THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Old Time, that greatest and longest established spinner of all! .... his factory is a secret place, his work is noiseless, and his hands are mutes."  ~ Charles Dickens My beloved Grandfather clock speaks ... SWEET AUTUMN SALMON ~ This fish is good! 2  lbs. salmon fillet 1  Tbsp. sweet butter 1  Tbsp. honey 1 Tbsp. brown sugar 2  Tbsp. soy sauce 2  Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1  Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1-2 cloves minced garlic fresh (or dried) thyme to taste freshly ground cracked pepper Rinse and pat dry salmon. Combine butter, honey, and brown sugar and melt together in small pan.  Add soy sauce, Dijon mustard, olive oil, garlic, thyme and pepper. Pour over fish and marinate 30 minutes or longer. Grill over hot coals for 8-10 minutes - depending on thickness and preferred salmon doneness. Leftover marinade can be heated well and served over fish. ROASTED BRUSSELS SPROUTS, SWEET POTATOES & CRANBERRIE...

POINTSETTIA HISTORY & LORE The botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima , was assigned to the poinsettia by the German botanist, Wilenow . The plant grew through a crack in his greenhouse. Dazzled by its color, he gave it the botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima meaning "very beautiful." HERB CRUSTED CRANBERRY/CHERRY SALMON ~ Delicious meld of herbs, tart cranberries, lemon & sweet dried cherries make this crunchy festive salmon memorable. _____ 1 1/2 lbs. salmon fillet 1/2 cup chopped fresh cranberries 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries (or cranberries) 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary 1/2 cup panko crumbs zest of 1 fresh lemon 3 Tbsp. melted butter sea salt & freshly cracked pepper Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Rinse and pat salmon dry. Place skin side down on foil lined baking sheet sprayed with Pam. Season with salt & pepper. Combine chopped cranberries, cherries, onion, thyme, rosem...

O, wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? ~ Percy Bysshe Shelley 'OLD MAN WINTER' ______________ PORK TENDERLOIN with CRANBERRY PORT SAUCE ~ Super easy holiday fare 3 pounds pork tenderloin ( l large or 2 smaller) 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1/2 tsp. dried thyme 1/2 tsp. dried oregano garlic powder cracked pepper 1 cup ruby Port 1 cup whole cranberry sauce Spread mustard over tenderloins. Sprinkle with herbs, garlic powder and cracked pepper. Bake at 325º for 35 to 45 minutes depending on size, basting frequently. Remove meat from pan to rest. Add port to pan and deglaze , scraping bits from bottom. Add cranberry sauce and adjust seasonings. Slice pork diagonally and serve with sauce. WILD RICE PILAF 1 cup wild rice, cooked in chicken stock according to package directions 4 Tbsp. butter 1/4 tsp. minced garlic 1 finely chopped onion 1 small finely chopped green pepper 1/2 finely chopped red pepper 4 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley salt & freshly ground...

“Let Every Day Be Christmas” ~ Norman W. Brooks Holiday cactus ( Schlumbergera truncata ) ~ portrait overlay ______________________ HOLIDAY CRAB CAKES ~ As an appetizer or entree, this family favorite is always a hit. (easy broiling as tasty as frying) _________ 1 lb. good lump crab meat 1 cup panko crumbs 2 large lightly beaten organic eggs 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 4 finely chopped green onions 1/2 diced red bell pepper 1/2 diced yellow pepper 1 Tbs. chopped green chilies 2/3 cup mayonnaise coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste 2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Hungarian paprika chopped green onions or chives Combine all ingredients. Gently fold in crab. Preheat broiler. Using scoop, drop onto Pam sprayed baking sheet. Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with chopped green onion or chives and a dusting of Hungarian paprika. Broil approximately 6 minutes or until golden. THANKSGIVING and/or CHRISTMAS CACTUS Collectively, Christmas-, Thanksgiving- an...

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." ~Benjamin Franklin

See the blazing yule before us, fa la la la la la, la la la la. ~ A delightful evening by the fireside (Hubbard Lake) ____________ ROASTED CHESTNUTS ~ Simple yuletide fun shared with family and friends Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Cut an 'X' on the flat side of each chestnut. Arrange nuts in single layer on a baking sheet and bake 20-30 minutes, turning often, until outer shell and inner skin can peel away easily. Peel with the help of a small sharp knife and eat while HOT to the fingers. ____________ ORANGE-INFUSED MULLED WINE ~ Perfect fireside drink ________ 1 bottle Burgandy , Cabernet sauvignon , claret or other red wine 1/4 cup sugar 1/4 cup port, brandy, or Grand Marnier (optional) juice of 1 lemon 1 Tbsp. whole allspice 1 tsp. whole cloves strips of 1 whole orange 3 cinnamon sticks additional cinnamon sticks Combine wine, sugar, port (brandy or Grand Marnier ), lemon juice, allspice, cloves, orange strips and cinnamon in large pot. Simmer gently for 20 minutes (do...

