THE VILLAGE VOICE

GARLIC GINGER SHRIMP on NEST OF SOBA NOODLES ~ An ever pleasing  favorite compliments of Baker by Nature 12  oz.  soba noodles 1/4  cup sesame oil 2  Tbsp. low-sodium soy sauce 1  large thinly sliced shallot (I like more) 2  tsp. peeled and grated fresh ginger 8  coarsely chopped garlic cloves 1  lb. large shelled and deveined shrimp zest and juice of one large lime coarse salt to taste 3  finely chopped scallions 1/2  cup chopped cilantro 1/2  tsp. crushed red pepper Lime wedges for garnish Bring large pot of water to boil. Add soba noodles and cook, stirring occasionally until tender; 4 minutes (or recommended on package). Drain and risen noodles udders cold water. Transfer noodles to a large serving bowl. In medium bow, combine 2 Tbsp. of the sesame oil with the soy sauce. Add sauce to noodles and toss. In skillet, heat 1 Tbsp. of oil. Add shallots and ginger and cook over med...

"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...

"What good is the warmth of summer without the cold of winter to give it sweetness." ~  Author unknown OVEN CEDAR PLANKED BOURBON SALMON & STEAMED LEMON BRUSSELS SPROUTS  2  pound salmon fillet 2  Tbsp. vegetable oil 1  Tbsp. soy sauce 3  Tbsp. bourbon 1  tsp. ground ginger 1  Tbsp. brown sugar Lemon slices Combine oil, soy sauce, bourbon, ginger and brown sugar. Pour over salmon fillet an let sit 20 minutes. Meanwhile, rub cooking oil on cooking surface of cedar plank. Heat plank in 350º oven for 15 minutes.  Place salmon (reserve marinade and heat in saucepan until thickened glaze) on hot plank and cook 15-20 minutes depending on thickness.  Pour thickened glaze on cooked salmon.  Serve with steamed brussels sprouts, steamed red skins, or favorite vegetable. STEAMED LEMON BRUSSELS SPROUTS   2  lbs. trimmed brussels sprouts Lemon coarse salt & f...

"Between two worlds life hovers like a star, twist night and morn, upon the horizon's verge." ~  Lord Byron  MAY GARDENS OF OVERHILL (Bloomfield Village) From morning to night, ever-changing perennial gardens (Bearded Iris, Wildflowers, Hosta, Rhododendron, Azalea, Ferns) _______________________ RICE NOODLES with SHRIMP AND CILANTRO This yummy colorful Pad Thai variation skips bean sprouts, eggs, and peanuts in favor of fresh red pepper and cilantro ... a favorite 'simple supper' at both home & cottage  (slightly adapted from  Fine Cooking )  8  oz.  1/4 in. wide dried rice noodles (pad thai) 2-3  limes (1 juiced and 1 sliced in wedges) 2  Tbsp. light brown sugar 2  tsp. soy sauce 1  tsp. fish sauce 1  lb. peeled and deveined large shrimp 3  generous Tbsp. peanut oil 1  tsp. ground coriander f...

"If you want to be happy forever, make a garden." ~ Chinese Proverb ORIENTAL POPPY ( Papaver orientale ) ____________ SPICY BAKED 'Pink' SHRIMP ~ a simple one plate 'happy' supper 1/2 cup olive oil 2 Tbsp. Cajun or Creole seasoning 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice 2 Tbsp. fresh chopped parsley 1 Tbsp. honey 1 Tbsp. soy sauce pinch of cayenne pepper 1 pound uncooked large shrimp, shelled, deveined lemon wedges French bread Combine first 7 ingredients in 9 x 13 inch baking dish. Add shrimp and toss to coat. Refrigerate 1 hour. P reheat oven to 450 degrees. Bake until shrimp are cooked through , stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Garnish with lemon wedges and serve with crisp fresh French bread and favorite tossed salad topped with feta cheese. Garden 'Happiness' ____________ A Color for All Seasons Courageous. Confident. Vital. A brave new color, for a brave new world. Let the bold spirit of Honeysuckle infuse you, lift you and carry you through the yea...

