Rosh Hashanah, the New Year! ChezHelvetica celebrated 5783 (commemorating the creation of the world) with traditions symbolic to this occasion and new recipe adventures. For a sweet new year we first dipped Fuji Apple slices into luscious Honey from the Bay Area Bee Co., sweetening further with large “fancy” Medjool Dates and wonderful Poppy Seed Challah from the Noe Valley Bakery. 
Our main course featured Chicken Matzo Ball Stew (thanks to inspiration from The New York Times) and Roasted Broccoli & Hummus. The outstanding stew took three step-by-step days to create with my talented Sous Chef — cutting Onion, Celery, Turnip, simmering Rosie Organic Chicken and making matzo balls. Streit’s Matzo Meal combined with Eggs, Ginger (freshly harvested from our garden), Nutmeg, Parsley and Schmaltz skimmed from the Chicken soup. Carrots and Peas then brightened the stew, with fresh Dill and Parsley adding the final aromatic touches. 
Charred Broccoli florets drizzled with Olive Oil, Lemon Juice, Paprika and a mix of spices (to replicate Za’atar seasoning) crowned Sabra Hummus delivering simply sensational taste. Willamette Valley Argyle Pinot Noir and Reed’s Ginger Beer paired well with this holiday meal. And what a delight to be surrounded by Wedgwood “Patrician” China from my Grandmother, Georg Jensen “Cactus” Sterling Silver flatware, and tassel placemats from my Mother, and beautiful Israeli linen napkins from my Sister Abby. Besides the Challah, my dear friend Joan also brought delicious Honey Cake, Rugelach, and Macaroons with Straus Organic Vanilla Bean Ice Cream for the crescendo of our heart-touching gathering. A Happy, Healthy, Sweet New Year to All!
Like beautiful new blooms on a Rose bush, ChezHelvetica welcomed the daughter and three grandchildren of a dear friend
(now smiling down from heaven). After researching kid-friendly dishes, a 
Homemade Lemonade was the perfect summer beverage to serve at the gathering. Our sweet finish: 
Greek inspiration|Israeli ingenuity|Italian saporoso ChezHelvetica delighted this weekend in serving 
OSUs Scarlet & Gray, emblazoned with an “O Stealie”, brought magical vibes to the celebration at ChezHelvetica – from Grateful Dead to Grateful Alive. A luscious Ina Garten 
For the finale – sister Barbara brought a wonderfully rich Chocolate Mousse Torte from renowned Schubert’s Bakery. A leftover Chanukah candle ignited, granting heartfelt wishes to the birthday honoree. Happiest of Birthdays Freddy! Really?! 
Thankful, Grateful, Artful, Graceful and FULL! Those heartfelt words depict the feelings at ChezHelvetica this Thanksgiving in reconnecting with family, setting the table with treasured heirlooms and preparing traditional dishes with new twists.
Our feast began with a small salad of Spinach, Arugula and pureed Pumpkin with a dollop of Hidden Valley Ranch Dressing and Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider. Mary’s Free Range Organic Turkey Breast dry brined in Kosher Salt, Sugar, Dried Thyme, Garlic Powder and coarse-ground Black Pepper for 28 hours.
The mouthwatering Turkey and Bon Appetit‘s 
encircled ChezHelvetica’s Halloween lunch Crucible Hell-Vetica. To start, a gripping 
closer to the flames, 
On to the delicious main course – 
Enthralled by stories of 
These days of introspection cascaded into Harvest Moonlight and the Equinox, with glorious Fall bounty and colors now embracing us. Apples and Honey with Challah always open Rosh Hashanah with wishes for a sweet New Year. On this occasion, the Apples were from the Rheingold Garden in Tam Valley, used also for the Apple Cake. The House of Bagels served as my house of worship, on Rosh Hashanah for the Round Challah and then a second time on Yom Kippur for Lox and Bagels. Standing in line for half an hour on the Day of Atonement seemed like the perfect place to be, surrounded by some wearing yarmulkes clipped to their hair. Homemade Chicken Soup and Sweet Pickles with Onions accompanied the intoxicating Jeweled Rice – spiced with Paprika, Tumeric, Cumin and Lemon Zest and studded with dried Apricots, Figs, Cherries and Pistachios. Pomegranate seeds crowned the delicious dish. A wonderful Apricot and Raspberry Macaroon Tart delivered the inscription for another year in the Book of Life!
Comedy and Variety enlivened ChezHelvetica this Saturday Night! Visiting Cugino Primo (First Cousin) brought laughs to the table with great stories from San Luis Obispo and Ohio to Puglia, Italy. 
“Fish and Chips” with giant Zucchini from a friend’s Tam Valley garden seemed the perfect meal for this occasion. 
Reed’s Ginger Beer and Armida Zinfandel from Dry Creek Valley in Sonoma paired wonderfully with our food. The final credits go to Häagen-Dazs and Ben & Jerry’s for their carousel of Caramel, Chocolate Fudge Brownie, Vanilla and Cherry Garcia Ice Creams and Frozen Yogurt. Entertainment at its best – SNL+
ChezHelvetica celebrated a triptych of special occasions in a re-opening world! Bouquets to Art at the deYoung Museum, Pride Month, and a Milestone Anniversary commemorated by anything Ruby and Nasturtiums. Fortunately, Nasturtiums flourish in my back garden and Ruby candles at Safeway. 
With the table set in a rainbow of colors, 
Liberation from slavery, the “passing over” of 
the forces of destruction, the exodus of forty days and nights. ChezHelvetica commemorated these events from the 13th century BCE with a Passover Seder honoring this historic occasion, as well as its parallels to life now. The Four Questions usually asked at this ceremony have compounded, with questions about virtually everything going on in today’s world. The meal served and heirloom table settings also honored ancient traditions and cultures while adding fresh touches. First served: Delicious homemade 
and 
Our main course showcased succulent Rotisserie Chicken with roasted Honey Gold Potatoes and Brussels Sprouts. After this rich feast, the simple dessert consisted of Strawberries dipped into Sour Cream and Brown Sugar. Dayenu? Enough? Not yet! The next day, which was the first day of Passover, we enjoyed more of the Persian Omelet. On the second day, Matzah Brei! May all our Questions be answered, may Everyone be Healthy and Free!