Don we now our gay apparel, Fa la la, la la la, la la la. GINGERBREAD SOUFFLE with WARM CARAMEL SAUCE ~ Holiday favorite if only for the sweet smells of cloves, cinnamon, and ginger drifting throughout the house (adapted from That's My Home ) _______ 6 Tbsp. unsalted butter 6 Tbsp. all-purpose flour 1 cup milk 1/2 cup heavy or whipping cream 5 egg yolks 1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar 1 Tbsp. ground ginger 1 tsp. cinnamon 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/4 tsp. ground cloves 2 Tbsp. chopped crystallized ginger 7 (room temp.) egg whites Whipped cream (garnish) sugar for coating souffle dish Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Butter a 2-quart souffle dish and coat lightly with sugar. Melt butter in heavy medium-size saucepan over medium heat. Whisk in flour and cook 1 minute. Gradually stir in milk and 1/2 cup cream. Cook, stirring constantly, until thick and smooth. Remove from heat. Add egg yolks, one at at time, whisking well after each addition. Whisk in brown sugar, breaking up lumps, an...

' Tis the Season to be jolly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. ~ Jolly ol ' souls on the Christmas tree ____________ CHAMPAGNE-POMEGRANATE COCKTAIL 8 oz. champagne or sparkling chilled wine 2 Tbsp. pomegranate juice 1 cube turbinado sugar or 1 rock candy stirrer Place sugar cube in champagne flute (or rock candy stirrer); add 2 Tbsp. pomegranate juice and 8 oz. Champagne or sparkling wine. Serve immediately. Both will dissolve adding a tad of sweetness. (1 serving) ______________ SWEET & SPICY NUTS 1 lb. fancy pecan halves 1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. honey 1 Tbsp. water 10 Tbsp. Turbinado 'sugar in the raw' sugar 1 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/8 tsp. ground cloves 1/8-1/4 tsp. cayenne 1/2 tsp. coarse salt Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Warm honey & water ~ do not allow to boil. Mix well and cool to room temperature. In small bowl, combine 1/2 cup Turbinado sugar and spices. In large bowl, combine honey mixture & nuts. Toss well until nuts are thoroughly c...

Deck the halls with boughs of holly, Fa la la la la, la la la la. WINTER GREENS with CRANBERRY PORT VINAIGRETTE ~ Delicious 'wilted' salad clipped from Bon Appetit (Dec 1992) _____________ 1 cup tawny port 1/3 cup sliced shallots 1 cup fresh cranberries 1/3 cup vegetable or canola oil 3 Tbsp. raspberry vinegar or red wine vinegar coarse salt & freshly ground pepper 8 cups assorted greens 2/3 cup crumbled Stilton or blue cheese 1/4 cup chopped pistachios Combine Port and shallots in heavy small saucepan. Boil until liquid is reduced to 2 Tbsp. about 10 minutes. Add Cranberries, oil and vinegar. Boil 3 minutes. Season vinaigrette with salt & freshly cracked pepper. Combine greens in large bowl. Pour vinaigrette over greens and toss. Sprinkle with cheese and nuts . Toss lightly and serve warm with Eggnog Muffins .(6 servings) ________ EGGNOG MUFFINS 3 cups flour 1 Tbsp. baking powder 1/2 cup sugar 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 2 large organic eggs 1 c...

"Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas." ~ Peg Bracken ~ 'Oldie but Goodie ' (Cyclamen) _____________________ CRANBERRY ORANGE TORTE ~ Old holiday favorite often shared as a gift for neighbors and friends ____________ 2 1/2 cups flour 2 cups sugar, divided 1 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1 cup chopped toasted walnuts 1 cup diced pitted dates 1 cup fresh whole cranberries Grated rind of 2 oranges 2 beaten eggs 1 cup buttermilk 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1 cup fresh orange juice Whipped cream In large bowl, combine flour, one cup sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Stir in walnuts, dates, cranberries and orange rind, and toss until coated and separated. In another small bowl, combine eggs, buttermilk and oil; beat well and add to dry mixture. Blend thoroughly and turn into greased and floured 10-inch bundt pan. Bake at 350 degrees on hour or until cake tests done. Cool in pan until lukewarm. Invert ...

"Remember This December, That love weighs more than gold!" ~ Josephine Dodge Daskam Bacon ~ Red & Green 'Poinsettia flower' ______________ RED & GREEN SEAFOOD SHELL PASTA ~ Good carbs 'fit the bill' for energy and easy holiday entertaining _______________ 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 3 large minced garlic cloves 1/2-1 tsp. crushed dried red pepper flakes 1 28-oz. can chopped Italian plum tomatoes with juice 1/2 cup red wine 1 10-oz. can baby clams, drained & juices reserved 4 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley 2 heaping tablespoons fresh basil, if lucky have some (1-2 tsp. dried) 1 tsp. anchovy paste 12 oz. peeled, deveined , and uncooked large shrimp sea salt & freshly ground pepper to taste additional fresh basil for garnish freshly grated Parmesan cheese 12 oz. large shell pasta, cooked al dente Heat oil in large heavy skillet; add garlic and red pepper flakes and saute about 1 minute, watch that garlic does not burn. Carefully add wine, to...