FEBRUARY FOCUS on MICHIGAN FOOD ~ TRAVERSE CITY DRIED CHERRY SALAD

February is Dining Month on Absolute Michigan

~ Overcast October in Traverse City

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TRAVERSE CITY DRIED CHERRY SALAD

~ Favorite salad from

Between the Lakes (A Collection of Michigan Recipes)

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1/2 cup raspberry vinegar

1/2 cup olive oil

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1/2 cup maple syrup

2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard

2 Tbsp. fresh tarragon leaves

1/2 tsp. salt

3 heads red leaf lettuce

1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese

12 red onion rings

dried cherries or strawberries to taste

1 Tbsp. lightly sauteed pine nuts

Combine vinegar, olive oil, vegetable oil, maple syrup, mustard, tarragon and salt in small bowl and mix well. Place lettuce in large salad bowl. Add 3/4 cup dressing and toss the lettuce by hand to mix. Top with blue cheese, onion rings, dried cherries and pine nuts.

(8-10 servings)

Note: The remaining dressing can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

~ Left Foot Charley Winery & Tasting Room

'SUPER BOWL' SUNDAY ~ THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!

~ Super Bowl XL

(Detroit, Michigan)

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Super Bowl Recipes

"PHIL SAYS SIX MORE WEEKS of WINTER!" ~ GROUNDHOG SUNDAYS / SPICY GROUNDHOG COOKIES

Here Ye! Here Ye! Here Ye!
On Gobbler's Knob on this fabulous Groundhog Day, February 2nd, 2008 Punxsutawney Phil, the Seer of Seers, Prognosticator of all Prognosticators,Rose to the call of President Bill Cooper and greeted his handlers, Ben Hughes and John Griffiths.
After casting a weathered eye toward thousands of his faithful followers, Phil consulted with President Cooper and directed him to the appropriate scroll, which proclaimed:

"As I look around me, a bright sky I see, and a shadow beside me. Six more weeks of winter it will be!"

GROUNDHOG SUNDAYS

~ From the Gourmet & Groundhogs cookbook

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1 quart good vanilla ice cream, cut in slices

Groundhog Cookies

(recipe below)

Chocolate sauce

Place slices of ice cream on individual serving plates. Place a Groundhog cookie in the center of each slice. Drizzle chocolate sauce across ice cream and on plate to suggest a shadow.

SPICY GROUNDHOGS

2 cups sifted flour

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. ground ginger

1 tsp. ground cloves

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup molasses

1 egg yolk

1 egg slightly beaten

currants or raisins

• Sift flour, salt, soda, baking powder and spices together. Set aside.
• Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. Blend in molasses and egg yolk. Stir in flour mixture and mix well. Form into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap or wax paper. Chill 1 hour or longer.
• Roll out small amount at a time on a sugar-sprinkled board. Roll 1/8-inch thick. Cut out cookies with lightly floured cutter. Place cookies on greased baking sheet. Brush with slightly beaten egg. Decorate with currant eye, buttons, etc. Bake 8-10 minutes in preheated 350-degree oven. Cool slightly before removing from cookie sheet. (12-15 large groundhogs or 3-4 dozen small cookies.)

NOTE: Groundhog Cookie Cutter (H.O. Foose Tinsmithing Co.)

'ANATOMY OF A SUNFLOWER'

"Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see the shadow.

It's what sunflowers do."

~ Helen Keller

FAREWELL JANUARY ~ SOUTHWESTERN CORN & CHEESE CHOWDER

"To feel safe and warm on a cold wet night,

all you really need is soup.”

~ Laurie Colwin

~ Sunflower

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SOUTHWESTERN CORN & CHEESE CHOWDER

~ Sarah Leah Chases's delicious spicy chowder to warm the palate on a chilly winter day ...

