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This week I was scheduled to cook for the second time for a senior couple in Del Ray

Beach Florida.  An hour before I was scheduled to start shopping, I got a call from Mrs. L. Her next  door neighbor, also a senior wanted the same dishes, only packed singly. I told them I could give them a discount since I was making the same dishes for each.

I made them three main dishes, four portions for each family. I charged them only $259 including groceries for each, lower than my usual price of $275.00. the requested dishes included: Beef Stew, Apricot chicken, Salmon with ginger and Lime ( the recipe is in my blog). Also the side dishes broccoli kugel, noodle kugel, and roast cauliflower and Split Pea Soup.
when can we cook for you?
I would love your feedback. Helen@helenshomecooking.com or call me at 561-676-2078 .
Thanks,
Helen

Chef Helen has lowered her prices

Helen’s Home Cooking has lowered its’ prices as inclusive of groceries.  check this out!

 

http://www.helenshomecooking.com/Weekly_Cook_Dates.html

Passover Prep. One day at a time

From 2 years ago. this bears repeating.
I am putting together recipes for a client (seder for 14), and my own family (two seder for 3 to 7 people.0

Since my client wants brisket, poached salmon for 5 , gefilte fish, brownies (no nuts!) and many of the usual side dishes, i am checking for the best possible recipes. I also have to plan on containers for each of us, foil pans, heavy duty foil(LOTS OF IT) for the counters as well as wrapping food for the client, parchment paper, special dish soap, a new salt, pepper, sugar, paprika, cinnamon etc.
So many of these staples need to be kosher for passover, extremely detailed laws concerning this….

Got recipes and most of shopping list together, but it is too early to shop. Need to be rid of all chametz. Such a challenge.
More on chametz tomorrow

gremolata (for string beans)

gremolata (for string beans).

Passover/Pesach Cooking and Preparation

I am reposting this from 2 years ago… counting down to Pesach/Passover.
To the observant Jew, preparing for Passover has many challenges and opportunities.  I will plan ahead and not drive myself crazy.. I took an hour this morning and went through my pantry to review what I wanted to use up prior to the holiday (2 started boxes of whole-wheat pasta and one of lasagna noodles).  I look through packages, especially baking items and spices to see they are not expired (the experts suggest keeping the dried spices no longer than 6 months),  I HAD TO DIVEST MYSELF OF THE CREAM OF TARTAR.  A recent client asked me to make baking powder biscuits , insisted she had baking powder and found at the last minute that it expired in 2002, long before she moved to Florida!

.I also go through the medicine chest and find expired over the counter meds and prescription meds. We don’t use a lot of meds so this was a quick process.

By Wed evening there will be no food going out of the kitchen and dining room….I hope.

 

Chef Helen
Helen@helenshomecooking.com
561-676-2078

Chef Helen interviewed on the radio!

Tomorrow March 6th, Iwill be interviewed regarding my work as a Personal Chef at 5pm eastern time on www.weinetwork.com.  Of all people to interview me, it will  be my husband Robert gottesman.  check out his website as well at www.multilearningsolutions.com. Letme know what you think of it!!

Any comments can be sent to chefhelen@helenshomecooking.com or call at

561-676-2078

Thanks.

Proudest Moments

During a job interview a while back,I was asked what my proudest moments were.

Over 20 years ago, My husband and I were hired to be house parents in a group home for Jewish adults with Deveopmental Disabilities (Hatikvah House in CoralSprings, Fl.) As a chef I did the cooking for the five residents plus the 2 of us. As time went on, I started to show the residents how to keep kosher and how to prepare basic meals.

One of our residents was blind as well as Developmentally Disabled. He wanted to be part of the cooking lessons but knife skills were not an option.

I washed the lettuce and had him wash his hands very carefully…Then I sat him down and had him tear the lettuce into “bite sized pieces” He could not wait to call his mom and tell her that he “made dinner himself” I had to explain to her what he actually did. his pride was amazing!

The other four residents had never cooked by themselves before but they left there able to put together a basic shabbos dinner of soup, roast chicken, rice, salad and a mix cake.