But If You Try Sometime You Just Might Find You Get What You Need.” These Rolling Stones lyrics precisely capture the scene at ChezHelvetica. Early in the day, discoveries abounded with Butter Lettuce, Cherry Tomatoes, Green Beans, Yukon Gold Potatoes and Acme Bread from the Ferry Plaza Farmers’ Market. Although seeking Tuna for a Tuna Nicoise Salad, beautiful Wild Salmon ended up being exactly what was needed. With Hard-Boiled Eggs, Capers, Red Onion, Olives and a Vinaigrette using my newly planted herbs: voila, the iconic summer salad appeared. Paired with a Coppola Chardonnay, this reception was indeed the hot ticket. The final embellishment, Michael Recchuiti‘s luscious Malted Chocolate Sauce over Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Cannonball Cabernet Sauvignon.“In Her Glass Was A Bleeding Man.”
Author: chezhelvetica1
My passion is all things epecurian.
When Thanksgiving is in July . . .
. . . the reasons to be thankful explode like beautiful fireworks *!*!* Behold the ChezHelvetica garden display – new Sage, Rosemary, Mint and French Tarragon juxtapose vibrant Lavender and orange-hued Dahlias, Zinnias and Geraniums. 
This burst of life, and the bounty of summer produce, inspired the creation of a Thanksgiving-like feast. The perfect recipe – Ina Garten’s delicious Herb Roasted Turkey Breast – was the centerpiece, accompanied by Roasted Sweet Potatoes and a Green Bean Salad from Real Simple. A Balsamic Vinegar, Shallot and Tomato Dressing doused sauteed Organic Green Beans and Garlic for a savory taste that leaves the traditional casserole in the last century. As the first Thanksgiving was celebrated in a town called Plymouth, the bold Renwood Zinfandel enjoyed this evening also came from Plymouth – this in Amador County. And finally – if life gives you Meyer Lemons, make Neiman Marcus Lemon Squares, you will indeed by thankful!
ChezHelvetica Marquee: Rockfish Redux
The final performance of the Rockfish Roll Out (read: the last of the three pounds of fish) took the form of a show-stopping summer salad. A refreshing Celery Salad – also starring in an encore performance – topped the Rockfish and Red Lettuce, with both stalk and leaves in play. Organic Radishes, Parsley, Capers and Artichoke Hearts completed the cast, all drizzled in Lemon and Key Lime Juices. In the supporting role, warm Whole Grain Sunflower Seed Bread from Trader Joe’s simply dazzled with its topping of Affi’s Aubergine (Fire Roasted Eggplant and Garlic) spread. A final nod goes to Kunde Family Estate Wines. Like the award for Best Choreography, their Chardonnay made the whole show move. Final credits: Saveur Magazine, Costco, Nunez Farm, Gump’s (for the $5 platter from the employee sale) and to Mom for the Denby Dinnerware!
In The Limelight
Fog-filtered super moonlight illuminated the beautiful round citrus center stage at ChezHelvetica on this Saturday evening. Limes originated in India or Malaysia, and then were grown on large scale in southern Iraq and Persia. The path of this variety proceeded to Sicily, Andalusia and the West Indies including the Florida Keys. West Indian, Mexican or bartender Limes garnered the Key Lime name in their association with the Florida Keys. A Saveur recipe for Grilled Prawns (posted on Facebook by my friend Phyllis) called for Finger Limes but aromatic Key Limes were a delicious understudy. Basil accented Lemon and Lime Juices drizzled the Gulf Prawns (from Safeway), delightfully spilling over the Roasted Yukon Gold Potatoes and Organic Broccoli (from Nunez Farm). Rich Kunde Chardonnay from Sonoma Valley accompanied our entree and also dessert of Tory Farms incredible Peaches and Roasted Inzana Ranch Walnuts. Spilling over – definitely the key words for this evening!
Rock & Roll
At ChezHelvetica, that translates into a Rockfish Roll Out. With nearly three pounds of Rockfish from Costco, what does one do with all of this Sebastes (a genus of fish in the family Sebastidae)? The first answer leapt from the pages of BigOven in Grilled Rockfish with Garlic and Basil. The luscious Butter Sauce (spiced with the heat of Cayenne Pepper) transformed this very basic fish into a gourmet dish, further embellished by Roasted Organic Red Potatoes and Broccoli from Nunez Farm of Watsonville in Pajaro Valley. Candlelight, the golden hue from Hess Select’s Chardonnay and new Chilewich place mats from the deYoung Museum further elevated this Saturday night dinner. Following a beautiful day at Stern Grove listening to Michael McDonald and Boz Scaggs on Sunday, the next iteration was Fresh Fish Tacos. Whole grain Las Fortunitas Tortillas cradled the Rockfish, Black Beans, Avocado and Cheddar Cheese as Salsa happily dripped on to our fingers. The Rock & Roll weekend ends with the rest of the Rockfish now chilling in the freezer, awaiting the next show to begin!
