THE VILLAGE VOICE

"October is Nature's funeral month. Nature glories in death more than in life. The month of departure is more beautiful than the month of coming—October than May. Every green thing loves to die in bright colors."  ~Henry Ward Beecher (1813–1887) ( October Glory ~ Hubbard Lake, MI) PARMESAN GARLIC SPINACH SPAGHETTI SQUASH ~  Slightly adapted from Peas And Crayons  1  Medium spaghetti squash 2  1/2  Tbsp. minced garlic 1  Tbsp. organic olive oil (or avocado oil) 5 - 8  oz.  chopped fresh spinach 1/2  cup cream or sour cream 1  Tbsp. cream cheese 1/2  cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, plus more for topping coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste grated or sliced mozzarella for topping to taste (although have never done this using only Parmesan) Pre-heat oven to 400º. Slice squash in half lengthwise and scoop our seeds. (For easy cutting, pierce squash ...

"Lord it is time.  The summer was very big.  Lay thy shadow on the sundials, and on the meadows let the winds go loose.  Command the last fruits that they shall be full;  give them another two more southerly days,  press them on to fulfillment  and drive the last sweetness into the heavenly wine." ~ Rainer Maria Rilke AUTUMNAL EQUINOX (Hubbard Lake, MI) MUSHROOM SPINACH BREAKFAST MUFFINS ~  Super easy ... super good  12  oz. favorite mushrooms thinly sliced (save 12 nice slices for top) 1  10 oz. package frozen chopped spinach, thawed 6  organic eggs 1/4  cup milk, sour cream, or cottage cheese 2  cups grated favorite cheese (cheddar, triple Mexican mix, feta, etc.) coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 1  cup grated favorite cheese (Parmesan is good ...) Heat olive oil in large skillet and add sliced mushrooms. Saute about 10 minutes or unt...

And the Autumn clutches the forests green In a hasty and eager clasp; But the leaves are true to the Summer they love, And they wither and fade in his grasp. ~ J.J. Britton (1832-1913), "Death' (Autumn Abstract) ITALIAN WHITE BEAN MUSHROOM SPINACH SOUP ~  perfect for a blustery autumn day I  cup chopped onions (red or white or some of each) 1  Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil or more if needed 1  lb. mushrooms sliced (shitake, baby bella, white, wild ... or combo of several) 2  minced garlic cloves 1  Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary 1  Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme freshly ground pepper to taste 1  16 oz. box/can organic chicken stock or organic vegetable broth juice of squeezed fresh lemon 1  16-oz. can rinsed and drained cannelloni beans 1  lb. fresh baby spinach crushed red pepper flakes Heat olive oil in stock pot. Add onions and sauté until tender. Add mushrooms and garlic...

"October is a symphony of permanence and change." ~ Bonaro W. Overstreet Autumn Abstract ____________ CHICKEN PECAN QUICHE ~ Symphony of flavors, perfect for an autumn brunch (adapted from Jan. 1999 Southern Living ) 1 cup flour 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 3/4 cup chopped pecans 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1/4 tsp. Hungarian paprika 1/3 cup vegetable oil 1 cup sour cream 1/2 cup organic chicken broth 1/4 cup good mayonnaise 3 large lightly beaten organic eggs 2 - 2 1/2 cups finely chopped cooked chicken 1/2 - 3/4 cup shredded Cheddar cheese 1/4 cup minced onion 3 drops Tabasco sauce 1/4-1/2 cup pecan halves Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Combine flour, cheese, pecans, salt, and paprika. Add oil and stir well. Press mixture firmly in bottom and up sides of 9-inch deep dish quiche or pie plate. Bake for 12 minutes. Cool completely. Combine sour cream, chicken broth, mayonnaise, and eggs. Stir in chicken, cheese, onion, and Tabasco. Pour chicken mixture over prepared...

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." ~ Sam Keen SHASTA DAISY ( Leucanthemum ) ______________ LAZY LASAGNA ~ Stressless meal for long summer days ... double for large group (adapted from Sara Moulton's Ten-Minute Lasagna) _________ 1 bag refrigerator or unfrozen large spinach ravioli (Costco has them in a double pack, or use regular large cheese ravioli) 1 (26-oz.) jar favorite tomato basil or favorite pasta sauce 1 (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 (12 oz.) bag shredded mozzarella 1 cup grated Parmesan 1 Tbsp. basil Heat oven to 350º. Coat 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon 1/3 of sauce over bottom of pan. Arrange 1/2 of the ravioli on top and scatter the spinach over them. Top with 1/2 of each cheese. Cover with another layer of ravioli and remaining sauce and cheese. Sprinkle with basil. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 5-10 minutes more or until bubbly. Let rest a bit before servin...

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 organic 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....

"Easter spells out beauty, the rare beauty of new life." ~S.D. Gordon MUSHROOM SPINACH STRATA ~ Lovely to look at ... luscious to eat __________ 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 lb. sliced mushrooms 1 cup chopped onion 8 slices good whole wheat bread, trimmed & halved diagonally 2 cups shredded Swiss or Gouda cheese 1 10-oz. package chopped spinach, thawed and well drained 6 slices crisp bacon (optional) 4 organic beaten eggs 1 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 cup milk coarse salt & freshly ground black pepper Grease a 10-inch quiche pan and set aside. Melt butter and saute mushrooms for about 5 minutes. Remove with slotted spoon and set aside. Add chopped onion to pan and saute for 5 minutes. Arrange 6 of the half slices of bread to cover bottom of quiche pan. Atop bread, spread 3/4 of sauteed mushrooms and all of the onions, 1 cup of cheese, and drained spinach. Sprinkle crisp bacon over top. Arrange 8 half-slices over spinach, overlapping the pieces to fit in a circle; place remain...