(from a favorite cookbook - COLD-WEATHER COOKING)

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2 peeled and cubed extra-large sweet potatoes

6 cups chicken stock

1 (12-oz) bottle Mexican beer

2 tsp. ground cumin

1 bay leaf

4 oz. finely diced thick bacon

1 large chopped onion

2 cloves minced garlic

1 can (16-oz) creamed corn

1 can (4-oz) diced green chilies

2 tsp. best-quality chili powder

cayenne pepper to taste

2 cups milk

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 lb. Monterey Jack cheese

salt to taste

1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro

• Place sweet potatoes, 3 cups of chicken broth, beer, cumin and bay leaf in medium saucepan. Bring to boil then simmer until potatoes are crisp-tender, 12-15 minutes. Discard bay leaf.
• Meanwhile cook bacon until crisp in large stockpot. Remove bacon and drain on paper towels. Add onion and garlic to the fat remaining in the pot saute over medium-high heat until quite soft, about 10 minutes. Add sweet potatoes with cooking liquid to the onion and stir in remaining 3 cups broth.
• Add creamed corn and green chilies to the soup and season with chili powder and cayenne. Gradually stir in milk and cream. Simmer soup uncovered 10 minutes.
• Shred 12 oz. of cheese and cut the remaining 4 oz. of cheese into small dice. Reduce heat under soup to low and add shredded cheese, stirring just until melted. Season soup with salt and stir in cilantro. Ladle hot chowder into deep bowls stirring a generous tablespoon of diced cheese into each serving. Serve at once. (10-12 servings)

'CABIN FEVER' ~ WINTER WALNUT PESTO

"Winter either bites with its teeth or lashes with its tail."

~Proverb

~ Ice Crystal Patterns

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WINTER WALNUT PESTO

~ Delicious pesto for frigid weather ... you'll hardly miss the fresh basil

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3 cups fresh spinach leaves (stems removed)

2 cups fresh Italian parsley

3-4 cloves minced garlic

1 - 1 1/2 cups grated Parmesan cheese

1/2 - 3/4 cup cup extra-virgin olive olive

1/2 cup toasted walnuts

3 Tbsp. toasted pine nuts

1 tsp. coarse salt

freshly ground black pepper to taste

• Puree all ingredients in blender or food processor until smooth. Add more olive oil as needed and process on and off until desired consistency.
• Serve over whole wheat penne pasta. Sprinkle with black olives and pass additional freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

SIMPLE WINTER SUPPER ~ LINGUINE with CHARD, MUSHROOMS & PINE NUTS

"Leaves like rusty tin for the desolate mind that has seen the end—the barest glimmerings. Leaves aswirl with gullsmade wild by winter."

- George Seferis ( On a Ray of Winter Light )

LINGUINE with CHARD, MUSHROOMS & PINE NUTS

~ Toast pine nuts in a small dry skillet over medium heat, stirring frequently until aromatic and light brown. If not a chard fan, substitute spinach.

1 lb. linguine or favorite pasta

4 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil, divided

3 cloves minced garlic

1 large bunch (about 6 cups) chard, stems removed

1/2 lb. sliced mushrooms (white or baby bellas)

1/4 cup toasted pine nuts

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

coarse salt & freshly cracked pepper

• Bring large pot of water to boil. Season heavily with salt (like the sea). Drop in pasta and cook according to package.
• Meanwhile, lightly cover bottom of skillet with about 2 Tbsp. olive oil. Cook garlic until golden but do not burn. Add mushrooms and cook until browned, about 5-8 minutes. Remove mushrooms.
• Raise heat, add remaining olive oil and chard, coat with oil and cook until lightly wilted. Return mushrooms to pan and add pine nuts (reserve a few for garnish).
• Put cooked pasta in serving bowl and top with chard mixture. Mix lightly and sprinkle top with cheese and pine nuts.

LAST NIGHT ~ 'GREAT SPIRIT' FULL MOON

"It glimmers on the forest tips

And through the dewy foilage drips

In little rivulets of light."

~ Longfellow

(The Golden Legend)

GREAT SPIRIT MOON

(Gichi-manidoo-giizis)

~ Ojibwe

WARM MEMORIES ON A CHILLY DAY ~ CABBAGE BISQUE / CRANBERRY MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE

"Every gardener knows that under the cloak of winter lies a miracle ... a seed waiting to sprout, a bulb opening to the light, a bud straining to unfurl. And the anticipation nurtures our dream."

