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Showing posts from February, 2014

Sunday Dinner Cioppino with Alexander

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Sunday dinners a Good Dinners Mrs Mellen Tradition in our family.  Today I made a Cioppino with the freshest fish on the market.  Living in New England we are fortunate to have fresh fish in every grocery store not to mention wonderful fish markets or my favorite in the nice weather buying right from the boats as they come into dock with their fresh catch. Sunday dinner is even more special with the addition of our grandson Alexander.  Only six months old, he can't eat my dinner yet but we exposed him to our family tradition early. In his honor I've renamed this dish. Alexander's Cioppino 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 large fennel bulb, thinly sliced 1 onion, chopped  2 large shallots, chopped  4 large garlic cloves, finely chopped 3/4 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper flakes, plus more to taste 1 can(14.5 oz) petite cup diced tomatoes (I used Del Monte, no salt added) 1/4 cup tomato paste 1 1/2 cups dry white wine  2  cups fish stock or clam juice 1 l

Bring on Hot Pink clothes to warm up spring fashion!

Oh I do love to cook, garden and decorate outfitted in the latest fashion.  I just love fashion, always have and always will!  Fashion is a creative expression just like my other hobbies.  I was out shopping and scouting new spring trends discovering that hot pink is all over for spring.  I love pink, especially hot pink which really looks good on woman over thirty.  Save the pale pink for the under thirty crowd. Deep hot pink warms up the skin like no other color.  That's why I am so hot on this wonderfully vibrant color.  Designers that are also wild about hot pink; Kate Spade, Diane Von Furstenberg, Alice & Olivia and so many more.  How do you add some of this fabulous hot pink to your late winter/early spring wardrobe?  Well this is what I did.  I found the perfect item to add hot pink without buying all new clothes, the beautifully cut Kate Spade Gemma in  Bougainvillea. A fluid silk short shelve top that can be worn over jeans or dressed up with a tight black skirt

Golden Roasted Turkey Breast perfect for our traditional family Sunday dinner!

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Luscious family dinners are a Sunday stable at my house.  The tradition dates back to my grandparents who gathered the whole clan for a big feast on Sunday.  I have so many fond memories of Sundays when we would all sit around the large dinning room table for a meal that my grandmother started to prepare before she left for church on Sunday morning.  My Mother continued the tradition having a beautifully prepared dinner on Sunday that we could all enjoy together. I knew that when I had a family I would continue family Sunday dinners and I have.  I just love having the time to prepare a delicious meal for my family to enjoy.  Roasted turkey breast is an easy favorite that my family enjoys. 1 6 lb turkey breast 1 tablespoon butter, at room temperature 2 cloves garlic, chopped 2 teaspoons sage 1 teaspoon rosemary 1 teaspoon pepper 4 thin slices lemon 1 tablespoon olive oil juice of 1 lemon 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon pepper 1/4 cup unbleached all-purpose flour 3 cups tu

Sumptuous Sausage Stew alla Puttanesca for a cold snowy winter's day!

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I don't know about you but when the temperature drops I need delicious stick to your ribs food. Warm filling spicy food to raise the my body temperature.  I make filling stews that are high on taste but low on fats and calories!  No need to pack on the extra pounds during the cold winter months.  I used chicken sausage and Del Monte petite diced tomatoes with no salt added to cut down on fat and salt. Served over Italian bread! 2 tablespoon olive oil 5 chicken sausage about 1 pound 4 anchovy fillets packed in oil, drained 4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced 1 large onion, thinly sliced 1 can(14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes, I like Del Monte with no salt 1/2 cup red wine 2 teaspoons Tuscan Sunset blend from Penzys 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 1/2 cup cut up Parmesan rind sea salt black pepper Italian bread grated Parmesan cheese In a large Dutch oven over medium heat cook sausage until browned about 5 minutes on each side.  Remove sausage and set asi