THE VILLAGE VOICE

When you look at your life, the greatest happinesses are family happinesses.  ~ Joyce Brothers LEMONY CEASAR SALAD with PUMPERNICKEL CROUTONS 1 large head romaine lettuce Large chunk of Parmigiana Reggiano Pumpernickel Croutons  Caesar Vinaigrette: 12 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 4 cloves minced garlic zest and juice of 1 large lemon 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tin drained anchovy fillets freshly ground pepper to taste Pumpernickel Croutons:   Preheat oven to 400º. Toss 2 cups (1/2-inch cubes) pumpernickel bread with 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle heavily with cracked pepper. Spread on baking sheet and bake 10-15 minutes, stirring often, until crisp. (Can make ahead) Caesar Vinaigrette : Combine all ingredients (but olive oil) in blender. Gradually add olive oil and process until creamy.  Add bite-size pieces of crisp Romaine to large salad bowl. Toss gently with  Caesar Vinaig...

"Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer and oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all." ~ Stanley Horowitz MAPLE LEAF 'Artistic' MAPLE APPLE UPSIDE-DOWN CAKE ~ Delicious autumn flavor ... the maple syrup infuses both the apples and the cake ( FOOD & WINE )  1  cup pure maple syrup   3  Granny Smith apples ... peeled, cored and cut into eights or smaller 2  cups all-purpose flour 1  tsp. baking powder 1/2  tsp. baking soda 1  tsp. salt 3  large eggs 3/4  cup buttermilk 1  Tbs. pure vanilla extract 1  1/2  sticks, unsalted butter, softened 1  1/3  cups sugar Preheat oven to 350º. Butter and flour a 10-inch round cake pan (I used a 10-inch springform pan). In a large saucepan, bring maple syrup to boil over high heat, then simmer over low heat until very thick and reduced to 3/4 cup, about 20 minutes. Pour thickened syrup into cake pan....

“Every leaf speaks bliss to me, fluttering from the autumn tree.” ~ Emily Bronte MEDITERRANEAN TOSTADA with HUMMUS, FETA, & OLIVES ~ easy carb friendly appetizer from KalynsKitchen.com Ingredients: ( for 2 but make as many as desired) 2 low-carb or whole wheat flour tortillas (cut in half) 2 tsp. + 2 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup very finely chopped Romaine lettuce 1/4 cup finely crumbled Feta 10 finely chipped Kalamata olives 1/2 cup hummus Preheat oven to 400º, placing cookie sheet inside to heat as the oven does. While oven heats, wash and dry lettuce and finely chiop to make 1/2 cup. Crumble feta cheese and chop the olives. When oven is hot, lightly spray or bursh cookie sheet with olive oil and place flour tortillas on it. Toast until lightly browned and firm, turning over about every minute or so. (Depending on tortillas, takes about 5 minutes or so but watch closely at the end.) Remove tortillas from oven and let cool for a few minutes. Top each crisp tortilla ...

"Well pleaseth me the sweet time of Easter That maketh the leaf and the flower come out." ~ Bertran de Born ~ White cyclamen ______________________ COCONUT CREAM CHEESECAKE ~ 20 year old recipe from The Heritage House in Little River, California ____________________ CRUST: 2/3 cup flour 1 Tbsp. sugar 5 Tbsp. chilled unsalted butter, cut in small pieces FILLING: 3 8-oz. packages room temperature cream cheese 1 1/2 cups sugar 4 room temperature organic eggs 2 room temperature egg yolks 2 cups flaked coconut 1 cup whipping cream 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. almond extract toasted coconut For crust: combine flour & sugar in large bowl. Using pastry blender (or 2 knives) cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse meal. Gather into ball. Wrap in plastic. Refrigerate 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 325-degrees. Press dough into bottom of 10-inch springform . Bake until golden brown, 15-20 minutes. Cool slightly. Cool slightly. Reduce oven to 300...

