THE VILLAGE VOICE

"May you have warm words on a cold evening, a full moon on a dark night and a smooth road all the way to your door." ~ Irish Blessing GREAT SPIRIT MOON (Gichi-Manidoo-Giizis) Ojibwe

" In seed time learn, in harvest teach, in winter enjoy." ~ William Blake Mt. Maria (Hubbard Lake) East, South and West Shore (Hubbard Lake) JANUARY SUNSET (Hubbard Lake, MI)

January is the quietest month in the garden. ... But just because it looks quiet doesn't mean that nothing is happening. The soil, open to the sky, absorbs the pure rainfall while microorganisms convert tilled-under fodder into usable nutrients for the next crop of plants. The feasting earthworms tunnel along, aerating the soil and preparing it to welcome the seeds and bare roots to come. ~ Rosalie Muller Wright (Editor of Sunset Magazine) NEW ENGLAND CLAM CHOWDER ~ a piping hot bowl of creamy chowder warms both body and spirit (The New Basics Cookbook) __________ 2 dozen well scrubbed cherrystone clams 2 cups water 8 oz. slab bacon, cut into 1/2-inch dice 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 2 large onions (about 4 cups), peeled and cut into 1/4-inch dice 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 6 peeled potatoes (about 4 cups), cut into 1/2-inch dice 1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme freshly ground black pepper to taste 2 cups milk 2 cups heavy cream 3 Tbs. chopped fresh Italian (flat leaf) parsley Place c...

" There is a language 'little known', Lovers claim it as their own. Its symbols smile upon the land, Wrought by nature's wondrous hand; And in their silent beauty speak, Of life and joy, to those who seek. For Love Divine and sunny hours In the language of the flowers." ~ The Language of Flowers (Margaret Pickston) LEMON CAKE ~ a single thin slice topped with fresh berries and a scoop of good vanilla ice cream ... perfect for a simple celebration for loved ones (Barefoot Contessa - Parties ) ______________ 1/2 lb. unsalted butter (room temperature) 2 1/2 cups granulated sugar 4 extra-large eggs (room temperature) 1/3 cup grated lemon zest (6-8 lemons) 3 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. baking powder 1/2 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. kosher salt 3/4 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice 3/4 cup buttermilk (room temperature) 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract Glaze: 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar 3 1/2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice Preheat oven to 350º. ...

Peony (Paeonia) Columbine (Aquilegia) _________________ GRILLED PORTOBELLO BURGERS with PESTO, PROVOLONE & ROASTED PEPPERS ~ enjoy balmy 38º weather, fire up the grill and dream of June ... _________________ 4 stemmed large portobello mushrooms 8 slices sourdough or whole grain bread (or 4 buns/rolls of choice) extra-virgin olive oil coarse salt & freshly ground pepper 1/2 cup pesto 1/4 cup light mayonnaise 4 slices Provolone cheese 1 jar (well-drained) roasted red/yellow or just red peppers (Trader Joe's are great) 4 cups baby spinach leaves Heat grill. Brush both sides of mushrooms with olive oil. Season with coarse salt and freshly ground pepper. Rub one side of bread/roll with olive oil and grill until lightly toasted. Combine pesto and mayonnaise; spread on grilled side of bread/bun. Brush both sides of mushrooms with olive oil and grill, rounded side up, 4 minutes. Turn over, cover, and grill about 4 minutes or until mushrooms are tender, adding Provolone the ...

"Food is the most primitive form of comfort." ~ Sheila Graham Antique Chinese rug Tufenkian Tibetan and Chinese rugs, vintage pillow, and floral fabric ______________ ARBORIO RICE PUDDING ~ Craving comfort food, this silky rich pudding courtesy of Dave Lieberman (Food Network) was better than perfect! _____________ 1 cup water pinch salt 1/2 Tbsp. butter 1/2 cup Arborio rice 2 cups whole milk 4 Tbsp. sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract few dashes ground cinnamon whipped cream (optional) Bring water, salt, and butter to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add rice, return to a boil, and then reduce heat to the lowest setting. Shake the pan occasionally and cook until rice has absorbed the water but still al dente , abut 15 minutes. Bring milk, sugar, vanilla, and a few dashes of cinnamon to a simmer in a separate saucepan. Add cooked rice and cook at simmer over medium-low heat until rice absorbs most of the milk and mixture starts to get thick and silky, about 10-15 minutes (or ...

