Page 2 – Personal culinary adventures

Bastille Day Niçoise Salad

While this day commemorates the storming of the Bastille, the Trump assassination attempt captured the headlines this year. Still, ChezHelvetica prepared a Classic French Niçoise Salad. Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Ranch Dressing doused Wild Planet Albacore Tuna, VA Farmers Market Green Beans, Tomatoes, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Hard-Boiled Eggs and Olives. Delicious TJ’s Unexpected Cheddar, baked on Pita Bread, accompanied the delectable salad.

Earlier in the week, a healthy Zucchini Potato Frittata made a great dinner, then lunch the following day. Red Potato, Green Onions and sweet Cherry Tomatoes baked with Eggs, Chili Sauce and Goat Cheese. Fresh Dill and Italian Parsley (and, of course, more Olive Oil) topped the savory Frittata.

Let us see if the temperature really “cools down” prior to the election!

Rising

ChezHelvetica honored resurrection and family this Easter Sunday with Eggs (of course) and the finest produce from organic vegetable and fruit kingdoms. Crustless Quiche created with Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, carmelized Onion, Mushrooms, Chives and sautéed Broccoli and Italian Sausage, filled a cherished Passiflora Caerilea Portmeirion dish.
Wonderful produce from the VA Farmers Market shared the spotlight on our table showcasing the juiciest Berries, Artichoke Hummus, Italian Caponata and Lemon Pita Chips. Even our dessert, Banana Pie, hailed from this market. Let the World Rise Now in Freedom and Peace!

Gratitude

The truce between Israel and Hamas is so profound that “thanks giving” takes on much deeper significance. At ChezHelvetica, we embraced the comfort of lifelong friends and delicious food.

Our gathering commenced with a toast for peace and happiness, glasses of iconic Veuve Clicquot Champagne in hand. The first course of this holiday meal featured Creamy Roasted Pumpkin Soup, with hints of Cinnamon and Nutmeg, and savory Corn Muffins. Brined Organic Turkey Breast, Simple-Is-Best Dressing (made with Ciabatta, Sage, Rosemary and Thyme), Cranberry Sauce with Dried Cherries and Cloves, Roasted Sweet Potatoes and Glazed and Crispy Brussels Sprouts created a stunning, delectable main course.

Brilliant crimson Raeburn Pinot Noir from Russian River Valley gracefully added even more happiness to our feast. Hours later, behold the amazing Pear Cobbler á la mode dessert. Thankful Indeed!

High “Hole-y” Day

According to legend, Rosh Hashanah is the birthday of the universe ~ the day of Adam and Eve’s creation. Its actual translation is Head of the Year. At ChezHelvetica, this High Holy Day celebration was more “Hole-y” since Covid infected our friend Joan who then could not join us.

Lunch showcasing Blackberry Pie for dinner

Persevering, our dinner started with the sweet tradition of Apples and Honey followed by Matzo Ball Soup. Our main course featured Everything Bagel Roasted Salmon, Green Beans and a simply delicious Basically Noodle Kugel. Brushing Honey and Dijon Mustard on the Salmon adds sweet and tangy flavors, while Everything Bagel Seasoning adds extra crunch and spice. Notes of Vanilla and Cinnamon heighten the luscious mixture of Sour Cream and Cottage Cheese, swirling the buttered Egg Noodles of the Kugel.

The incredible wine pairing was a 1996 Jordan Winery Cabernet Sauvignon, a gift from our neighbor.

Rare bottle of 1996 Jordan Cabernet Sauvignon

As we finished the wonderful home made Blackberry Pie in a beautiful whole wheat crust (using berries picked from a friend’s garden), optimism for a Happy and Healthy New Year encircled us. May there be Renewal for All!!!

P.S. Wearing masks, we brought this dinner to Joan’s house the next day where she gave us the best Challah from Noe Valley Bakery.

Summer Solstice Tea Party 🌻

Tilting toward the sun, ChezHelvetica celebrated the Summer Solstice with Scandinavian-inspired revelry and best possible friends – the Cava4 (as #5 was in Scotland)! Our tea party started with Crab Toast, a luxurious combination of French Baguette toast slathered with brown butter mayonnaise and sweet Dungeness Crab. Sparkling Breathless Blanc de Noirs paired perfectly with this course. Glazed Fresh Orange Scones with hints of Vanilla and Cardamom, doused with luscious Lemon Curd, and Pineapple cubes followed.

