THE VILLAGE VOICE

"How lucky I am to have something that makes saying goodbye so hard." ~Carol Sobieski and Thomas Meehan ( Annie) "In searching my mother's garden I found my own." ~ Alice Walker

"June is, above all things, "leafy," seeming chiefly to concentrate her energies on her foliage; for although she really is not lacking in flowers, they are almost swamped in the great green flood which has swept silently but irresistibly across the land." ~ Frances T. Dana ~ 'Leafy' June ____________ CURRIED TURKEY SALAD with WALNUTS & GRAPES 3 lbs. cooked turkey breast or tenderloins (Poach breast gently in bath of water, carrots , celery, pepper & onion for 1 1/2 hours or 25 minutes for tenderloins and allow to rest in liquid until cool) 1/2 lb. toasted walnut halves (save some for garnish) 2 lbs. halved seedless red grapes 4 sliced bananas CURRY MAYONNAISE 2 cups Hellman's mayonnaise 1 1/2 Tbsp. curry powder 2 Tbsp. mango chutney 1/4 tsp. cumin 1 tsp. dried basil 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 Tbsp. white wine juice and zest of 1 plump juicy lemon freshly grated black pepper to taste Tear turkey into chunks or strips. M...

"Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated. " ~Confucius ~ A simple life (and complex name) Hybrid Tuberous Begonia French name : Bégonia tubéreux Latin name (genus) : Begonia hybrides Tuberhybrida Botanical family : Begoniaceae SWORDFISH STEAK with MANGO SALSA ~ simply easy and 'd ivine' _______ 4 6-8 oz. swordfish steaks (or tuna) 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste 2 ripe mango, peeled and cut into chunks 1 bunch chopped green onions 6 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro juice and zest of 1 fresh lemon or lime 1 tsp. red pepper flakes Preheat grill. Brush swordfish or tuna steaks with olive oil and salt & pepper. Combine mango, green onions, cilantro, fresh lemon or lime, and pepper flakes. Let stand at room temperature at least 10 minutes while prepping dinner. Grill 3-4 minutes per side depending on thickness. Serve with favorite seasonal vegetables. _________________ COCONUT POUND CAKE ~ Simply del...

"I wonder what it would be like to live in a world where it was always June." ~ L. M. Montgomery JUNEBERRY BUCKLE ~ Retro and wonderful ... once ripened you must beat the birds for this sought after summer treasure (blueberries may be substituted). _______ 1/2 cup unsalted butter 1/2 cup sugar 1 large organic egg 2 cups flour 2 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 cup milk 2 cup ripe Juneberries plus 1 Tbsp. flour Cinnamon Crumbs 1/2 cup sugar 1/2 cup flour 1/2 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 cup room temperature unsalted butter Preheat oven yo 350-degrees. Thoroughly grease an 11 1/2 x 7 x 1 1/2-inch pan. Cream butter and sugar; add egg and mix well. Sift flour, baking powder and salt; add to creamed mixture alternately with milk. Sprinkle Juneberries with flour and gently fold into batter. Pour into prepared pan. Top with Cinnamon Crumbs and bake 45-50 minutes or until tester comes out clean. Cut in squares and serve warm with whipped cream. (8-10 servings) Cinnamon crumbs : Comb...

"A lake is the landscape’s most beautiful and expressive feature. It is earth’s eye; looking into which the beholder measures the depth of his own nature. The fluviatile trees next the shore are the slender eyelashes which fringe it, and the wooded hills and cliffs around are its overhanging brows." - Henry David Thoreau 'Earth's Eye' (June sunset ~ Hubbard Lake) _____________________ MESQUITE GRILLED CHICKEN ~ Lazy day supper fare __ 12 boneless chicken breast halves water soaked mesquite chips 1/2 cup soy sauce juice and zest of 1-2 lemons 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp. dried oregano 1 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp. coarse ground black pepper Combine soy sauce, juice and zest of lemon, olive oil, oregano, garlic powder and black pepper. Pour marinade over chicken breasts and marinate several hours or overnight. Light grill and when ready place mesquite chips on coals. Place chicken breast on grill and grill on medium-medium high for 20-30 minutes, depending ...

"Then followed that beautiful season... Summer.... Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light; and the landscape Lay as if new created in all the freshness of childhood." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow LEMON BLUEBERRY POUND CAKE ~ A keeper from Gourmet (July 1990) ____________ CAKE: 1/3 cup milk 6 large eggs 1 1/2 Tbsp. vanilla 2 2/3 cups flour 1 tsp. double-acting baking powder 1 1/4 tsp. salt 3 sticks (1 /2 cups) soft unsalted butter 1/2 cup sugar 3/4 cups firmly packed brown sugar 1/4 cup freshly grated lemon zest 3 hefty cups blueberries, tossed with 1 1/2 Tbsp. flour SYRUP: 1/3 cup fresh lemon juice 1/2 cup granulated sugar CAKE : In a small bowl whisk together milk, eggs, and vanilla. Into a bowl sift together flour, baking powder and salt. In large bowl with an electric mixer cream butter with granulated sugar, brown sugar and zest until mixture is light and fluffy. Add flour mixture alternately with egg mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture and beati...