Parmigiano-Reggiano
For over seven centuries, Parmigiano-Reggiano has been delighting the world; celebrating the individual with its own unique inconsistencies. At the Fancy Food Show, ChezHelvetica acquired The Seasons of Parmigiano-Reggiano and selected two recipes from “Summer” for this weekend’s sumptuous repast. Like the painstaking, hand made process of the cheese (made in the controlled district of the Conzorzio del Formaggio), these dishes required a similar effort. Melanzane in tortiera (Baked Layered Eggplant) consists of three layers of sliced, broiled Eggplant, Tomato Sauce (made from Italian Plum Tomatoes that have been seeded and grated to pulp with Garlic, Red Onion and Marjoram), Bechamel Sauce, and Fontina and Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheeses. Panino ai funghi (Portabello Mushroom Sandwich), smeared with a Savory Parmigiano-Reggiano Spread made with Artichoke Hearts, accompanied the Baked Eggplant. Trader Joes’s wonderful Tomato-Olive Focaccia sandwiched the Grilled Portabellos from the Richmond Produce Market. A Hess Select Chardonnay paired perfectly with the rich, velvety dishes and Tory Farm Peaches (offered naked or with Butter Pecan Ice Cream) made the ideal dessert. A surprise, anniversary visit by “Just Joey” sealed the occasion!
Purple
PURPLE – renown as the color of royalty, and the symbol of magic and mystery. This week, ChezHelvetica was gifted with the double enchantment of Purple Rhododendrons and Purple Cauliflower; flowers from our own garden and the sweetest of all the Brassica oleracea from the VAMC Farmers’ Market. Cauliflower was brought to England by Flemish weavers in the mid-1600s and later became the rage of the French court, where Louis XV’s mistress, Comtesse du Barry had a Consomme of Veal, Oxtails and Cauliflower named for her. The brazen story here was the seductive Brazin Zinfandel paired with Roasted Cauliflower, Bacon, Garlic, Balsamic Vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil blanketing Whole Wheat Spaghetti. Warm Roasted Walnuts and Medjool Dates concluded this evening of Purple Passion!
Amaranthaceae – with Warm Bacon Dressing
From the edible flowering plant family Amaranthaceae (first grown in 14th century Persia), behold Spinach! Catherine de’ Medici, Queen of France, so loved Spinach, she insisted it be served at every meal. The name “Florentine” evolved for dishes using this leafy green in reference to Florence, her place of birth. From Catherine’s table in 1533 to ChezHelvetica’s in 2013, we dined on Spinach Salad With Warm Bacon Dressing. Sweet Red Onion and White Mushrooms from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market and Baby Spinach from Trader Joe’s received their savory crown of thick sliced Bacon, Balsamic Vinegar and Dijon Mustard dressing. Homemade Chicken Soup and Acme Bread’s wonderful Pan de Mie completed this course of the feast, paired with lush Geyser Peak Sonoma County Chardonnay. Tory Farm’s first of the season Peaches, sauteed in butter and served a la Mode with roasted Walnuts, royally concluded this Saturday soiree!
Roses, Risotto & More
The quiet pleasure of snipping the season’s first Sterling Roses … the joy of having them grace the table … the all-out excitement of celebrating Spring with new recipes at ChezHelvetica. An alternative preparation for much-loved Risotto beckoned in Martha Stewart Living with Baked Risotto with Fines Herbes and Lemon. Using Leeks, Parsley and Green Onion from the VAMC Farmers’ Market and Tarragon from the ChezHelvetica deck garden, and Arborio Rice with Wine, Chicken Broth, Lemon Zest and Parmesan Cheese, a delicious, creamy Risotto emerged (with a little stirring) from the Viking oven. Caesar Salad accompanied the baked beauty, as renowned Simi Winery Chardonnay elevated this evening’s Spring celebration. Days later, Coconut-Crusted Shrimp (a recipe from Martha’s Everyday Food insert) followed as the latest experiment, with wonderful flavors of Coconut, Dijon Mustard, Curry Powder and mouth-watering Gulf Prawns. With a bed of Couscous and Roasted Broccolli, dinner was on the table. Happily, the bloom is on the Rose and on the HomeChef!
Sole Mating
Ceviche. . . such a sensual word; possibly because of its origin (according to lore, Moorish women from Granada accompanied Spanish conquistadors and brought it to Peru), or simply the idea of eating raw fish. With gleaming white Dover Sole from Costco, ChezHelvetica embarked on the creation of Sole Ceviche With Cumin Creme Fraiche. Small pieces of Sole marinated for eight hours in Lime Juice and Tangerine Juice (substituting for Orange), Red Onion, Tomatoes, Spices and Parsley. Yes, it’s the “hate Cilantro” camp here, so Parsley was the replacement herb as Red Pepper Flakes replaced a Jalapeno Pepper. Velvety rich Creme Fraiche with Lemon Juice and Cumin cooled the Ceviche as we chilled with Michael Pozzan‘s oaky Chardonnay. Guacamole with homemade Tortilla Chips and Crudite´ completed this course with TJs Peanut Butter Tracks Ice Cream topping off the dinner. Crystal martini glasses – wedding gifts – encircled the Sole Ceviche as we embraced our new Sole Mates!