"To feel safe and warm on a cold wet night, all you really need is soup.” ~ Laurie Colwin View from library window __________________ MINESTRONE with WINTER PESTO ~ Warming favorite for a cold winter night (adapted from an old 1983 January Bon Appetit ) _____________ 1/2 cup dried, rinsed and sorted navy beans (preferably Michigan) 4 minced cloves garlic 4 chopped medium onions 3 chopped celery stalks plus leaves 1 diced potato 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 5 1/2 cups organic beef broth 2 chopped tomatoes (about 12 oz.) 6 Tbsp. tomato paste 3 diced carrots 8 oz. fresh diagonally sliced green beans 2 diced zucchini 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme (1 tsp. dried) 1-2 tsp. dried oregano coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste WINTER PESTO Let navy beans soak overnight. Drain and transfer to large saucepan. Cover with water and bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Drain and set aside. Heat olive oil in large stockpot. Add garlic, onions, celery and pot...

"And finally Winter, with its bitin', whinin' wind, and all the land will be mantled with snow." ~ Roy Bean WINDOWS ~ INSIDE/OUT (1 st Snow of the New Year) Bloomfield Village ________________ BAKED SHRIMP SCAMPI ~ Easy supper with a fresh lemony bite (adapted from Barefoot Contessa -Back to Basics ) ________ 2 lbs. (12-15 per pound) deveined shrimp with tail 3 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 2 Tbsp. dry white wine or vermouth coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper 12 Tbsp. unsalted butter (room temperature) 4 cloves minced garlic 1/4 cup minced shallots 3 Tbsp. minced fresh parsley 1 Tbsp. minced fresh rosemary 1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes juice and zest of 1 large lemon 2/3 cup panko (Japanese dried bread flakes) additional chopped parsley Lemon wedges Preheat oven to 425º. Butterfly the shrimp, leaving the tail on. Place shrimp in a mixing bowl and gently toss with the olive oil, wine, 2 tsp. salt, and 1 tsp. pepper. Allow to sit at room temper...

" The sun broke like an egg into a full sunset and the water caught fire." ~ Pamela Johnson January sunset (Hubbard Lake) __________________ SOUPE A L'OIGNON GRATINEE (adapted from Mastering the Art of French Cooking ) “Onion soup sustains. The process of making it is somewhat like the process of learning love. It requires commitment, extraordinary effort, time, and will make you cry." ~ Ronni Lundy _________________________________________ (FRENCH ONION SOUP) 6 pounds thinly sliced yellow onions 6 Tbsp. butter 3 Tbsp. oil 1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. sugar 6 heaping Tbsp. flour 5 quarts good beef stock 2 cups dry white wine coarse salt and cracked pepper few drops of Kitchen Bouquet 12 Tbsp. Cognac 1 pound Swiss cheese* 1 - 1 1/2 pound assorted shredded cheddar, Colby and Swiss or Parmesan Cook onions slowly in butter and oil in covered stockpot for 15 minutes. Uncover, raise heat to moderate , and stir in salt and sugar. Cook for 30-40 minutes stirring frequently until on...

"New Year's Day is every man's birthday." ~ Charles Lamb WINDOWS (Duke University Chapel ~ Durham, NC) ____________________ CAROLE'S TRADITIONAL NEW YEAR'S PORK & SAUERKRAUT ~ a New Year Day MUST for my sister's brood ___________ 6 lbs. lean boneless pork roast favorite sausages and or kielbasa 4 bags good sauerkraut (from refrigerated section) 4 sliced onions garlic powder or minced garlic to taste 1/4 cup good olive oil 2 heaping Tbsp. brown sugar 1 large diced apple with peel 1 quart organic chicken broth 1/2 cup white wine, sherry, or beer coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste red skin or Yukon gold potatoes, well scrubbed with jackets on Preheat oven to 325º. Spray roaster with olive oil and layer undrained sauerkraut in bottom (rinse sauerkraut for less sour taste). Sprinkle pork loin with meat tenderizer and pierce all over. Sprinkle with garlic powder or cut slits in roast and tuck in garlic cloves. Brown roast in heavy s...