Tag: CalMart

The Fig, The Fig Leaf, and The Honey

The directive to ChezHelvetica for the amazing “Ladies Who Lunch” get together was the creation of a pre-lunch nosh or nibble using Fig (or Date) and Rosemary. Given that this occasion fell on Rosh Hashanah, the serendipity was finding a recipe for Roasted Figs With Honey and Rosemary. Honey is a traditional food for Rosh Hashanah to evoke a sweet new year. With Rosemary freshly cut from the ChezHelvetica garden, Mission Figs from CalMart and Wild Mountain Raw Honey, the roasting commenced. Just learning that this holiday commemorates the creation of Adam and Eve, images of a Fig Leaf started swirling in my mind! This dish, served with Goat Cheese and Crackers, along with Marinated Fennel and an intoxicating Peach Cocktail made the perfect opener to three delicious Italian salads – Cantaloupe with Proscuitto, Watermelon with Arugula and Tomatoes with Mozzarella – and “Googlie-Eyed” Strawberries. Between the Peach Cocktail, Pinot Grigio, Chianti and fascinating conversation, all the honored guests left somewhat Googlie-Eyed as well! 

Time For Those “S” Words

Sun. Summer. Squash. Salmon! This evening’s repast featured Squash in a rich Zucchini, Yellow Squash Tart bubbling with Ricotta, Mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses and hints of Garlic, Honey and Thyme. This FoodBuzz recipe is actually a galette, however, the ChezHelvetica pantry yielded a crust used for the dish. Blessed with the bounty of healthy salmon this season (and masterfully skinned at CalMart), a “Dilly Salmon Salad” sided with the Tart. With both Dill Pickle and fresh Dill used, just imagine the tangy flavor heightened by Lemon Juice and Dijon Mustard. Butter lettuce, just plucked from its root, bedded the salad. Parties that Cook provided our Blueberry, Raspberry and Peach Dulce de Leche Crisp dessert recipe. Succulent Peaches and sweet Berries from the Ferry Plaza Farmers Market comprised the fruit filling with Trader Joe’s Pecans highlighting the Pecan-Oat topping. Then – witness the amazing transformation of a can (literally the can) of sweetened, condensed milk  – boiled for two hours –  into decadent Dulce de Leche! Our final “S” – Supreme!