THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Let your life lightly dance on the edges of Time like dew on the tip of a leaf." ~ Rabindranath Tagore Lady's Mantle ( Alchemilla mollis ) Gardener's Note: Lady's mantle, a gracious hardy garden companion whose mounds of scalloped foliage with airy chartreuse blossoms drape over the ground like a mantle, are 'a must' perennial for zones 3-7. Legend tells us that perhaps Our Lady, the Virgin Mary, chose Lady's Mantle as an adornment or that the lobes of the leaves were very similar to the scalloped edges of the mantle or cloak that she wore. Many herbalists regard lady's mantle as 'women's medicine', treating a variety of female issues. With a preference for light or partial shade, lady's mantle is perfect for woodland or cottage gardens, sprawling ground cover and delightful informal edging. Covered in fine hairs, its fuzzy leaves capture raindrops and dew that bead up and shine like sparkling jewels. The airy flowers make fab...

"A Garden is the best alternative therapy." ~ Germaine Greer ~ Rose Mallow (hardy hibiscus) Hibiscus ____________ LIME MOUSE PIE ~ Tropical in flavor, this bold tart compliments a hot summer day . Keep it handy ( Bon Appetit 1991) as I have for over 18 years _________________ Crust: 8 whole graham crackers 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut 7 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Filling: 1/2 cup amber (gold) rum 1 1/2 tsp. unflavored gelatin 4 large eggs 1 cup sugar 2/3 cup fresh lime juice 3 Tbsp. grated lime peel 1 cup chilled whipping cream Sweetened flaked toasted coconut For crust : Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Process graham crackers in processor until finely ground. Add coconut and butter and pulse to blend. Press crumb mixture on bottom and 1 3/4 - inches up sides of 8-inch springform pan. Bake until golden brown on edges, about 10 minutes. Cool completely. For filling : Place rum in small bowl. Sprinkle gelatin over. Let stand 10 minutes to soften. Whisk eggs, sugar a...

IS EVERYONE IN FLORIDA FOR WINTER BREAK? PRETEND YOU ARE TOO ... MACADAMIA NUT CRUSTED FILLET of RED SNAPPER (with Papaya Salsa) ~ from Maison & Jardin ( Altamonte Springs, Florida) "Very easy, very elegant. This is one of our favorite methods of preparing snapper." 6 6-oz. red snapper fillets , American preferred 2 cups fresh white bread crumbs 1/2 cup Macadamia nuts, chopped medium fine 2 tsp. melted butter 1/3 cup good quality mayonnaise pinches of salt & pepper 1/3 cup melted butter 1 Tbsp. water Mix together bread crumbs, Macadamia nuts and melted butter to form crust mixture. Spread mayonnaise on top of fish fillets . Top with crust mixture and season with salt & pepper. Mix water with melted butter and baste the crust. Bake for approximately 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Serve fish over papaya salsa and garnish with cilantro. (Serves 6) PAPAYA SALSA 1 fresh papaya, peeled & diced 1 lime, juice only 3 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion 5 sprigs chopped fres...