- Barbara Winkler

~Quilled Daisy Mum

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CABBAGE BISQUE

"The underrated cabbage is transformed into a fresh, nutty and creamy bisque. Serve with a salad of field greens with cranberry mustard vinaigrette and crusty french bread."

~ adapted from The Northwoods Table

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1/2 lb. sweet butter

1/2 cup minced onion

1 lb. finely shredded cabbage

(commercially prepared cabbage cole slaw mix works very well)

3 Tbsp. sweet butter

1/4 cup flour

2 quarts organic chicken stock (or vegetable stock)

2 cup heavy cream

1 tsp. nutmeg

• In a 4-quart stockpot, melt butter and saute onion and carrot for 3-5 minutes (do not allow to brown). Add cabbage and mix thoroughly. Saute over low heat for 5 minutes
• In a 1-quart saucepan, melt 3 Tbsp. sweet butter. add 1/4 cup flour and whisk constantly to achieve a light brown roux. Slowly add 2 cups chicken stock. Stir constantly until thickened.
• Add remaining 4 cups stock to the sauteed cabbage mixture. Add roux mixture, cream and nutmeg and simmer until heated through. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and freshly ground pepper. (6-8 servings)

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CRANBERRY MUSTARD VINAIGRETTE

~ "Fresh and pungent, this dressing is an excellent choice for mixed field green or spinach salad."

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1/3 cup cranberry mustard

1/4 cup red wine vinegar

2 Tsp. salt

1/2 tsp white pepper

1/3 cup olive oil

In ceramic or glass bowl, blender or food processor, combine mustard, vinegar, salt & pepper. Slowly add olive oil, while processing/blending until emulsified. Pour into glass container with tight-fighting lid and refrigerate.

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CRANBERRY MUSTARD

2 cups cooked cranberries

1/3 cup whole mustard seed

1/3 cup boiling water

1/3 cup dry mustard

1/3 cup boiling water

1 cup cider vinegar

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. onion powder

1/2 tsp. garlic powder

1/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. allspice

1/2 tsp. ground cloves

3 Tbsp. light corn syrup

• In 2 separate glass bowl, combine mustard seed with 1/3 cup boiling water in one and dry mustard with 1/3 cup boiling water in the other. Let stand 10 minutes.
• Combine remainder of ingredients in a 2-quart stainless steel saucepan. Heat over medium heat to boiling. Add mustard mixtures and simmer, covered for 5 minutes.
• Process mixture in food processor or blender until mustard seeds are crushed. Pour into glass containers with tight-fitting lids and refrigerate. (3-4 cups)

SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY ~ BAKED SQUIRREL

~ Stone Garden Squirrel

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Squirrel Appreciation Day

When : Always January 21st

"Squirrel Appreciation Day is an opportunity to enjoy and appreciate your tree climbing, nut gathering neighborhood squirrels. It's held in mid-winter when food sources are scarce for squirrels and other wildlife. Sure, squirrels spent all fall gathering and "squirreling " away food. But, their supplies may not be enough. And, the variety of food is limited. So, give them an extra special treat today to supplement their winter diets.

Not everyone likes squirrels. While they are fun to watch skirting around the yard and trees, they are aggressive at bird feeders. Squirrels tip almost any bird feeder and spill the seeds in search of the particular seeds they want. In the fall, they attack pumpkins on front porches in search of the seeds inside. For gardeners they dig up and steal flower bulbs, and may eat some of the veggies in your garden.

When you think about it, mid winter is the best time to appreciate squirrels. In the winter they provide a little entertainment. During other times of the year, you may look at them as a pest in the flower and vegetable gardens.

According to Christy Hargrove, the founder, "Celebration of the event itself is up to the individual or group -- anything from putting out extra food for the squirrels to learning something new about the species."

(Christy Hargrove from Asheville, North Carolina started Squirrel Appreciation Day on January 21, 2001. Christy is a wildlife rehabilitator in North Carolina, and is is affiliated with the Western North Carolina Nature Center. "

Visit her website ~ http://www.wnc-rehab.org/.

