THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Flowers are restful to look at. They have neither emotions nor conflicts." ~ Sigmund Freud SAUTEED SHRIMP with PEPPERS & FETA ( simple 'one plate' Friday Night Seafood Supper) ~ adapted from the sutter home NAPA VALLEY COOKBOOK ________ 3 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 lb. large peeled and deveined shrimp 3 cloves minced garlic 1 red pepper, yellow pepper and orange pepper, sliced in strips juice and zest of 1 lemon 2 Tbsp. fresh parsley, flat or curly 1 tsp. fresh thyme ( cut from garden if not hit by frost) or 1/2 tsp. dried thyme 1 cup crumbled French feta coarse salt and cracked pepper to taste ~ fluffy rice Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add garlic and stir for 1 minute, stirring frequently. Add peppers and cook until soft. Add shrimp, lemon juice, parsley and thyme, stirring frequently until shrimp turn bright pink and opaque, about 4 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, black pepper and salt to taste. Cover. Remove from heat and let stand until cheese soften...

"On Easter Day the veil between time and eternity thins to gossamer. " ~Douglas Horton

"What a desolate place would be a world without flowers? It would be a face without a smile; a feast without a welcome." ~ Clara L. Balfour "But make no mistake: the weeds will win: nature bats last." ~ Robert Michael Pyle

"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life." ~S.D. Gordon ASPARAGUS and GOAT CHEESE QUICHE ~ retro is back and real men 'do eat quiche' ___________ 1 Pillsbury crescent roll package 1 lb. trimmed asparagus 3-4 chopped shallots 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 1/4 cup half & half 4 large organic eggs scant pinch coarse salt 1/2 tsp. white pepper 1/2 tsp. Hungarian paprika 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (1 tsp. dried) 2 cup crumbled goat cheese additional thyme for garnish Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Press crescent roll slices to fit deep dish quiche pan. Flute edges, brush bottom with Dijon mustard and set aside. Slice asparagus diagonally, 1/2 inch pieces. Reserve tips. Plunge in boiling water and cook for 2 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Saute shallots in butter until wilted. Add asparagus and cook gently about 3 minutes. Cool slightly and spread over bottom of crust. Sprinkle with 1 cup of goat cheese. Whisk eggs, half & half, thyme and salt & pepper. P...

The Fleur- de - Lis In Heraldry and History Legend The English translation of " fleur - de - lis " (sometimes spelled " fleur - de - lys ") is "flower of the lily." This symbol, depicting a stylized lily or lotus flower, has many meanings. Traditionally, it has been used to represent French royalty, and in that sense it is said to signify perfection, light, and life. Legend has it that an angel presented Clovis, the Merovingian king of the Franks, with a golden lily as a symbol of his purification upon his conversion to Christianity. Others claim that Clovis adopted the symbol when waterlilies showed him how to safely cross a river and thus succeed in battle. Heraldry In the twelfth century, either King Louis VI or King Louis VII (sources disagree) became the first French monarch to use the fleur - de - lis on his shield. English kings later used the symbol on their coats of arms to emphasize their claims to the throne of France. In the 14 th century, t...

MESQUITE GRILLED PORK TENDERLOIN with ROASTED RASPBERRY CHIPOTLE SAUCE ~ A southwestern mesquite grilled juicy tenderloin topped with spicy-sweet raspberry sauce * 2 (3/4) pound well-trimmed pork tenderloins 2 Tbsp. jerk seasoning 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary freshly ground black pepper 1 cup Fischer & Wieser Roasted Raspberry Chipotle Sauce 1/2 cup fresh orange juice zest of orange additional chopped fresh rosemary handful of mesquite chips soaked in water Rub seasoning evenly over tenderloins and sprinkle with rosemary & freshly ground cracked pepper. Cover and chill several hours or overnight. Gently heat raspberry- chipotle sauce, orange juice and zest. Reserve 1/2 cup in separate container. Drain chips and sprinkle over hot coals. Grill tenderloins over medium-high heat about 20 minutes, turning occasionally. Let rest. Bring marinade to boil, reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes. Add remaining 1/2 cup sauce to saucepan. Slice tenderloin diagonally and serve with raspber...

HONORING 'INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY' http://www.internationalwomensday.com ___________________________________________ The iris signifies faith, hope, wisdom and friendship. Because of its colorful beauty, the iris was named after the messenger of Hera (wife of Zeus), Iris, Greek goddess of the rainbow, connecting the world of man with the heavenly temple of the gods. ________________ ~ Iris ___________________________ MOCHA VELVET TORTE ~ rich, truffle-like & heavenly (from a December 1992 issue of Southern Living) * 1 Tbsp. instant coffee granules 1 cup boiling water 1 1/2 cups sugar 2 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate morsels 1 1/2 cups melted butter 6 large eggs 1 tsp. vanilla extract Ganache Cream Grease bottom of 9-inch springform pan; line with greased waxed paper and set aside. Dissolve coffee granules in boiling water. Add sugar, stirring until dissolved; set aside. Position knife blade in food processor bowl; add chocolate morsels. Process 1 1/2 minutes or unt...