THE VILLAGE VOICE

“God Almighty first planted a garden; and, indeed, it is the purest of human pleasures.” ~ Francis Bacon Purple Coneflower ( Echinacea purpurea ) GRILLED ROMAINE with BLUE CHEESE-BACON & BALSAMIC VINAIGRETTE ~ Excellent summer salad slightly adapted from Guy Fieri (Food Network). Trust me, this will be a repeat! _______________ 4 Tbsp extra-virgin olive oil 3/4 cup chopped red onion 1/2 lb. bacon 1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 3 Heads romaine lettuce, cut in 1/2 lengthwise 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese freshly ground black pepper to taste Cook bacon in sauté pan until crispy. Remove, blot grease, and crumble. Set aside. Drain grease but do not clean pan. Add 2 Tbsp. olive oil and sauté onion until soft and caramelized. Add balsamic vinegar hand heat to boiling, scraping brown bits from bottom. Remove from heat. Brush romaine lettuce with remaining 2 Tbsp. of olive oil, place on gill cut side down, and quickly sear. Serve lettuce, cut side-up, and drizzle the balsamic dressing ...

"Every rose is an autograph from the hand of God on his world about us. He has inscribed his thoughts in these marvelous hieroglyphics which sense and science have, these many thousand years, been seeking to understand. " ~ Theodore Parker Treasured 1st Edition "Oh, my luve ’s like a red, red rose, That ’s newly sprung in June; Oh, my luve ’s like the melodie That’s sweetly played in tune." ~ Robert Burns 'Carefree Beauty' Shrub Rose "Won't you come into the garden? I would like my roses to see you." ~ Richard Brinsley Sheridan "The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart." ~ unknown "What's in a name? That which we call a rose By any other name would smell as sweet." ~ William Shakespeare "The rose speaks of love silently, in a language known only to the heart." ~ unknown "When love first came to Earth, the Spring spread rose-beds to receive him." ~ Thomas Campbell ...

"Every rose is an autograph from the hand of God on his world about us. He has inscribed his thoughts in these marvelous hieroglyphics which sense and science have, these many thousand years, been seeking to understand. " ~ Theodore Parker 'CAREFREE BEAUTY' SHRUB ROSE

Peony (Paeonia) Columbine (Aquilegia) _________________ GRILLED PORTOBELLO BURGERS with PESTO, PROVOLONE & ROASTED PEPPERS ~ enjoy balmy 38º weather, fire up the grill and dream of June ... _________________ 4 stemmed large portobello mushrooms 8 slices sourdough or whole grain bread (or 4 buns/rolls of choice) extra-virgin olive oil coarse salt & freshly ground pepper 1/2 cup pesto 1/4 cup light mayonnaise 4 slices Provolone cheese 1 jar (well-drained) roasted red/yellow or just red peppers (Trader Joe's are great) 4 cups baby spinach leaves Heat grill. Brush both sides of mushrooms with olive oil. Season with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. Rub one side of bread/roll with olive oil and grill until lightly toasted. Combine pesto and mayonnaise; spread on grilled side of bread/bun. Brush both sides of mushrooms with olive oil and grill, rounded side up, 4 minutes. Turn over, cover, and grill about 4 minutes or until mushrooms are tender, adding Provolone the ...

"Garden making is creative work, just as much as painting or writing a poem. It is a personal expression of self, and individual conception of beauty. I should as soon think of asking a secretary to write my book, or the cook to assist in a water color painting, as to permit a gardener to plant or dig among my flowers." ~ Hannah Rion (The Greatest Gift of a Garden) PEONY GIFT of GREEN 'CAREFREE BEAUTY' SHRUB ROSE DELIGHTFUL NEIGHBORS TUBEROUS BEGONIA _____________________ SALAD NICOISE in PITA POCKETS ~ Easy busy day garden lunch or simple supper, adapted from Cooking Light (May 2003) _____________ 1 cup sliced (1 inch) fresh green beans 1 Tbsp. water 1/4 - 1/2 cup pitted & chopped nicoise olives 1 Tbsp. capers 1 (12 oz.) can drained solid white tuna in water 1 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 tsp. Dijon mustard 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley pinch coarse salt freshly ground pepper to taste 2 (6-inch) whole wheat pita rounds (cut in h...