THE VILLAGE VOICE

"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

~ Iris Germanica 'Batik' _______________ LEMONY BLUEBERRY CHEESECAKE ~ A luscious combo, perfect for warm weather ________________________ Crust: 1 1/2 cups vanilla wafers 1 Tbsp. sugar 6 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Filling: 2 1/2 pounds room temperature cream cheese 1 1/2 cup sugar 5 room temperature extra-large eggs 2 room temperature extra-large egg yolks 1/4 cup sour cream 1 Tbsp grated lemon zest 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract 1 tsp. lemon extract Topping: 1 cup currant jelly 3 half-pints fresh blueberries additional lemon zest Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Combine vanilla wafers, sugar and melted butter. Pat into 9-inch springform pan covering bottom and 1-inch up sides. Bake 8 minutes. Cool. Increase oven temp to 450-degrees. Combine cream cheese and sugar with mixer until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Reduce speed to medium and add eggs and egg yolks one at a time, scraping sides as needed. On low, add sour cream, lemon zest and vanilla,...

~ BERGENIA ___________________ Gardener's Note: Spring flowering Bergenia has large handsome leaves and clusters of delicate flowers ranging from deep purplish pink to pale pink and occasionally white. Grown for their ' sawtoothed' edges as well as blossoms that remain attractive even after the flowers fade, bergenia thrives in full sun or partial shade . Useful as a slow spreading border plant, the huge cabbage-like foliage remains green throughout the year in southern regions and turns a handsome bronze in the fall in cold areas ~ a strong contrast for spring bulbs, ferns and wildflowers.

Note: Since orchid seeds are like specks of dust taking years before roots or shoots develop, all orchids are protected by conservation laws in Michigan. ~ Trillium, coleus, fern, sweet woodruff , Solomon's seal, astilbe , lungwart , wood anemone, bloodroot , wild geranium, Jack in the pulpit, celandine poppy, turtlehead , bleeding heart, lady's slipper _______________________ SAVORY BREAD PUDDING with SPRING HERBS ~ This delicious luncheon or light supper dish is perfect with a fresh green salad (adapted recipe compliments of Popovers to Panache ) __________________ 12-16 slices dry French or Italian bread 2 1/2 -3 cups milk 1 pound trimmed and diagonally cut asparagus 5 organic eggs 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper 1/2 cup chopped mixed herbs (chives, rosemary, parsley, marjoram, thyme or sage) 4 oz. shredded Swiss cheese 4 oz. shredded fontina cheese 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan or Romano cheese 2 Tbsp. butter (cut in very small pieces) Place bread in single...

The dead soldier's silence sings our national anthem. ~Aaron Kilbourn And I'm proud to be an American, where at least I know I'm free. And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me. ~Lee Greenwood

"It is the Americans who have managed to crown minced beef as hamburger, and to send it round the world so that even the fussy French have taken to le boeuf hache , le hambourgaire ." ~ Julia Child ~ Memorial Day Garden Medley ____________ SUN-DRIED TOMATO BURGER SMOTHERED in CARAMELIZED ONIONS ~ Always a family favorite ___________ 3 lbs. ground beef (not extra-lean) 1 8.5 oz. (packed in oil) jar chopped & drained sun-dried tomatoes (reserve oil) 1 grated onion 3 Tbsp. dried basil 2 tsp. ground cumin 1/2 Tbsp. freshly ground pepper 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 2 thinly sliced Vidalia onions 2 thinly sliced red onions 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 tsp. sugar freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 8 toasted hamburger buns Mix ground beef, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, grated onion, basil, cumin , reserved oil, salt & pepper in large bowl (handle gently but don't overmix ). Form into 8 patties. Cover with plastic w...

~ Dicentra 'Gold Heart' _________________ LAMB KABOBS WRAPPED in PITA ~ 'Guilt free' delicious choice for the holiday weekend ______ 1 1/2 lbs. boneless leg of Spring lamb, cut in cubes 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano 2 cloves minced garlic juice and zest of 1 fresh lemon 1 tsp. coarse salt 1 tsp. freshly ground pepper 1 cup plain yogurt 1 clove minced garlic 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 4-6 large pitas Tabbouleh ( Tabouli ) Place lamb in large bowl. Combine olive oil, thyme, oregano, garlic, lemon juice, zest, and salt & pepper. Toss with lamb and marinate for several hours. Combine yogurt, garlic, thyme, oregano and lemon juice. Set aside. Thread lamb cubes on skewers. Broil or grill about 4-5 minutes on each side for medium-rare. Meanwhile, toast pitas lightly on the grill until warmed. Remove lamb from skewers and place on Tabbouleh . Drizzle with yo...

