Opus2Cafe

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Autumnal Equinox
tentative menu
9/23/13 thru 9/27/13
Mon.    Vegetarian Chili, Chipotle Tomato Soup, Indian Style Rice Salad, Hummus Wraps, Cheddar and Apple Panini
Tues.    Vegetarian Chili, Chinese Velvet Corn Soup, Peanut Noodles, Hummus Wraps, Quesadillas
Wed. Vegetarian Chili, Caribbean Sweet Potato and Coconut Soup, Marinated Kale and Chickpea Salad, Hummus Wraps, Artichoke Hero
Thurs. Vegetarian Chili, Roasted Cauliflower Soup, Pesto Tortellini, Hummus Wraps, Pear and Pepper Jack Panini
Fri.    Vegetarian Chili, Curried Pumpkin Soup, Andean Quinoa and Corn Salad, Hummus Wraps, Calzones

Music Menu

Redheads Get The Blues

The low down on this week's menu - requests fulfilled this week include Monday's panini, Tuesday's Noodles and Thursday's panini. Requests are usually fulfilled in a timely manner. Calzones on Friday will most likely be caprese, owing to the abundance of local tomatoes.


local wild grapes

News from the dark side - unofficial sources say that the Honey Crisps are still available at O1.
Last week's limerick anticipated the departure of the local hummingbird crew - fare thee well.
A young hummingbird perched in a glade,
To suck in the sweet water and shade,
Thought, "in these fractions of seconds, as my Yucatan beckons,
I must beat it and rise up and fade."
Last week's fungus of the week was mighty cool looking, wasn't it.

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Migration
tentative menu
9/16/13 thru 9/20/13

Mon.    Vegetarian Chili, Onion Cheese Bisque, Sesame Noodles, Hummus Wraps, BBQ Tempeh with Cornbread, Slaw, Baked Beans
Tues.   Vegetarian Chili, Acorn Squash-Roasted Garlic-Fresh Spinach Soup, Marinated Local Tomato Salad, Hummus Wraps, Quiche
Wed.    Vegetarian Chili, Caldo Gallego (Spanish Potato, Chard and Bean Soup), Pesto Tortellini, Hummus Wraps, Chevre and Fig Sandwich
Thurs. Vegetarian Chili, Pumpkin Black Bean Soup, Asian Succotash Salad, Hummus Wraps, Artichoke Tapenade Panini
Fri.      Vegetarian Chili, Greek Lentil Soup, Thai Glass Noodle Salad menu change - glass noodle delivery failure, will sub in something else not quite as exotic. and try again soon, Hummus Wraps, Caesar Wrap

Music Menu

Covers of Classics

The low down on this week's menu - requests abound this week. Thanks to Hallie, Happy Birthday to Eliza. A very great possibility of a switcheroo between Wednesday and Thursday lunches.

News from the dark side -
Last week's Rugby limerick, tossed off whilst mowing the lawn. You are so welcome, Jo.
'A young damsel went out on her way,
To enjoy the crisp weather and play,
After scroobious scrum, when they totaled the sum,
She was muddy and queen for a day.'

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Rugby
tentative menu
9/9/13 thru 9/13/13
Mon.     Vegetarian Chili, Roasted Garlic and Tomato Soup, Pesto Tortellini Salad, Hummus Wraps, Cheddar-Avocado-Red Onion Pickle Panini
Tues.     Vegetarian Chili, Chipotle Sweet Potato and Fresh Sage Soup, Mexican Honeydew Salad, Hummus Wraps, Cheddar and Apple Panini
Wed.     Vegetarian Chili, Curried Spinach Soup, Scattered Sushi Salad, Hummus Wraps, Pizzettes
Thurs. Vegetarian Chili, Masala Root Soup, Peanut Noodles, Hummus Wraps, "Jerry Reuben" Sandwich
Fri.       Vegetarian Chili, Crimson Lentil Soup, Mixed Grain and Grapefruit Salad, Hummus Wraps, Chickpea of The Sea on a Bagel

Music Menu

Dukes of September

The low down on this week's menu - Everyone's favorite red onion pickles (made by our own Sean H-S) are showing up for a second week in a row. If you enjoyed last week's Asian watermelon Salad, you might like this week's Mexican Honeydew. The pizzettes on Wednesday will probably be pesto-artichoke and baby spinach. Thursday's Reuben sandwich was requested by customer-of -the-week, Trish. Thank you for your continued patronage! Chickpea -of-the-sea hasn't been seen in these parts for a couple of semesters. Welcome back!

News from the dark side - A short, seven minute walk, yet world's away.
A Dying Art - last week's limerick
A cicada, emerged from below,
To chorale the young nymphs and bestow,
Said, "After seventeen wickets,
I defer to the crickets,
To perform this new summer's crescendo."