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BAKED SQUIRREL

(INDIAN COOKING COOK BOOK)

Dress fresh squirrel. Put in fire to singe. If cooking modern, a rolled up newspaper can be used. This should be done outside. Be careful not to set your clothes on fire!

Wash off singed hair and ashes. Wash again and remove innards. Rub inside and outside with lard. Bake before an open fire or in oven until brown.

NOTE: For more 'delicious' squirrel recipes visit ~

Backwardsbound.com.

SUNDAY NIGHT 'BIRTHDAY' SUPPER ~ TYROLEAN BEEF TENDERLOIN / RASPBERRY FOOL

~ PRIMROSE

(I Can't Live Without You)

The Language of Flowers

TYROLEAN BEEF TENDERLOIN

~ Perfect for a 'special' person on a 'special' day

(adapted from Jan/Feb Bon Appetit 1973)

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1 5 lb. filet of beef

coarse salt & freshly ground pepper

2 cloves minced garlic

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1 large chopped onion

1 cup chopped mushrooms

1 chopped carrot

1/2 cup chopped celery

Herbes de Provence

(rosemary, marjoram, basil, crushed bay leaf, thyme and crushed lavender flowers))

2 6 oz. packages sliced Swiss cheese, divided

• Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Trim all fat and sinew from beef. Slash filet lengthwise and open, butterfly style. Sprinkle meat on all sides with salt & pepper. Massage in garlic.
• Heat butter and saute onion, mushrooms, carrot and celery until lightly browned. Cool.
• Spoon mixture onto cut surface of meat and sprinkle with 'herbes de Provence'. Dice one package of Swiss cheese and sprinkle over vegetables. Fold butterflied meat half over filling and fasten with string. Place in shallow roasting pan. Roast in hot oven for 40 minutes.
• Remove from oven and cut strings. Arrange remaining slices of Swiss cheese over meat. Return to oven and roast for another 5 minutes, until cheese melts.
• Let rest 15 minutes before serving.
• Arrange thick slices on platter surrounded by steamed asparagus (white or green) spears, sauteed mushroom caps, and roasted baby carrots. ( 6 servings)

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RASPBERRY FOOL

~ "A 'fool' is a traditional British dessert made of mashed fruit with cream or whipped cream, sometimes cooked, sometimes not. Gooseberries are a favorite. Although there have been some 'fool' recipes without fruit, it's thought that the dish known as a 'fool' began as mashed fruit with cream, as it is now. Therein lies a clue as to how it got the name 'fool': It's thought that the name 'fool' came from the French word 'fouler', which means 'to mash'." (The Penguin Companion to Food~ Alan Davidson)

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3 cups fresh raspberries

2-4 Tbsp. sugar or to taste

2 1/2 cups whipping cream

splash of Chambord (raspberry liquor)

fresh mint

• Mash (DO NOT USE FOOD PROCESSOR) raspberries with sugar, reserving a few perfect berries for garnish.
• Whip cream until soft peaks form. Add splash of Chambord, continue beating until stiff peaks form. Fold into puree, leaving streaks. Chill well.
• Spoon into parfait glasses and garnish with mint leaves and reserved raspberries. ( serves 8 )

FRIDAY NIGHT SEAFOOD SUPPER ~ SALMON & WILD RICE CHOWDER / LEE BAILEY'S ONION-PARMESAN PUFFS

SALMON & WILD RICE CHOWDER

~ Perfect fare for a blustery night (adapted from The Gunflint Lodge Cookbook)

