THE VILLAGE VOICE

"The greatest advantage of all is that when people think you're a witch, you can eat an entire serving of squash by yourself." ~ Kathleen O'Near Gear, People of the Midst  (Witch Portraits taken years ago at Franklin Cider Mill)  ROASTED SPAGHETTI SQUASH with BROWN BUTTER SAGE WALNUT SAUCE ~ Earthy taste of autumn  (dinner for 2) Large spaghetti squash, halved lengthwise olive oil  coarse salt & fresh ground pepper to taste sprigs of fresh sage to taste  4  Tbsp. butter 1/2 cup walnuts or pignoli nuts Preheat oven to 400º. Halve squash and place cut side down on baking sheet. Depending on size, roast 40-60 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest. In the meantime, while roasting squash is resting, melt butter over medium heat and cook, swirling until foam subsides until nutty and fragrant. Add walnuts (or pine nuts), salt & pepper. As nuts brown, add fresh sage...

"Every leaf speak bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree." ~ Emily Bronte AUTUMN TEXTURE ABSTRACT "But I remember more dearly autumn afternoons in bottoms that lay intensely silent under old great trees." ~ C.S. Lewis SIMPLE TUSCAN LEMON CHICKEN ~ easy autumn fare 6 boneless chicken breast (or thighs) 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil juice and zest from 1 lemon 1 Tbsp. minced garlic 1 Tbsp. minced fresh rosemary 1 tsp. minced fresh thyme freshly ground black pepper and coarse salt to taste Combine olive oil, lemon juice, zest, garlic, rosemary, thyme, pepper and salt. Pour over chicken and marinate several hours or overnight. Remove chicken from marinade and grill on med-high for 20-30 minuted, depending on size of breast. Turn every 10 minutes and baste with remaining marinade. Cover and let rest before serving. GRILLED EGGPLANT and GOAT CHEESE SALAD ~ From Giada De Laurentiis 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 7 Japanese eggplant, ends trimmed, cut into ...

"Always hold fast to the present. Every situation, indeed every moment, is of infinite value, for it is the representative of a whole eternity." ~ Johann Wolfgang von Goethe In awe of each stunning daylily that only lives for a day Vixen’s Summer Ale ( Tricky Vickis ) ~ dear friend Vicki's refreshing summer ale ... 'two thumbs up' for a picnic or leisurely cruise on the boat Ingredients: 1 (6 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate 1 (6 ounce) can of vodka (fill after dumping out lemonade) 4 bottles Corona beer Fresh muddled Mint Combine all ingredients, pour over ice and garnish with fresh limes. FRESH HERB PORK TENDERLOIN with GRILLED PEACHES ~ Perfect summer fare while peaches are at their peak 2 well-trimmed pork tenderloins 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 3 tsp. chopped fresh thyme 3 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary 2 cloves minced garlic fresh ground pepper to taste 1 tsp. kosher or sea salt 4 peaches cut into thick slices juice of a fresh lemon extra...

"April is a promise that May is bound to keep." ~ Hal Borland LAMB CHOPS with LEMON & HERBS (Spring lamb calls as does the grill ... a delightful marriage of flavors - adapted from BON APPETIT April 2011 ) 3 minced large shallots 6 Tbsp. chopped fresh mint 6 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano (3 tsp. dried is fine since fresh is often strong) 6 minced cloves of fresh garlic (here I omit 1 Tbsp. of sugar plus 1 Tbsp. salt and add freshly ground black pepper to taste plus a hint of coarse salt ) 12 lamb rib chops (from 2 1 1/4 - 1/2 lbs. french cut racks of lamb 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 3 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 hefty Tbsp. grated lemon peel (zest) coarse salt & freshly ground pepper fresh mint sprigs for garnish Combine shallots, mint, oregano, garlic, salt & pepper. On a large baking sheet, press rounded mixture onto the top of each lamb chop. Turn over and press remaining mixture. Cover chops and refrigerate overnight. Whisk olive oil, lemon juice, a...

"The nicest thing about the promise of spring is that sooner or later she'll have to keep it." ~ Mark Beltaire ORANGE- TERIYAKI SALMON ~ cook an extra pound and make salmon cakes the next day ______ For each pound of salmon whisk together ~ 3 Tbsp. fresh orange juice zest of 1 orange 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar 1 Tbsp. brown sugar 1 tsp. minced garlic 2 tsp. minced fresh ginger Preheat oven to 450º. Pour mixture over salmon and bake 13-15 minutes, depending on thickness. Do not overcook. Fish should cut easily by not flake apart. SPRING RISOTTO ~ fresh herbs, a must 1 cup Arborio rice 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup sliced assorted mushrooms 1/2 cup diced onion 1/2 tsp. chopped garlic 1/2 cup white wine 1 tsp. chopped shallots 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2 1/2 cups of hot organic chicken or vegetable stock 2 tsp. coarse salt 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup fresh chopped savory he...

"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 AUTUMN VEGETABLE SOUP ~ Delicious, healthy, heartwarming soup, loaded with gorgeous autumn veggies. Slightly adapted from Ellie Krieger at Fine Cooking _____________________________ 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 3 medium diced carrots 1 medium diced large yellow onion 2 minced garlic cloves 2 cups (1/2 in. cubed) peeled butternut squash 1 tsp. Lawry's seasoned pepper coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste pinch cayenne pepper or more to taste 1 quart organic chicken stock/broth 1 14.5 oz. can diced tomatoes 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme or more to taste 2 cups coarsely chopped kale 1 cup chickpeas Heat oil in large stockpot over medium-high heat. Add carrots and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until they begin to soften, about 6 minutes. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute more. Add squash, seasoned pepper, salt ...

"May your life be like a wildflower growing freely in the beauty and joy of each day" ~ Native American proverb Yellow Lady's Slipper ( Cypripedium Calceolus L. ) Orchid Family ______________ CHEVRE and MOREL CHEESECAKE (Goat Cheesecake with Mushrooms) ~ Savory Cheesecake from France ... Routas Culinary Director Frances Wilson ___________ Base: 1 cup Parmesan cheese 1 cup breadcrumbs 5 Tbsp. melted butter course salt & freshly ground pepper Topping: 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 washed and finely chopped leek 4 oz. washed fresh morel mushrooms (or favorite wild mushrooms) 12 oz. fresh chevre (or favorite goat cheese) 12 oz. softened cream cheese 1 cup creme fraiche 1 lightly beaten large egg 1 Tbsp chopped fresh herbs like tarragon, parsley or thyme 3 Tbsp. flour 2 tsp. salt 2 egg whites Preheat oven to 350º. Combine Parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs and butter in a bowl. Season with salt & freshly ground pepper. Press into base of a 9-inch springform ...