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Summer's Crescendo
tentative menu
9/2/13 thru 9/6/13
Mon.    Vegetarian Chili, Herbed Carrot Soup, Black Bean and Corn Salad, Hummus Wraps, Baked Cavatappi and Aged Cheddar Au Gratin, Apple Cake
Tues.   Vegetarian Chili, Madras Curried Tomato Soup, French Lentil Salad, Hummus Wraps, Baked Goat Cheese Caprese on a Baguette
Wed.    Vegetarian Chili, West African Peanut Soup, Asian Watermelon Salad, Hummus Wraps, Artichoke Hero
Thurs. Vegetarian Chili, Summer Squash Soup With Parsley Mint Pistou, Caesar Salad, Hummus Wraps, Grilled Ratatouille Panino or Avocado Hero
Fri.      Vegetarian Chili, Roasted Fresh Corn Chowder, Brown Rice Salad, Hummus Wraps, Quesadillas

Music Menu

Jimmie McCraklin & His Blues Blasters

The low down on this week's menu - Herbs for Monday's soup will be picked in the dark before I leave home. Asian watermelon salad will be more savory than sweet. And juicy. Very juicy. The summer squash soup is a sure thing, thanks to Dave. Thursday's lunch depends on how ripe the avocados are by then. I'm guessing that they'll be ripe enough to use, but no promises here. Ripe!

News from the dark side - no news is good news.


Orion is back, too

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Dog Days
tentative menu
8/29/13 thru 8/30/13
Thurs. Vegetarian Chili, Roasted Red Pepper and Coconut Soup, Pesto Tortellini Salad, Hummus Wraps, French Onion Soup Panini
Fri. Vegetarian Chili, Cream of Tomato Basil Soup, Summer Salad with Peaches and Goat Cheese, Hummus Wraps, Artichoke Calzone

Music Menu

First Day Back Blues

The low down on this week's menu - The Clinton Farmers' Market (Thursdays from 10 a.m. on) will play a part in this weeks lunches.


Jane and Frank welcome you back

News from the dark side -no news

Sunday, May 12, 2013

A la recherche du Opus 2
tentative menu
5/13/13 thru 5/17/13
Mon.     Vegetarian Chili, Chipotle Black Bean Soup, Moroccan Carrot Salad, Hummus Wraps, Cheddar-Avocado Panini
Tues. Vegetarian Chili, Rosemary-Carrot Soup, Peanut Noodles, Hummus Wraps, Chevre and Pear Hero
Wed.      Vegetarian Chili, Madras Curry Tomato Soup, Pesto Tortellini, Hummus Wraps, Quesadillas
Thurs.   Vegetarian Chili, Minestrone, Moroccan Couscous Salad, Hummus Wraps, French Onion Panini
Fri.       Vegetarian Chili, Tomato Basil Soup, Edamame, Pesto Tortellini, Hummus Wraps, Something else

Music Menu

CBGB's

The low down on this weeks menu - Thursday's menu is very tentative. Friday's is still up in the air.

News from the dark side -

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Good Day, Sunshine
tentative menu
5/6/13 thru 5/10/13
Mon.    Vegetarian Chili, Tomato Garlic Soup, Pesto Tortellini Salad, Hummus Wraps, Artichoke Hero
Tues.    Vegetarian Chili, New England Corn Chowder, Ginger Noodles, Hummus Wraps, Chevre and Red Pepper Panini
Wed.     Vegetarian Chili, French Onion Soup, Kale and Chickpea Salad, Hummus Wraps, Avocado Hero
Thurs.   Vegetarian Chili, Broccoli and Cheddar Soup, Marinated Tomato and Feta Salad, Hummus Wrap, Baked Cavatappi and Aged Cheddar Au Gratin
Fri.      Vegetarian Chili, Squash and Yam Soup, Falafel Salad, Hummus Wraps, Black Bean and Sweet Potato Burritos

Music Menu

'Round Midnight

The low down on this week's menu - Artichoke Hero? baguette, pesto, provolone, tomato, marinated artichoke hearts, baby spinach. There's a chance that Tuesday's panini will be switched with Thursday's Mac and Cheese. Stay tuned. Avocado Hero? baguette, cheddar, cucumber, tomato, salt & pepper, avocado, pickled red onions, alfalfa sprouts, arugula and/or baby spinach. I might have to slip avocado into the burritos on Friday, as I bought way too many.

News from the dark side -no news is good news.

Last week we said goodbye to George Jones

Last week we shared a snapshot of a waning gibbous.

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New Dish of the Week Profile -Acorn Squash with Roasted Garlic Soup - so o.k., this isn't very new to us here, but it hasn't been profiled yet. Do we have any curious cooks in the house? Both the squash and the garlic are roasted. The shallots and celery are sauteed. The spinach is tossed in raw. Dry sherry and whatever extra dribs and drabs of milk we have are added towards the end. Seasonings are exactly what you'd expect. Mom approved. nutritional info per 8 oz. serving, based on the assumption that I'm going to find mainly skim milk dribs and 1% drabs -cal. 197, fat - 8.7g, carbs - 27g, pro - 4.3g, choles. - 22mg, sodium - 135mg

