THE VILLAGE VOICE

“If I can put one touch of rosy sunset into the life of any man or woman, I shall feel that I have worked with God." ~ G. K. Chesterton ~ Late March sunset (Hubbard Lake) ~ Daffodil (March Flower of the Month) ~ Heralding spring daffs (Bloomfield Village)

"There are snowdrops coming out in the garden, and spring is on the way. I shall see it ... And because I am alive, I shall watch it all happen and be part of the miracle." ~ Rosamunde Pilcher ~ Spring miracles ( daffodils and pansies) ________________ VEAL SCALLOPINI MARSALA ~ Impressive and easy company dinner. Treasured keepsake recipe, clipped years ago from the Free Press , compliments of Chef James Camilleri of Detroit's Roma Cafe . (For those with veal 'ethnic issues', either boneless chicken breasts or pork tenderloin can be substituted.) _____________ 1 lb. veal tenderloin (pork tenderloin or chicken breasts), cut into cutlets 1/2-inch thick salt & freshly ground cracked pepper 8 Tbsp. butter, divided 1 lb. thinly sliced mushrooms 1/2 cup Marsala wine Pound veal cutlets to 1/4 inch thick. Stir together flour, salt & pepper; dredge both sides of cutlets in flour mixture. In large skillet, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Cook veal 1-2 minutes on...

"Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment." ~Ellis Peters ~ Spring container garden (Daffodil, pussy willow, primrose, English daisy) ___________ CEDAR PLANKED SALMON WITH MAPLE GLAZE ~ Native Americans pioneered the art of roasting on wood planks. The rich aroma of red cedar adds a sweet, spicy, roasted flavor. This keepsake recipe ( a 'perfect' marriage of maple syrup & cedar) came with the Chinook plank . ___ 1 cup pure Michigan maple syrup 2 Tbsp. finely grated peeled fresh ginger root 4 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 3 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 1/2 tsp. minced garlic 2 1/2 lbs. center-cut salmon fillet with skin Greens from 1 bunch scallions In a small heavy saucepan simmer maple syrup, ginger root, 3 Tbsp. lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic, and salt & pepper to taste until reduced to about 1 cup, about 30 minutes. Let cool. Maple glaze may be made 2 days ahead and chilled, covered. Bring maple glaze to room temperature before proceeding. Preheat oven ...

"Springtime is the land awakening. The March winds are the morning yawn. " ~ Lewis Grizzard ~ Maple leaves ____________ "The history of Michigan Maple Syrup is nearly as old as the land itself! Native Americans were making maple syrup here centuries ago. Today, Michigan maple syrup is made both traditionally and in modern facilities using the latest refinement technologies. But the taste of pure maple syrup is as irresistibly delicious today as it was for our ancestors." ~ Michigan Maple Syrup Scrapbook ____________ CLASSIC MICHIGAN SALAD ~ Featured fare in many Michigan restaurants, each a bit different, but should include two cherished products, dried cherries and maple syrup. ______________ 8-12 oz. organic baby spring mix greens (a healthy handful of per person) thin slices of red onion 1/4 cup or desired amount of blue cheese 1/2 cup toasted walnuts or pecans 1/2 cup dried Michigan cherries Toss greens lightly with vinaigrette. Top with onion rings, blue chee...

"The day the Lord created hope was probably the same day he created Spring." ~Bern Williams ~ Pussy Willow in Clouds

"Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems." ~Rainer Maria Rilke Vernal Equinox (Hubbard Lake sunset) __________________ For lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land. The fig tree puts forth its figs, and the vines are in blossom; they give forth fragrance. Arise my love, my fair one, and come away. ~ The Song of Solomon, 2:11-13

"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...

"Life's too short not to be Irish!" ~ an Irish saying ~ Irish Blessing on Waterford crystal shamrock ______ "May the road rise to meet you, May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face, The rains fall soft upon your fields. And until we meet again, May God hold you in the palm of his hand." ~ Irish Blessing ____ BAILEYS IRISH CREAM CHEESECAKE ~ Trust me ... favorite St. Patrick's Day treat adapted from tattered Bon Appetit (1989) __________ Crust: 2 cups crushed Oreo cookies (or Nabisco Famous Chocolate Wafers) 1/4 cup sugar 6 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Filling: 2 1/4 lbs. room temperature cream cheese 1 2/3 cup sugar 5 room temperature organic eggs 1 cup Baileys Original Irish Cream 1 Tbsp. pure vanilla extract 1 cup premium semisweet chocolate chips Coffee Cream: 1 cup chilled whipping cream 2 Tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. instant coffee powder Chocolate curls or English toffee bits For crust : Preheat oven to 325-degrees. Coat 9-i...

"Laughter is brightest where food is best." ~ Irish Proverb ~ Shamrock ( Oxalis regnellii ) __________ MINT BUTTERFLIED LEMON LEG of LAMB ~ 'Spring lamb' ... perfect for the season ____ 1 5-6 lb. boned, trimmed & butterflied leg of lamb (fat removed) 2 lemons & zest 3 minced garlic cloves 4 Tbsp. chopped mint 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper MINT SAUCE: 1/2 cup good mint jelly 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice zest from above lemons 1 Tbsp. butter 1/4 cup brown sugar 1 tsp. Coleman's dry mustard Flatten lamb to 2-inch thickness. Score skin side of lamb criss-cross fashion. Wipe with damp cloth. With tip of knife make about 10 large deep cuts in flesh. Sprinkle with salt & cracked pepper. Grate the rind and squeeze the juice of 2 lemons. Finely chop the garlic. Combine lemon rind, juice, garlic, mint, oil, salt & pepper in small bowl. Pour over lamb and marinate several hours or overnight. Make mint sauce: Combine...

