Cooking with salt, English Gardens ahead on show

Information on cooking with salt and combining flowers and fruit to create an English Garden will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” 9:30 p.m. Tuesday and noon Thursday.

John Vollertsen (better known as Chef Johnny Vee) will explain why salt is important in the diet, as it helps to regulate the fluid balance in the body. Then he’ll prepare a variety of salt-inspired recipes. He lives and works in Santa Fe.

Floral designer Carly Cylinder will show how to combine flowers and fruit in a basket to create an English Garden. This makes an inexpensive, yet impressive arrangement that is great to use for many occasions.

Information repurposing garments, doing furniture “makeovers,” and making food gifts will be the featured topics on “Creative Living” noon Tuesday and 2 p.m. Saturday.

Rae Cumbie is a custom dressmaker, artist and designer, and she will talk about how to repurpose garments by turning a vintage wedding dress into a special christening gown.

Bruce Johnson will show how to make some quick and easy furniture “makeovers” for people who don’t have a lot of time and want to start and finish a project in one day.

Connie Moyers will demonstrate some recipes that everyone will enjoy receiving as a gift or preparing for themselves. Moyers lives in Clovis.

Putanesca sauce

• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 6 garlic cloves, sliced

• 14.5 oz. good quality canned, diced tomatoes

• 1/2 cup pitted black olives

• 1/3 cup capers, drained

• 6 anchovies, chopped

• 1/2 tsp. red pepper flakes, or to taste

• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper

• 8 leaves fresh basil, cut into chiffonade

• 1 lb. linguini

• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano cheese

Heat olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and sauté until it starts to brown. Add tomatoes, olives, capers and anchovies and stir to combine. Reduce heat to low and allow sauce to simmer for 15 minutes. Stir in red pepper flakes, pepper and basil and remove from the heat. Cook linguini in a large pot of salted boiling water until al dente. Drain noodles but do not rinse. Toss pasta with the sauce and plate onto warm dinner plates. Toss each serving with cheese and serve immediately. Serves 6.

“Creative Living” is produced and hosted by Sheryl Borden. The show is carried by more than 118 PBS stations. Contact her at:

[email protected]