THE VILLAGE VOICE

For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise my love, my fair one, and come away. ~ The Song of Solomon, 2:11-13 VERNAL EQUINOX (Hubbard Lake, MI) PENNE PRIMAVERA ~ ' Primavera ' means 'Spring' in Italian _________ 1 lb. penne pasta or bow-tie ( farfalle ) 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 large sweet ( Vidalia ) onion 2-3 minced garlic cloves 1 tsp. red pepper flakes 1 lb. diagonally cut asparagus spears (woody stems snapped off) 1/2 lb. sliced mushrooms 3 diagonally sliced carrots 1 matchstick sliced yellow pepper 1 matchstick sliced orange pepper 1 hefty cup frozen peas 1 pint grape tomatoes 10 oz. fresh stemmed baby spinach 1 bunch chopped fresh basil coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper freshly grat...

"Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts." ~ Janice Maeditere SANTA ___________________ HOLIDAY TORTELLINI SOUP ~ Year round favorite ... festive color for the holidays ________ 6-8 minced garlic cloves 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 quarts organic chicken (or vegetable) broth 16 oz. tri -color cheese tortellini (love Monterey 5 cheese Tortelloni , a wonderful blend of parmesan , ricotta, swiss , mozzaarella & romano cheese) 2 28 oz. cans good stewed tomatoes 8 oz. fresh baby spinach leaves (can also use chopped frozen) 2 tsp. dried basil coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste fresh grated Parmesan cheese chopped fresh seeded Italian tomatoes (optional) chopped fresh basil Saute garlic gently in olive oil (careful not to burn). Stir in broth and bring to a boil. Add tortellini and reduce heat to gentle boil (avoid boiling vigorously). Cook about 5 minutes or until tortellini rise to top. Add stewed tomatoes,...

"Listen, the wind is rising, and the air is wild with leaves, We have had our summer evenings, Now for October eves!" ~ Humbert Wolfe OCTOBER EVE (Hubbard Lake) ___________________ FUSILLI with FRESH TOMATO & FETA ~ A 'simple' family favorite, perfect for the fresh tomato and basil harvest ____________ 2-3 lbs. ripe Italian plum tomatoes 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar 6-8 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 - 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley 1 coarsely chopped red onion 1 tsp. coarse salt freshly ground black pepper to taste 1 lb. good fusilli (whole wheat pasta is also great) 6-8 oz. crumbled feta Seed and dice tomatoes. Place in large bowl. Add vinegar, olive oil, basil, parsley, onion, salt & pepper. Toss with tomatoes and let marinate at room temperature at least 1 hour. Cook fusilli in large pot of boiling salted water according to directions (tender but still firm). Drain well. Toss fusilli with 1/2 of fresh tomato sauce. Se...

"There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart." ~ Celia Thaxter ~ LILY ___________________ FRESH LEMONADE ~ Nothing says summer more than the taste of icy fresh homeade lemonade. Original recipe from The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook _____ 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup boiling water 1 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (6-8 large lemons) 5 cups cold water Garnishes: lemon slices, fresh mint sprigs Stir together sugar and 1/2 cup boiling water until sugar dissolves. Stir in lemon juice and 5 cups cold water. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint sprigs. (8 cups) Note : Substitute fresh lime for lemon ~ HYDRANGEA, DAYLILIES , MONARDA ________________ GRILLED CHICKEN SOUVLAKI with TZATZIKI SAUCE ~ A family favorite for all seasons adapted from Cooking Light __________ SOUVLAKI 6 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1-2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil pinch coarse salt 6 minced garlic cloves 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into 1-inch pieces 2 mediu...

"My green thumb came only as a result of the mistakes I made while learning to see things from the plant's point of view." ~ H. Fred Ale May Garden Flowers (Petunia, Sweet Potato Vine, Alpine poppy, Autumn fern, Gerbera daisy, Columbine, Centaurea , heuchera ~ Key Lime Pie - Creme Brulee ) _________________ MEDITERRANEAN CHOPPED SALAD ~ Garden fresh and colorful ... like May _______ 1 large red bell pepper 1 large pocketless Greek pita 1/2 cup plus 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 minced garlic clove 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 1 cup finely chopped romaine lettuce 1 large chopped English cucumber 1 (14 oz.) can rinsed chickpeas 4 seeded and diced Roma tomatoes 1/2 cup chopped scallions (green onions) freshly ground black pepper 2/3 cup crumbled feta cheese Preheat broiler. Place pepper on foil lined sheet and broil abut 15 minutes, turning once or twice until blackened evenly . Remove ...

"For before the harvest, as soon as the bud blossoms And the flower becomes a ripening grape, Then He will cut off the sprigs with pruning knives And remove and cut away the spreading branches." ~ Isaiah 18:5 ~ Awaiting harvest ______________________ STUFFED GRAPE LEAVES with HERB GOAT CHEESE ~ Simple tried and true classic since biblical days __________________________ 1 jar (16-oz) preserved grape leaves 3 Tbsp. toasted pine nuts (shake raw pine nuts over medium heat for 5 minutes and set aside) 8 oz. crumbled creamy goat cheese 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup minced fresh herbs (rosemary, thyme, basil, oregano, chives, tarragon, etc.) 1 Tbsp. rinsed capers sea salt freshly ground black pepper extra-virgin olive oil for brushing 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice lemon zest fresh grapes for garnish mint leaves Rinse grape leaves under cold water and pat dry. Remove tough stems and ends. Place vein side up on clean flat surface. Combine goat cheese, olive oi...

