THE VILLAGE VOICE

"A simple enough pleasure, surely, to have breakfast alone with one's husband, but how seldom married people in the midst of life achieve it." ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh CHIVE BLOSSOM OMELET ~ A seasonal treat captured when chive blossoms first bloom __________ 4 fresh organic eggs 4 Tbsp. sour cream pinch of coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper 2 tsp. fresh chopped parsley 1 Tbsp. fresh chopped chives 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 12 rinsed & patted dry chive blossoms Lightly beat eggs, sour cream, salt, pepper, parsley and chives. Preheat omelet pan and melt butter. Pour in egg mixture and leave undisturbed until omelet begins to set. Lower heat and, tipping pan slightly, lift edges to let uncooked egg run underneath. When omelet is firm, sprinkle with chive blossoms and fold in half. ORANGE SCONES with BERRIES & CREAM ~ Delicious orange zested rolled up scones from delightful little book - Scones, Muffins & Tea Cakes 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour 1 tabl...

"All through the long winter I dream of my garden. On the first warm day of spring I dig my fingers deep into the soft earth. I can feel its energy, and my spirits soar." ~ Helen Hayes ~ Joyful spring pansy faces _____________ SPRINGHOUSE SALAD with ORANGE VINAIGRETTE ~ Enjoy citrus while still at its peak ... delightful salad for lunch or light supper __________ 1 large head romaine bunch of watercress 2 large wedge-sliced avocados dipped in freshly squeezed orange juice 2 large wedge-sliced red or green pears dipped in freshly squeezed orange juice 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned 3-6 sliced cooked chicken breasts (gently poach in fresh orange juice, water, a bit of white wine & tarragon) toasted almonds or pistachios ORANGE VINAIGRETTE: 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. wine vinegar pinch salt & freshly ground pepper Combine orange freshly squeezed orange juice, olive oil, wine vinegar, salt & pepper in screw-top ja...

"I said my prayers and ate some cranberry tart for breakfast." ~ William Byrd ~ Sunbathing on sunporch (Cyclamen persicum ) The Cyclamen Society ___________ LEMON-WALNUT SCONES with CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE ~ At only 149 calories , try these warm and nutty 'almost guilt-free' goodies enjoyed since last holiday ( Cooking Light Nov. 2007) ________ 1 cup plus 2 Tbsp. all-purpose flour (about 5 oz.) 1/2 cup whole-wheat flour (about 2 1/2 oz.) 1/4 cup finely ground walnuts (short pulses to avoid making walnut butter) 1 Tbsp. baking powder 2 tsp. finely grated lemon rind 1/2 tsp. salt 3 Tbsp. chilled butter, cut into small pieces 1/2 cup fat-free milk (or buttermilk) 1 large organic egg Cranberry Cream Cheese: 3/4 cup dried cranberries 1 (8oz.) softened package fat-free cheese Preheat oven to 425-degrees. To prepare scones: lightly spoon flours into dry measuring cups and tablespoons; level with knife. Combine flours, walnuts, baking powder, rind, and salt in large bowl...

"Summer afternoon - summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." ~Henry James 'BEE ~ UTIFUL ' (Bee kiss ... Japanese Anenome ) _______________ LAYERED COBB SALAD ~ 'Delightful presentation in a glass bowl ... same 1920s true ingredients in a, 'kick-it-up-a-notch', layered look originally adapted from Gourmet (June 2002) ____ DRESSING : 3 Tbsp. red wine vinegar juice from 1 fresh lemon (reserve zest) 2 tsp. Dijon mustard 1 clove minced garlic 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1/2 tsp. sugar 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil SALAD: 3 skinless boneless chicken breast halves (1 1/4 lb.) 2 California avocados 8 cups romaine (cut crosswise into 1/2 inch wide slices ) 6 chopped crisp bacon slices 3 seeded and cut (1/2 inch pieces) fresh tomatoes 3-4 oz. crumbled Roquefort cheese 2 bunches stemmed watercress 2 (forced through sieve) hard-boiled eggs 1/4 cup finely chopped chives ...