"If you seek a pleasant peninsula, look about you." ~ The 'Mighty Mac' ~ Delightful wonders ~ A taste of the wine country ~ Mackinac Island _______________ Michigan, My Michigan (Written by: William Otto Miessner & Douglas M. Malloch ) _______ A song to thee, fair State of mine, Michigan, my Michigan; But greater song than this is thine, Michigan, my Michigan; The whisper of the forest tree, The thunder of the inland sea; Unite in one grand symphony Of Michigan, my Michigan. I sing a State of all the best, Michigan, my Michigan; I sing a State with riches blest , Michigan, my Michigan; Thy mines unmask a hidden store, But richer thy historic lore, More great the love thy builders bore, Oh, Michigan, my Michigan. How fair the bosom of thy lakes, Michigan, my Michigan; What melody each river makes; Michigan, my Michigan; As to thy lakes the rivers tend, Thy exiled children to thee send Devotion that shall never end, Oh, Michigan, my Michigan. Thou rich...

"I began to reflect on Nature's eagerness to sow life everywhere, to fill the planet with it, to crowd with it the earth, the air, and the seas. Into every empty corner, into all forgotten things and nooks, Nature struggles to pour life, pouring life into the dead, life into life itself. That immense, overwhelming, relentless, burning ardency of Nature for the stir of life!" ~ Henry Beston

"How fair is a garden amid the toils and passions of existence." ~ Benjamin Disraeli ~ Jack-in-the-pulpit ( Arisaema triphyllum ) ~ Bergenia , tulips and Lady's Mantle ~ Tulips, hosta , bergenia , trillium, primrose and Maidenhair fern ~ Mid-May garden 1) Iris, Cinnamon Fern, Bleeding Heart, Cornflower (Mountain Bluet), Japanese painted fern 2) Trillium & Virginia Bluebell, Trillium, Tulip, Azalia , Bergenia 3) Celandine Poppy, Azalia , Tulip, Trillium & Maidenhair Fern, Azalia 4) Fern, Tulip, Exbury Azalia , Tulip, Azalia & Hosta 5) Solomon's seal, Viburnum, Downy Yellow Violet, Jacob' s Ladder, Jack-in-the-Pulpit ______________ "When at last I took the time to look into the heart of a flower, it opened up a whole new world ~ a world where every country walk would be an adventure, where every garden would become an enchanted one ..." ~ Princess Grace of Monaco

"NOT ONE OF FLORA'S BRILLIANT RACE A FORM MORE PERFECT CAN DISPLAY; ART COULD NOT FEIGN MORE SIMPLE GRACE NOR NATURE TAKE A LINE AWAY." ~ From "On Planting a Tulip~Root" James Montgomery 1771~1854 ~ Angelique

"To analyze the charms of flowers is like dissecting music; it is one of those things which it is far better to enjoy, than to attempt fully to understand." ~ Henry Theordore Tuckerman ~ 'Spring green' tulip __________ LEMONY BASIL SHRIMP SPRING SALAD ~ A delightful taste of spring ___ 2 lb. cooked and peeled large shrimp 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup red wine vinegar juice and zest of 1 lemon 1 Tbsp. sugar 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 2 Tbsp. chopped basil 1 clove pressed garlic 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper ----- 1 thinly sliced red onion 1 julienne sliced red pepper 1 julienne sliced yellow pepper 1 julienne sliced orange pepper 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil about 12 cups spring salad greens Montrachet goat cheese ----- Lemon Vinaigrette: 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice zest of 1 lemon 1 tsp. dry mustard 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 clove pressed garlic pinch of coarse salt freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup vegetable oil Combine oil, vinegar, lemon juice, zest, sugar, Dijon, basi...

~ Anne ________________ WALNUT GLORY CAKE ~ Mother's favorite cake ___________ 3/4 cup flour 2 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. salt 9 room temperature egg whites (1 1/4 cups) 3/4 cup sugar 9 egg yolks 2 tsp. pure vanilla 3/4 cup sugar 2 cups finely chopped walnuts walnut halves to decorate Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Combine flour, cinnamon and salt. Beat egg whites in large mixing bowl until soft mounds form. Gradually add sugar and continue beating until very stiff (stiff peaks form). Do not underbeat . Combine egg yolks, vanilla and sugar n small mixing bowl. Beat until thick and lemon colored. Stir in dry ingredients. Fold batter gently but thoroughly into egg whites using a wire whip or rubber spatula. Fold in finely chopped walnuts. Turn into ungreased 10-inch tube pan. Bake for 55-60 minutes. INVERT IMMEDIATELY. Cool completely before removing from pan. Frost with a vanilla glaze, sprinkled with confectioners' sugar or serve with whipped cream. Decorate with walnut halves. ~ ...

