THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man." ~ Benjamin Franklin CHEERS!

O, wind, If Winter comes, can Spring be far behind? ~ Percy Bysshe Shelley 'OLD MAN WINTER' ______________ PORK TENDERLOIN with CRANBERRY PORT SAUCE ~ Super easy holiday fare 3 pounds pork tenderloin ( l large or 2 smaller) 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard 1/2 tsp. dried thyme 1/2 tsp. dried oregano garlic powder cracked pepper 1 cup ruby Port 1 cup whole cranberry sauce Spread mustard over tenderloins. Sprinkle with herbs, garlic powder and cracked pepper. Bake at 325º for 35 to 45 minutes depending on size, basting frequently. Remove meat from pan to rest. Add port to pan and deglaze , scraping bits from bottom. Add cranberry sauce and adjust seasonings. Slice pork diagonally and serve with sauce. WILD RICE PILAF 1 cup wild rice, cooked in chicken stock according to package directions 4 Tbsp. butter 1/4 tsp. minced garlic 1 finely chopped onion 1 small finely chopped green pepper 1/2 finely chopped red pepper 4 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms 2 Tbsp. chopped parsley salt & freshly ground...

"Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful ." ~Norman Vincent Peale Poinsettia 'Winter Rose' ( Euphorbia pulcherrima ) December Garden ________ CHICKEN ALOUETTE ~ Classic holiday favorite from Southern Living (Dec 1991) __________ 1 (17 1/4 oz.) package frozen puff pastry, thawed 1 (4-oz) container garlic and spice flavored Alouette cheese (1/2 cup chives/onion flavored cream cheese may be substituted) 6 skinned and boned chicken breast halves 1/2 tsp. salt 1/8 tsp. pepper 1 beaten egg 1 Tablespoon water flowering kale leaves for garnish Unfold pastry sheets, and roll each sheet into a 14 x 12-in. rectangle on a lightly floured surface. Cut sheet into four 7 x 6-in. rectangles; cut second sheet into two 7 x 6 in. rectangles and one 12 x 6 in. rectangle. Set large rectangle aside. Shape each small rectangle into and oval by trimming off corners. Spread pastry ovals evenly with cheese. Sprinkle chicken breasts ...

“Let Every Day Be Christmas” ~ Norman W. Brooks Holiday cactus ( Schlumbergera truncata ) ~ portrait overlay ______________________ HOLIDAY CRAB CAKES ~ As an appetizer or entree, this family favorite is always a hit. (easy broiling as tasty as frying) _________ 1 lb. good lump crab meat 1 cup panko crumbs 2 large lightly beaten organic eggs 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro 4 finely chopped green onions 1/2 diced red bell pepper 1/2 diced yellow pepper 1 Tbs. chopped green chilies 2/3 cup mayonnaise coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste 2 Tbsp. melted unsalted butter Hungarian paprika chopped green onions or chives Combine all ingredients. Gently fold in crab. Preheat broiler. Using scoop, drop onto Pam sprayed baking sheet. Brush with melted butter. Sprinkle with chopped green onion or chives and a dusting of Hungarian paprika. Broil approximately 6 minutes or until golden. THANKSGIVING and/or CHRISTMAS CACTUS Collectively, Christmas-, Thanksgiving- an...

"Every breath is a giveaway dance between you and the plants." ~ Susun Weed Rex Begonia (texture portrait) Rex Cultorum Begonia ( American Begonia Society ) Rex begonias are the showboats of the begonia world and are a type of rhizomatous begonia that are grown for their multicolored leaves. The leaves come in every color, pattern and shade, and every size and shape. All Rex Cultorum types are descended from the Indian species B. rex that was crossed with other types of rhizomatous begonias. Rex begonias do bloom but are not grown for their blooms which pale in comparison to their spectacular leaves.

"Flowers seem intended for a solace of ordinary humanity." ~ John Ruskin Poinsettia (Euphorbia pulcherrima) _______________ Poinsettia The first december birth flower is the Poinsettia which equals celebration, success, reassurance, and good cheer. Also known as the Mexican flame leaf or Christmas star or Noche Buena , the poinsettia, is a plant known for its striking red displays at Christmas time. It is often used as a floral Christmas decoration because of its festive colors. Poinsettias are native to southern Mexico and Central America, where they may reach heights of sixteen feet. They are named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the first United States ambassador to Mexico, who introduced the plant in the U.S. in 1825. A Mexican legend explains how poinsettias came to be associated with Christmas. Apparently, a child who could not afford a gift to offer to Christ on Christmas Eve picked some weeds from the side of a road. The child was told that a humble gift, if given in lov...