THE VILLAGE VOICE

GARLIC GINGER SHRIMP on NEST OF SOBA NOODLES ~ An ever pleasing  favorite compliments of Baker by Nature 12  oz.  soba noodles 1/4  cup sesame oil 2  Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce 1  large thinly sliced shallot (I like more) 2  tsp. peeled and grated fresh ginger 8  coarsely chopped garlic cloves 1  lb. large shelled and deveined shrimp zest and juice of one large lime coarse salt to taste 3  finely chopped scallions 1/2  cup chopped cilantro 1/2  tsp. crushed red pepper Lime wedges for garnish Bring large pot of water to boil. Add soba noodles and cook, stirring occasionally until tender; 4 minutes (or recommended on package). Drain and risen noodles udders cold water. Transfer noodles to a large serving bowl. In medium bow, combine 2 Tbsp. of the sesame oil with the soy sauce. Add sauce to noodles and toss. In skillet, heat 1 Tbsp. of oil. Add shallots and ginger and cook over med...

"If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance."  ~ Bern Williams Perfect evening for romantic supper ...  'Remains of the Day' (Hubbard Lake, MI) HONEY LIME & SRIRACHA CHICKEN SKEWERS ~ Perfect 'Simple One Plate Supper' for a sharing lovely evening with friends.  (from Once Upon a Chef -  http://www.onceuponachef.com ) 3  Tbsp. Soy Sauce 1/4  Cup plus 2 Tbsp. honey 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil (I used  extra-virgin olive oil) 1  tsp. lime zest, from one lime 3  Tbsp. fresh lime juice, from 2 limes 4  peeled and chopped garlic cloves 1  1/2 square inch piece roughly chopped fresh ginger 1 1/2 Tbsp. Sriracha Sauce 1  1/3 tsp. salt 2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken (thighs) breasts, trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks 2  Tbsp. chopped cilantro, plus more for garnishing platter Limes, sliced into wedges for garnishing (option...

"Life is short, God's way of encouraging a bit of focus." ~ Robert Brault Two different worlds ... and I love both SALMON with BLUEBERRY SAUCE 2  lb. Salmon Filet 2  Tbsp. butter 2  cloves minced garlic 1  Tbsp. fresh thyme (or one tsp. dried) pinch of sea salt and freshly ground pepper to taste Sauce: 1  cup blueberries juice from lemon 1  Tbsp. Arrowroot powder or cornstarch 2  Tbsp. balsamic vinegar 1  tsp. Herbes de Provence 1/4  cup white wine 1  Tbsp. butter Heat grill. Rub salmon with butter and sprinkle with minced garlic and thyme and salt & pepper.  Grill to desired taste.  Sauce :  Mix juice of lemon with arrowroot powder or cornstarch in sauce pan. Add Blueberries, balsamic vinegar, Herbes de Provence, and white wine. Simmer on low for 20-30 minutes. Stir in butter and reserve until fish is done.   ...

"Spring - An experience in immortality." ~ Henry D. Thoreau Flowering Norway Maple ( Acer platanoides ) _____________ GRILLED ROMAINE SALAD (with Charred Tomato Vinaigrette) ~ Grilled Romaine! Give it a try ... f rom Chandler's ( Petoskey ) comes this robust 'gearing for spring' salad. ___________________ 4 Tbsp. olive oil (extra-virgin) 4 romaine hearts 1 cup feta cheese 1 cup assorted nuts: almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc. Dressing Preheat grill. Brush romaine hearts with olive oil and char on grill until blackened all over, but not excessively so. Assemble grilled leaves on plate and drizzle with Dressing . (4 servings) Dressing: 6 tomatoes 1 juiced lime 1/2 red onion 1 rough chopped bunch cilantro 2 Tbsp. srirachi (Thai-style hot sauce made from sun ripen chilies ground into a smooth garlic paste found in the Asian food section) 1 cup olive oil 1/2 cup white wine or Champagne vinegar 3 Tbsp. stone ground mustard Char tomatoes on hot grill until black. In...

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." ~ Sam Keen ~ 'Fiery' red daylily ______________ COLD THAI PEANUT NOODLES ~ Ingredients are always on hand for this favorite, easy simple supper ______________ 1 lb. cooked whole wheat pasta 4 Tbsp. sesame oil (regular or hot chili) 4 cloves peeled garlic 2 (1/4-inch) slices ginger 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/4 cup spicy rice vinegar 1 Tbsp. Mongolian Fire oil (chili oil) 2 Tbsp. brown sugar 1 bunch chopped green onions 1/2 cup chopped peanuts 1/4 cup reserved pasta water (if needed) In large bowl, toss cooled pasta with 2 Tbsp. sesame oil to coat evenly. In good processor or blender, mince garlic and ginger. Add 2 Tbsp sesame oil and remaining ingredients. Puree until smooth. Pour over noodles, add 1/2 of chopped green onions and toss well. Add additional pasta water if needed to thin. Transfer to serving dish and top with remaining chopped green onions and chopped peanuts. _______________________ ...

