THE VILLAGE VOICE

"Flowers have spoken to me more than I can tell in written words. They are the hieroglyphics of angels, loved by all men for the beauty of their character, though few can decipher even fragments of their meaning." ~ Lydia M. Child Extraordinary works of glass art mixed with collections of exotic and unusual botanicals unique creations from Detroit-based Furnace Design Studio Planterra Conservatory West Bloomfield, MI (3/24 - 4/3 2011)

"The nicest thing about the promise of spring is that sooner or later she'll have to keep it." ~ Mark Beltaire ORANGE- TERIYAKI SALMON ~ cook an extra pound and make salmon cakes the next day ______ For each pound of salmon whisk together ~ 3 Tbsp. fresh orange juice zest of 1 orange 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar 1 Tbsp. brown sugar 1 tsp. minced garlic 2 tsp. minced fresh ginger Preheat oven to 450º. Pour mixture over salmon and bake 13-15 minutes, depending on thickness. Do not overcook. Fish should cut easily by not flake apart. SPRING RISOTTO ~ fresh herbs, a must 1 cup Arborio rice 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 cup sliced assorted mushrooms 1/2 cup diced onion 1/2 tsp. chopped garlic 1/2 cup white wine 1 tsp. chopped shallots 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 2 1/2 cups of hot organic chicken or vegetable stock 2 tsp. coarse salt 2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup fresh chopped savory he...

"If I keep a green bough in my heart, then the singing bird will come. " ~ Chinese Proverb ASPARAGUS SOUP (a simple taste of spring adapted from the Silver Palate Cookbook) __________ 2 pounds sliced asparagus (reserve tips) 1 large bunch of leeks 2 quarts organic chicken broth 1 stick sweet butter coarse salt freshly ground black pepper sour cream chives Melt butter in large stockpot. Simmer clean chopped leeks until soft, about 20 minutes, stirring often. Add chicken stock, and sliced asparagus . Bring to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 30 minutes or until asparagus is very soft. Puree stock with hand blender or in blender, a batch at a time. Return to pot and add tips, simmering until tender but still firm, about 5 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Ladle in bowl and top with dollop of sour cream and chopped chives. (8 servings) (In the spring, the soup looks lovely topped with chive blossoms. When the weather is warm, serve the soup cold blended with 1/2 cup of...

"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 Oxalis Regnelli ( Lucky Shamrock ) IRISH COFFEE CHEESECAKE ~ Irish whiskey and espresso filling encased in an oatmeal cookie crust (Bon Appetit ~ Feb 1985) __________________ Oatmeal Crust 1/2 12-1/2 oz. package oatmeal cookies 1 Tbsp. firmly packed dark brown sugar 1/4 tsp cinnamon 3 1/4 Tbsp.well-chilled unsalted butter, cut into small pieces Coffee Filling 24 oz. room temperature cream cheese 1 cup plus 2 1/2 Tbsp. firmly packed dark brown sugar 4 room temperature organic eggs 2 Tbsp plus 2 tsp coffee liqueur 1/2 tsp. vanilla 5 tsp. instant espresso powder 7 Tbsp. Irish whiskey Topping 3/4 tsp. instant espresso powder 1/2 tsp. sugar 1 Tbsp. whipping cream 1 1/2 cups chilled whipping cream 2 Tbsp. sugar Chocolate coffee beans ( Trader Joe's always has them ) Crust : ...

"The flowers of late winter and early spring occupy places in our hearts well out of proportion to their size." ~ Gertrude S. Wister PERFECT BEEF STROGANOFF "Beef is the soul of cooking." ~ Marie Antoine Careme _________________ 3 pounds beef tenderloin 6 Tbsp. butter 1 cup chopped onion 2 cloves finely chopped garlic 1 pound (1/4 inch sliced) fresh mushrooms 3 Tbsp. flour 2 tsp. meat-extract paste 1 Tbsp. ketchup 1/2 tsp. coarse salt 1/2 tsp. fresh cracked pepper 1 can (10 1/2 oz.) organic beef stock 1/2 cup dry white wine 2 Tbsp. snipped fresh dill (1 heaping tsp. dried dill weed) 1 1/2 cup sour cream 2 12-ounce fresh or dried spinach noodles (or 2 cups cooked wild rice tossed with 4 cups cooked white) additional fresh snipped dill or parsley Trim fat from beef. Cut filet crosswise into 1/2-inch thick slices. Cut each slice, across grain into 1/2-inch thick strips. Season with salt and pepper. Slowly heat large heavy skillet. Melt 2 Tbsp. butter a...

"Daffodils, That come before the swallow dares, and take The winds of March with beauty." ~ William Shakespeare Daffodil Garlic & Daffodils __________ FORTY-CLOVE GARLIC CHICKEN ~ a surprisingly mild, perfect 'end of winter' meal adapted from The Garlic Lovers' Cookbook created in Gilroy , The Garlic Capital of the World ... " ... the only town in America where you can marinate a steak just by hanging it out on the clothesline." (Will Rogers) _______ 1 plump chicken (a capon would be lovely) rinsed & patted dry 40 cloves of garlic 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 4 stalks of celery and leaves 1 bunch of minced parsley 1 Tbsp. thyme 1 Tbsp. rosemary 1 lemon 2 bay leaves 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/4 cup vermouth coarse salt & freshly cracked pepper Sprinkle cavity of bird with lemon juice and half of herbs, salt & pepper. Stuff with celery, bay leaves and sliced lemon rind. Massage bird with 2 Tbsp. olive oil an...