Here's the Opus 2 recipe for clumping granola - melt 1/2 c butter, stir in 1/4 c honey and a splash of vanilla, set aside. In a large bowl, mix 4 c rolled oats with 1/2 c sunflower seeds and 2 cups almonds (whole or sliced). Toss butter/honey mix with oat mix. Add a bit of water if it seems too crumbly. Spread granola out on a parchment lined half sheet pan. Press firmly. Seriously. Cover with foil and bake at 250 degrees for about 70 minutes, or until you can smell the granola. Remove the foil and continue baking until desired shade of medium brown, anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan, and when totally cool, break up into clumps. Mix in some dried cranberries or raisins. Some times we add wheat germ and/or pepitas,

Wild Grape Pie
We at O2 spent a pleasant day making a wild grape pie. Here's the recipe.
Harvest at least 2 pounds worth of wild grapes. Wash and dry them carefully. Measure out 6 cups worth, and gently peel them. Put the skins in a bowl, the pulp and seeds into a saucepan. This will take a couple of hours if you have help, but it'll be a fun couple of hours.
Bring the saucepan of pulp to a full, rolling boil, and boil vigorously for 5 minutes. Strain the seeds away from the pulp, discarding the seeds. Mix the pulp in with the skins, and between 1 and 3 tablespoons of tapioca. Place this mix of skins and rapidly thickening pulp into a refrigerator to chill for about 2 hours. While this is chilling, make a pie dough recipe of your choosing. We are fond of a basic pate brisee, heavy on the butter.
When the pie dough has relaxed sufficiently, roll it out and fit it into an 8 or 9 inch pie pan. Remove the grape filling from refrigeration, and stir into it about a cup's worth of sugar. Scrape this filling into the bottom crust, top with a full or latticed top crust. Bake as any fruit pie, making sure you have a pan underneath it in your oven. Enjoy cool.

O2 Onion Cheese Bisque.
really.
Cook up a big bunch of onions in butter over a low flame. When they are just starting to caramelize, stir in some flour. Cook off the raw flour taste, and add in milk. Lots of milk. We use an assortment of fat levels. Add in some grated cheese. We use an assortment of types. Stir, taste, season. Add in some vegetarian worcestershire sauce and dijon mustard. Partially puree with your wand of chaos.
nutritional facts based on 2% milk and medium sharp cheddar - calories for a 12 oz serving - 315.4, fat - 21.2 g, carbs - 19.1 g, protein - 13.5 g

Dear Charlotte [crispy];
Thank you for being such a loyal customer. I hope that this will help.
1. Acorn Squash, Roasted Garlic and Spinach Soup -
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Cut 2 acorn squash in half, scoop seeds out. Roast squash, cut side down for about 45 minutes, until it feels tender. Roast 4 heads of garlic at the same time. In a pot, saute 2 onions in butter until starting to brown. Add 4 cups of water or vegetable broth and 2/3 c dry sherry. Add in the flesh from the squash and the roasted garlic. Puree. Add in 1 bunch of clean, chopped spinach. Heat and add salt, pepper, a little bit of fresh nutmeg, and 2/3 cup half and half or heavy cream.

2. Chinese Velvet Corn Soup
In a splash of oil, saute 4 cups of diced onions. Cook until caramelized, then add 6 cups of corn kernels and 8 cups of water. Cook a bit, then add 1 teaspoon of szechuan peppercorns, 2 teaspoons sesame oil, 1/2 cup dry sherry, 2 tablespoons rice vinegar, 4 teaspoons sugar, a good dollop of sambal oeleek, and some chopped chives. Remove about a third of the soup and with an immersion blender, coarsely puree what's left in the pot. Add the unpureed soup back. Dissolve 1/2 c of cornstarch in about 1/3 cup of cold water. Pour this into the hot - but not boiling- soup. Taste for and add salt.

3. Chipotle Sweet Potato and Fresh Sage
4. Masala Root Soup
5. Onion Cheese Bisque
6. Pumpkin and Black Bean Soup
7. Roasted Cauliflower Soup
8. Roasted Red Pepper and Coconut Soup
9. Sherried Carrot Soup
10. West African Peanut Soup.
Let me know if something really important to you is missing.

Pesky Wild Violet Invasion
It's that time of the year again, wild violets marring the new lawn. Spraying is so politically incorrect.
'Violets contain rutin, a phytochemical with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may help strengthen capillary walls'. Eat them.
Clean violets carefully. Dry thoroughly.
Beat a couple of egg whites, then strain into a small bowl.
Work with one violet at a time.
Using a clean paintbrush, paint egg white on all surfaces of the violet. Don't get excessive, egg shouldn't be dripping.
Immediately sprinkle superfine sugar over all coated surfaces.
Place violet on a wax paper covered wire rack to dry.
Repeat process.
Flowers are extremely perishable and should generally be served fresh. Candied flowers like these wild violets will last up to a year. Do not store in the refrigerator.
Today's important [p.c.] disclaimer here;
Introduce flowers slowly to your diet to avoid any potential upset or allergic reaction, especially important if you have allergies to pollen.
Next week - dandelion jelly.

Opus2Cafe

Sunday, September 22, 2013

Sunday, September 15, 2013

Sunday, September 8, 2013

Sunday, September 1, 2013

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Sunday, May 5, 2013

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