Good Dinner Mrs. Mellen

Warm weather and refreshingly different salads two of my favorite things.  I find salads not only fun to make trying different combinations of ingredients but easy to make.  Almost any salad you can think of is do ahead and easy to transport to family and friends homes or on a picnic. Being of Italian heritage I love the flavors of the Mediterranean areas with the wonderfully flavorful seasonings.  What I like most about this salad is the interesting combination of orzo, a rice shaped pasta, with chick peas, goat cheese and olives. Just add some lemon, garlic, oil and fresh oregano to bring out the other ingredients.  I almost forgot, I have been adding Sesame Tahini to many of my salads for a more intense taste.  I think you'll really enjoy this salad! Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Chickpeas, Goat Cheese and Olives 1 1/2 cups orzo, cooked according to package instructions 1/4 cup olive oil juice of one lemon 1 clove of garlic, minced 1 teaspoon Sesame Tahini 15-oz ca

I just love fresh delicious summer salads, that sing with taste.  So wonderful to use fresh fruits and vegetables to add interest and color to a summer salad.  I enjoy all different types of food and I especially like to use seasoning from all over the world to punch up the flavor of a salad.  I started experimenting with Couscous and Moroccan spices and simply loved this salad. Moroccan Couscous and Orange Salad 1 cup couscous 1/2 cup dried cranberries 1 cup boiling water 1 large orange or yellow bell pepper cut into bite size slices 1 bunch of scallions, thinly sliced, just the white part 1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 16 ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1/4 cup chopped cilantro 3 tablespoon olive oi 3 tablespoon white vinegar juice of one navel orange one navel orange, peeled and sliced into bite size pieces Place couscous and cranberries in medium bowl. Add boiling water, cover with plastic wrap

I love making salads and I am always looking for new and different ways of combining all my favorite flavors into a wonderfully delicious salad. My Strawberry salad makes me feel as if I am savoring all the best that Springs offers!  Refreshing, crisp, sweet and tangy all in a wonderful salad. Refreshing Spring Greens Strawberry Salad 1 1/2 (5 ounces) cup sugar snap peas, trimmed 1 (4 ounce) package of mixed spring greens 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced 1 cup English cucumber, seeded and chopped 3/4 cup frozen baby peas, thawed 1/2 cup sliced red onion 1/2 cup chopped pecans 4 ounces Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled Place snap peas in steamer basket over boiling water. Cover and steam for 1-2 minutes until tender. Plunge peas into water to stop cooking; drain. Slice peas diagonally in half.  Toss together greens and next five ingredients and snap peas arranging on a large plate. Top with Gorgonzola cheese. Serve with Balsamic Vinaigrette. Balsamic Vinaigrette 1/

Polenta is a wonderful alternative to pasta. Wonderfully versatile from creamy to baked to grilled, I love polenta any way I make it.  This dish is very easy to make and can be prepared in advance, just baking before you are ready to serve.  I chose vegetables that I like but you can use any combination for a different taste. I you like you can cook some sausage and add to the vegetables or leave it as a meatless meal. Either way this dish is favorable and satisfying! Polenta 2 cup quick polenta 4 cups vegetable broth Bring broth to boil.  Lower heat and slowly add polenta stirring until combined. Remove from heat and continue to stir until no lumps remain. Grease a 2 quart baking dish. Put polenta in baking dish. Set aside. Vegetables 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 shallot, chopped 8 ounces sliced mushrooms 2 large red peppers, sliced 1 can(14.5 ounces) diced tomatoes, I like not salt added 1 tablespoon Italian seasonings 1/2 teaspoon salt(opt