... On The Summer Solstice ... "Whatever is dreamed on this night, will come to pass." ~ William Shakespeare ( A Mid-Summernight's Dream ) ~ Summer solstice (Hubbard Lake, MI)

"The moon looks upon many night flowers; the night flowers see but one moon." ~ Jean Ingelow ( Songs of the Night Watches ) STRAWBERRY MOON ' Odéimini - Giizis ' ~ Ojibwe "The Ojibwe so delighted in this berry that they named a moon after it and included it in their vision of heaven." ~ White Oak Journal - White Oak Society ______________ FROZEN WHITE CHOCOLATE PIE with STRAWBERRIES Almond crust: 9-oz (1 3/4 cups) blanched toasted almonds 3 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter 2 Tbsp. light corn syrup Filling: 10 oz. coarsely chopped white chocolate 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/3 cup evaporated milk 3 Tbsp. creme de cacao 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1/4 tsp. almond extract 1 3/4 cup whipping cream 2 room temperature egg whites 2 Tbsp. sugar 1 1/4 cups strawberries For crust : Grease 9-inch glass plate pie plate. Chop almonds into 2-3 pieces each and transfer to bowl. Stir in melted butter and corn syrup. Spoon into prepared plate. Press onto bottom and up sides of plate. F...

"There is not a single colour hidden away in the chalice of a flower ... to which, by some subtle sympathy with the very soul of things, my nature does not answer." ~ Oscar Wilde ~ Garden Gerbera Daisy ______________ HONEY~SESAME GRILLED SHRIMP ~ adapted from razzledazzlerecipes .com ____ 2 1/4-1/2 lbs. peeled, deveined uncooked jumbo shrimp 1/4 cup sesame oil 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 1/4 cup soy sauce 3 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds 3 Tbsp. honey 2 cloves minced garlic 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh ginger 1-2 Tbsp. Mongolian Fire Oil (House of Tsang ) 6 chopped scallions Combine sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, 1 Tbsp. sesame seeds, honey, garlic, ginger, fire oil, and 3 chopped scallions. Add shrimp and marinate several hours. Remove shrimp from marinade and thread on wooden skewers. Bring marinade to a boil, reduce heat and simmer until syrupy. Grill shrimp, 2 minutes per side, basting with marinade. Transfer to platter and sprinkle with remaining sesame seeds and scallions. ...

"Garden making is creative work, just as much as painting or writing a poem. It is a personal expression of self, and individual conception of beauty. I should as soon think of asking a secretary to write my book, or the cook to assist in a water color painting, as to permit a gardener to plant or dig among my flowers." ~ Hannah Rion (The Greatest Gift of a Garden) "Gardener's work with an ever-receding ideal of perfection: no sooner is something growing well than they see how to place it better or give it a better neighbour. To other's eyes, all may look as well as could be expected, but a good gardener's eye sees more to be improved." ~ Robin Lane Fox

"Father! - to God himself we cannot give a holier name." ~William Wordsworth ~ Dearest Father GRILLED HERBED PEPPER STRIP STEAKS 4 (8-10 oz) beef New York strip or ribeye steaks 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme 1 Tbsp. fresh rosemary 1 Tbsp. fresh marjoram 1 Tbsp. freshly ground pepper 1 Tbsp. minced garlic 1/4 - 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup red wine 1 Tbsp. soy sauce 2 Tbsp. dry mustard juice of 1 lemon and zest splash Tabasco sauce Combine fresh herbs, garlic and pepper. Sprinkle over massage into steaks. Combine olive oil, wine, soy sauce, dry mustard, lemon juice, zest, and Tabasco. Pour over steaks and marinate at least 4 hours. Remove steaks from marinade (reserve) and grill to personal taste. While steaks are cooking, reduce marinade. Allow steak to rest and serve sauce over steaks. (If desired, top with crumbled Gorgonzola) Suggested Michigan Wine: Chateau Grand Traverse 2004 Merlot Reserve ______________________ VIDALIA ONION PIE ~ Adapted from treasured 1992 issue...

"The best thing one can do when it's raining is to let it rain." ~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow ~ Blissful peony ( Paeonia ) ____________________ ~ 'Calm before the storm' ___________ TORTELLINI SALAD with ROASTED PINENUTS ~ Tuck this away ... it's a keeper! _______________ 2 lbs. fresh cheese filled tortellini pasta (multi-colored look beautiful in a glass bowl) 1 seeded and chopped red pepper 1 seeded and chopped yellow pepper 1 seeded and chopped orange pepper 1 cup chopped green onions (with some green tops) 1 cup chopped toasted pinenuts 1 cup chopped fresh basil 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill (dried to taste) 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or feta cheese additional snipped fresh basil for garnish (poached chicken breasts or cooked shrimp optional) Dressing: 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar 1-2 clove minced garlic 1/4 tsp. coarse salt freshly ground black pepper to taste 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/4 cup vegetable oil Bring pot of water to boil. Add tortellini and cook...

