Good Dinner Mrs. Mellen

  I love bold salads with flavor, texture, and color - perfect for summertime picnics and barbecues. And I also strive to make salads healthy. In my edamame salad, I used farro, an ancient Italian grain that brings a nutty flavor to any dish. Quinoa can be substituted if you prefer. Also, I used honey, but if you want a vegan salad, maple syrup can be used. The result is a crunchy, tangy, flavorful salad that will thrill your family and friends. 1 cup farro 1 package (10.5 oz) frozen shelled edamame, steam in the bag 1 can (15.5oz) Chickpeas rinsed and drained 1/4 cup toasted almonds 1/4 cup dried cranberries  Dressing 1/4 cup olive oil 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 1 1/2 teaspoon liquid aminos, I use Bragg 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice  1 clove garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper Cook farro according t...

Easy summertime entertaining is my philosophy for summer parties. I love put together easy make a head dishes so I can relax and enjoy my guests. During the summertime with abundant produce at Framer's markets I just love creating delicious healthy food. Keep all the ingriendants my hummus dip ready for an impromptu get together or to bring to a friends home for a barbecue. Hummus Dip with Tobbouleh, Feta, Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Tzatziki 1 container prepared Hummus*, I like garlic 1/2 cup prepared Tabbouleh Salad* 1/4 cup chopped cherry tomatoes 1/4 cup chopped english cucumber 1/4 cup chopped feta 1/4 cup prepared Tzatziki* sliced tomatoes and cucumbers for garnish Mound hummus on serving plate. Top with tabbouleh, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, then drizzle with tzatziki. Garnish with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. Refrigerate. Serve with pita bread or crackers.  Enjoy! * I used Cedar's Mediterranean Foods for the Hummus, Tabbouleh ...

Airfyers are so easy to use and cook healthy food quickly without much fat or oil. Since purchasing my Airfyer I've tried so many different recipes; chicken, veggies, all with excellent results. We were out to dinner one night with our family and we ordered roasted cauliflower for an appetizer; it was delicious. I thought cauliflower would be great in an Airfyer -Buffalo style. And I was right! I also adapted this recipe for a conventional oven*   Ingredients 1   head of cauliflower , broken into bite size pieces ¾ cup almond flour ¼ cup plus 2 tablespoons tapioca flour 1 teaspoon chili powder ½ teaspoon paprika ½ teaspoon cayenne Salt, to taste 2 eggs Oil, to lightly coat For serving: carrot sticks, celery sticks, Blue cheese dip Buffalo Sauce: ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons hot sauce 2 tablespoons ghee (or butter) 1 tablespoon lemon juice 1 clove garlic, minced ½ teaspoon paprika ¼ teaspoon cayenne Salt, to taste Directions 1. I...

If you follow my recipes and blog you know that I adore baking. I began my infatuation as a young child by my mother's side, her eager helper. From her I learned to bake delicious cake, pies, and pastries; my first lessons were baking. My mother and grandmother were intuitive cooks who rarely used a formal recipe instead creating delicious meals from scratch - a little this - pinch of that. Baking as my mother shared with me requires a precise measurements and ingredients for the perfect results. I have never forgot her words as we baked together so long ago! DOUBLE CHOCOLATE TEA BREAD   1 cup Unbleached All-Purpose Flour ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa 1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon salt 8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened 1 cup sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 cup sour cream ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips   Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Butter and flour 9-by-5-inch loaf pan. Sift...

Cod fish versatility lends to many different toppings. In New England, where beautiful fresh fish is prevalent, many restaurants still serve the traditional Ritz cracker topping which is delicious. I love to create new toppings to enhance the flavor of cod. Being of Italian heritage I gravitate toward Mediterranean flavors used by my family when I was growing up. My recipes are strongly influence by my mother and grandmother who were wonderful cooks and shared their passion with me. I am grateful for and indebted to their high standards, serving wonderfully prepared fresh food flavored with their love of family. I am the cook I am today because of these two exceptional women. 4 cod filets(3 ounces each) 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice  1/2 cup unseasoned panko breadcrumbs 1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese 2 cloves garlic, crushed 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1/4 teaspoon sea salt 1 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 cup chopped ...

Last year I purchased a Philips Air Fryer and since then I've enjoyed creating recipes specifically for the air fryer. I love sweet potato fries and adapted a recipe for the air fryer. These sweet potato fries are healthy, spicy and tasty.    INGREDIENTS: 3 medium peeled sweet potatoes   2 tablespoon olive oil 1   tsp sea salt 2 cloves crushed garlic 1/2 teaspoon hot paprika 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 teaspoon thyme 1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan sea salt DIRECTIONS: Preheat air fryer to 400°F 8 minutes. Lightly spray the fryer basket with oil. Slice each potato into even 1/4 inch thick fries. Toss with oil, salt, garlic, paprika and red pepper. Cook in 3 or 4 batches, without overcrowding the pan 8 minutes, turning half way. Place on serving plate and top with pink Himalayan sea salt. Enjoy!

