Blog Post – Page 9

And The Winner Is . . .

Art is precious, be it in a museum or on your table. ChezHelvetica happily claimed two such prizes this very day. First, a beautiful arrangement and vase from the Fine Arts Museums Volunteer Luncheon and second, the mouth-watering bounty and recipes from the VA Farmers’ Market. A bubbling golden brown Tomato Onion Crumble spiced with fresh herbs and topped with a Ciabatta/Parmesan crust, a Grilled Romaine and White Peach Salad accented with Blackberries and Toasted Almonds (served with a Lemon Yogurt Dressing) and remaining pieces of Yotam Ottolenghi’s Eggplant Cheesecake were the featured masterpieces of the main course, all framed by a luscious Chateau St. Jean Chardonnay from Sonoma’s North Coast. The final handmade creation: a cherished family recipe for delicious Chocolate Chip Brownies, angel-dusted with Love and Powdered Sugar!

Plenty. More.

Inspired once again by the “vibrant vegetable cooking” found in Yotam Ottolenghi’s PLENTY MORE, ChezHelvetica embarked on a culinary journey that led straight to heaven. Proof? Witness Eggplant Cheesecake. Roasted Eggplant stuffed with Baby Plum Tomatoes, freshly plucked Oregano, and a mixture of Feta and Cream Cheeses, Cream and Eggs created a truly celestial cloud of savory delight. A brush of Za’atar – a mixture of herbs and sesame seeds – finished the dish, adding the excitement of the Middle East. A bit more down to earth, yet divine in its own right, Grilled Steak Salad joined the table. Grilled Omaha Steaks Sirloin Steak and Red and Sweet Onions topped organic Arugula, also making a voyage to the Middle East with the addition of Figs and a pinch of Cinnamon to the Worcestershire Sauce Dressing. Garlic Focaccia Bread (left a tad too long under the broiler) and velvety Joel Gotts Zinfandel completed this delightful course. Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Ice Cream, crowned with Strawberries and Almonds, was the final present of a very “In The Present” evening!

THIS YEAR in Israel!

The spiritual odyssey to find freedom – voiced for generations by proclaiming “Next Year in Israel” – achieved the pinnacle at this year’s Passover Seder at ChezHelvetica. Propelled by an upcoming trip to Israel by some guests and the incredible recipes in Yotam Ottelenghi’s “Jerusalem” (noted with *), the theme for our menu unfolded. Israeli Charoset, with Apples, Bananas, Pistachios, Walnuts and Almonds covered Yehuda Matzos, accompanied by White and Red Horseradish. Grilled Fish Skewers with Hawayej Spice Mix*, paired with La Crema Chardonnay, was the first course, followed by Clear Chicken Soup with Knaidlach* and its fragrant aroma of Ginger, Thyme and Rosemary. Our honored guest (originally from Israel and celebrating a milestone birthday this very day), provided the most incredible Falafel, Hummus and Israeli Salad ever tasted. Luscious Fried Cauliflower with Tahini* and Couscous with Tomatoes and Onion* accompanied Middle Eastern Skewers of Lamb and Chicken. Robert Sinskey Pinot Noir, Cline Old Vines Zinfandel and Layer Cake Shiraz filled the “mandated” cups of wine for the heartwarming evening. A decadent Chocolate Cake from Tartine Bakery was the surprise dessert for this very special occasion!

Mardi Gras Memories

The ChezHelvetica Krewe celebrated “Fat Tuesday” in Carnaval style – beads, masks, Cajun Stew and all! The aroma of bayou bliss had the table jumping with Red Beans, Rice, Busseto Herbes de Provence Salami (instead of sausage), Prawns, Red Onion, Garlic, Celery and a dash of Worschester Sauce. Memories of a visit to Blaine Kern’s Mardi Gras World in New Orleans recalled the magical site where floats for the parade have been constructed for decades. Rancho Zabaco (reminded me of Zydeko) Zinfandel kept this parade moving to a fitting dessert, Imagine Chocolate Truffles (replete with liner notes) and Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia Ice cream. Laissez Les Bon Temps Rouler – Let the good times roll, as they say in the French Quarter!

Christmas Baubles

Beyond the velvet rope: ChezHelvetica’s Christmas Banquet. Wise men and women surrounded a holiday table adorned in time-honored colors with dishes inspired by traditions from the four corners of the world. A Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Soup set the warm tone for the evening, followed by Mixed Greens and Red Heirloom Spinach with a Maple Balsamic Salad Dressing topped with Spiced Nuts. Then, from Israeli chef Yotam Ottolengi’s new book Plenty More, an exotic Cauliflower Cake. Sesame and Nigella (Black Caraway) Seeds lined a springform pan and filled with Purple Cauliflower, Red Onion (scented with Rosemary and Basil) in a Parmesan Cheese, Tumeric batter. Smoked Salmon with Truffle Honey and Green Onion Cream Cheese filled Pita Bread, baked before my eyes at Oasis in Oakland. Bobby Flay’s delicious Garlic-Mustard Beef Skewers (made with Omaha Steaks Beef Tenderloin), J Vineyards Pinot Noir and Seven Deadly Zins further elevated the merriment of the evening. Like the star on top of the tree, niece Rachel and her exquisite Berry Pie with Crème Fraîche brought peace to this world of dear family and friends. Merry, Happy to All!

