THE VILLAGE VOICE

"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size." ~ Gertrude S. Wister PERFECT BEEF STROGANOFF "Beef is the soul of cooking." ~ Marie Antoine Careme _________________ 3 pounds beef tenderloin 6 Tbsp. butter 1 cup chopped onion 2 cloves finely chopped garlic 1 pound (1/4 inch sliced) fresh mushrooms 3 Tbsp. flour 2 tsp. meat-extract paste 1 Tbsp. ketchup 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1/2 tsp. fresh cracked pepper 1 can (10 1/2 oz.) organic beef stock 1/2 cup dry white wine 2 Tbsp. snipped fresh dill (1 heaping tsp. dried dill weed) 1 1/2 cup sour cream 2 12-ounce fresh or dried spinach noodles (or 2 cups cooked wild rice tossed with 4 cups cooked white) additional fresh snipped dill or parsley Trim fat from beef. Cut filet crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Cut each slice, across grain into 1/2-inch thick strips. Season with salt and pepper. Slowly heat large heavy skillet. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter a...

"There are snowdrops coming out in the garden, and spring is on the way. I shall see it ... And because I am alive, I shall watch it all happen and be part of the miracle." ~ Rosamunde Pilcher ~ Spring miracles ( daffodils and pansies) ________________ VEAL SCALLOPINI MARSALA ~ Impressive and easy company dinner. Treasured keepsake recipe, clipped years ago from the Free Press , compliments of Chef James Camilleri of Detroit's Roma Cafe . (For those with veal 'ethnic issues', either boneless chicken breasts or pork tenderloin can be substituted.) _____________ 1 lb. veal tenderloin (pork tenderloin or chicken breasts), cut into cutlets 1/2-inch thick salt & freshly ground cracked pepper 8 Tbsp. butter, divided 1 lb. thinly sliced mushrooms 1/2 cup Marsala wine Pound veal cutlets to 1/4 inch thick. Stir together flour, salt & pepper; dredge both sides of cutlets in flour mixture. In large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Cook veal 1-2 minutes on...

"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~ Blissful peony ( Paeonia ) ____________________ ~ 'Calm before the storm' ___________ TORTELLINI SALAD with ROASTED PINENUTS ~ Tuck this away ... it's a keeper! _______________ 2 lbs. fresh cheese filled tortellini pasta (multi-colored look beautiful in a glass bowl) 1 seeded and chopped red pepper 1 seeded and chopped yellow pepper 1 seeded and chopped orange pepper 1 cup chopped green onions (with some green tops) 1 cup chopped toasted pinenuts 1 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill (dried to taste) 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or feta cheese additional snipped fresh basil for garnish (poached chicken breasts or cooked shrimp optional) Dressing: 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1-2 clove minced garlic 1/4 tsp. coarse salt freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup vegetable oil Bring pot of water to boil. Add tortellini and cook...

~ Historic Fishtown (Leland, Michigan) ( http://www.preservingfishtown.org/ ) _________________ LELAND SMOKED WHITEFISH with NORWEGIAN DILL-HORSERADISH SAUCE ~ Compliments of THE BLUEBIRD RESTAURANT & BAR (The Connoisseur Up North) * 2 lbs. smoked whitefish 1 tsp. sugar 1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper 1 cup sour cream 1/4 cup drained horseradish 1/4 tsp. lemon juice 2 tsp. dry dill weed Mix sauce ingredients well and spoon over fish, or serve n the side i a bowl. Garnish plates with lemon slices. Note: Why not sample this with a fun bottle of the local wine ... Good Harbor Fishtown White ( http://www.goodharbor.com/w-fishtown.shtml )

"How could such sweet and wholesome hours Be reckoned but with herbs and flowers?" ~ Andrew Marvel (English Poet) ~ Enjoying God's beautiful day _____________ HERBAL ICED TEA ~ Perfect for a hot summer day * 8 bags herbal tea (Celestial Seasonings Orange, Red or Lemon Zinger Tea) 1 quart boiling water 1 quart fresh orange juice or lemonade fresh lemon and/or orange slices crushed ice sprigs of fresh mint Steep the tea bags in boiling water for ten minutes. Discard tea bags. Pour juice over tea. Add lemon and/or orange slices and fresh mint sprigs. Refrigerate until well chilled . Remove lemon and/or orange slices and mint before serving. Pour over crushed ice adding additional fresh fruit slices and sprig of fresh mint. ( 2 quarts) __________________ DILLY CUCUMBER SANDWICHES ~ What memories are made of * Favorite loaf of soft sandwich bread (white or wheat) 1-2 peeled and thinly sliced English cucumbers thinly sliced sweet onion (optional) 1/4 cup unsalted butter 1/2 c...