Ina Garten's Chicken Marbella  I'm a big fan of Ina Garten collecting all her cookbooks. I opened her new cookbook,  Cook Like a Pro: Recipes and Tips for Home Cooks, a Christmas present from my husband Chris, eager to try her variation of Chicken Marbella. When the Silver Palate cookbook was all the rage I made Chicken Marbella and wasn't very impressed. So I approached Ina's reinvention with trepidation planing on being disappointed. I made the dish and served it for a family Sunday dinner. Much to my surprise and delight we throughly enjoyed Ina's Chicken Marbella. I found the flavor more intense than the Silver Palate recipe created by the addition of more prunes, olives, garlic, caper juice and less sugar. I will definitely make this recipe again.   1/2 cup good olive oil 1/2 cup good red wine vinegar 1 1/2 cups large pitted prunes, such as Sunsweet 1 cup large green olives, pitte...

Cacciatore means "hunter" in Italian. In cooking, cacciatora refers to a meal prepared "hunter-style" with onions, herbs, usually tomatoes, often bell peppers, and sometimes wine. Cacciatore is popularly made with braised chicken or rabbit. Growing up in an Italian American family with a mother who was an excellent cook I learned to make Chicken Cacciatore at a young age. My mother who is now 97 didn't have a written recipe she just created as she cooked. I've tried to recreate her recipe adding porcini mushrooms her favorite. This recipe also double very well for a larger group. A few tips that I learned from my mother: Always soak chicken for about 10 minutes in salted water to clean. Then pat dry before cooking.  INGREDIENTS ½   ounce dried mushrooms, like porcini (1/2 cup) 2   tablespoons olive oil   Salt and freshly ground pepper 2 chicken breasts with skin and backbone, halved crosswise 2 chicken thighs with skin 2 chi...

I loved creating this cake and had so much fun making the crepes which I hadn't done in many years. Years ago when crepes were extremely popular I purchased a Sunbeam  M'sieur  Crepe maker. To my surprise I found the maker in a cabinet in my basement unfortunately it no longer worked so I used an omelet pan to make the crapes. This cake should be started two - three days before you want serve. The cake is time consuming yet easy to make. And your guest like mine will be so impressed with the cake because it looks and taste amazing, INGREDIENTS Crepes ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons cake flour ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour ¼ cup granulated sugar 2 teaspoons kosher salt 4 large eggs 5 large egg yolks 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly 2 cups whole milk 3 tablespoons cognac Tiramisu Filling 1¼ cups confectioners' sugar 4 cups mascarpone cheese 1/4 coffee liqueur 1/4 cup natural cocoa powder plu...

In the winter I like to make hearty, flavorful meals that are quick and easy; especially living in New England where we have harsh winters. When the snow starts to fall, drifting against my front door I go to my pantry looking for pasta. Instead of Lasagna noodles I used Rigatoni to make an easy Baked Rigatoni filled with mushrooms, cheeses and topped with a Bechamel sauce. This is a basic sauce white sauce that anyone can make. Don't let the french name fool you. Make a large salad arranging tomatoes, cucumbers, on endive lettuce. Top with feta cheese. Pour a light light balsamic vinaigrette over the salad. Serve with crisp fresh bread. And don't forget a glass of wine!  Ingredients 1 pound box DeCecco Rigatoni no.24 2 1/2 cups whole milk 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, divided 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 2 teaspoon sea salt 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 2 teaspoon ground nutmeg 8 ounces portobello mushrooms, sliced three leeks, thinly ...

TUSCAN CHICKEN WINGS I love my Phillips Air Fryer. Chicken wings made in the air fryer are crispy on outside while remaining moist inside. And the wings are healthily since they are not fried 2 pounds chicken drumettes  or party wings juice of 1/2 lemon, about 1/4 cup 2 tablespoon   olive oil 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and smashed 1 tablespoon dried oregano 2 springs fresh rosemary, stripped and roughly chopped 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper* 2 teaspoons sea   salt   In a large bowl, mix together the lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, oregano, rosemary, pepper and salt. Add chicken wings and toss to coat. Marinate in the refrigerator for an hour or over night. Drain and put chicken in basket of Phillips air fryer. Cook on 375 F for 20 minutes or until browned.   *If you want less spice use 1/2 teaspoon crushed red red pepper. Enjoy! gooddinnermrsmellen.com buzzchomp.com

SPICY ROASTED EDAMAME  At a local restaurant I ordered my first spicy edamame as an appetizer and I was hooked on spicy edamame. I use frozen edamame, season and roast. Easy, delicious, I think even better than the restaurant version!  1 (1-pound) bag frozen edamame, in the pod (green soy beans) 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 thinly sliced garlic cloves 2 teaspoons sea salt 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano Preheat oven to 375 F. Place edamame in large bowel. In a small bowel combine oil, sliced garlic, salt, chili powder, pepper flakes and dried oregano. Pour oil mixture over edamame.   Bake edamame in oven for 12 to 15 minutes until pods begin to brown. Stir once halfway through cooking. Serve warm. Enjoy! gooddinnermrsmellen.com buzzchomp.com

