THE VILLAGE VOICE

"One of the most attractive things about the flowers is their beautiful reserve." ~ Henry David Thoreau DAYLILY ( Hemerocallis ) BEEF BURGERS with DRAMBUIE ONIONS ~ Honey added to the goat cheese cuts its tanginess and makes it spreadable ... delicious grilled burger clipped from July 2 (2008) Detroit Free Press __________ 1 1/4 lb. mix of well-chilled chuck of lean chuck steak and lean sirloin 1 tsp. garlic powder favorite AP seasoning 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1 Tbsp. olive oil 8 oz. cleaned and sliced cremini mushrooms 3 cups sliced onions 1/3 cup Drambuie (honey-herb flavored liqueur) 4 oz. goat cheese 1 1/2 Tbsp. honey 1/4 cup mix of fresh chopped herbs of choice (thyme, basil, oregano) 1 Tbsp. chopped chives 4 mini (3-4 in. diameter) pita pocket breads Bibb or butter lettuce zucchini ribbons Place beef chunks in food processor fitted with steel blade. Pulse mixture to combine and coarsely grind. Do not overprocess . Season mixture with garlic powder, a...

"Nothing is too polished to see the beauty of flowers. Nothing too rough to be capable of enjoying them. It attracts, delights all." ~ Daniel Webster Tiger Swallowtail Butterfly ( Papilio glaucas ) Coneflower ( Echinacea ) FROZEN RASPBERRY MOUSSE ~ Fast becoming a favorite simple summer dessert ( Bon Appetit -July 2008) __________ 3 cups fresh raspberries, divided (about 16 oz.) 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar 1 Tbsp. kirsch (clear cherry brandy) 1 1/2 cups chilled heavy whipping cram 1/2 cup sour cream 6 mint springs (garnish) Puree 2 1/2 cups raspberries, powdered sugar, and kirsch in blender until smooth. Transfer to large bowl. Beat Cream in large bowl until firm peaks form. Add sour cream and beat just to blend. Fold whipped cream mixture into raspberry puree just until incorporated. Divide mousse among 6 (6-oz) parfait glasses. Cover each with plastic wrap and freeze. About 2 hours before serving, place mousse in refrigerator to thaw slightly. Uncover mousse and top ...

"In summer, the song sings itself." ~ William Carlos Williams ~ IVY GERANIUM on DECK __________________ GRILLED HERB STEAK ~ Perfect for guests on a lazy evening ___________ 2 (4-5 lb.) 2-inch thick sirloin steaks Marinade: 1 cup dry red wine 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 1 minced large sweet onion 1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley 2 minced garlic cloves 1 Tbsp. chopped tarragon (1 tsp. dried) 1 Tbsp. chopped thyme (1 tsp. dried) 1 Tbsp. chopped rosemary (1 tsp. dried) freshly ground pepper to taste Combine all ingredients for marinade in large heavyweight plastic bag. Seal and marinate for several hours or overnight, rotating often. Prepare grill. Let meat come to room temperature in marinade. Remove and grill to desired taste (preferably rare-medium rare) basting often with marinade. Let rest for 10-15 minutes before slicing diagonally into thin slices. (8-12 servings) 'WA-GI- DAA -KING' at HUBBARD LAKE ________________ 'GREEN' GREEN GODDESS SALAD ~ Better ...

"There shall be eternal summer in the grateful heart." ~ Celia Thaxter ~ LILY ___________________ FRESH LEMONADE ~ Nothing says summer more than the taste of icy fresh homeade lemonade. Original recipe from The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook _____ 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup boiling water 1 1/2 cup fresh lemon juice (6-8 large lemons) 5 cups cold water Garnishes: lemon slices, fresh mint sprigs Stir together sugar and 1/2 cup boiling water until sugar dissolves. Stir in lemon juice and 5 cups cold water. Garnish with lemon slices and fresh mint sprigs. (8 cups) Note : Substitute fresh lime for lemon ~ HYDRANGEA, DAYLILIES , MONARDA ________________ GRILLED CHICKEN SOUVLAKI with TZATZIKI SAUCE ~ A family favorite for all seasons adapted from Cooking Light __________ SOUVLAKI 6 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 1-2 Tbsp. chopped fresh oregano 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil pinch coarse salt 6 minced garlic cloves 1 lb. skinless, boneless chicken breast cut into 1-inch pieces 2 mediu...

"A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken." ~James Dent LILIUM / LILIUM / STOKESIA ( BLUE DANUBE) DAYLILY /FROG STUPOR/ ASTILBE DAISY/ MONARDA / DAYLILY _____________________ SPICY PULLED PORK ~ A must-have for simple summer suppers adapted from a Detroit Free Press clipping __________ 4-5 lbs. pork shoulder blade Boston roast or trimmed pork tenderloins 12 sandwich rolls or good hamburger buns Rub: 1/4 cup brown sugar 3 Tbsp. favorite chili powder 2 tsp. cumin 1 tsp. Hungarian Paprika 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 2 tsp. garlic powder 2 tsp. onion powder Sauce: 3 cup (or more as needed) favorite barbecue sauce 1/2 cup brown or yellow mustard 3 Tbsp. Tabasco sauce (or to taste) juice of 1 lemon Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Trim most of fat from roast, remove bone and separate into 2 pieces (pork tenderloins work well and less work). Combine rub ingredients in small...