Inspired by the new Pope, ChezHelvetica selected “Passover in Rome” as this year’s theme for Seder. With the power of the Vatican and Internet, an amazing menu unfolded. Each honored guest in attendance, like the Jews in Exodus, ventured into new recipe terrain finding miracles upon arrival. Appropriately, my cousin who had lived and studied in Italy made the Italian Charoset and my beautiful niece made Stracciatella, an Egg Drop Soup with Spinach and Parmesan Cheese. My dear friend from Israel put his personal mark on the Pesce in Carpione using Tilapia with Caramelized Onions. The first course of Arugula, Artichoke Hearts and Bresaola (air cured beef I first tasted in Tuscany) and main course of Matzo Lasagne emerged from the kitchen at ChezHelvetica. Luscious red Antinori Villa Toscana Rosso delighted Elijah and all guests present throughout the evening. With ten dabs of the wine on our plates representing the Ten Plagues and the Four Questions answered, all were ready for my best friend’s Flourless Chocolate Cake. Surely, the benevolent Pope would forgive us for departing from the prescribed menu and savoring this decadent cake!