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1 finely chopped red onion

1 finely chopped (white part only) leek

1 tsp. minced garlic

1/2 cup diced celery

1 tsp. fresh thyme

2 Tbsp. flour

3 (8-oz) bottles clam juice

1/2 cup roasted tomatoes*

1 cup cooked wild rice

1/2 lb. chunks of bite-sized salmon

1 cup corn

1 cup heavy cream

2 Tbsp. chopped fresh basil (2 tsp. dried)

salt & freshly cracked pepper to taste

• Melt butter in stockpot. Add onion, leek, garlic, celery and thyme. Cover and cook until vegetables are tender.
• Stir in flour. Simmer slowly for 3-4 minutes. Whisk in clam juice; cook until thickened.
• Add roasted tomatoes, cooked wild rice, salmon, corn, and cream, and basil. Simmer 5-10 minutes or until salmon is cooked. Season with salt & pepper to taste. (serves 6)

Note: ROASTED TOMATOES: Slice Roma tomatoes lengthwise and brush halves with extra-virgin olive oil. Arrange cut side u on baking sheet. Sprinkle lightly with coarse salt and pepper. Bake at 250-degrees for 2-3 hours or until tomatoes are about half to three-fourths dried (similar to dried apricots.) Store in covered container in refrigerator for 4-5 days ore freeze for up to 6 months.

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LEE BAILEY'S ONION-PARMESAN PUFFS

1 1/2 cup water

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks ) unsalted butter

2 cup coarsely chopped onions

2 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups flour

6 eggs

1 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

milk

additional grated Parmesan for topping

• Preheat oven to 400-degrees. Grease 2 cookie sheets.
• Bring water to boil in medium saucepan and add 1/2 cup (1 stick)of butter. Meanwhile, saute onions in remaining butter until wilted, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
• When butter has melted in the water and mixture has come to a boil again, add salt and flour, all at once. Turn heat down to low and stir for a few minutes until mixture makes a ball and pulls away from the sides of the pan.
• Off the heat, beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Combine Parmesan cheese with the dough and then the sauteed onions, mixing thoroughly.
• Drop heaping tablespoons of dough onto the greased cookie sheets. Brush tops with milk and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese. Bake until golden and puffy, about 35-40 minutes. (about 2 dozen puffs)

A GARDENER'S WINTER PRAYER ~ 'THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES' / CHAMPAGNE CHICKEN with WILD MUSHROOMS & WINTER SQUASH RISOTTO

"Winter must be cold

for those with no warm memories."

~From the movie An Affair to Remember

~ Fond memories

CHAMPAGNE CHICKEN with WILD MUSHROOMS

~ Good... good ...good ...

thanks to 'memorable' old preserved 1987 recipe from Bon Appetit

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4 whole boned and halved chicken breasts

1 cup flour

coarse salt & fresh ground black pepper

1/4 cup clarified butter

8 oz. wild mushrooms (shiitake, oyster, or morels (if lucky)

or mixture of baby bellas and domestic

3 Tbsp. minced shallots

3 Tbsp. Madeira

1/2 cup Champagne plus SPLASH

1/2 cup heavy cream

4 oz. (room temp) unsalted butter

minced fresh thyme & additional fresh sprigs

minced fresh rosemary

• Preheat oven to 425-degrees. Grease large baking dish with butter or Pam.
• Pound chicken between sheets of waxed paper until 1/2 thick. Season with salt & pepper. Dredge chicken in flour, shaking off excess.
• Heat clarified butter in large skillet. Over medium-high heat, saute chicken in batches (do not overcrowd) until golden brown. Remove from heat.
• If necessary, add a bit more butter and saute mushrooms and shallots until limp. Add Madeira and ignite with flame. Add 1/2 cup Champagne and stock. Simmer until reduced by 2/3, about 10 minutes. Add cream, bring to boil, reduce heat and cook until slightly thick. Adjust seasonings.
• Plop chicken in oven and bake about 5 minutes. Add SPLASH of champagne and whisk in 1/4 cup butter, 1 Tbsp. at a time.
• Divide chicken among hot plates. Spoon sauce over. Garnish with fresh herbs and the extra sprig of rosmary. (4 servings)

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WINTER SQUASH RISOTTO

~ Remember ... some squash pieces should remain whole, the rest

melting into a golden hue.

