THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Every spring is the only spring - a perpetual astonishment." ~ Ellis Peters CLICK ON PHOTOS TO ENLARGE

"... BREAD FEEDS THE BODY INDEED, BUT THE FLOWERS FEED ALSO THE SOUL." ~ The Koran Bergenia (the perfect companion plant) ____________________ FRESH TOMATO & BASIL BRUSCHETTA ~ a delightful appetizer, perfect for all seasons Bruschetta Italian bread or french baguette 1 cup loosely packed chopped parsley 1/2 cup room temperature unsalted butter 1/2 tsp. coarse salt freshly cracked pepper to taste 1/2 -3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese Tomato Topping 3 1/2 cups chopped & seeded ripe plum tomatoes 3 cloves minced garlic 3/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil pinch of coarse salt freshly ground pepper to taste Combine chopped tomatoes, garlic, basil, olive oil and salt & pepper. Let stand at room temperature. Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Blend butter, parsley, salt & pepper. Spread on bread. Dip bread in grated Parmesan cheese to cover surface. Bake 4-5 minutes or until golden brown. Slice bread in serving size pieces and top with tomato...

"The primrose banks now fair!" ~ Robert Burns Primrose (Primula) CILANTRO SCAMPI with CHEDDAR BISCUITS ~ Simply delightful weeknight supper adapted from ( CuisineAtHome .com) ___________ For the scampi: 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 lb. peeled and deveined large shrimp, dusted with flour 1 Tbsp. minced garlic 1/2 cup dry white wine 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (or fresh parsley) 1/4 cup fresh lime juice and zest from limes 2 Tbsp. chopped chipotle chiles in adobo - these canned smoked jalapenos pack a punch so, if sensitive, use sparingly (or chopped jalapenos ... or chopped green chilies for a milder taste) coarse salt to taste 4 lime wedges sprigs of fresh cilantro (or parsley) Heat oil in large pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Deglaze with wine, scraping up any bits from bottom of pan. Simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Stir in butter u...

"Not one of flora's brilliant race A form more perfect can display; Art could not feign more simple grace Nor nature take a line away." From "On Planting a Tulip-Root" James Montgomery 1771-1854 TULIP TUNA ~ from Edible Flowers (Cathy Wilkinson Barash) ______________ 12 brightly colored 'pesticide free' tulips (reds, yellows, oranges or multicolored are preferable) 2 drained cans albacore tuna packed in water 4 chopped stalks of celery 1 tsp. curry powder 1/3 cup mayonnaise lettuce Remove petals from 8 of the tulips, cutting off 1/4 inch where petal was attached (this can be bitter). Julienne petals. In a large bowl, mix tuna, celery, curry and mayonnaise. Add julienned petals and gently toss. Cut off stems and remove the pistils and stamens from the 4 preserved tulips. Lay each tulip on a bed of lettuce. Gently spoon tuna mixture into the tulips. ( This is also good with your favorite chopped chicken salad recipe.) NOTE: Though 'pecticide-fr...

Dainty pansy whose soft painted face Tickles my garden with whimsical grace. WILTED SPINACH and GRUYERE FRITTATA 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 (10-oz.) package baby spinach leaves 1 bunch chopped green onions salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 1 tsp. sweet Hungarian paprika 10 organic eggs 1/2 cup sour cream or half & half 1 1/2 cups grated Gruyere cheese dried parsley flakes for garnish Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Saute green onions in 1 Tbsp butter. Gradually add spinach until wilted. Drain well and set aside. Melt 3 Tbsp. butter. Whisk eggs, sour cream, and salt & pepper. Fold in 1 cup of cheese, spinach mixture and melted butter. Spread in greased quiche pan. Sprinkle with additional 1/2 cup cheese. Garnish with parsley Bake 45-55 minutes or until eggs are set. (Serves 4-6) ORANGE-ALMOND SCONES ~ delicious warm or cold _____________ 1/2 cup freshly squeezed orange juice 1/4 cup buttermilk 1 extra-large organic egg 1/4 tsp. almond extract 3 cups flour 4 tsp....

"And Spring arose on the garden fair, Like the Spirit of Love felt everywhere; And each flower and herb on Earth's dark breast rose from the dreams of its wintry rest." ~Percy Bysshe Shelley "The Sensitive Plant" Siberian Squill ( Scilla siberica ) Yoshino Cherry, Forsythia, Lungwart ____________ MEDITERRANEAN TORTA ~ Simple layered loaf of mouth-watering goodness ______ 1 large round bakery loaf of sour dough, boule , or peasant bread 2 large sliced roasted red peppers* 2 large sliced roasted yellow peppers* (short cut ~ 16 oz. jar fire roasted yellow & red peppers) 8 oz. sliced provolone cheese 15 sliced in half sun-dried tomatoes 8 oz. sliced mozzarella cheese 14 oz. jar drained and halved artichoke hearts 1/4 cup pesto (homemade or quality store bought) Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Slice off 1/4 from top of bread. Hollow out leaving 1/2-inch shell. (Use inside for breadcrumbs. Toast and freeze for later use.) Layer ingredients inside shell in the fol...