Haagen Dazs

Rachel aka spacegirl1, Dr. LeCover PhD

Celebration time ~ Niece Rachel turns 33! Between rainstorms and flash flooding, the sun shined on this remarkable day at ChezHelvetica. Sunday brunch called for the proverbial Lox, Cream Cheese and Everything Bagels with Dill Pickles and an assortment of sweet Organic Berries. Crustless Quiche , oozing with Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, Carmelized Onions, Sautéed Broccoli and Italian Sausage, added a savory touch.

Then, a walk through the natural beauty of the GGNRA to the Legion of Honor to see the exquisite Mary Cassatt exhibition and amazing views of the Golden Gate Bridge, downtown San Francisco and Ocean Beach. Now it was time for Birthday Cake and Champagne!

Meet beautiful birthday girl Rachel and boyfriend Jordan! Black Magic Cake, Haagen Dazs Vanilla Ice Cream and sparkling Korbel Champagne filled the room with Happiest of Birthday Wishes!!!

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!

Saturday Night Live @ Lands End

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. The New All-Purpose Vinaigrette, deliciously spiced with Shallot, Dijon Mustard, Agave and seasonings dressed Cod Fillets from Andronico’s and the Tam Valley Zucchini. The dishes then roasted above Yukon Gold Potatoes from the VA Farmers Market, filling the kitchen with tantalizing aromas. Savory Stone Wall Kitchen Truffle Aioli on the Potatoes made them even more mouth-watering. 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+

Legacy & Spirit: 5781 & RBG

Rosh Hashanah at ChezHelvetica braided the New Year, culinary renewals and the heart-breaking loss of Ruth Bader Ginsberg. Jewish tradition calls one who dies at this auspicious time a tzadik, or righteous person. RBG’s tireless fight for the rights of all people will forever imprint our history. Hopefully, Ruth also would have delighted in the “Exciting Noodle Kugel” from The New York Times, a savory, rich Kugel using Pappardelle Egg Noodles, Sour Cream, Cottage and Parmesan Cheeses plus some secret ingredients. “Perfect Pan-Seared Chicken Breasts” and Zucchini roasted with Olive Oil, Lemon Juice and fresh Thyme from the ChezHelvetica garden completed the main course. OZY Old Vine Zinfandel from Lodi added a blessed touch. Fuji Apple slices with Honey started this evening’s special meal and then came full circle with a dessert of Apple Pie (made by the Shabbos Goy), topped with Häagen-Dazs Vanilla Bean Ice Cream. The second night featured beautiful linens from Israel (gift from sister Abby) and a Caprese Salad of Heirloom Tomato, baked Cod, strips of the Kugel and Basil Chiffonade atop Organic Spinach and Kalamata Olives. Let RBG’s resilience, optimism and pursuit of justice inspire and motivate us all!

A Family Tapestry

ChezHelvetica wove interlacing culinary patterns into a warm hug for visiting family. Grilled White Peaches from the VA Farmers Market with choice of (Brown Sugar & Cinnamon, Maple Syrup or Haagen Dazs Carmel Cone Ice Cream) toppings was Friday night’s arrival dessert. Saturday’s dinner Soiree’ delighted guests as fresh Pine Nut Pesto doused frilly ‘Gigli’ Pasta, accompanied by grilled Zucchini and Aidell’s Italian Style Chicken Sausage, warm Baguette and Greek Olive Medley. La Crema Chardonnay from Sonoma’s North Coast added bright Citrus, Apricot and Honeydew scents. Finally, Trader Joe’s Crispy Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies completed the heartwarming meal. A classic Sunday Brunch featuring Lox and ‘Everything’ Bagels from the House of Bagels, Deviled Eggs, Early Girl Tomatoes and Red Onion ended this reunion with Big Dreams for the next!

Plenty. More.

Inspired once again by the “vibrant vegetable cooking” found in Yotam Ottolenghi’s PLENTY MORE, ChezHelvetica embarked on a culinary journey that led straight to heaven. Proof? Witness Eggplant Cheesecake. Roasted Eggplant stuffed with Baby Plum Tomatoes, freshly plucked Oregano, and a mixture of Feta and Cream Cheeses, Cream and Eggs created a truly celestial cloud of savory delight. A brush of Za’atar – a mixture of herbs and sesame seeds – finished the dish, adding the excitement of the Middle East. A bit more down to earth, yet divine in its own right, Grilled Steak Salad joined the table. Grilled Omaha Steaks Sirloin Steak and Red and Sweet Onions topped organic Arugula, also making a voyage to the Middle East with the addition of Figs and a pinch of Cinnamon to the Worcestershire Sauce Dressing. Garlic Focaccia Bread (left a tad too long under the broiler) and velvety Joel Gotts Zinfandel completed this delightful course. Häagen-Dazs Chocolate Ice Cream, crowned with Strawberries and Almonds, was the final present of a very “In The Present” evening!

Syber Saturday & Sunday

This magical weekend started at Fisherman’s Wharf with the much anticipated opening of crab season. The fishmonger cracked and cleaned our crab as the luscious fried shrimp on display also called out to our empty stomachs. With the addition of succulent barbecued short ribs, the Surf and Turf feast at ChezHelvetica began! Baked russet potatoes with horseradish and slow roasted green beans with scallions, garlic and herbs were the perfect sides along with whole wheat bread baked by our friend Mamie. Naked Wines Da Da Da chardonnay from Lodi provided the ha ha ha’s for the evening. Sweet red raspberries (just purchased at the Ferry Plaza Farmers market that morning), delicious apricot rugelach from the House of Bagels, crowned with vanilla Haagen Dazs a la mode, concluded this segment of our sojourn. In the morning over breakfast in the dining room, we watched the delightful dance of the ravens and hawk in the trees of East Fort Miley. A lunch of leftovers followed later in the day including mashed potatoes made from the aforementioned russet potatoes and earlier barbecued sweet potatoes. Surf and Turf, Savory and Sweet, Old and New, Yin and Yang – Thanks Giving.