Good Dinner Mrs. Mellen

Springtime cooking for me always includes foods with asparagus and lemons. Add pasta, prosciutto and cream for an easy deliciously simple meal. My passion for good food leads me to create easy meals that are fresh and flavorful with simple ingredients. Eating food for nourishment doesn't mean that we need to sacrifice on taste. Food is meant to be savored, enjoyed with family and friends not to be rushed eating standing up or walking down the street. Make an easy beautiful meal, invite family and friends to relax while you all create lasting memories to cherish.     Ingredients         1 pound spaghetti or linguine         Kosher salt         3 tablespoons olive oil         1 cup thinly sliced shallots (about 2 large)         4 ounces Prosciutto, cut into thin strips    ...

    Ingredients     4 large artichokes     2 quarts of water     1 lemon, halved     2 bay leaves     2 cloves garlic, unpeeled     1/8 cup salt     1/2  cup Quinoa cooked according to package instructions.  I like Earthly Choice     1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese     2 tablespoons assorted fresh chopped herbs (such as parsley, basil and oregano)     2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts, toasted     2 tablespoons olive oil     Salt and black pepper Directions     Cut off the stem, trim the tips from the leaves and cut off the top quarter of the artichoke. In a large pot bring 2 quarts of water to a boil and add artichokes. Squeeze juice from the lemon halves into water, then add the bay leaves, garlic cloves and salt. Cover, reduce heat to simmeri...

I love the french recipe Coques St. Jacques which I bake and serve in beautiful scallop shells. The traditional recipe has many steps and requires time to make. Loving Scallops cooked in a casserole but not always have the time to prepare I created this easy baked scallops for a delicious weekday meal.  Prepare the casserole in the morning to bake at night having a wonderful fresh dinner in 20 minutes. Ingredients 1/2 lb sea scallops 1/2 lemon 1 tablespoon olive oil 2 cloves minced garlic 1/4 teaspoon pepper 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 1/2 cup Italian Panko bread crumbs, I used Roland 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese 2 tablespoon butter Preheat over to 375F. Place scallops in a bowl. Squeeze lemon over scallops. Add olive oil, garlic, pepper and salt tossing to combine. Place scallops in over proof baking dish. Combine bread crumbs and cheese. Place bread crumbs on top of scallops. Dot butter over break crumbs. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until topping is brown. Serve over pas...

In my world of 24/7 where warp speed isn't fast enough, where quantity not quality is the norm, how luxuriating enjoying a cup of tea with all the accompaniments, so Downton Abbey -  tea hold a special place in my life.  Slowing time, if just a little, Afternoon Tea is a wonderful pleasure I thank the British for cultivating. My spirit fills with joy sipping a cup of tea from a beautifully crafted English china tea cup while eating dainty little tea sandwiches along with freshly baked Scones topped with a dollop of clotted cream. Over time I’ve amassed an extensive collection of English tea china and accoutrements to host my own teas which have marked special moments in my life. Christmas mother/daughter teas with my daughter’s friends and their mothers, Mother’s Day Teas to celebrate the women in my life and a Bridal Shower Tea for my daughter - afternoon tea shares many cherished memories throughout my life. When traveling I am not only on the hunt for an additions...

I love to create easy weekday meals that just burst with flavor. Being of Italian heritage I learned at an early age from my mother that you should only consume food that taste delicious. Meticulous preparation was so important to my mother who enjoyed the art of cooking instilling in me that food is love that your share with family and friends. I have continued her tradition preparing meals with the focus on flavor and taste. All you need to add as my mother is fond of saying is a pinch or this, a dash of that, just doctor it up! Still at ninety five she knows how to make food sing with flavor. Roasted Cauliflower with Italian Tuna over Pasta 1 head cauliflower, chopped six skin-on garlic cloves 2 tablespoon olive oil 1/2 salt 1/4 black pepper 1/4 red pepper flakes 1 cup Parmesan cheese 3 tablespoon butter two tablespoons pine nuts, toasted 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, toasted Italian yellow fin tuna in olive oil 1 tablespoon capers 1 pound pasta or spaghetti On a shee...

Christmas morning I find myself returning to memories of my Christmas mornings as a child where we would wake before the moon was tucked away for the day. So excited to see what Santa had left under the tree we would rush into our living room eyes filled with delight holding my breath as we got our first peek at our tree and gifts. Christmas still holds that child wonderment for me even now all these years later. After exchanging gifts our tradition includes a large Christmas morning breakfast before we ready for our company to arrive for Christmas dinner. I love to make these easy breakfast casseroles which conveniently can be readied the night before just baking in the morning for an easy, delicious Christmas morning. Sausage, Egg and Cheese Breakfast Casserole Ingredients Nonstick cooking spray 1 pound chicken sausage links 6 slices soft hearty white bread One 8-ounce package shredded sharp Cheddar cheese 8 large eggs 2 cups whole milk 1 teaspoon dry mus...

Chocolate Caramel Thumbprint Cookies Chocolate, caramel and sea salt, a perfect combination for a Christmas cookie. Each year I make copious quantities of Christmas cookies to give to friends and family. Sharing my creations with those I love is my personal way to celebrate the season. This cookie has become one of my family's favorite since they all love chocolate and caramel dusted with sea salt then drizzled with chocolate glaze! Ingredients     COOKIES     1 cup flour     Generous 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder     1/4 teaspoon salt     1/2 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature     2/3 cup granulated sugar     1 large egg yolk     1 tablespoon heavy whipping cream     1 teaspoon vanilla extract     1/2 cup fine granulated sugar     CARAMEL Filling       ...