“We come from the earth, we return to the earth, and in between we garden.” ~ Author Unknown Henry Eilers Strap Petal Black Eyed Susan ( Rudbeckia 'Henry Eilers ') ________________ PESTO-STUFFED CHICKEN BREASTS ~ An old favorite, delicious served at room temp ... good for a picnic or lunch on the boat _____ 8 skinned & boned chicken breast halves 1 lb. fresh spinach 3 finely chopped shallots 2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Pesto Sauce, divided 1/2 cup. ricotta cheese 1 egg yolk 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1/8 tsp. freshly ground pepper 4 (1/8-inch thick) slices prosciutto 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/4 cup mayonnaise Flatten each chicken breast to 1/4-inch thickness; set aside. Clean spinach and remove stems. Steam for 2 minutes and drain. Squeeze until barely moist & coarsely chop. Saute shallots in 2 Tbsp . butter until tender; drain . Combine shallots, 1/4 cup Pesto Sauce, ricotta cheese, egg yolk, pine nuts, salt & pe...

"The aspects of things that are most important to us are hidden because of their simplicity and familiarity." Ludwig Wittgenstein 'Ride the wave' (Petunia) ____________________ GREEK POTATO with FETA VINAIGRETTE ~ Are there ever enough summer potato salad recipes? Try this yummy picnic twist adapted from That's My Home _______________ 2 lbs. 1-inch wedges of red potatoes 2 Tbsp. red wine or white balsamic vinegar 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil juice and zest of 1 lemon 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 2 Tbsp. fresh oregano coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste 1 cup pitted and coarsely chopped Kalamata olives 1 seeded English cucumber 1 jar roasted red peppers 1 diced yellow or orange pepper 1/2 cup diced red onion 8 oz. crumbled feta cheese 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley additional fresh parsley and oregano for garnish Steam well scrubbed potatoes 12-14 minutes or until firm-tender. Combine vinegar, olive oil, lemon, zest, Dijon, oregano and salt & pepper...

"There is not a single colour hidden away in the chalice of a flower ... to which, by some subtle sympathy with the very soul of things, my nature does not answer." ~ Oscar Wilde ~ Garden Gerbera Daisy ______________ HONEY~SESAME GRILLED SHRIMP ~ adapted from razzledazzlerecipes .com ____ 2 1/4-1/2 lbs. peeled, deveined uncooked jumbo shrimp 1/4 cup sesame oil 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 1/4 cup soy sauce 3 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds 3 Tbsp. honey 2 cloves minced garlic 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh ginger 1-2 Tbsp. Mongolian Fire Oil (House of Tsang ) 6 chopped scallions Combine sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds, honey, garlic, ginger, fire oil, and 3 chopped scallions. Add shrimp and marinate several hours. Remove shrimp from marinade and thread on wooden skewers. Bring marinade to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until syrupy. Grill shrimp, 2 minutes per side, basting with marinade. Transfer to platter and sprinkle with remaining sesame seeds and scallions. ...

~ Dicentra 'Gold Heart' _________________ LAMB KABOBS WRAPPED in PITA ~ 'Guilt free' delicious choice for the holiday weekend ______ 1 1/2 lbs. boneless leg of Spring lamb, cut in cubes 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano 2 cloves minced garlic juice and zest of 1 fresh lemon 1 tsp. coarse salt 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper 1 cup plain yogurt 1 clove minced garlic 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 4-6 large pitas Tabbouleh ( Tabouli ) Place lamb in large bowl. Combine olive oil, thyme, oregano, garlic, lemon juice, zest, and salt & pepper. Toss with lamb and marinate for several hours. Combine yogurt, garlic, thyme, oregano and lemon juice. Set aside. Thread lamb cubes on skewers. Broil or grill about 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Meanwhile, toast pitas lightly on the grill until warmed. Remove lamb from skewers and place on Tabbouleh . Drizzle with yo...

"The tulips I had planted last autumn were in bloom, and I liked to sit and caress their petals , which felt disgustingly delicious, like scraps of peau de soie ." ~ Jamaica Kincaid ~ Tulipa tarda _____________ GRILLED HERB-LEMON STEELHEAD ~ Simple fish feast after a harried day in the garden ______ 3 lb. Steelhead (salmon or trout) fillets 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/3 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup vodka or vermouth 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice and zest 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme freshly ground black pepper Combine olive oil, brown sugar, vodka, lemon juice, zest, thyme & black pepper. Pour over fillets and marinate several hours. Bring to room temp before grilling. Place fillets on grill, skin side down, reserving marinade. Depending on thickness of fish, cook about 15 minutes or until opaque but still moist (do not overcook). While fish is cooking, bring marinade to boil and simmer 5 minutes. Serve over fish. (6 healthy servings) LEMONY HERBED ...

“When I admire the wonder of a sunset or the beauty of the moon, my soul expands in worship of the Creator." ~ Mahatma Gandhi ~ Sunset and full moon (Hubbard Lake) ___________ LEMONY BAKED GREEK CHICKEN BREASTS ~ Succulent bone-in breasts and grilled asparagus make for a delightful spring supper ____ 4 bone-in chicken breast halves 8 cloves crushed garlic 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano (2 tsp. dried) 4 thinly sliced lemons 1 cup pitted kalamata olives 8 oz. crumbled feta cheese lemon slices and sprigs of oregano for garnish Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Gently lift skin from chicken and stuff 2 sliced garlic cloves under each breast. Rub breasts evenly with olive oil and lightly sprinkle with salt. Grind pepper over each and sprinkle with oregano. Spray 13x9 inch pan with Pam. Arrange lemon slices and chicken in pan. Sprinkle with olives. Bake for 45 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and sprinkle...