Chives adorn crab toasts on antique platter

A traditional symbol in European celebrations are flower crowns so we played musical chairs, moving to the other end of the table with our overflowing blossoms and greens to create our crowns. Sweet Lemon Iced Tea energized this very focused multi-step creation.

The sweet send-off were Strawberry Tartlets. Ground Almonds, Walnuts and Pecans cradled a Strawberry, Lemon Verbena and Honey filling (topped with rich Whipped Cream) for a distinctive new taste. SUMMER HAPPINESS!!!

Resurrection

ChezHelvetica celebrated Easter (on the fourth day of Passover) with a trinity of family and multi-nationality of dishes. A Zaalook Salad from La Maison Arabe in Marrakech, Morocco (with Eggplant, Tomato, Paprika and Cumin) rested on Arugula and Spinach, framed by Deviled Eggs. (NB: The boiled egg’s origin can be seen in recipes as far back as ancient Rome.) Also of Italian inspiration, Lemon Asparagus Risotto and Garlic-Lemon Scallops. The delicious Arborio Rice Risotto was flavored with Garlic, White Wine, Lemon Zest/ Juice, and Parmesan Reggiano Cheese in a five-step preparation, handled by the very talented Sous Chef. The Chef’s attention next focused on Sea Scallops sautéed in Butter and Garlic, then drenched in a Lemon-Butter sauce which accompanied the Risotto. Tangy Reed’s Ginger Beer, whose Ginger is sourced from the Peruvian Amazon, paired perfectly with this course. Finally to America for a Hot Fudge Sundae made with Häagan-Dazs Ice Cream, Berries from Medina Farms at the VA Farmers Market and Smuckers decadent Hot Fudge. We have Risen and hope You did as well!

Walnut Pi π Day

As math aficionados ponder the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter or Pi (3.14…), ChezHelvetica chose to concentrate on a fabulous new Pie to devour on 3/14. The winning stroke, a Walnut Pie Crust. Thanks to Winters Fruit Tree at the VA Farmers Market and their wonderful produce (surviving floods), Walnuts toasted then combined with Butter and a bit of Sugar to form a crust pressed into the pie plate. After a quick bake, the crust was filled with Asparagus, Eggs, Half&Half, Seasonings, Cheddar and Mozzarella Cheeses to make a Quiche. A salad of Spinach/Spring Greens, Olives and Celery with a Balsamic Vinegar, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Agave and Garlic dressing brought it all to life! Gratitude to British mathematician William Jones for devising the mathematics behind the Pi symbol π and to all the Farmers whose hard work bring us the ingredients for our Pies. Happy Spring Everyone!

Set in a paella pan in case of spillage while baking

Chrismukkah!

Christmas on the last night of Chanukah ~ Behold Chrismukkah! At ChezHelvetica the eighth candle glowed as a tiny beacon of peace and happiness, surrounded by symbols of both Chanukah and Christmas. Delicious Lox, Artichoke Hearts and Olives framed Latkes. Luscious Applesauce and Sour Cream accompanied. A Jelly Donut for dessert sweetened our celebration! Happy 2023!

Sweeter Than (Local) Honey

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!

The Progeny

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 Frittata seemed like a good choice for our meal, made even more fun by using a paella pan in the preparation. With Shallot, Garlic, Cremini Mushrooms, Mozzarella, Ricotta, Eggs, Half & Half and Baby Spring Mix Lettuce (instead of Spinach), it indeed starred as a savory sensation! Sweet Potato Fries (roasted in Sesame Oil, Smoked Paprika and Garlic) created a wonderful side dish, especially accompanied by Stonewall Kitchen‘s Lemon Herb Aioli and Sir Kensington’s Classic Ketchup. Homemade Lemonade was the perfect summer beverage to serve at the gathering. Our sweet finish: Mixed Berry Crumble Bars (using Strawberries, Raspberries and Blueberries from Medina Berry Farms at the VA Farmer’s Market and juicy Blackberries from Tony’s farm). A choice of Ben & Jerry’s Vanilla Caramel Fudge and (non-diary) Phish Food Ice Cream toppings brought smiles all around! Meet Nissa Schumacher’s children: Will, Drew (twins) and sister Laney!!!