In February it will be my snowman's anniversary with cake for him and soup for me! Happy once happy twice happy chicken soup with rice. ~ Maurice Sendak (CHICKEN SOUP WITH RICE) ~ My Snowman _____________ CHICKEN SOUP WITH RICE (serves 4 so double for hearty eaters) 2 cups uncooked brown rice or Lundberg Country Wild 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 large chopped onion 3 minced garlic cloves 8 oz. fresh stemmed shitake or baby bella mushrooms 8 cups organic chicken stock 1 Tbsp. fresh chopped rosemary (1 tsp. dried) 1 (15-oz.) can drained and rinsed chickpeas or cannellini beans 1 (15-ounce) bag baby spinach leaves 2-3 cups shredded cooked chicken coarse salt and freshly ground pepper 1/2 cup freshly ground Parmesan cheese Cook rice in 4 cups of chicken broth or water about 30 minutes. Set aside. In heavy stockpot, saute onion in olive oil until tender. Add garlic and mushrooms and saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Add remaining broth and rosemary. Bring to boil and remove...

"Everything Old Is New Again" ~ 'Retro' AFRICAN VIOLET __________ FILLET of SOLE with MUSHROOMS & GRAPES ~ 'Retro' recipe from the 80s ____ 1/2 pound sole fillets 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter 3 large sliced mushrooms 3 sliced green onions 1/4 cup finely diced red pepper 24 seedless grapes 1/4 cup sour cream 1/4 cup real mayonnaise juice of 1/4 lemon Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Generously butter au gratin shallow dish. Arrange fish fillets in dish. Melt butter over low heat. Add mushrooms, green onion, and red pepper. Saute until softened. Add grapes, stirring gently. Add remaining ingredients and blend well. Spoon over fish. Tent with foil and bake until fish is flaky and sauce is heated through, about 20 minutes. ( 2 servings ) _________ JOE MUER'S CREAMED SPINACH ~ Classic favorite served with fish ____ 2 10-oz. package frozen leaf spinach 2 Tbsp. butter 1 finely chopped medium onion 1 finely chopped clove garlic 1 quart milk 3 cups finely ground sof...

" A single rose can be my garden...a single friend, my world" - Leo Buscaglia ~ Beauty of a single rose _________ INDONESIAN LAMB with COLD PEANUT SAUCE ~ Romantic memories loom from a quite booth at the Bijou , one of Detroit's 'top 10 restaurants' back in the 80s ... this recipe is 'trial & error attempt after a 'first taste' of Renee's (the chef) peanut sauce. ______ 2 lb. Frenched rack of lamb 3/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/3 cup diced celery 1/3 cup diced onion 1 clove minced garlic 1/2 cup Dijon mustard 1/4 cup cider vinegar 3 Tbsp. curry powder 3 Tbsp. honey 2 bay leaves 2 tsp. A-1 steak sauce 1 tsp oregano 2 dashes Tabasco sauce juice and zest of 1 large lemon COLD PEANUT SAUCE: 1/2 cup peanut butter 1/2 cup coconut cream 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 1/2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1/4 tsp. coarse salt dash of Tabasco juice of 1 lemon In a medium skillet, heat oil and add celery, onion and garlic and saute until soft and transparent. Reduce hea...

"Winter either bites with its teeth or lashes with its tail." ~Proverb ~ Ice Crystal Patterns _________ WINTER WALNUT PESTO ~ Delicious pesto for frigid weather ... you'll hardly miss the fresh basil ____ 3 cups fresh spinach leaves (stems removed) 2 cups fresh Italian parsley 3-4 cloves minced garlic 1 - 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese 1/2 - 3/4 cup cup extra-virgin olive olive 1/2 cup toasted walnuts 3 Tbsp. toasted pine nuts 1 tsp. coarse salt freshly ground black pepper to taste Puree all ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth. Add more olive oil as needed and process on and off until desired consistency. Serve over whole wheat penne pasta. Sprinkle with black olives and pass additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

AUGUST'S CROWN Whilst August yet wears her golden crown, Ripening fields lush-bright with promise; Summer waxes long, then wanes, quietly passing, Her fading green glory on to riotous Autumn. ~ Michelle L. Thieme ~ Sunflower fields (Hubbard Lake) _______________ 'BIG FAT' MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN BURGERS ~ Perfect for a balmy early autumn day * 2 pounds ground sirloin 1 finely chopped medium onion 2 cloves finely minced garlic 12-oz. jar roasted peppers, drained and finely chopped 3 Tbsp. fresh bread crumbs 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup minced fresh basil 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary salt & pepper to taste 1 cup drained and sliced artichoke hearts 6 slices provolone cheese fresh favorite greens 6 large grilled hamburger rolls Sauce: 1 cup mayonnaise 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 2 finely minced garlic cloves 1 Tbsp. drained capers Gently combine ground sirloin, onions, garlic, roasted peppers, bread crumbs, olive oil, herbs and salt ...