from-the-maccabees-to-martha-via-tuscany/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=from-the-maccabees-to-martha-via-tuscany http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2010/12/09/from-the-maccabees-to-martha-via-tuscany/#comments Thu, 09 Dec 2010 20:23:35 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=730 Tonight we celebrate Chanukah and Judah Maccabee’s victory in re-dedicating the Temple. (History lesson: The Maccabees found only a small jug of oil, uncontaminated by virtue of a seal, and although it contained enough oil for only one day, it miraculously lasted eight days). After delighting on latkes the first night of the holiday, this seventh night’s menu included Shiiatake Mushroom Fettucine with intoxicating Truffle Oil, creamy Burrata Cheese and Puréed Rutabaga with shallots. Chef Claudio’s recipes inspired this delicious fettucine while Martha Stewart Living provided a new twist on the root vegetables. The recipe specifies the addition of mascarpone cheese, however, I substituted a combination of cream cheese and sour cream. The fine food and wine for our meal were gathered from the wonderful Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and A.G. Ferrari. Zabaione – named “Chef Claudio’s second breakfast” – sweetened this celebration of victory and miracles!

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]]> http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2010/12/09/from-the-maccabees-to-martha-via-tuscany/feed/ 0 The Wishbone http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2010/11/30/the-wishbone/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=the-wishbone http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/2010/11/30/the-wishbone/#comments Tue, 30 Nov 2010 21:45:53 +0000 chezhelvetica http://chezhelvetica.com/blog/?p=709 Thanksgiving ’10, a dazzling clear and chilly day, provided the perfect ambience for creating a feast. Tradition met innovation with the dishes served, from the organic turkey – painstakingly prepared on a Weber grill by my husband – to Green Beans with Blackened Sage, an Epicurious recipe advising “forget that green bean casserole”. Cornbread stuffing with fresh herbs, cranberry sauce with fresh cranberries and dried bing cherries and a yam roasted along with the turkey continued the holiday ritual of incredible aromas and flavors. The 7 Deadly Sins Zinfandel and Pecan Pie heightened the excitement of the occasion and fueled us for an after dinner walk under the Starry Night (better than Van Gogh’s). Now there is a wishbone beckoning, filled with hopes of dreams come true!

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