" Forsythia is pure joy. There is not an ounce, not a glimmer of sadness or even knowledge in forsythia. Pure, undiluted, untouched joy. " ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh GARDENING TIP: Buckle your galoshes ... grab a pail and pruning shears and trudge through the snow. Snip forsythia branches all the way to the main stem. Back inside, fill bucket with cold water and let rest 24 hours. Tomorrow, snip ends and arrange in container or vase, stripping leaves and buds below water line. Bursting buds will appear in a week or two. SPRINGHOUSE SALAD WITH ORANGE VINAIGRETTE ~ Enjoy citrus while still at its peak ... delightful salad for lunch or light supper __________ 1 large head romaine bunch of watercress 2 large wedge-sliced avocados dipped in freshly squeezed orange juice 2 large wedge-sliced red or green pears dipped in freshly squeezed orange juice 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned 3-6 sliced cooked chicken breasts (gently poach in fresh orange juice, water, a bit of white wine...

Dainty pansy whose soft painted face Tickles my garden with whimsical grace. _________ WILTED SPINACH and GRUYERE FRITTATA 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 10-oz. package baby spinach leaves 1 bunch chopped green onions salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 1 tsp. sweet Hungarian paprika 10 eggs 1/2 cup sour cream or half & half 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyere cheese dried parsley flakes for garnish Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Saute green onions in 1 Tbsp butter. Gradually add spinach until wilted. Drain well and set aside. Melt 3 Tbsp. butter. Whisk eggs, sour cream, and salt & pepper. Fold in 1 cup of cheese, spinach mixture and melted butter. Spread in greased quiche pan. Sprinkle with additional 1/2 cup cheese. Garnish with parsley Bake 45-55 minutes or until eggs are set. (Serves 4-6) _______________________ ORANGE-ALMOND SCONES ~ delicious warm or cold 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 1/4 cup buttermilk 1 extra-large organic egg 1/4 tsp. almond extract 3 cups flour 4 tsp. ba...

GARDENING TIP: Buckle your galoshes, grab a pail and pruning shears. Trudge through the snow and snip forsythia branches all the way to the main stem. Back inside, fill bucket with cold water and let rest 24 hours. Tomorrow, snip ends and arrange in container or vase, stripping leaves and buds below water line. Bursting buds will appear in a week or two. SPRINGHOUSE SALAD WITH ORANGE VINAIGRETTE ~ enjoy while citrus is still at its peak for lunch or light supper __________ 1 large head romaine bunch of watercress 2 large wedge-sliced avocados dipped in freshly squeezed orange juice 2 large wedge-sliced red or green pears dipped in freshly squeezed orange juice 2 oranges, peeled and sectioned 3-6 small sliced cooked chicken breasts (gently poach in fresh orange juice, water, a bit of white wine & tarragon) toasted almonds or pistachios ORANGE VINAIGRETTE: 1 Tbsp. freshly squeezed orange juice 6 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. wine vinegar pinch salt & freshly ground pep...

~ WARM UP AFTER A BRISK MORNING WALK ~ MULLED POMEGRANATE CIDER (naturally antioxidant rich) * 6 halved cinnamon sticks 1 Tbsp. whole cloves 1 tbsp. allspice 2 16- ounce bottles pomegranate juice 2 quarts apple cider 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice Combine all ingredients in large saucepan and simmer over low heat for 10 minutes. Pour through a tea strainer into mugs. ___________________ PUMPKIN SCONES ~ delicious recipe found on coffeeworks.blogs.com * 2 cups flour 1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 tsp. ground ginger 1/2 tsp. nutmeg 1/4 tsp. allspice 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup cold unsalted butter 1/3 cup buttermilk 1/2 cup pumpkin 1 tsp. vanilla extract Mix together flour, sugar, spices, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl. Cut butter into small pieces and cut into flour. Mixture should look like coarse crumbs. In a separate bowl mix together pumpkin, buttermilk and vanilla. Add to flour mixture and mix until dough c...