Good Dinner Mrs. Mellen

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 ...

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...

Chicken, Mushroom and Wine Casserole  I love make ahead meals that can be easily heated to have a home cooked meal quickly. Many a Sunday you will find me in the kitchen cooking meals for the coming week. And what could be tastier than a chicken, mushroom and white wine casserole fragrantly flavored with fresh thyme. The chicken tender separating from the bone without even using a nice. Serve over Arborio rice enjoying  as you  dip crusty fresh bread into the wine sauce.  3 pounds split chicken breast salt and pepper 2 tablespoons olive oil 8 ounce slice mushrooms 1 leek, thinly slice, white part only 1 shallot, chopped 2 cloves, chopped 1 cup wine 2 cup chicken broth 2 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped 1 dry bay leaf, crushed 2 springs fresh thyme, finely chopped Heat oven to 350F. Salt and pepper chicken. In a casserole pan, I use a Le Creuset casserole, heat olive oil. Add chicken breasts cooking on each side until lightly br...

During the Holiday Season when busy is the norm with frantically list writing busy coming in a close second, I love to prepare perfectly delicious easy meals so inviting after a hectic day, just beckoning you breath and enjoy . Carving out a peaceful meal time is essential to keeping stress away and promoting healthy eating for me and my family. I don't believe in eating on the run. I'm flabbergasted as I walk down the street surrounded by people eating food as they walk, my only rule breaker is ice cream. I subscribe to the motto that food is to be prepared with care and you should take time when you eat food.  Sit, relax, enjoy, let your body savory the flavors as well as giving your system time to digest your food. When you relax enjoying a meal you don't over eat either. Being present at the meal insures that you enjoy each bite signaling that you are satisfied and full. Even during this rushed season in addition to stoping to experience the festi...

Mediterranean Stuffed Pepper with Turkey, Orzo and Feta Cheese Peppers 6 peppers, 2 red, 2 yellow and 2 orange 1 cup orzo, cooked according to package instructions, cooled 1 lb. ground turkey 1 cup mozzarella 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese 1/2 cup kalamata olives, chopped 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1/2 teaspoon mint 1/2 teaspoon dill 1/2 teaspoon allspice 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1 clove garlic, chopped 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice 1 teaspoon zest of lemon 1 1/2 teapsoon salt 1/2 teaspoon pepper Sauce 2 tablespoon olive oil 2 cloves garlic, minced 1/2 teaspoon oregano 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper 1 teaspoon salt 1 can(14.5 oz) petite chopped tomatoes, I use Hunt's no salt added 2 tablespoon parmesan cheese Preheat oven to 350F. Cut off the top of each bell pepper and reserve the tops; discard the seeds and white membranes. Put the turkey in a large bowl; add 1 cup mozzarella, 1/4 cup feta, orzo, oregano, mint, dill, allspi...