4 Tbsp. unsalted butter

1 large chopped onion

1-2 cups diced peeled butternut squash

5 cups organic chicken broth (maybe a touch more)

1 1/2 cups Arborio rice

1/2 cup white wine

1/4 -1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

fresh minced parsley

• Melt 3 Tbsp. in heavy skillet. Over medium heat, saute onion until soft and light brown, about 10 minutes. Add squash and 1/2 cup stock. Cover pan and cook until squash is tender. Add rice and wine and cook until absorbed, stirring occasionally. Add 4 cups stock and simmer (uncovered) until completely absorbed, stirring occasionally (about 30 minutes).
• Add 1/2 cup stock and stir until rice is tender and creamy, adding more if too thick. Mix in remaining butter and Parmesan cheese. Season to taste.
• When serving, top with fresh minced parsley. (4-6 servings)

'GIFT FROM THE SEA' ~ MANHATTAN-STYLE SEAFOOD STEW

MANHATTAN-STYLE SEAFOOD STEW

~ 'Tried & true' keeper recipe from

Bon Appetit/Jan 1991

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5 slices bacon, chopped

1 1 /2 large onions, chopped

5 large shallots or green onions, chopped

3 28-oz. cans Italian plum tomatoes, drained

3 8-oz. bottles clam juice

3/4 cup dry white wine

3 bay leaves

1/4 generous tsp. dried crushed red pepper

1 lb. peeled & quartered white rose potatoes*, sliced thin

sea salt & fresh ground pepper to taste

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24 clams (about 3 -1/2 lbs.) , well scrubbed

1/2 lb. sea scallops, halved crosswise

1/2 lb. uncooked medium shrimp, peeped, deveined (tails left intact)

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30 thinly sliced fresh basil leaves

1 Tbsp. julienned lemon peel

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*Note: White Rose Potatoes are light tan, oval shaped, smooth thin-skinned potatoes with very small eyes.

• Cook bacon in heavy large pot over medium heat until fat renders, about 5 minutes. Add onions and shallots and saute until tender, about 8 minutes.
• Chop tomatoes in processor. Add to pot with clam juice, wine, bay leaves, and dried red pepper. Simmer 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add potatoes to stew and simmer until tender, about 20 minutes. Season with salt & pepper. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Return to simmer before continuing.)
• Add clams to stew. Cover and simmer until clams begin to open, about 5 minutes. Add scallops and shrimp, cover and simmer until clams open and scallops are shrimp are cooked through, about 3 minutes. Discard any clams that do not open. Mix in half of basil.
• Transfer stew to large serving bowl. Sprinkle with remaining basil and lemon peel.
• Serve with loaf of crusty bread to soak up juices and a slightly dry Michigan Riesling to compliment the spicy stew.

SAVORING the NEW HAMPSHIRE PRIMARY ~ FUDGE WALNUT TORTE with CARAMEL SAUCE

~ Syringa vulgaris (purple lilac)

New Hampshire State Flower

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FUDGE WALNUT TORTE with CARAMEL SAUCE

~ Delicious dessert compliments of Colby Hill Inn

Henniker, New Hampshire

(Specialties of the House)

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1 3/4 cups finely chopped walnuts (or pecans)

2/3 cup sugar

1/4 cup melted unsalted butter

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2 cups heavy cream

16 oz. chopped good quality semisweet chocolate

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Caramel Sauce:

1 16 oz. box brown sugar

2 cups heavy cream

2 cups unsalted butter

2 tsp. vanilla extract

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Fresh whipped cream

• Combine walnuts, sugar and melted butter. Press into the bottom and sides of 10-inch tart pan with removable bottom. Bake in 350-degree oven for about 15 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool.
• In saucepan over medium heat, bring heavy cream to full boil. Remove pan from heat and stir in chocolate until completely melted. Pour into cooled crust and refrigerate until set.
• Caramel Sauce: In saucepan, combine brown sugar, heavy cream and butter. Bring to slow boil. Cook until all of the sugar is dissolved. Add vanilla. Keep caramel sauce warm.
• To serve, garnish each slice with dollop of whipped cream and drizzle with warm caramel sauce ~ also good on ice cream with toasted pecans. ( 6-8 servings )