Tag: Trader Joe’s

A Sparkling Birthday Tea Party!

Wishing J♥️Y! ChezHelvetica hosted a very special Cava75 Birthday Tea Party with dear, artful friends ~ in honor of incredible Arlene! With the cork popped on bubbling Marqués de Cáceres Cava Brut, the party was off. An array of delicious Tea Sandwiches (Shrimp, Egg Salad, Boursin and Blue Cheese/Walnut/Pear) was the first course, along with a wonderful Mango Cole Slaw and an assortment of Teas.

Next the sweet course! Martha Stewart’s recipe for Raspberry Scones and Panettone with Devon Clotted Cream and Stonewall Kitchen Orange Cranberry Marmalade and Holiday Jam, as well as Local Honey and Maple Syrup.

Delightful gift opening followed and then the birthday candle was kindled. Delicious Black Magic Cake with Chocolate Fudge frosting and Vanilla Bean Ice Cream were the sweet crescendo of this heartfelt party. The bottom line on the cake reads “Prince (with Purple Rain)”, Arlene’s forever love!

 

Gratitude 💕

Thankful and appreciative only begin to describe this special Thanksgiving gathering at ChezHelvetica. Absolutely Amazing defines the Executive Chef, Niece Rachel, who first baked delicious Pecan and Pumpkin Pies, and then incredible Baklava.

Next, she prepared Acme Bread Stuffing, Creamy Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Roasted Acorn Squash and a Diestel Farms Organic Turkey. Talk about babysitting the roasting!

       

Green Bean Casserole and Sweet-Tart Cranberry Cherry Sauce, prepared in advance by Sous Chefs Helvetica and Freddy, accompanied the expertly carved Turkey with homemade gravy.

     

Our cherished family and friends were first welcomed with Thatcher’s White Cheddar/Truffle Oil Popcorn, Martinelli’s Sparkling Cider and rich Argyle Pinot Noir. A choice of delectable desserts concluded this heartwarming celebration.  Grateful Indeed!

Palm Sunday Passover

A virtual mini-Seder with family began this holiday with discussion of the Seder Plate and symbolism of its foods. Palm fronds, commemorating the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem, shared ChezHelvetica’s tabletop with symbols of the Jewish exodus from Egypt on the journey to freedom. Matzah, or unleavened bread, first appeared in the savory, steaming Matzah Ball soup. Then in the main course with Charoset  (symbolizing mortar) and horseradish or Bitter Herbs, reminding us of slavery. The delicious course also included wonderfully seasoned Rainbow Trout, Baked Potato with Sour Cream and delectable Root Vegetables. Our cups of fragrant Pinot Noir were blessed by St. Francis!

   

As we told stories of freedom and action needed to resist inequality – now more than ever – Decadent Flourless Chocolate Cake and Macaroons concluded this very special occasion. Chag Sameach, Happy Holiday!

   

 

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!!!

Honoring Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples Table SettingChezHelvetica hosted the incredible “Cava 5 Tribe” for a luncheon of Indigenous foods and PowWow on the influence of Native Indians on each of our lives. The gathering commenced with Debon Brut Cava and a savory mixture of roasted Peanuts, Walnuts, Pecans and Sesame Seeds.

Heartwarming “Three Sisters” (Corn, Squash and Beans) Soup and Pumpkin Cream Biscuits with Sage Butter followed. The main course featured Smoked and Sweetened Trout in Cornmeal Tortilla wraps and Wild Rice With Root Vegetables Salad. Blended Cranberries, Maple Syrup and Apple Cider Vinegar dressed this delightful salad.  Artisa Chardonnay and Seghesio Zinfandel paired wonderfully with this Indigenous food. The Crescendo: Delectable Indian Pudding Sundaes and Chocolate Obsession Cake, with The Blue Angels soaring in the sky!!!

Bastille Day Niçoise Salad

While this day commemorates the storming of the Bastille, the Trump assassination attempt captured the headlines this year. Still, ChezHelvetica prepared a Classic French Niçoise Salad. Trader Joe’s Buttermilk Ranch Dressing doused Wild Planet Albacore Tuna, VA Farmers Market Green Beans, Tomatoes, Yukon Gold Potatoes, Hard-Boiled Eggs and Olives. Delicious TJ’s Unexpected Cheddar, baked on Pita Bread, accompanied the delectable salad.

