THE VILLAGE VOICE

" Lord make us mindful of the little things that grow and bossom in these days to make the world beautiful for us." ~ W.E. Dubois

"People take pictures of the Summer, just in case someone thought they had missed it, and to prove that it really existed." - Ray Davies ~ Purple Coneflower ( Echinacea ) _____________________ RASPBERRY SPINACH SALAD ~ Make vinaigrette ahead so flavor melds for this lovely summer lunch or supper. _______________ 8 cups baby spinach 1 cup coarsely chopped macadamia nuts 1 - 1 1/2 cup fresh raspberries 3 peeled and thinly sliced kiwi fruit Place spinach in large chilled salad bowl (glass looks great). Add 1/2 cup macadamia nuts, 1/2 of the raspberries and 1/2 of the sliced kiwi. Toss with vinaigrette as needed. Top with remaining macadamia nuts, raspberries, and kiwi. Serve with side slice of Vermont Cheddar Walnut Pie ( 8 servings) Vinaigrette: 2 cups raspberry vinegar 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 cup vegetable oil 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 4 Tbsp. fresh chopped tarragon (2 Tbsp. dried) 1/2 cup maple syrup pinch coarse salt freshly ground pepper to taste Combine raspbe...

'Night and day, you are the one Only you beneath the moon or under the sun' ~ Cole Porter 'Whether near to me, or far Its no matter ... I think of you ...'

"A garden really lives only insofar as it is an expression of faith, the embodiment of a hope and a song of praise." ~ Russell Page ~ Welcome visitors while away _________________ SHRIMP & AVOCADO SALAD ~ Summer delight ... buttery avocados balanced with the sharpness of endive (adapted from Gourmet (June 2002) ________ 1 lb. peeled and deveined large shrimp 2 tsp. salt 3 or more Tbsp. fresh lemon juice zest of 1 lemon 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh tarragon 1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 firm-ripe Hass avocados 1 lb. Belgian endive (4 heads), cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces Bring 2 quarts water, 1 Tbsp. lemon juice and 2 tsp. salt to boil. Poach shrimp at a bare simmer, uncovered, until just cooked through, about 3 minutes. Transfer with slotted spoon to a bowl of ice & cold water to stop cooking. Let shrimp chill for 2 minutes. Drain and pat dry. Whisk together tarragon, mustard, pepper and remaining 2 Tbsp....

"One flag, one land, one heart, one hand, One Nation evermore! " -Oliver Wendell Holmes ~ Independence Day (Hubbard Lake) __________________________ IN CONGRESS, JULY 4, 1776 The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America When in the Course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. — That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed...

May the sun in his course visit no land more free, more happy, more lovely, than this our own country! -Daniel Webster ~ Red, white & blue tribute __________________ ORANGE BARBECUED BABY BACK RIBS ~ Succulent summer fare ____________ 4 lbs. lean spareribs 1 peeled onion 6 whole peppercorns 4 whole cloves 1 16-oz. can beer Cut ribs into finger size pieces and place in large kettle. Combine onion, peppercorns, cloves and beer. Pour over ribs and bring to boil. Simmer gently, covered, 30 minutes. Remove ribs from brew and dip into Barbecue Sauce . Place ribs on grill over hot coals. Grill 8-10 minutes or until crisp and brown. (8 appetizer servings or a main course for 2). ORANGE BARBECUE SAUCE 1/2 cup honey 2/3 cup soy sauce 2/3 cup ketchup 1 tsp. Coleman's dry mustard 1 tsp. Hungarian paprika 1 cup wine vinegar 1 tsp. Tabasco sauce 1 minced garlic clove 1 tsp. coarse salt freshly ground pepper to taste 1 cup fresh orange juice Combine all ingredients. Bring to boil and simmer...

Well, it's ok . It's so nice. It's just another day in paradise. Well, there's no place that I'd rather be Two hearts And one dream I wouldn't trade it for anything And I ask the Lord every night For just another day in paradise ~ Phil Vassar ~ July Evening (Hubbard Lake ~ Mt Maria) _________________ PINA COLADA (one serving) 3 oz. pineapple juice 1/3 oz. cream of coconut 1 1/2 oz. Puerto Rican gold rum 1/4 oz. Puerto Rican 151 proof rum 2 slices fresh pineapple shaved ice fresh pineapple spear garnish Combine ingredients in blender. Pour through strainer in tall glasses. Serve with slice of fresh pineapple and a straw. ___________ SEAFOOD SANDWICHES ~ Perfect for a lazy day ____ CRABMEAT : 6 large slices pumpernickel bread room temperature unsalted butter favorite lettuce like Romaine or Boston bibb 2 cups good flaked crabmeat 2 ripe peeled and sliced avocados 1 cup good mayonnaise 1/4 cup chili sauce 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1 Tbsp. horseradish 1...

"Summer is the time when one sheds one's tensions with one's clothes, and the right kind of day is jeweled balm for the battered spirit. A few of those days and you can become drunk with the belief that all's right with the world." ~ Ada Louise Huxtable ~ 'The remains of the day' (Hubbard Lake) _____ "The summer night is like a perfection of thought." ~ Wallace Stevens __________________ LEMON TORTE ~ A delightful end to a perfect summer evening _______ Crust: 1 5 1/2 oz. package finely crushed lemon crunch cookies 6 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Lemon Filling: 4 egg whites 1 cup sugar 4 egg yolks 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 Tbsp finely grated lemon peel 1 1/2 cup whipped whipping cream 1 10-oz. package thawed frozen raspberries For crust: Combine crushed cookies and butter in medium bowl and blend well. Pat into bottom and sides of 8 1/2-inch springform pan. Refrigerate. For filling: Beat egg whites on medium speed of electric mixer u...