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- Celebrating Thanksgiving with Gratitude
  
  Posted at 9:15 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Nov 18th
  Thanksgiving for me is a time to reflect and celebrate gratitude by giving back and spending time with family and friends. I don’t remember when my women’s club started the tradition of assembling and donating Thanksgiving baskets to needy families in our town, just that each year as the need has grown we donate more baskets. We partner with our town’s Youth Services director, who identifies the families along with delivering the baskets. We never know who among our neighbors receives our baskets although sometimes with extreme gratitude a recipient reaches out to us to thank us for our generously. No thanks are ever needed or expected as we are the ones that are filled with joy knowing that we have helped families just like ours enjoy a holiday celebration.
  
  Preparation of our Thanksgiving Baskets beginnings in October as our members start donating all the items needed for a Thanksgiving dinner. Along with the traditional fixings for dinner and dessert, we add holiday items including plates, napkins, tablecloths, and candles, all artfully arranged by one of our members who designs gift baskets. Right before the baskets are delivered, we add fresh produce along with a gift card to a local grocery store for the families to purchase turkeys.
  
  I can’t think of a better start to my holiday season than with this tradition reminding me of the true meaning of Thanksgiving not only to give thanks for all that we have but to share with family, friends, and neighbors just like the first Thanksgiving.
  
  Thanksgiving morning finds me at a hot yoga class, two hours practicing with gratitude for all that I have been blessed with in my life. Then home to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Each year I alter side dishes but the main star of the dinner is a turkey. I learned at a young age how to handle and prepare poultry from my mother, an outstanding cook – her turkey is far superior to any that I have tasted. My mother taught me to soak turkey overnight in a bath of salt to tender and remove harmful bacteria. First, my mother would freeze a fresh turkey, she believes it seals in the flavor. Then time to soak the frozen turkey overnight. Next through rinsing, draining and patting dry of the bird. I love rituals so my mothers hold a special place in my turkey preparation. I’ve bought a fresh turkey from the farm, from high-end and frozen from a lower-end grocery store. My only hard fast rule is all-natural. How you dress and cook the turkey plays an import part in how good your turkey taste.
  
  Below I’ve shared family favorites that we enjoy for a family dinner.
  
  A Simply Perfect Roast Turkey
  
  A Simply Perfect Roast Turkey
  
  Savory Fruit and Nut Stuffing with Cranberries
  
  Savory Fruit and Nut Stuffing for Thanksgiving turkey
  
  Savory Fruit and Nut Stuffing for Thanksgiving turkey
  
  Fresh Cranberry Sauce
  
  Deliciously Fresh Cranberry Sauce with Pineapples and Pecans
  
  Roasted Green Beans
  
  Roasted Green Bean with Garlic and Pine Nuts
  
  Traditional Pecan Pie
  
  Traditional Pecan Pie
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in cooking, Food, Pie, Thanksgiving | Tagged Giving thanks, gratitude, Thanksgiving, turkey
- Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
  
  Posted at 10:37 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Apr 7th
  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. Easy to make without the messy cleanup. I can make these quickly on a weeknight for a delicious vegetable to complement any meal.
  
  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 halfway. Place on serving plate and top with pink Himalayan sea salt.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in cooking, Easy recipes, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Healthy, vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian | Tagged Easy recipe, Philips Air Fryer, spicy, sweet potato fries
- Cauliflower & Roasted Garlic Soup
  
  Posted at 9:10 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Feb 3rd
  Living in New England hot soup on a cold snowy day is the perfect accompaniment to a salad for a healthy filling lunch. I like to make soups that are flavorful and healthy. I altered the ingredients in this soup, using almond milk instead of cow’s milk. The almond milk adds just enough smoothness to the soup. I will warn you I love garlic. If you don’t want as much garlic you can add only four roasted garlic cloves: Roasted garlic has a more mellow flavor, not as pungent as boiled or sautéed.
  
  3 tablespoons olive oil
  
  1 head of cauliflower, cut into florets
  
  3 leeks, thinly sliced, just the white part
  
  1 bulb garlic, roasted and peeled*
  
  3 cups vegetable stock
  
  1/2 cup almond milk, unsweetened
  
  1 teaspoon Himalayan pink salt
  
  1 teaspoon black pepper
  
  1 teaspoon fresh thyme
  
  Directions
  
  Heat olive oil in a large stockpot over medium heat.
  
  Add cauliflower, leeks, and garlic; sauté until the vegetables have caramelized (roughly 15 minutes).
  
  Add stock and reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for about 20 minutes or until the cauliflower florets are soft and tender.
  