When I was a young girl I loved my mother's baked macaroni and cheese. My mother would fry the leftover mac and cheese in butter for my lunch the next, better in my opinion than the original dish. I sometimes abandon my normal lunch salad and indulge in fried mac and cheese with each bite taking me back to the having lunch on the snack bar in our kitchen so long ago especially cooked for me by my mother. Pure comfort food! Fried Mac and Cheese Heat 4 tablespoons butter in frying pan. Add chopped up leftover macaroni and cheese.  Fry until cheese starts to melt and macaroni is hot. Season with sea salt and pepper to taste. https://gooddinnermrsmellen.com/2015/10/09/three-cheese-baked-mac-and-cheese/ Enjoy! gooddinnermrsmellen.com buzzchomp

There are so many vegetarian chili recipes that make absolutely delicious healthy chili. I love to make my vegetarian chili with loads of beans and I add veggie crumbs for extra protein. My recipe is low in salt making it even extra healthy. If you use flavorful spices salt is not needed.  VEGETARIAN BEAN CHILI 1 tbsp. olive oil 1 each red and green bell pepper, coarsely chopped 1/2 cup chopped onion 2 cloves minced garlic 3 cans (14 1/2 oz. each) no salt added diced tomatoes 2 cans (15.5 oz.) black beans, drained and rinsed 2 can (15.5 oz.) garbanzos beans, drained and rinsed 1 box (32 oz.) unsalted vegetable stock 3 tbsp. tomato paste 2 tsp chili powder 1 teaspoon oregano leaves 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1 package (12 oz) Lightlife Smart Ground   Heat oil in a large saucepan on medium heat. Add bel peppers, onion and garlic; cook and stir 8 to 10 minutes or until tender. Stir in remaining ingredients. Bring...

I use Bruitoni pasta when I want the taste of fresh pasta but don't have time to go to a speciality store or make the pasta at home. And I love this easy cream cheese pasta sauce for a quick weekend, taste delicious dinner. Don't you just love the bright green asparagus? Lemon and asparagus the perfect springtime combination to add to pasta, so flavorful! Ingredients 9 oz. Bruitoni Fettuccini 1/2 cup cream cheese 2 Tbs. olive oil 1 lemon, juiced and 1 Tbs. zest grated 1/2 cup fresh parmesan cheese 1/2 - 3/4 cup steamed asparagus, lightly steamed Preparation 1. Cook linguine according to package directions in pot of boiling salted water. 2. Warm cream cheese, oil, and 2 Tbs. lemon juice in saucepan over low heat. 3. Drain pasta, reserving 1/2 cup cooking water. Stir reserved cooking water into cream cheese mixture. Add pasta, lemon zest, and parmesan cheese; toss to coat. Add asparagus and lightly toss again. Season with salt and pepper...

Scallops are so easy and delicious to make; taking very little time to cook for a fantastic quick dinner. I used a grille pan to sear my scallops; my personal favorite is Le Creuset.  I soaked the scallops in lemon juice and garlic for a hint of a lemony garlic flavor.  1 to 1 1/4 pounds dry sea scallops, approximately 16 juice of one lemon   2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 teaspoons unsalted butter 2 teaspoons olive oil Kosher salt Freshly ground black pepper Rinse scallops with cold water and thoroughly pat dry. Place in bowl and pour lemon juice over scallops. Add garlic.Let set for minutes then drain discarding the lemon juice and garlic.   Add the butter and oil to a 12 to 14-inch saute pan or ridged grill pan on high heat. Salt and pepper the scallops. Once the fat begins to smoke, gently add the scallops, making sure they are not touching each other. Sear the scallops for 2 minutes on each side. The scallops should have ...

Making Guacamole is so easy resulting in a fresh delicious homemade rather than a packaged version. I keep the ingredients on hand so when friends drop by I can serve Guacamole.  3 Haas avocados, halved, seeded and peeled 1 lime, juiced 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon cayenne 1/2 medium onion, diced 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro 2 clove garlic, minced In a large bowl place the scooped avocado pulp and lime juice, toss to coat. Drain, and reserve the lime juice, after all of the avocados have been coated. Using a potato masher add the salt, cumin, and cayenne and mash. Then, fold in the onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic. Add 1 tablespoon of the reserved lime juice. Let sit at room temperature for 1 hour and then serve.  Enjoy! gooddinnermrsmellen.com buzzchomp.com

Baked chicken wings are so easy to make and taste delicious. I like to coat my wings in  flour combined with spices, bathed in a buttery hot sauce then bake to perfection. The chicken  meat just pulls away when you bite into these juicy wings. Perfect all year long for a casual  party! Baked Hot Chicken Wings 1/4 cup all-purpose flour 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 1/2 teaspoon salt 20 chicken wings 1/4 cup melted butter 1/2 cup hot pepper sauce (such as Frank's RedHot®) 1 cup blue cheese dressing 2 tablespoon blue cheese baby carrots celery Place the flour, cayenne pepper, garlic powder, and salt into a resealable plastic bag shake to mix. Add the chicken wings, seal, and toss until well coated with the flour mixture. Place bag with wings into the refrigerator. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Whisk together the melted butter and hot sauce in a small bowl. Remo...