Earlier in the week, a healthy Zucchini Potato Frittata made a great dinner, then lunch the following day. Red Potato, Green Onions and sweet Cherry Tomatoes baked with Eggs, Chili Sauce and Goat Cheese. Fresh Dill and Italian Parsley (and, of course, more Olive Oil) topped the savory Frittata.

         

Let us see if the temperature really “cools down” prior to the election!

Rising

ChezHelvetica honored resurrection and family this Easter Sunday with Eggs (of course) and the finest produce from organic vegetable and fruit kingdoms. Crustless Quiche created with Unexpected Cheddar Cheese, carmelized Onion, Mushrooms, Chives and sautéed Broccoli and Italian Sausage, filled a cherished Passiflora Caerilea Portmeirion dish.
Wonderful produce from the VA Farmers Market shared the spotlight on our table showcasing the juiciest Berries, Artichoke Hummus, Italian Caponata and Lemon Pita Chips. Even our dessert, Banana Pie, hailed from this market. Let the World Rise Now in Freedom and Peace!

 

Summer Solstice Tea Party 🌻

Tilting toward the sun, ChezHelvetica celebrated the Summer Solstice with Scandinavian-inspired revelry and best possible friends – the Cava4 (as #5 was in Scotland)! Our tea party started with Crab Toast, a luxurious combination of French Baguette toast slathered with brown butter mayonnaise and sweet Dungeness Crab. Sparkling Breathless Blanc de Noirs paired perfectly with this course. Glazed Fresh Orange Scones with hints of Vanilla and Cardamom, doused with luscious Lemon Curd, and Pineapple cubes followed.

Chives adorn crab toasts on antique platter

Kalamata olives in dish from Tuscany

Antique linens and Patrician China

Rustic wire and floral tape for crowns                     

A traditional symbol in European celebrations are flower crowns so we played musical chairs, moving to the other end of the table with our overflowing blossoms and greens to create our crowns.  Sweet Lemon Iced Tea  energized this very focused multi-step creation.

The sweet send-off were Strawberry Tartlets. Ground Almonds, Walnuts and Pecans cradled a Strawberry, Lemon Verbena and Honey filling (topped with rich Whipped Cream) for a distinctive new taste. SUMMER HAPPINESS!!!

Savoring the Mediterranean 👄

Greek inspiration|Israeli ingenuity|Italian saporoso ChezHelvetica delighted this weekend in serving Baked Feta With Tomatoes and Roasted Asparagus. The Israeli Feta in brine (discovered at Trader Joe‘s) is an outstanding, luxuriant rendition of sheep’s milk cheese. Freshly cut Oregano from the garden and rich Olive Oil doused the Feta, Cherry Tomatoes and Kalamata Olives. Safeway‘s Multigrain Harvest Bread soaked up the delicious flavors. Asparagus from the VA Farmers’ Market, tossed with Olive Oil, Salt, Pepper, Parmesan Reggiano Cheese and Lemon Juice accompanied, along with vibrant Edna Valley Chardonnay. Then the next day O Organics Whole Wheat Spaghetti and Snow Peas from the VA Farmer’s Market bathed in roasted Shallots, Tomatoes and Tarragon, finished with Basil Chiffonade and Parmesan Cheese. Our Dolce ending ~ Really?Good homemade Mixed Berry Pie á la Mode!

    

“The Perfect 36” Twice

OSUs Scarlet & Gray, emblazoned with an “O Stealie”, brought magical vibes to the celebration at ChezHelvetica – from Grateful Dead to Grateful Alive. A luscious Ina Garten Roasted Vegetable Lasagna layered with roasted Eggplant, Zucchini, four different Cheeses, Rao’s Marinara Sauce, O Organics Lasagna Noodles, Garlic, fresh Oregano and Basil absolutely delighted the party. A Spinach and Arugula Salad with Avocado, Red Onion, Walnuts and wonderful Poppyseed Dressing accompanied. Italbrand Parmigiano Reggiano (Thin Torinesi Grissini) Breadsticks from Andronico’s and Trader Joe’s Organic Olives completed this star set. For the finale – sister Barbara brought a wonderfully rich Chocolate Mousse Torte from renowned Schubert’s Bakery. A leftover Chanukah candle ignited, granting heartfelt wishes to the birthday honoree. Happiest of Birthdays Freddy! Really?!