Rodney Strong

Happy Birthday Mermaid!

Shimmering place cards adorned with sea shells and trinkets (created by sister Abby) welcomed family and friends to ChezHelvetica’s milestone birthday celebration. Mom’s 90th! Our kaleidoscope of sea world fantasy began with delicious Jumbo Shrimp Cocktails – the Shrimp from Antonelli’s, the pungent Cocktail Sauce home made with Ketchup, Horseradish, Worcestershire Sauce and Lemon Juice. Two savory Quiches followed – one in a Diamond of California Walnut Pie Shell filled with T.J.s Shredded Swiss/Gruyere Cheese, Onion and Organic Baby Spinach, and another in an Organic Wholly Wholesome shell with Sautéed White Mushrooms. A wonderful Field Greens Salad with Apricot Dressing, made by friend Joan, accompanied. Then, a legendary aquatic creature appeared! An image of our incredible Mother (Beverly Lassen) from the Carmel Valley Athletic Club pool transformed into a Mermaid by the “Black Magic” of Sweet Things Bakery. With Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay in hand, we toasted this inspirational woman and sang Happy Birthday!!!🎶🎶

“As Heads Is Tails…”

“Just Call Me” … ChezHelvetica, so much better than Lucifer! Especially for a Mother’s Night soirée where the Tails of choice are Lobster Tails. Lobster Thermidor, with its luscious Sherry-spiked Cream Sauce, chunks of Lobster and White Mushrooms filled the fire engine red shells. Roasted Fingerling Potatoes from Zuckerman Farms, accented with fresh Rosemary, and Caesar Salad accompanied the featured delicacy. Almost sweet Organic Romaine from Nuñez Farms made the perfect bed for savory Garlic-Anchovy Dressing and an Acme Baguette from the Ferry Plaza Marketplace soaked up both dressing and sauce. Rodney Strong Chalk Hill Chardonnay and a Hot Fudge Sundae (made with Tillamook Vanilla Bean Ice Cream) brought smiles of delight to the Most Wonderful Mother in the world!

Jump Start on Crab Season

The intent of my 8AM dash to Safeway for some household staples yielded a lovely surprise for dinner – Dungeness Crab, from Canada! As I cruised by the fish counter, these beautiful red crabs stopped me in my tracks. Fishmonger Jim asked me if I wanted to taste some. I did – delicious! This led to the purchase of one of our favorite Chardonnays, Rodney Strong Chalk Hill. With one artichoke left from our recent visit to Pezzini’s in Castroville (wonderful market) and the best radishes I have ever tasted plucked that morning from the Ferry Plaza Farmer’s Market, we were set for our Saturday Night Live dinner. Happily, I had some brown rice left over from a recent visit to a Chinese restaurant which worked as the perfect accompaniment to this meal. Luscious red grapes from Tory Farms (also purchased at the Farmer’s Market that morning) were served with Carr’s Whole Wheat Crackers topped with Aged Gouda and toasted walnuts drizzled with honey for a simple, sweet dessert.