Good Dinner Mrs. Mellen

Quick and easy tasting delicious recipes are always welcome during this busy holiday season. I serve this shrimp dish over Arborio rice or orzo which is a rice shaped pasta. The choice is yours. Either way the dish is so good and so easy, a quick easy homemade meal. Shrimp with Feta Cheese 2 tablespoon olive oil 4 cloves garlic 1 shallot pinch of crushed red peppers 1 teaspoon mint 1 teaspoon oregano 1 teaspoon salt 1 can(14.5 oz) Hunt's Petite diced tomatoes 1/2 lb. uncooked shrimp cleaned and deveined 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons chopped calamata olives 1/4 cup feta cheese Heat olive oil in large skillet. Add garlic and shallot cooking on low for 10 minutes until onions are translucent, do not brown. Add red pepper, mint, oregano, salt and diced tomatoes simmering for 20 minute. Add shrimp, cooking for five minutes or until the shrimp is no longer pink. Stir in lemon juice and olives. Top with feta cheese. Serve over rice or orz

Loaf breads or Tea bread whatever you call these delectable sweet breads are simply delicious and easy to make. Prefect for a beginning baker or to make when you are short of time. You can also make and freeze to eat later. Smaller loafs are perfect little treats to give as gift during the holidays wrapped up in cellophane tied with a festive ribbon. I love pumpkin bread anytime of the year but especially around Thanksgiving. For me baking isn't only about the taste but about the heavenly cooking aromas filling my home with sweet scents. Ingredients     3 cups all-purpose flour     1 tablespoon plus 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice     2 teaspoons baking soda     1 1/2 teaspoons salt     3 cups granulated sugar     1 can (15 ounces) LIBBY'S 100% Pure Pumpkin     4 large eggs     1 cup vegetable oil     1/2 cup orange juice     1 cup sweetened dried, fresh or frozen cranberries     1 cup GHIRARDELLI white chocolate chips PREHEAT oven to 350° F. Grease and flour

Bundt cakes have gotten a bad name over the years, remember ‘My Big Fat Greek Wedding’, where the wishy-washy mother-in-law brings a bundt cake to the over the top engagement party and the bride’s Greek families reaction. Bundt cakes can be elevated to a show stopping dessert so easily. I have a repertoire of deliciously eye popping bundt cakes that are a great addition to any dinner or party.                               Candied Apple Fudge Bundt Cake    CREAM CHEESE FILLING: 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 1/4 cup butter, softened 1/2 cup granulated sugar 1 large egg 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon vanilla extract APPLE CAKE BATTER: 1 cup finely chopped pecans 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 cup granulated sugar 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 3 large eggs, lightly beaten 3/4 cup canola oil 3/4 cup applesauce 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 3 c

                                                Winter is Coming Vegetable Stew Like The Seven Kingdoms of Westerly, winter is coming to New England. To ward off the frigid snowy weather I love to create tasty, healthy, soups and stews that are filling but low in fat, salt and calories but not short on flavor.  My vegetable stew fits that description perfectly. Totally healthy, vegan, flavorful with just the right kick from hot sauce.  I make a big batch and free for future dinners when snow drifts are blanketing our homes. 2 tablespoon olive oil 4 cloves garlic crushed 1 large shallot chopped 8 oz baby portabella mushrooms, sliced 1 can(14.5 oz) petite diced tomatoes, Hunt’s no salt added 2 cups vegetable broth 1 tablespoon chili powder 1 cup chopped baby carrots 1 cup farro, rinsed 1 can (15 oz) Cannellini Beans, rinsed Griller Crumbles, Morning Star 2 tablespoon Franks Hot sauce In large stock pot heat olive, add garlic and shallot cooking for 5 minutes until translucent. Don