Good Dinner Mrs. Mellen

When fall is in the air and winter is approaching I start making large batches of soup to freeze for cold nights when nothing is as warming as a hot bowl of soup.  My soups are complete meals meant to be enjoyed with a luscious fresh salad and crisp baked bread. Nothing smells as good as hot fragrant soup simmering on the stove!  Vegetable Soup with Chicken Sausage and Orzo Ingredients 2 medium carrots, chopped 2 fennel ribs, chopped 2 shallots, chopped 4 cloves garlic, minced 1 tsp. fresh thyme, minced 2 Tbsp. olive oil 2 (32-oz) containers organic vegetable broth 2 plum tomatoes, seeded and chopped 1 cup french string beans, cut into 2 in. pieces 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper 1 (15-oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed 5 cooked chicken sausages, cut into bit size pieces*  1 cup orzo Toasted Baguette**   Preparation 1. Sauté carrots and next 4 ingredients in hot oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high he...

 Summer vegetable are so plentiful and beautifully fresh, just right for a vegetable casserole that can be served as a side dish or a light main meal with salad and fresh bread. I love going to our town's farmers market gathering fresh picked veggies to combine for a delicious casserole. I usually choice three different vegetables to combine for an interesting casserole layer with a cheese and fresh herb mixture. You can change it up all the time with different veggies! Ingredients     1 1/2 cups grated Cheddar cheese     1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese     2 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped     1 tablespoon fresh thyme, chopped     2 cloves garlic, minced     salt and pepper to taste     1 eggplant, pealed, thinly sliced     2 medium zucchinis, thinly sliced     1 cup cherry tomatoes, chopped     1/4 cup butter, melte...