  Puree the mixture in a blender until smooth. Then, pour the soup back into the pot. Add salt, pepper, and thyme.
  
  Stir in almond milk and simmer for 1-2 minutes.
  
  Serve immediately. Makes 4-6 servings
  
  * Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Slice off the top each head of garlic to expose some of the cloves inside. Place the heads on a piece of foil. Drizzle with olive oil and wrap in the foil. Roast until cloves are lightly browned and tender, about 30 minutes.
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  Posted in cooking, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Healthy, lunch, Soup, Soups, vegan, Vegetarian | Tagged Cauliflower Soup, easy vegan, Healthy
- BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND APPLE SOUP
  
  Posted at 9:50 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Dec 22nd
  A good bowl of hot soup on a cold winter day, what better way to celebrate the Winter Solstice. Add a crisp salad, fresh bread and a glass of wine perfect for celebrating the changing rotation of the earth. I always felt there was something mystical about a solstice reminding me four times a year that the earth and life are transient, ever-changing and by embracing this fact life is perfectly imperfect.
  
  My recipe for Butternut Squash soup with a touch of apple captures the essence of the winter season with just a touch of aromatic spices that don’t overpower the squash and apple. I use store purchased cut and cleaned butternut squash when I make a small batch of soup; making the work and clean up easier.
  
  INGREDIENTS
  - 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (about 1 cup)
  - 1 celery rib, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
  - 1 carrot, chopped (about 3/4 cup)
  - 2 Tbsp butter
  - 1 package(20 oz.) butternut squash
  - 1 tart granny smith apple, peeled, cored, chopped
  - 3 cups vegetable broth
  - 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
  - 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  - 1/8 cayenne
  - salt and pepper to taste
  1. Heat a large thick-bottomed pot on medium-high heat. Melt the butter in the pot and let it foam up and recede. Add the onion, carrot, and celery and sauté for 5 minutes. Lower the heat if the vegetables begin to brown.
  
  2. Add the butternut squash, apple, and broth Bring to boil. Reduce to a simmer, cover, and simmer for 30 minutes or so, until the squash and carrots have softened.
  
  3. Use an immersion blender to purée the soup, or work in batches and purée the soup in a standing blender.
  
  4. Add cinnamon, nutmeg, and cayenne. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  gooddinnermrsmellen.com
  
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  Posted in Apples, cooking, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Healthy, Soup, Vegetarian, Weeknight dinner | Tagged Apple, butternut squash, easy, Soup, vegetarian, winter solstice
- ROASTED BEETS WITH ORANGES
  
  Posted at 8:57 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 9th
  ROASTED BEETS WITH ORANGES
  
  Gorgeous Roasted Beets and Oranges
  
  Beets taste so delicious that I sometimes forget their health and nutritious benefits. Beets are low in calories yet high in fiber, antioxidants and an array of important micronutrients. And fresh beets are so easy to cook, readily available year-round, don’t use canned. Beets roasted with citric juices enhance the root flavor of beets creating a nice glaze. A fine salt like Pink Himalayan is used to finish the dish adding a burst of flavor, not to salt while cooking. Gourmet salts from around the world are all the rage with so many different choices as well as added ingredients. On a recent trip to Amelia Island in Florida, I had the pleasure of staying at the Ritz Carlton with the famous Salt restaurant and boutique with the boutique stocking salts from around the world. Assisted by a knowledgeable salesperson I returned home with an array of interesting salts.
  
  ROASTED BEETS WITH ORANGES
  
  12 Beets
  
  1 tablespoon olive oil
  
  1 1/2 tablespoon fresh thyme
  
  1 lemon, juiced
  
  3 oranges, 2 juiced and one cut into half slices 1-inch thick.
  
  2 teaspoon Pink Himalayan fine salt
  
  Preheat oven 375F.
  
  Remove the tops and the roots of the beets and peel each one with a vegetable peeler. Cut the beets in 1 1/2-inch chunk. (Small beets can be halved, medium ones cut in quarters, and large beets cut in eighths.)
  