Back to Back : Heart to Heart

As excitement mounts for Thanksgiving, ChezHelvetica welcomed amazing Mother, followed by incredible Sister. A pre-holiday feast included traditional favorites – Roasted Turkey Breast, Yams and Dry-Fried Green Beans, with the vibrant addition of Kale with Pomegranate Dressing. Curly, purple Kale from Nuñez Farms met Pomegranate from Tory Farms, adorned with Champagne Vinegar, Shallot, Feta Cheese and beautiful deep purple Pomegranate seeds. Acacia Chardonnay from Carneros kicked off the meal; velvety Bogle Old-Vine Zinfandel paired with the decadent Caramel Mixed Nut Pie dessert. Luscious French Vanilla Ice Cream topped the Inzana Ranch Walnuts, Pecans, Almonds and Hazelnuts and rich Caramel Sauce. Then something new for guest #2: a Cornmeal Crust quiche (rather than bars) with savory Arugula, Onion, Garlic, sweet Flame Raisins and Pine Nuts mixed with Parmesan, Ricotta and Feta. The alluring fragrance of Cinnamon and Nutmeg instantly transported the Sisters to the Mediterranean. An aura of love and gratitude embraced both tables as we toasted our thanks to each other and to all that IS right in the world …

Comfort Food+Comfort Company

“Healthful, but just-as-divine” piqued the interest of ChezHelvetica with Real Simple‘s Comfort-Food Makeover featuring Roasted Broccoli and Tomato Mac-and-Cheese. This creamy KISS (Keep It Simple Stupid) recipe turned into a French kiss with the addition of Muscat de Provence, a rare sweet squash from the south of France. Roasted organic Broccoli, Cauliflower and Cherry Tomatoes – plus the Squash and some Red Onion – joined Barilla Pasta Shells in a rich Cheddar Cheese bath. Topped with Pepper Jack Cheese, the sparks really flew! Aidell’s Chicken-Apple Sausage and Saveur‘s Celery Salad (with additional Baby Spinach) accompanied the featured dish with savory and fresh accents. Easing us into further comfort: Brazin’s velvety Dry Creek Valley Old Vine Zinfandel. The final hug – Food & Wine’s Blackberry and Apple Crisp with Nut Topping à la mode. The right food with the right person – indeed, the definition of Heartwarming!

Columbus Day

From Christopher Columbus in 1492 to ChezHelvetica in the New World – The Niña, the Pinta, and the Santa Maria were now replaced by the Dips, the Baguette and the Salmon Salad. Hummus and Egg Salad served with Celery Hearts and Organic Carrots kicked off the voyage, soon discovering the treasure of fresh Walnut Baguette. Little Gems and Italian Parsley harbored Wild Salmon (roasted with Truffle Oil, Honey, Meyer Lemon Juice and Wine), Whole Wheat Couscous, Cauliflower (spiced with Cumin Seed and Curry), savory Kalamata Olives and sweet Cherry Tomatoes. A global voyage of flavors indeed with ports at the Ferry Plaza, VA, and Clement Street Farmers Markets, greeted by the hardworking farmers from Latin America, Greece and California coast. In recognition of the guests who enjoyed this lunch, once students at OSU in Columbus, Ohio who journeyed to San Francisco, here’s to the Bucks and to the Giants, conquerors of the 21st century!

From the Land of Don Quixote

Miguel de Cervantes beloved literary tale “Man from La Mancha” revealed new significance, and romance, on this summer evening at ChezHelvetica. With Spain as the exciting accent of this anniversary celebration, we toasted with Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Noirs along with Green and Manzanillo Olives, Almonds and Salmon Ahumado con Queso Fresco Montaditos (Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese) and Honey Truffle bites. Tyler Florence’s warm Roasted Tomato Soup opened the meal with rich, savory flavors – Early Girl and Cherry Tomatoes, Garlic, Onion and Basil. The soup was accompanied by delicious Manchego, so named for Spain’s famed cheese made from the milk of sheep grazing the country’s La Mancha region. Pearl white corn kernels had fallen weightlessly into a bundt pan when making the featured entrée, a Salad of Grilled Chicken and Corn, Avocado and Baby Spinach, dressed with a Garlic and Rosemary-infused Vinaigrette (from Real Simple), paired with velvety Etude Pinot Noir. Like windmills spinning bliss, Neiman Marcus Delicate Lemon Squares, made with Meyer Lemons and crowned with Yellow Raspberries, created the perfect conclusion for “Life Happily Ever After, not an Impossible Dream!” (Muchas Gracias to the Fillmore and VA Farmers Markets, Trader Joe’s and Safeway as the food and beverage sources for this meal.)

My World Cup Runneth Over

The ChezHelvetica World Cup proffers a new meaning to the storied tournament. Here, it is an international collaboration – a pairing of the best in food, wine and, for this Summer Celebration, Cheese and Chocolate. First up – Spain. Mont Marcal Brut Cava Reserva from Catalunya delighted guests upon arrival, as did the sunshine and brilliant blue skies. Then the first course – sweet, refreshing Watermelon draped with savory Proscuitto. An intoxicating Chilled Spanish-Style Tomato Soup, accompanied by Marcona Almonds, Olives and a lovely Lioco Rosé from Mendocino County followed. (A note here, instead of using the called for Sherry Vinegar in the soup, ChezHelvetica substituted Balsamic Vinegar and Sherry). Next served, a Chicken Waldorf Salad bursting with Walnuts, Apples, Grapes, Raisins, Celery and Grilled Chicken on a bed of Organic Arugula – all drenched in a luscious Greek Yogurt and Mayonnaise Dressing. Now for the Cheese and Chocolate pairing! Inspired by an event at The Cheese School of San Francisco, four Cheeses (from the U.S., France, Germany and Italy) matched with four complementary Chocolates (from the U.S., France, Philippines and Vanuatu), as we happily quaffed Sphere Zinfandel from Lodi. Finally, The Trophy: A Chiriboga Blue Cheesecake (made with Blue and Cream Cheeses, Orange and Lemon Zests, Vanilla, Sugar and Eggs in a Chocolate Wafer crust). The winning team? Five incredibly intelligent, creative women – now known as the Cava V!