The MCPL Blog from the Marathon County Public Library http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=1769&BlogID=112 News and updates from the Marathon County Public Library. <a href="http://eepurl.com/B8U39">Subscribe</a> to receive blog updates by email. Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT Copyright 2026 the Marathon County Public Library en-us Sat, 13 Jun 2026 20:27:30 CDT Cooking with Herbs at Monk Botanical Gardens! http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=1769&BlogID=112&BlogPostID=15403


Local chef Brian Freund led part two of the class and taught attendees how to make three different recipes using the herbs that will eventually grow in their container gardens. The first is for chimichurri, a sauce or marinade made from fresh herbs and typically use on grilled meats. The second recipe, basil pesto, is typically served with pasta. The final recipe is for pasta with herb pan sauce.

For anyone who was unable to attend the class, we've included those recipes below. Give the recipes a try, and let us know in the comments how they turned out!

Chimichurri
1/4 cup chopped parsley and/or cilantro
1 TBS. minced garlic
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/2 like juice
1 tsp. red pepper flakes (adjust to taste)
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together and use immediately.


Basil Pesto
2 cups chopped basil
1 cup chopped walnuts or pine nuts
1 cup grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil (add to more to thin to desired consistency)
2 gloves minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients well and serve.

Pasta with Herb Pan Sauce
3 TBS. extra virgin olive oil
1/2 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 tsp. crushed red pepper 
2 cloves minced garlic
1 1/2 TBS. herb mix*
1 TBS. unsalted butter
6-8 ounces pasta
1/2 fresh lemon
Grated Parmesan (if desired)

*Herb mix: 
4 parts chopped parsley
2 parts rosemary and oregano
1 part fennel and thyme
Garnish with chives (to desired taste)
If you do not have one or more of these herbs, you may substitute them out for something else you have on-hand

Start cooking pasta in salted boiling water in pot on stovetop. Meanwhile, heat oil on medium-low heat in a large saute pan. Add onion and red pepper flakes to the pan and cook until they start to soften and lighten in color. Add garlic to the pan and cook until the onions are transluscent and the garlic starts to brown. 

Add 1 TBS. pasta water (or beer or wine, if desired) to deglaze pan and cook until liquid is evaporated. Turn the heat to low. Add herbs and drained cooked pasta to the pan. Stir to thoroughly incorporate ingredients together in the pan.

Turn off heat and add butter and juice from lemon to the pan. Stir thoroughly to incorporate. Salt and pepper to taste, then serve.

This dish is great for serving alongside grilled or roasted chicken, pork, or Italian sausage. Since pan sauces can vary based on what you have available and on-hand, ingredients can be easily added or substituted. Capers can also be added to the sauce when serving with seafood, or instance, or cream can be added and reduced to make a white sauce. 

]]> Dan R., Library Services Sun, 24 Jul 2016 11:39:13 GMT Need Some Help Repairing an Engine? http://engagedpatrons.org/Blogs.cfm?SiteID=1769&BlogID=112&BlogPostID=11090
SMALL ENGINE REPAIR  REFERENCE CENTER includes detailed repair and maintenance information on hundreds of different engines. And it's easy to search.

When you log on, the database offers you the choice of browsing by category (i.e.  All Terrain Vehicles, Generators, Marine/Boat Engines, Motorcycles, etc.) or  looking for a specific make or model using the Advanced Search option.  

So, if you're looking for a John Deere Model 670 repair manual, select Advanced Search and type in those keywords.

The information that displays can be printed off or stored in a special account you create within the SMALL ENGINE REPAIR REFERENCE CENTER database. That account lets you revisit the saved information whenever you wish.

This database along with 40 other databases on various subjects can be found on the Marathon County Public Library webpage (mcpl.us) under Research and then Online Resources. And not only is it available at the Library, customers can access it from home using a library card at http://www.mcpl.us/research/online/?topic=home_n_garden.

So, if you're having mechanical troubles, check out the SMALL ENGINE REPAIR REFERENCE CENTER database. It could be a lifesaver for that ailing engine of yours.

]]> Mike@ Reference Fri, 18 May 2012 06:49:27 GMT