"May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks, may your heart be as light as a song, may each day bring you bright, happy hours that stay with you all the year long." ~ Irish Blessing MUSSELS IN GARLIC & GUINNESS ~ from the Irish Pub Cookbook "The Brazen Head ... in Dublin, has been trading for 800 year ... reputed to be not only the oldest pub in Dublin, but also one of the oldest in all of Ireland ....These mussels, steamed in garlic and Guinness are one of the pub's most popular starters." ___ 2 pounds fresh mussels, scrubbed, debearded , and rinsed in cold water 1 minced shallot 3 cloves minced garlic 1 Tbsp. minced fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for garnish 1 1/2 tsp. minced fresh thyme 1/2 cup Guinness 1/2 cup half & half 2 Tbsp. unsalted Kerrygold Irish butter Lemon wedges for serving French bread for sopping Put a stockpot or Dutch oven over medium heat. When the pot is hot, add the mussels and remaining ingredients and cover immediately. ...

~ Mystical Shamrock ___________ The History of the Shamrock Full of symbolism, this plant has mystical roots by Michelle Gervais (technical editor of Fine Gardening.) Shamrocks have been symbolic of many things over the years. According to legend, the shamrock was a sacred plant to the Druids of Ireland because its leaves formed a triad, and three was a mystical number in the Celtic religion, as in many others. St. Patrick used the shamrock in the 5 th century to illustrate the doctrine of the Holy Trinity as he introduced Christianity to Ireland." " Wearin ' o' the green" The shamrock became symbolic in other ways as time went on. In the 19 th century it became a symbol of rebellion, and anyone wearing it risked death by hanging. It was this period that spawned the phrase "the wearin ' o' the green". Today, the shamrock is the most recognized symbol of the Irish, especially on St. Patrick's Day, when all over the world, everyone is Irish ...

" The beauty of daylight-saving time is that it just makes everyone feel sunnier." ~ Edward Markey ~ Clock collection _______ "Time is God's way of keeping everything from happening at once" ~ Anon "Lost time is never found again" ~ Benjamin Franklin ________________ THANKS for the gift BEN! (Excerpts and commentary on the essay in Journal de Paris, on April 26, 1784 )

"One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few." ~ Anne Morrow Lindbergh ~ Gifts from the sea __________ CREAMY PINK SHELLFISH CHOWDER ~ From a favorite cookbook ( Pamela Morgan's Flavors ) comes the gift of this delicious chowder, perfect for Lent and meatless Fridays ____ 2 medium-sized peeled & 1/2-inch diced red-skinned potatoes (about 1 1/3 lbs.) sea salt 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter 2 cups chopped yellow onions 3/4 cup finely chopped celery 1 peeled and finely chopped large carrot 1 Tbsp. Hungarian sweet paprika 1 tsp. crumbled dried thyme 1/4 tsp. fennel seeds 1 cup bottled clam juice 1 cup medium-dry white wine (like Michigan Chardonnay ) 1 14-oz. can crushed (with juices) Italian plum tomatoes 2 cups half & half 1 Tbsp. tomato paste freshly ground black pepper 3/4 lb. (about 28) shelled and deveined medium shrimp 3/4 lb. bay scallops 1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley ...

"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 ~ Forced Forsythia ____ GARDENING TIP: Buckle your galoshes, grab a pail and pruning shears ... trudge through snow or swampy lawn 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. ________________________ PENNE PRIMAVERA ~ ' Primavera ' means 'Spring' in Italian _______ 1 lb. penne pasta or bow-tie ( farfalle ) 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter 4 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 large minced sweet onion like Vidalia 2-3 minced garlic cloves 1 tsp. red pepper flakes 1 lb. diagonally cut asparagus (snap off woody stems) 1/2 lb. sliced mushrooms 3 diagonally thinly sliced carrots 1 matchstick sliced ye...

"Daffodils that come before the swallow dares, and takes the winds of March with beauty." ~ William Shakespeare ROASTED PEPPER, GARLIC & GOAT CHEESE PIZZA ~ Simple supper made with convenience foods, perfect for Lent _________________ 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil 1 thinly sliced red onion 6 cloves minced garlic 1 12 oz. jar drained roasted yellow & red peppers 1/4 tsp. dried crushed red pepper freshly ground black pepper 1 16-oz. Boboli (baked cheese pizza crust) 6 oz. crumbled soft goat cheese (like Montrachet) 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (1 tsp. crumbled dried) Preheat oven to 450-degrees. Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add sliced onion and garlic and saute until very soft, about 20 minutes. Add roasted peppers, pepper flakes and ground pepper to taste. Tip pan and use a bit of oil to brush over boboli crust. Place Boboli on pizza pan or cookie sheet. Top with onion and pepper mixture. Sprinkle with cheese and thyme....

"The sun is brilliant in the sky but its warmth does not reach my face. The breeze stirs the trees but leaves my hair unmoved. The cooling rain will feed the grass but will not slake my thirst. It is all inches away but further from me than my dreams." - M. Romeo LaFlamme (The First of March) 'Sentinel' Eye of the Elm __________ "March is a month of considerable frustration - it is so near spring and yet across a great deal of the country the weather is still so violent and changeable that outdoor activity in our yards seems light years away." ~ Thalassa Cruso ____________ Garden Blogger's Muse Day (CLICK and JOIN)