THE VILLAGE VOICE

"If a June night could talk, it would probably boast it invented romance."  ~ Bern Williams Perfect evening for romantic supper ...  'Remains of the Day' (Hubbard Lake, MI) HONEY LIME & SRIRACHA CHICKEN SKEWERS ~ Perfect 'Simple One Plate Supper' for a sharing lovely evening with friends.  (from Once Upon a Chef -  http://www.onceuponachef.com ) 3  Tbsp. Soy Sauce 1/4  Cup plus 2 Tbsp. honey 1 Tbsp. vegetable oil (I used  extra-virgin olive oil) 1  tsp. lime zest, from one lime 3  Tbsp. fresh lime juice, from 2 limes 4  peeled and chopped garlic cloves 1  1/2 square inch piece roughly chopped fresh ginger 1 1/2 Tbsp. Sriracha Sauce 1  1/3 tsp. salt 2 1/2 pounds boneless skinless chicken (thighs) breasts, trimmed and cut into 2-inch chunks 2  Tbsp. chopped cilantro, plus more for garnishing platter Limes, sliced into wedges for garnishing (option...

~ Magical talking tree _______________ CREAM of WILD MUSHROOM & LEEK SOUP ~ Curl up by the fire and enjoy this earthy soup . * 3 cups fresh assorted sliced wild mushrooms ( shiitaki , portobello , baby portobello , chanterelles , cremini , oyster, morels, etc.) 1 cup sliced domestic mushrooms 1/2 lb. sweet butter 1 bunch cleaned, trimmed of tops, and julienned leeks 1 tsp. minced garlic 1 finely chopped red pepper 3 additional Tbsp. sweet butter 1/4 cup flour 6 cups organic chicken stock 2 cups heavy cream or half & half 3 Tbsp. sherry or Madeira 1 Tbsp. chopped thyme coarse salt & freshly ground pepper chopped green onion or fresh chives for garnish Melt butter in large stockpot and saute leeks and garlic until translucent. Add red pepper and mushrooms. Saute 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Melt remaining 3 Tbsp. butter in saucepan. Add flour and whisk constantly to achieve a light brown roux. Slowly add 2 cups chicken stock, stirring constantly until thickened. Add...

"The autumn leaves drift by my window, The autumn leaves of red and gold ..." ( http://www.johnnymercer.com/FAQ/Autumn%20Leaves.htm ) ~ Autumn leaves of red and gold _____________ SAVORY BREAD PUDDING with MUSHROOMS & PARMESAN CHEESE ~ After a workout tidying up the garden for the winter, pop this 'make-ahead' rich savory custard (adapted from Bon Appetit -Nov 2006) into the oven. Put on Claude Debussy's 'Prelude on the Afternoon of a Fawn', toss a salad, grab a glass of wine and enjoy the fruits of your labor ... * 1 1-pound loaf crusty country-style white bread (like Great Harvest) 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil 4 tsp. chopped fresh thyme (still should be good from the garden) 1 large minced clove garlic 6 Tbsp. (3/4 stick) unsalted butter 1 pound thinly sliced assorted fresh mushrooms (such as crimini , button, portobello , and stemmed shitake ) 1 1/2 cup finely chopped onion 1 1/2 cups thinly sliced celery 1/2 cup finely chopped red pepper ...

"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 ~ Sunday neighborhood tour BEEF TENDERLOIN SANDWICH with SHIITAKE WINE SAUCE ~ Easy supper adapted from FOOD & WINE (October 2006) * 1 stick unsalted butter, cut into Tbsps . 6 minced coves garlic 4 minced scallions 1 1/2 pounds stemmed shiitake mushrooms, thinly sliced 2 tsp. minced rosemary 1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme coarsely ground black pepper 2 cups organic beef stock 2 cup dry red wine 1 Tbsp. soy sauce 1 tsp. cornstarch dissolved in 1 Tbsp. cold water coarse salt 2 baguettes 2 lbs. filet mignon , sliced 1/2 inch thick extra-virgin olive oil, for brushing In large, deep skillet, melt 4 Tbsp. of butter. Add 1/3 of the minced garlic and all of the scallions. Cook over moderately high heat for 1 minute. Add shittakes and cook until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Add rosemary, ...

~ Tall Ship Manitou, a replica of an 1800s "coasting" cargo schooner ~ Leelanau Cellars new tasting room (Grand Traverse Bay) ( http://www.leelanaucellars.com/ ) _____________ MUSHROOMS AU GRATIN ~ Serve this creamy appetizer ( Gunflint Lodge Cookbook) with crusty bread * 1 cup fresh white bread crumbs 1/4 cup shredded Swiss or Gruyere cheese 1/4 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese 1 Tbsp. chopped parsley 1 lb. fresh mushrooms (halved or quartered if large) 4 tsp. clarified butter 3 Tbsp. finely chopped shallots, green onions ( white part only), or onions 1 tsp. minced garlic Pinch of dried thyme 1/4 cup dry sherry 1 cup heavy cream salt, pepper, and cayenne pepper to taste 1 Tbsp. butter In medium bow, combine bread crumbs, cheeses, and parsley. Set aside. In large skillet over medium heat, saute mushrooms in clarified butter with shallots, garlic, and thyme until mushrooms are softened and lightly browned. Deglaze with sherry. Bring mixture to boil. Add cream; reduc...

~ A nother pretty face ' Sunray ' ( Lilium ) "In June and July, just when the sun would have its day without a border, out come these bright yellow mimics, faces jubilantly upturned, eight to twenty to a 2-foot stem. A very few dark spots mark the center of the flower, and its petal edges have a random curl. ' Sunray ' produces numerous secondary buds, which extend its blooming season considerably." A BOOK of LILIES (Mark Smith) _________________________________ GRILLED FLANK STEAK with MORAN SAUCE ~ Steak, one of the ultimate staples for summer, comes flavorful and succulent when prepared properly. This 40 year old recipe will fill the bill for fun summer dining. * 1 1/2 lb. flank steak 1/2 cup chopped red or sweet onion 4 cloves minced garlic 1/3 cup red wine 1/4 cup soy sauce 1 Tbsp. brown sugar 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp. fresh minced ginger (1/2 tsp. ground) 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper Combine onions, g...