THE VILLAGE VOICE

Live, Love, Laugh ... and let the 'little things' count! HAPPY NEW YEAR! "We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day." ~ Edith Lovejoy Pierce

... And there were shepherds in the same district living in the fields and keeping watch over their flock by night. And behold, and angel of the Lord stood by them, and they feared exceedingly. And the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy which shall be to all the people; for today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you, who is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign to you: you will find an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger." And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest , and on earth peace among men of good will." (Luke. 2: 8-14)

"I could give up chocolate but I'm not a quitter." ~ Author Unknown ~ Christmas Moose CHRISTMAS CAPPUCCINO MOUSSE ~ Decadent & delicious ... what Christmas is all about! __ 1 1/2 cups whipping cream 4 large organic eggs 8 oz. chopped good bittersweet chocolate 4 tsp. instant espresso p owder 1/8 tsp. cream of tartar 1/4 cup sugar 1 tsp. vanilla extract Unsweetened whipped cream chopped chocolate covered espresso beans (Trader Joe's) fresh mint sprigs fresh cranberries Separate whites from egg yolks. Let stand at room temperature. Whisk 1/4 cup cream and eggs yolks in saucepan. Set over low heat and cook, whisking constantly for 2 minutes or until mixture thickens. Add chocolate & espresso powder; stir until smooth. Remove from heat. In large bowl, whisk egg whites until foamy. Add cream of tartar and continue to whisk until whites begin to mound. Gradually add sugar, whisking constantly until stiff peaks form. Fold c hocolate mixture into whites, blendin...

POINTSETTIA HISTORY & LORE The botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima , was assigned to the poinsettia by the German botanist, Wilenow . The plant grew through a crack in his greenhouse. Dazzled by its color, he gave it the botanical name, Euphorbia pulcherrima meaning "very beautiful." HERB CRUSTED CRANBERRY/CHERRY SALMON ~ Delicious meld of herbs, tart cranberries, lemon & sweet dried cherries make this crunchy festive salmon memorable. _____ 1 1/2 lbs. salmon fillet 1/2 cup chopped fresh cranberries 1/4 cup chopped dried cherries (or cranberries) 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme or 1 tsp. dried 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary 1/2 cup panko crumbs zest of 1 fresh lemon 3 Tbsp. melted butter sea salt & freshly cracked pepper Preheat oven to 375-degrees. Rinse and pat salmon dry. Place skin side down on foil lined baking sheet sprayed with Pam. Season with salt & pepper. Combine chopped cranberries, cherries, onion, thyme, rosem...