"For ....we can make liquor to sweeten our lips Of pumpkins and parsnips and walnut-tree chips." ~ Henry David Thoreau, 'Walden' (1854) Autumn Texture Overlay (original photo at Franklin Cider Mill, Franklin MI) PUMPKIN CHILI ~ A delightful autumn twist on traditional chili, rich in flavor and ... the simmering smell ... simply d ivine! (a repost seasonal favorite in case you missed it) _______________ 2-3 lbs. lean ground beef 2 large chopped onions 1 chopped red pepper 1 chopped green, yellow, or orange pepper 2 (28 oz.) cans diced tomatoes with juice 2 cans rinsed black beans 1 large can pumpkin puree 1 can sliced black olives 1 bottle (12 oz.) Pumpkin Ale (e.g. America's Original Pumpkin Ale - Buffalo Bill's Brewery or Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale) 2 heaping Tbsp. chili powder (or more to taste) 2 Tbsp. ground cinnamon 1 tsp. ground nutmeg 2 pinches of brown sugar coarse salt & freshly ground pepper to taste sour cream chopped green...

"Deep summer is when laziness finds respectability." ~ Sam Keen SHASTA DAISY ( Leucanthemum ) ______________ LAZY LASAGNA ~ Stressless meal for long summer days ... double for large group (adapted from Sara Moulton's Ten-Minute Lasagna) _________ 1 bag refrigerator or unfrozen large spinach ravioli (Costco has them in a double pack, or use regular large cheese ravioli) 1 (26-oz.) jar favorite tomato basil or favorite pasta sauce 1 (10 oz.) frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry 1 (12 oz.) bag shredded mozzarella 1 cup grated Parmesan 1 Tbsp. basil Heat oven to 350º. Coat 13 x 9-inch baking dish with cooking spray. Spoon 1/3 of sauce over bottom of pan. Arrange 1/2 of the ravioli on top and scatter the spinach over them. Top with 1/2 of each cheese. Cover with another layer of ravioli and remaining sauce and cheese. Sprinkle with basil. Cover with foil and bake 25 minutes. Uncover and bake 5-10 minutes more or until bubbly. Let rest a bit before servin...

"Just living is not enough. One must have sunshine, freedom, and a little flower." ~ Hans Christian Anderson CONEFLOWER (Echinacea purpurea 'Doubledecker') ______________ GRILLED BOURBON SALMON ~ Guests proclaiming they don't like salmon, love this! Give it a try ... (great for a buffet brunch or dinner ... ) ________ For each 1 1/2 lb. of salmon fillets (skin or skinless) 1/4 cup packed brown sugar 3 Tbsp. Bourbon 2 Tbsp. soy sauce 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 3 Tbsp. chopped green onions additional green onions Combine brown sugar, bourbon, soy sauce, olive oil and chopped green onions. Pour over rinsed and patted dry salmon fillet. Marinate several hours. Remove salmon and reserve marinade. Grill salmon over hot coals until opaque or until oil breaks through surface ( 9-15 minutes depending on thickness and outdoor temperature). While salmon is cooking, bring marinade to boil. Reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes (sauce should be thick and coat spoon). Ad...

"The primrose banks now fair!" ~ Robert Burns Primrose (Primula) CILANTRO SCAMPI with CHEDDAR BISCUITS ~ Simply delightful weeknight supper adapted from ( CuisineAtHome .com) ___________ For the scampi: 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil 1 lb. peeled and deveined large shrimp, dusted with flour 1 Tbsp. minced garlic 1/2 cup dry white wine 2 Tbsp. unsalted butter 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro (or fresh parsley) 1/4 cup fresh lime juice and zest from limes 2 Tbsp. chopped chipotle chiles in adobo - these canned smoked jalapenos pack a punch so, if sensitive, use sparingly (or chopped jalapenos ... or chopped green chilies for a milder taste) coarse salt to taste 4 lime wedges sprigs of fresh cilantro (or parsley) Heat oil in large pan over medium-high heat. Add shrimp and sauté 2 minutes. Stir in garlic; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Deglaze with wine, scraping up any bits from bottom of pan. Simmer until reduced by half, about 2 minutes. Stir in butter u...