"On this June day the buds in my garden are almost as enchanting as the open flowers. Things in bud bring, in the heat of a June noontide, the recollection of the loveliest days of the year - those days of May when all is suggested, nothing yet fulfilled." - Francis King ~ Bursting poppies, exbury azalia , Lady's Mantle and peonies _________ SKEWERED SHRIMP & MANGO BASMATI RICE SALAD ~ Simple light Sunday night supper, perfect after a long working day in the garden (adapted from June 2005 Cooking Light) _____ 2 lbs. peeled and deveined large shrimp 1 Tbsp. minced fresh garlic 2 Tbsp. minced peeled fresh ginger 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 4 tsp. good curry powder 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper 1/8 tsp. ground cumin 2 cups water 2/3 cup light coconut milk 1 1/4 cup uncooked Basmati rice 3/4 cup shredded carrot 2 cups diced peeled mango (about 2 mangoes) 1 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper 1/2 cup sliced green onions 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley 3 Tbsp. l...

'SPIRITED' MARGARITA SNAPPER 4 (6-oz) snapper (or salmon) fillets 1/2 cup tequila 1/4 fresh lime juice & zest 1/4 cup triple sec (or orange juice) 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tsp. minced garlic 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup chopped cilantro fresh cilantro for garnish Combine tequila, lime juice, zest, triple sec, olive oil, garlic and pepper. Pour over fillets and marinate several hours, turning often. Remove snapper from marinade (save) and grill snapper until desired doneness , 6-12 minutes. (Do not overcook). While fish is grilling, bring marinade to boil and simmer 5 minutes. Serve over fish garnished with additional chopped fresh cilantro. (4 servings) ________________ FIESTA SLAW 1 lb. shredded cabbage 1-2 shredded carrots 1 julienne sliced red pepper 1 julienne sliced orange pepper 1 julienne sliced yellow pepper 5-6 sliced green onions 1 diced cucumber 6 sliced radishes 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice & zest 2 Tbsp. whit...

FIESTA SHRIMP COCKTAIL ~ Jalapeno peppers give it a kick * 30 chilled cooked & deveined shrimp with tails 4 chopped and seeded plum tomatoes 1/2 coarsely chopped red onion 1 seeded jalapeno pepper 2 cloves garlic 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 1/4 tsp. freshly cracked pepper pinch coarse salt 1 large diced ripe avocado lime slices for garnish Process tomato, onion, jalapeno pepper, garlic, cilantro, lime juice, cayenne, salt & cracked pepper in food processor; coarsely chop. Blend in avocado . Either spoon into 6 individual cocktail glasses or one large glass bowl. Arrange chilled shrimp around edge of glass. (six servings) __________________ MUSTARD BOURBON BEEF TENDERLOIN ~ perfect for Derby Day * 1/2 cup Dijon mustard 1/4 cup Bourbon 1/4 cup soy sauce 1/2 cup packed brown sugar 3 Tbsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 bunch minced green onions 3 cloves minced garlic 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary freshly cracked pepper 1 (4 1/2 - ...

~ DEVIL'S NIGHT ~ BLACK BEAN SOUP ~ perfect for a scary night ... featured in Diary of a Ho-Hum Housewife * extra-virgin olive oil 1 bunch of leeks, washed well and chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 6 carrots, scraped and sliced diagonally 4 ribs celery (include leaves), chopped 3 jalapeno peppers, chopped 1 red pepper, chopped 1 yellow pepper, chopped 1/4 cup ground cumin 1/4 cup dried oregano 1 pound black turtle beans, soaked overnight in cold water 4 quarts chicken stock 1/2 cup fresh lime juice 1/2 cup sherry 1 bottle Corona beer coarse salt and cracked pepper 1/2 Tbsp. Mc Cormick's garlic pepper 1/2 cup fresh cilantro (1/4 cup dried) for garnish~ sour cream salsa chopped green onions Saute leeks, garlic, carrots, celery and peppers stirring occasionally until wilted. Add cumin and oregano. Rinse and drain beans and add to pot. Cover with chicken stock. Bring to boil then gently simmer, uncovered, until beans are tender (about 2 hours). Add additional stock if too thick. S...