“Why does this night differ from all other nights?” ChezHelvetica distinguished this celebration of freedom by passing over the ritual Passover Seder, yet honoring the symbols and special foods eaten on this occasion. The meal started with traditional Apple-Walnut Charoset and Horseradish on Yehuda Matzo, accompanied by roasted Mt. Lassen Trout. Steaming Manischewitz Matzo Ball Soup with fresh Dill followed. Our main course beckoned ~ Cinnamon Butter Baked Carrots surrounding Rotisserie Chicken and Parmesan-Roasted Cauliflower fragrant with Onion, Garlic and Thyme.
Family embraced us from afar, albeit from another state or heaven, through their beautiful table setting gifts. All would delight in the dessert of Chocolate Decadence Flourless Cake from Jane, Noe Valley Bakery Macaroons and Strauss Family Creamery Vanilla Ice Cream.
The next day, Matzo Brei with Salmon, Dill Pickle, Fuji Apple and Medjool Dates, with a view of flowering blooms across the street at the GGNRA, solidified our Resurrection. Pesach Sameach!
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!
ChezHelvetica’s first experience with Cranberry Beans, also known as Borlotti, opened a new world in dining. Sensuous in their curved shells, these beautifully pink-speckled oval beans added creamy, delicious flavor to a Tri Color Barilla Pasta dish, nestling on Earthbound Farm Organic Baby Spinach. An Epicurious 
Grated Parmesan-Reggiano Cheese showered the Pasta Salad, studded with 
Why is this night different from all other nights? The answers to this age-old question had fresh answers at ChezHelvetica’s saffron-scented Seder. First, in keeping with young female leaders prevailing in today’s world, our leader was my 25-year old niece, Aliya. 
Second, instead of the traditional Four Sons, we discussed Four Children – an activist child, a skeptical child, an indifferent child and an uninformed child – and how we answer their questions on ways to pursue justice in our time. Then, instead of filling Miriam’s (sister of Moses) glass with water, it was filled with wine just like Elijah’s. Family and friends from near and far sat where indicated by the artful suede placecards, handmade by Mom, to follow the exotic culinary journey to Persia – 
and Banana, 
Thanksgiving at ChezHelvetica let things take their own course, one delicious dish after another.
A nod first to the exquisite table setting art directed by Mom using menus from the upscale Red Coach Grill in Cleveland, Ohio as place settings, with each guest name written on hand-cut suede. (These almost-antique menus show The Traditional Pilgrim’s Fare dinner price at $5.45, with $2.50 for children.) This evening’s bill of fare, labeled 
From the Kale and Brussel Sprouts Salad bursting with Sliced Almonds and Pecorino Cheese to savory Roasted Delicata Squash with Sweet Potatoes and piquant Cranberry Agrodolce, traditional Garlic Mashed Potatoes, mouth-watering Turkey with Lemon-Garlic Butter to Sage-accented Skillet Stuffing filled with Wild Mushrooms. Rive Sud Pinot Noir Rosé from France perfectly complemented our feast. Intense Chocolate Fudge Brownies á la mode with Roasted Pecans made giving thanks with dear family and friends the sweetest possible!
“¡Bienvenidos Familia!” Glistening raindrops and autumn moonlight illuminated ChezHelvetica’s Mexican-inspired feast, opening with Anthony Bourdain’s heartwarming recipe for 
Yellow Tomatoes, Green Apple, Purple Tortilla Chips, White Corn, Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds) and Avocado, on a bed of Romaine Lettuce and Arugula. (Recently, I learned you can regrow Romaine by placing the root in water – now miracles on the windowsill.) Quesadillas made with Organic Whole Wheat Tortillas, filled with Cheddar Cheese, and Tudal Winery‘s Chardonnay delivered even more comfort to our meal. Ben & Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie FroYo was the perfect sweet conclusion to our family gathering!
