Good Dinner Mrs. Mellen

Candy Bark has always been one of my favorites candies to make. This year I decided to do a Dark Chocolate Salty Carmel Candy Bark for wonderful combination of sweet and salty. The result is a very rich and chewy Carmel bark! Dark Chocolate Salty Carmel Candy Bark 6 oz. chocolate-flavored candy coating, chopped 6 oz dark chocolate, chopped 1 Tbsp. shortening 1 pkg.(8 oz) Heath English Toffee Bits, Hershey 1 cup salted peanuts, chopped 1 pkg.(11 oz) Caramels, Krafts 2 Tbsp. heavy cream or water Line a large baking sheet with heavy foil; grease foil. Set aside. In a large microwave-safe bowl combine candy coating, chocolate, and shortening. Microwave, uncovered, on 100 percent power (high) for 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until chocolate melts, stirring every 30 seconds. Stir 1 cup of the English Toffee Bits and 1/2 cup peanuts into melted chocolate mixture. Pour mixture onto prepared baking sheet. Spread mixture into an even layer about 1/4 inch thick.  Place ...

This sinfully rich Croissant Breakfast Casserole is a family favorite. A wonderful brunch star especially perfect for Christmas morning as it is assembled the night before.  8 plain croissants 2 tablespoon butter 2 cups sliced fresh mushrooms ...

Living in New England with cranberry bogs covering large areas means we have the fresh cranberries in the market just in time for Thanksgiving. Fresh cooked Cranberry Sauce is the best. I've embellished the cooked cranberries with crushed pineapple to bring out the sweetness of the berries. The pecans in this recipe give the fresh sauce a crunch that I love. Save the left over cranberry sauce as nothing taste better the next day on a Turkey sandwich than fresh cranberry sauce and stuffing. Deliciously Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Pineapples and Pecans 1 (20 ounce) cans crushed pineapple in juice 2 (12 ounce) packages ...

If you like 5 alarm hot chili this is the recipe for you. Make sure you have a fire extinguisher handy when you eat this chili! 3 (15.5-oz.) cans black beans, I used Goya beans 1 large sweet onion, chopped 3 garlic cloves, minced 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 4 teaspoons chili powder 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon pepper 1/4 teaspoon salt 2 (14.5-oz.) cans petite diced tomatoes, I used Del Monte 1 can (7.75 oz) can sliced green jalapeños, I used Chi Chi's Fiesta wheels 1 (12-oz.) package meatless burger crumbles, I used Morning Star Farms 1  vegetable bouillon cube 1 -2 teaspoon hot sauce, I used Franks Hot Sauce Toppings: sour cream, shredded Cheddar cheese, guacamole  Drain and rinse 2 cans black beans. (Do not drain third can.) Sauté onion and garlic in hot oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat 6 to 8 minutes or until tender. Stir in chili powder and next 3 ingredients; sauté 3 minutes. Stir in diced tomatoes, next 2 ingredients, drained and undrained bea...

 Fall is a wonderful baking season filling with all the fruits and veggies that give your bake goods that fall crisp flavor and aroma. I just love this new take on pound cake adding cooked sweet potatoes and cranberries.  Cream cheese make the cake very moist while the pumpkin spice adds the fall flavor. Sweet Potato Cranberry Pound Cake 1 (8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 1/2 cup butter, softened  2 cups sugar  4 large eggs  2 1/2 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes (I baked, peeled then mashed) 3 cups all-purpose flour  2 teaspoons baking powder  1 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt  2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 1 teaspoon vanilla extract  2 cups fresh cranberries, washed and picked over  1. Preheat oven to 350º. Beat cream cheese and butter at medium speed with a heavy-duty elec...

Cool morning temps always put me in the mood for soups and stews. I love to create a filling, healthy, low calorie soup or stew to fill my craving for cool weather food. I love this Sausage Stew since it is so filling but healthy at the same time. Red pepper flakes and white wine added make this a spicy flavorful stew! 4 Italian chicken sausages 2 tablespoon olive oil 2 garlic cloves, minced 1 large shallot, chopped 1 can(14.5 oz) Del Monte diced tomatoes, no salt added 1 can(15.5 oz) Goya Cannellini beans, premium 1/2 cup dry white wine 1/2 cup low fat, low sodium chicken broth 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes grated Parmesan cheese (optional) Preheat oven to 375F. Spray a grill pan and cook sausage on stove medium heat for about 20 minutes, turning occasionally. Set aside to cool. In a dutch oven place oil, garlic, and shallots sauteing until tender about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, beans, wine, chicken broth, salt and pepper flakes. Continue to sau...

A perfect colorfully tasteful fall salad that will not only taste wonderful but look gorgeous. Beets are just such a good healthy addition to any meal. I make a lot of beet dishes cause they are just so good especially freshly roasted as I prepared them for this fall salad.  1 lb red or yellow beets peeled and cut into quarters. You can use half red and half yellow. 2 teaspoons white wine vinegar 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onions 1 tablespoon white wine vinegar 1 Gala apple, thinly sliced 3 cups baby arugula 3 cups baby kale 1/4 cup toasted chopped walnuts 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup white balsamic vinegar 1 tsp. sea salt 1 tsp. black pepper 1 tsp. spicy brown mustard In a medium size roasting pan sprayed with cooking oil place beet and roast at 400F for 30 minutes turning once. Remove from over and sprinkle with vinegar. Cool and refrigerate for 4 hours or over night. Place sliced red onions in bowl and cover with 1 tablespoon vinegar for 30 minutes th...