THE VILLAGE VOICE

"There is no instinct like that of the heart." ~ Lord Byron HERB CRUSTED CRANBERRY/CHERRY SALMON ~ A delicious crunchy meld of herbs , antioxidant lemon, tart cranberries & sweet dried cherries combined with 'heart-smart' salmon ____________ 1 1/2 lb. salmon filet 1/2 cup chopped fresh cranberries 1/4 cup chopped dried Michigan cherries 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary 1/2 cup panko crumbs zest of 1 fresh lemon 3 Tbsp. melted butter sea salt & freshly ground cracked pepper to taste Preheat oven to 375º. Rinse and pat salmon dry. Place skin side down on foil lined baking sheet sprayed with Pam. Season with salt & pepper. Combine chopped cranberries, cherries, onion, thyme, rosemary, lemon zest, and panko crumbs. Blend in 2 Tbsp. melted butter. Pat mixture evenly over salmon. Drizzle with remaining butter. Pop in oven and bake for 20 minutes or until salmon is opaque in c...

“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.” ~ George Eliot October Garden Abstract ( Toad Lily ~ Echinacea ) Echinacea (faces still shining early October strong) ___________ BABY GREENS with CHICKEN, DRIED CHERRIES, PEARS & PECANS ~ Memorable autumn flavors blend together like perfect plants in the garden ... a taste of autumn at its best ( Fine Cooking - Oct 2008 ) ____________ 1 medium garlic clove coarse salt 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp. red wine vinegar 1 tsp. fresh thyme freshly ground black pepper 1 peeled, cored, diced firm-ripe pear 1/3 cup dried tart cherries ( Michigan dried are best ) 8 oz. (8 loosely packed cups) mixed baby greens 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (Rotisserie chicken easy and tastes great) 1/2 cup toasted pecans Gorgonzola or Feta cheese Chop garlic, sprinkle with salt, and mash to paste with flat knife side of chef's knife. Put paste in large se...

"Winter is on my head, but eternal spring is in my heart." ~ Victor Hugo Primrose (February Flower of the Month) The American Primrose Society __________________ MUSSEL and CORN CHOWDER ~ A treasured recipe from chef Milos Cihelka ( The Golden Mushroom ) 18 mussels 1/2 cup white wine few parsley stems 15 cruised peppercorns 1/2 sprig thyme 4 minced shallots 1 crushed garlic clove 3 ears of corn, kernels cut off, set aside 1/3 cup sliced leeks 1/3 cup diced carrot 1/3 cup diced onion 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 2 Tbsp. flour 1 cup chicken broth mussel juice salt & pepper to taste 1 cup heavy cream 2 Tbsp. chopped chives Soak mussels in cold water for 1 hour, drain and rinse in fresh water. In stainless steel saucepan, bring to boil the wine, parsley, shallots, garlic and herbs. Add mussels, cover tightly and, over high heat, steam just until mussels open. Remove from hear, drain juice and reserve. Allow mussels to cool, remove from shells, beard them and cut in halves. I...

It’s no coincidence that February is both American Heart Month and National Cherry Month, since science suggests cherries may offer powerful heart-health benefits. Click here to learn more… ~ Yoshino Cherry blossoms ___________________ CHERRY OATMEAL BREAD ~ Heart smart oatmeal and cherries, a good way to begin the day ________________ 2 cups flour 1 Tbsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 3/4 cup sugar 1 cup rolled oats 2 organic eggs 1/4 cup vegetable oil 1 cup buttermilk 1 cup dried cherries Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Sift flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt & sugar into a large bowl. Stir in rolled oats. Beat eggs in a bowl. Add oil and milk and mix well and incorporate into flour mixture, mixing well. Add dried cherries. Pour into greased 5x9 inch loaf pan. Bake for 1 hour. Cool in pan for 10 minutes before removing. (10 servings) --------------- Did you know that Michigan is the largest producer of Montmorency tart cherries, growing 70-75% of the crop? With Februar...

"There is greatest relish for the earliest fruit of the season." ~ Martial ~ Japanese Anemome (Anemone X hybrida ) MICHIGAN WALDORF SALAD with SWEET & SPICY PECANS ~ Delicious salad hints of autumn (adapted from Bon Appetit Sept. 1999) _________ 1 cup dried Michigan tart cherries (can soften in boiling water if preferred) 1/2 cup mayonnaise 3 Tbsp. sour cream 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 Tsp. sugar 4 cored Granny Smith apples (cut into 1/2 inch cubes) 1 1/3 cups thinly sliced celery 1 1/3 cups halved red seedless grapes salt & freshly ground pepper Romaine or mixed greens for autumn color Sweet & Spicy Candied Pecans Whisk mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon juice and sugar in large bowl. Add apples, celery, grapes and cherries; toss. Season with salt & freshly ground pepper. Arrange on greens and spoon salad over. Top with Candied Pecans . (6 servings) Note: If substituting red apples, use green grapes. _______ Sweet & Spicy Candied Pecans 3 tablespoons Mi...