THE VILLAGE VOICE

And the Autumn clutches the forests green In a hasty and eager clasp; But the leaves are true to the Summer they love, And they wither and fade in his grasp. ~ J.J. Britton (1832-1913), "Death' (Autumn Abstract) ITALIAN WHITE BEAN MUSHROOM SPINACH SOUP ~  perfect for a blustery autumn day I  cup chopped onions (red or white or some of each) 1  Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil or more if needed 1  lb. mushrooms sliced (shitake, baby bella, white, wild ... or combo of several) 2  minced garlic cloves 1  Tbsp. chopped fresh rosemary 1  Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme freshly ground pepper to taste 1  16 oz. box/can organic chicken stock or organic vegetable broth juice of squeezed fresh lemon 1  16-oz. can rinsed and drained cannelloni beans 1  lb. fresh baby spinach crushed red pepper flakes Heat olive oil in stock pot. Add onions and sauté until tender. Add mushrooms and garlic...

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October."  ~ Nathaniel Hawthorne (Autumn Abstract) CAPRESE STUFFED GARLIC BUTTER PORTOBELLOS  (Garlic buttered Portobello Mushrooms stuffed with fresh mozzarella cheese, tomato slices and fresh shredded basil then drizzled with rich balsamic glaze ... compliments of  Cafe Delites ) Garlic Butter: 2  Tbsp. butter 2 cloves crushed garlic 1  Tbsp. freshly chopped parsley Mushrooms: 5 large Portobello Mushrooms, stem removed, washed, and dried with paper towel 5  fresh thinly slices of mozzarella cheese 1  cup sliced grape/cherry tomatoes fresh shredded basil for garnish Balsamic Glaze: 1/4  cup balsamic vinegar 2  tsp. brown sugar (Combine sugar and vinegar in small saucepan over high heat. Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and simmer unt...

"The leaves of brown came tumblin ' down, remember In September in the rain The Sun went down just like a dying ember That September in the rain. To every word of love I heard you whisper The raindrops seem to play a sweet refrain." ~ September in the Rain (Lyrics by Warren & Dubin ) SEPTEMBER RAIN (a gardener's gift) _____________ PEASANT SOUP ~ Simple Saturday night supper ... harvest rich and autumn friendly on a chilly day ___________ 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 1/2 cups chopped red or sweet onion 1 1/2 cups chopped (well-washed) leeks 1 cup chopped carrots or sweet potato 4 minced garlic cloves 1 quarts organic chicken broth 1 cup white wine 1 28-oz. can diced Italian tomatoes 1/2 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (1 tsp. dried) 2 bay leaves 1 16 oz. cans rinsed and drained cannellini or garbanzo beans 3 cups baby spinach leaves coarse salt and freshly ground pepper to taste 1/2 cup grated fresh Parmesan cheese Heat oil in large...

"But now in September the garden has cooled, and with it my possessiveness. The sun warms my back instead of beating on my head ... The harvest has dwindled, and I have grown apart from the intense midsummer relationship that brought it on." ~ Robert Finch TOAD LILY ( Tricyrtis 'variegata" ) _____________________________ SESAME PORK TENDERLOIN ~ A long marinade and quick grilling make for a lovely simple supper, perfect for warm autumn evenings ____ 2 well-trimmed boneless pork tenderloins 1/4 cup orange juice 1/2 cup soy sauce 1 Tbsp. sesame oil 1 Tbsp. toasted sesame seeds 1 Tbsp. rice vinegar 1 Tbsp. minced garlic 1 Tbsp. grated ginger (1 tsp. powdered ginger) 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil Combine orange juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, sesame seeds, vinegar, garlic, ginger and olive oil. Pour over pork tenderloins (either in glass container or large plastic bag) and marinate overnight, turning frequently. Preheat grill. Remove pork from marinade. Place marinade ...

"November's sky is chill and drear, November's leaf is red and sear." ~ Sir Walter Scott ~ November sky (Hubbard Lake) ____________________________ CABBAGE SOUP with APPLES & THYME ~ A winning warming fall combo ... sauteed apples, cabbage and fresh thyme from treasured Bon Appetit (Nov 2002) stockpile of favorites __________ 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 8 cups thinly sliced cored green cabbage (about 1/2 large head) 1 chopped large onion 8 large f resh thyme sprigs 6 cup organic chicken broth coarse salt & freshly ground pepper 1 1/4 lbs. peeled, cored and 1/2-inch cubed Golden Delicious apples chopped fresh thyme Melt 1 tablespoon butter with oil in heavy large stockpot over medium=high heat. Add cabbage and onion; saute until vegetables wilt and brown, stirring occasionally, abut 15 minutes. Add 8 thyme sprigs and saute 1 minute longer. Add broth and bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer 5 minutes. Season to taste w...

"There is no season when such pleasant and sunny spots may be lighted on, and produce so pleasant an effect on the feelings, as now in October." - Nathaniel Hawthorn RUSTIC ROASTED VEGETABLE TART ~ Savory autumn appetizer, or paired with a salad, lunch or light supper _________ 1 Japanese or medium eggplant, sliced 1/4 inch thick 1 medium zucchini, sliced 1/4 inch thick 1 medium red pepper, cut in strips 1 medium yellow or orange pepper, cut in strips 2 medium sliced portabella mushrooms 1 red onion, cut in thin wedges 1 clove minced garlic 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme (1 tsp. dried) coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste 8 oz. well drained and sliced artichoke hearts 8 oz. soft herb goat cheese (or herb boursin cheese) 1 15-oz. package Pillsbury refrigerated unbaked pie crusts (2 crusts) 2 tsp. milk 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese Heat oven to 450-degrees. Toss eggplant, zucchini, peppers, portabella , onion,...

" The best kind of rain, of course, is a cozy rain. This is the kind the anonymous medieval poet makes me remember, the rain that falls on a day when you'd just as soon stay in bed a little longer, write letters or read a good book by the fire, take early tea with hot scones and jam and look out the streaked window with complacency." ~Susan Allen Toth (England For All Seasons) ~ Good reading for 'cozy' rainy days (A peek out 'streaked' window at beloved Oakleaf Hydrangea) _____________________ APPLE PECAN MUFFINS ~ A treat to nibble on a 'cozy' rainy day ... don't forget the cup of tea ____________ 1 1/4 cups flour 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon 1/8 tsp. salt 1 cup sugar 1/2 cup vegetable oil 1 large organic egg 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice (and zest of lemons) 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 2 cups coarsely grated peeled Granny Smith apples 1/2 cup toasted chopped pecans Preheat oven to 350-degrees. Grease muffin tin. Sift flour, baking...