THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Soon her fingers were deftly pulling out tufts of grass and violets from around the bleeding heart; nothing like weeding to unknot the mind ..." ~ May Sarton Bleeding Heart ( Dicentra spectabilis 'Gold Heart') ______________ Gardener's Note : This brilliant 'old-fashioned' bleeding heart POPS in a shade garden . Surprisingly hearty with long lasting blooms, its sunny leaves will glow throughout spring and summer. _____________ LEMON DELIGHT CHEESECAKE ~ Favorite 'heart smart' spring dessert from old clipped Bon Appetit (Aug 1995) ___________ 1 cup graham cracker crumbs 3 Tbsp. sugar 2 Tbsp melted margarine 3 (8-oz) packages low fat/fat free soft cream cheese 3/4 cup sugar 2 Tbsp. flour 3 Tbsp lemon juice 3/4 cup egg substitute 1 (8-oz) carton lemon low fat/non fat yogurt Garnish: lemon slices and fresh mint sprigs Combine graham cracker crumbs, 3 Tbsp. sugar, and margarine; firmly press into bottom of 9-inch springform pan. Combine cream ...

"Violet! sweet violet! Thine eyes are full of tears; Are they wet Even yet With the thought of other years?" ~ James Russell Lowell ~ Sweet Violets ____________ KENTUCKY DERBY BOURBON CHOCOLATE TORTE ~ adapted treasured 10 year old recipe clipped from Southern Living and repeat from last year. ___ 12 (1-oz) chopped semisweet chocolate squares 1 (16-oz) finely ground package pecan shortbread cookies 1 1/2 cups soft unsalted butter 1 1/2 cups sugar 12 large organic eggs 1/3 cup bourbon 1 Tbsp. powdered sugar Bourbon Cream Sauce Candied Violets Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Grease 9-inch springform pan and line with greased parchment paper Place ground cookies in large bowl. Microwave chocolate pieces at MEDIUM (50% power) in glass bowl for 2 minutes or until melted, stirring after 1 minute. Process butter, sugar, and eggs in food processor until smooth, stopping once to scrape down sides. Add bourbon and chocolate; process until blended. Fold into ground cookies. Pour into p...

" Each violet peeps from its dwelling to gaze at the bright stars above " ~ Heinrich Heine ~ Sweet Violets ( February Flower of the Month) __________ MAC & CHEESE ~ Comfy 'retro'' food (though often NOT low fat) never goes out of style and a 'once in a while treat' especially tummy coating on chilly February days. __________ 1 lb. ziti , penne (or favorite shaped pasta) 2 Tbsp. vegetable oil 1 diced red pepper 1 diced yellow, orange or green pepper 4 cups milk 1/4 cup unsalted butter 6 Tbsp. flour 1 tsp. Hungarian paprika 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1/2 tsp. white pepper 8 oz. grated white Vermont cheddar 8 oz. grated medium Pinconning Cheese * 1/2 cup (or more) shaved Parmesan 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add pasta and cook at a rolling boil until almost tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and rinse under cold running water. Drain well. Toss with 1 Tbsp. oil and set aside. Heat remaini...