After Burn

From Black Rock City, Nevada to ChezHelvetica at Land’s End, a Burner returned to Welcome Back feasts and Tide. (Lots of Tide/three loads). The day’s first repast, a collaboration, featured an Organic Arugula Salad with homemade Apricot Salad Dressing, Marin Gourmet‘s delicious Aubergine Dip with Lemon Crackers and Black Bean-Vidalia Onion-Cheddar Cheese Wraps punctuated with stories of incredible art, desert challenges and dust. Dinner included Oven-Roasted BBQ Chicken Breasts smothered with Cremini Mushrooms, Onion, Garlic and TJ’s Organic Kansas City Style Barbecue Sauce, accompanied by Veggie Sauté. Farmers Market Zucchini, Early Girl Tomatoes, Garlic and Onion sizzled in Stonehouse Extra Virgin Olive Oil, then accented with fresh Basil. Husked Sweet Corn wrapped in damp paper towels, microwaved for just five minutes, then dipped in butter and salt. Mouthwatering delight! This year on Saturday the Burning Man, surrounded by a kaleidoscope of colorful mutant vehicles and fireworks, incinerated in a huge flash and fell over almost as quickly as the corn cooked – about seven minutes. Yet there are more beautiful Temples to burn, with Sorrow and with Joy! 🧨🔥

 

A Mediterranean Medley

With inspiration from Armenia, Lebanon and Israel, ChezHelvetica brought the beautiful culture and tradition of Mezza to the table. To begin we delighted in Sabra Hummus and Marin Gourmet’s fire-roasted Aubergine with Lemon Crackers made of Whole Wheat Pita Bread. Then Lemony Marinated Chicken Skewers fragrant with Cumin, Tumeric, Garlic and Red Pepper Flakes and Fingerling Potatoes braised with Wine, Butter and Fresh Thyme transported us to the spice tables of the Middle East. Velvety Acacia Chardonnay from Carneros paired perfectly with this meal, yet was a heartbreaking reminder of our majestic Wine Country now devastated by wildfires. Finally, a sweet dessert to reaffirm the gift of the moment – World’s Finest Chocolates Mint Meltaways and Caramel Whirls, and house favorite Ben and Jerry’s Chocolate Fudge Brownie FroYo.