" There is a language 'little known', Lovers claim it as their own. Its symbols smile upon the land, Wrought by nature's wondrous hand; And in their silent beauty speak, Of life and joy, to those who seek. For Love Divine and sunny hours In the language of the flowers." ~ The Language of Flowers (Margaret Pickston) LEMON CAKE ~ a single thin slice topped with fresh berries and a scoop of good vanilla ice cream ... perfect for a simple celebration for loved ones (Barefoot Contessa - Parties ) ______________ 1/2 lb. unsalted butter (room temperature) 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar 4 extra-large eggs (room temperature) 1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6-8 lemons) 3 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. kosher salt 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 3/4 cup buttermilk (room temperature) 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract Glaze: 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar 3 1/2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice Preheat oven to 350º. ...

"November always seemed to me the Norway of the year." ~ Emily Dickinson CHRYSANTHEMUM (November Flower of the Month) _________ APRICOT MOUSSE ~ Sweet Decadence from an old Southern Living, perfect for the holidays _______________ 20 ladyfingers 3 (16-oz.) cans undrained apricot halves 2 envelopes unflavored gelatin 5 organic egg yolks 1 1/4 cups sugar, divided 1/8 tsp. salt 1 cup milk 2 Tbsp. apricot brandy (or light rum) 1 (2-oz.) package slivered almonds 1 1/2 cup whipping cream 3/4 cup whipping cream 2 Tbsp powdered sugar 1/8 tsp. almond extract Garnishes: apricots sliced toasted almonds fresh mint sprigs Cut a 30 x 3-in. strip of wax paper; line sides of a 9-inch springform pan with strip. Split ladyfingers in half lengthwise; line sides and bottom of pan with ladyfingers. Drain apricots, reserving 1/2 cup juice. Set aside 4 apricots for garnish. Add remaining apricots to food processor and process 1 minutes. Set aside. Sprinkle gelatin over 1/2 cup juice and set ...

"To own a bit of ground, to scratch it with a hoe, to plant seeds and watch their renewal of life - this is the commonest delight of the race, the most satisfactory thing a man can do." ~ Charles Dudley Warner ORIENTAL POPPY ( Papaver orientale ) MAY GARDEN STARS WILDFLOWER GARDEN GARDEN VIEWS EXBURY AZALIA GARDEN DELIGHTS APPLE BLOSSOMS (Michigan State Flower) ORIENTAL POPPY ( Papaver orientale ) _______________ BLACK PEPPER POUND CAKE ~ A delightful 'sweet ending' ( Southern Living ) ___________ 1 cup room temperature unsalted butter 1 cup sugar 4 large eggs 1 1/2 cups AP flour 1/4 tsp. salt 3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 tsp. cream of tartar 1/4 tsp. ground mace (or nutmeg) 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 1 tsp. vanilla Beat butter at medium speed with electric mixer about 2 minutes or until creamy. Gradually add sugar, beating at medium speed 5-7 minutes. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until yellow disappears. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients ;...

“ Cinco de Mayo has come to represent a celebration of the contributions that Mexican Americans and all Hispanics have made to America.” ~ Joe Baca Rembrandt tulips _______________ SEVEN LAYER CHICKEN TACO SALAD ~ Favorite taco fillings make a simple festive salad ____________ 1 lb. boneless skinless chicken breasts 2 cup organic chicken broth 3 Tbsp. chopped parsley 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 3 cups shredded iceberg and/or romaine lettuce 1 lb. diced ripe tomatoes 1 can (16 oz.) drained and rinsed black beans 1-2 diced avocado sprinkled with fresh lime juice 1 cup finely diced red onion 1-2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil salt & freshly ground pepper to taste 1 heaping tsp. Dijon mustard 1 large peeled and sliced shallot Place chicken breasts in medium sauce pan. Add chicken broth and enough water to cover by 2 inches . Bring to simmer over medium high heat, reduce heat and cook until ch...