"Isn't she lovely Isn't she wonderful Isn't she precious Less than one minute old ..." ~ Stevie Wonder ~ Oriental Poppy ( Papaver Orientale ) ~ Watching you pop! ____________ Gardener's note: A favorite subject for artists, Oriental poppy flowers are the focal point in the garden when in full bloom. Once 'the beauty', the vibrant plant goes dormant and homely (so don't think the spent plant has died). I do believe many have been pulled and discarded during this transition period.

"Grand Hotel is indeed the fitting name for one of Mackinac Island's premier landmarks. The hotel's stately 600-foot veranda is visible fro the mainland seven miles away. Grand Hotel's splendor and gracious hospitality consistently place it among the world's finest. It is also the world's largest summer hotel . Since opening in 1887 too provide a destination hotel for rail and steamship passengers, Grand Hotel has maintained its tradition of fine service and elegance, often setting criteria for excellence in dining." ~ MACKINAC ISLAND MEMORIES --- For the history of this popular summer retreat visit the official Grand Hotel website. STRAWBERRY & WATERMELON SOUP ~ From chef Hans Burtscher (Grand Hotel) _________ 2 cups washed, hulled & diced strawberries 2 cups iced seedless watermelon 1/3 cup Midori or other melon-flavored liqueur 1 whole vanilla bean 1/2 cup plain yogurt 1/2 cup sour cream 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar 3 Tbsp. honey 1 Tb...

MACKINAC ISLAND LILAC FESTIVAL OLD-FASHIONED ISLAND FUDGE ~ Ryba's famous recipe compliments of MACKINAC ISLAND MEMORIES __________ 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup half & half 2 1-oz. squares unsweetened chocolate 2 Tbsp. light corn syrup 1/2 tsp. salt 2 Tbsp. butter 1 tsp. vanilla extract 1/2 cup coarsely chopped pecans In a 2-quart saucepan, combine sugar, half & half, chocolate, corn syrup, and salt. Heat over medium heat, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted and sugar is dissolved. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally until mixture reaches a temperature of 234-degrees on a candy thermometer. Remove from heat. Add butter and cool mixture to 120-degrees without stirring. Butter a 9x5x3 inch loaf pan; set aside. Add vanilla to warm mixture and beat vigorously until mixture is no longer glossy, about 5 to 10 minutes. Quickly stir in pecans. Spread mixture into prepared pan. Cool until firm, about 1 hour. Cut into 1-inch squares. (Yield: 45 1x1 inch pieces)

"You can feel it in your heart You can see it in the ground You can see it in the trees You can feel it in the breeze Look around! Look around! Look around!" ~ Carousel LEMON-LIME CHICKEN TENDERS ~ Great on the grill and easy to pack and go ___ 2 packages boneless, skinless chicken tenders (or 6 chicken breast halves) 1/3 cup olive oil juice and zest of 1 or 2 lemons juice and zest of 1 or 2 limes 4 cloves minced garlic 4 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro or parsley 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper 1 tsp. coarse salt fresh ground pepper to taste Rinse and pat chicken dry. Pound between waxed paper to flatten. Combine olive oil, lime & lemon juice and zest, garlic, cayenne pepper, cilantro, salt & pepper. Pour over chicken and marinate up to 12 hours. Grill tenders for 2 minutes on each side or breast halves five minutes on each side or until done (depending on thickness). Let rest before serving or chill and pack for picnic served with Cold Sesame Noodles . (4-6 servings) _________...

"Spring unlocks the flowers to paint the laughing soil." ~ Reginald Heber ~ Paeonia 'Scarlett O'Hara'

"On this June day the buds in my garden are almost as enchanting as the open flowers. Things in bud bring, in the heat of a June noontide, the recollection of the loveliest days of the year - those days of May when all is suggested, nothing yet fulfilled." - Francis King ~ Bursting poppies, exbury azalia , Lady's Mantle and peonies _________ SKEWERED SHRIMP & MANGO BASMATI RICE SALAD ~ Simple light Sunday night supper, perfect after a long working day in the garden (adapted from June 2005 Cooking Light) _____ 2 lbs. peeled and deveined large shrimp 1 Tbsp. minced fresh garlic 2 Tbsp. minced peeled fresh ginger 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 4 tsp. good curry powder 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper 1/8 tsp. ground cumin 2 cups water 2/3 cup light coconut milk 1 1/4 cup uncooked Basmati rice 3/4 cup shredded carrot 2 cups diced peeled mango (about 2 mangoes) 1 1/2 cup diced red bell pepper 1/2 cup sliced green onions 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh cilantro 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley 3 Tbsp. l...