~ May garden beauties _________________ MACADAMIA CRUSTED WHITEFISH 2 thick whitefish (or walleye) fillets juice & zest of 1 lemon 6 Tbsp. chopped macadamia nuts 1/3 cup panko crumbs 4 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil freshly ground black pepper 2-3 Tbsp. chopped green onion 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Place fillets on aluminum foil lined baking sheet sprayed with Pam. Combine lemon juice, zest, chopped macadamia nuts, panko crumbs, olive oil, pepper, green onions and fresh parsley. Pat evenly over fillets. Bake 12-15 minutes depending on thickness of fillets. (2 healthy servings) ___________ ROAST ASPARAGUS SALAD with CHEVE ~ Delicious spring salad from Williams-Sonoma ___________ 1 1/2 lb. asparagus coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste sprinkle with extra-virgin olive oil Dressing: 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 3-4 Tbsp. snipped fresh chives freshly ground pepper to taste 6 chopped green onions...

"The tulips that sparked Tulipomania were especially beautiful. Somewhat shorter than many of today's hybrids, they often had large flower heads with fabulous mottled or 'flamed' colors in two-tone mixes of red, oxblood, yellow, purple and white. Today we call these 'Rembrandt tulips,' as they are featured in so many famous paintings of the Dutch Masters." ~ For a brief escape into the beautiful history of art, lust, beauty and greed, please finish the above excerpt from Hortus Bulborum ~ Tulipmania ~ Of flowers and frenzy

"First flowers on the table; then food." ~ Danish saying ~ Rembrandt tulip ____________ Garden's Note : These modern day tulips, named after the famous Dutch painter, are reminiscent of the flamed-shaped streaked 'broken' color color tulips selling for astronomical sums when Rembrandt was a young man during the tulip mania craze that gripped 17 th century Holland. _________ RED or WHITE SANGRIA ~ Delightfully refreshing during or after a warm sunny day. Enjoy the infused fruit wedges as an after treat. _______ 1 bottle fruity red (Beaujolais or Zinfandel) or dry white wine 1 cup fresh orange juice juice of 1 fresh lemon juice of 1 fresh lime 2 Tbsp. Grand Marnier Liqueur or Calvados 3 Tbsp. Cointreau or Triple Sec 1 orange thinly sliced 1 lemon thinly sliced 1 lime thinly sliced Cherries, grapes, apple slices optional sparkling water or lemon-lime soda like 7-up mint sprig for garnish Pour wine large glass pitcher. Stir in orange, lemon and lime juice, Grand ...

'SPIRITED' MARGARITA SNAPPER 4 (6-oz) snapper (or salmon) fillets 1/2 cup tequila 1/4 fresh lime juice & zest 1/4 cup triple sec (or orange juice) 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tsp. minced garlic 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/2 cup chopped cilantro fresh cilantro for garnish Combine tequila, lime juice, zest, triple sec, olive oil, garlic and pepper. Pour over fillets and marinate several hours, turning often. Remove snapper from marinade (save) and grill snapper until desired doneness , 6-12 minutes. (Do not overcook). While fish is grilling, bring marinade to boil and simmer 5 minutes. Serve over fish garnished with additional chopped fresh cilantro. (4 servings) ________________ FIESTA SLAW 1 lb. shredded cabbage 1-2 shredded carrots 1 julienne sliced red pepper 1 julienne sliced orange pepper 1 julienne sliced yellow pepper 5-6 sliced green onions 1 diced cucumber 6 sliced radishes 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley 3 Tbsp. fresh lime juice & zest 2 Tbsp. whit...

"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...

HERB~SKEWERED GARLIC LEMON PRAWNS ~ Luscious lemon, garlic and herbs ... as good as it gets! 24 peeled, deveined and uncooked Prawns 5-6 cloves minced garlic 1/2 cup Chardonnay 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 large bunch chopped fresh basil 1 tsp. chopped fresh rosemary 1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme freshly ground black pepper to taste juice and zest of 2 lemons Combine garlic, Chardonnay, olive oil, Worcestershire sauce, basil, rosemary, thyme, cracked pepper, lemon juice and zest. Pour over prawns and marinate 2-3 hours. Remove from marinade and thread on skewer. Grill prawns until pink, about 3-7 minutes, turning occasionally. Baste with marinade. Serve with Spring Risotto and fine bottle of Michigan Chardonnay . (4 servings) _____________ SPRING RISOTTO 6 cups organic chicken broth or low-sodium vegetable stock 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 finely chopped Vidalia or sweet onion 2 cups arborio rice 1 lb. trimmed asparagus sliced diagonally 4 diagon...