  Place the cut beets in oven proof baking dish. Combine olive oil, thyme, lemon and orange juice pouring over beets. Roast for 50-60 minutes, turning once or twice with a spatula until the beets are tender. Remove from the oven and immediately sprinkle with salt and serve warm.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  www.gooddinnermrsmellen.com
  
  www.buzzchomp.com
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  Posted in cooking, Farm Fresh Produce, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Healthy, vegan, vegetable bake, Vegetables, Vegetarian | Tagged baked veggies, beets, Healthy, oragnes, Ritz Carlton Amelia Island, vegan
- Roasted Cauliflower with Balsamic Fig Vinegar
  
  Posted at 9:19 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Feb 18th
  If you follow my blog you can see that I am very much into roasting vegetables which greatly increase flavor. I love to roast Cauliflower combining olives and tomatoes seasoned with thyme then finishing with a splash of Fig Vinegar. If you haven’t tried Balsamic Fig Vinegar I highly recommend replacing regular balsamic vinegar with this outstanding flavorful variety. Sweet figs are blended with tart balsamic vinegar for a uniquely rich multilayered flavor adventure. I substitute balsamic fig vinegar in cooking as well as in fresh salad dressing.
  
  Roasted Cauliflower with Balsamic Fig Vinegar
  
  8 cups 1-inch-thick slices cauliflower florets, (about 1 large head; see Tip
  
  2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  
  1 teaspoon dried french thyme
  
  ¼ teaspoon salt
  
  1/4 cup kalamata olives, chopped
  
  1/2 cup rainbow petite tomatoes, sliced
  
  Freshly ground pepper to taste
  
  2 tablespoons fig balsamic vinegar
  
  Preheat oven to 450°F.
  
  Toss cauliflower, oil, french thyme, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Spread on a
  
  large rimmed baking sheet and roast until starting to soften and brown on the
  
  bottom, 15 to 20 minutes. Toss the cauliflower with vinegar. Return to the oven
  
  and roast until any moisture has evaporated, 5 to 10 minutes more forming a
  
  glaze over cauliflower.
  
  Tip: To prepare florets from a whole head of cauliflower, remove outer leaves.
  
  Slice off the thick stem. With the head upside down and holding a knife at a 45°
  
  angle, slice into the smaller stems with a circular motion—removing a “plug” from
  
  the center of the head. Break or cut florets into the desired size.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  www.gooddinnermrsmellen@blogspot.com
  
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  Posted in cooking, Healthy, vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian | Tagged balsamic fig vinegar, Cauliflower, easy, healty
- My Mother’s Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs
  
  Posted at 9:04 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Dec 7th
  I’ve said it before, my mother and my grandmother were my inspiration for cooking. My fondest memories growing up are watching both these wonderful cooks in the kitchen, as well a savoring the delicious meals they prepared. So when I asked my 88-year-old mother for her spaghetti sauce and meatball recipe, I thought I could just share it with you all. Not so, I needed to fill in the blanks because my mother just cooks from memory. I worked with her to get the full recipes down on paper. I still think that only my mother can make her recipes sing with the most harmonies flavors. I gave this my best. I cooked all kinds of variations of her recipe and now my freezer is filled with enough sauce and meatballs for months. I must admit I did have fun cooking like my mother and grandmother, making large pots of sauce simmering on the stove. And the funny thing is that I don’t make that much traditional sauce because I have never felt that I can duplicate the flavor of my mother and grandmother’s sauce. I feel the same way about traditional pasta and Lasagna dishes. I am always disappointed with the results when I make traditional Italian recipes from my childhood.
  
  My meals never taste as wonderful as I remember.
  
  Before I start the recipe let’s talk tomatoes. My mother says you can use crushed tomatoes if you want to go cut a step, such as Pastene ground peeled, kitchen ready tomatoes. Over the years she’s used Red Pack, Tuttoroso, just good Italian tomatoes. Now I know that many will say you can only make a good sauce with San Marzano DOP tomatoes, or others swear by Muir Glen, or Cento or Pom. I am not such a purist when it comes to the tomatoes because I was spoiled by my grandmother’s homegrown preserved tomatoes that she would only use. Nothing compares to her plum tomatoes. Use what you want. If I use whole peeled tomatoes, I chop the tomatoes then add along with the juice to the recipe. Or you can put tomatoes and their liquid through a food mill fitted with a fine disk. Do what suits you.
  
  My Mother’s Spaghetti Sauce and Meatballs
  
  2 Cans of Tomatoes, 28 or 35 oz.
  
  2 Tbs olive oil
  
  1 large onion
  
  2 cloves garlic crushed
  
  1/2 cup fresh basil, finely chopped
  
  1 tsp oregano
  
  salt and pepper to taste
  
  In large pot heat olive, add onions cook until lightly translucent for 5 minutes. Add garlic, cook for two more minutes. Add tomatoes(chopped if whole) with liquid and seasonings. Simmer for an hour. (Add a little water or white wine if the sauce gets too thick).
  
  Meatballs
  
  1 lb ground beef
  
  1 lb ground pork
  
  2 cloves garlic crushed
  
  1 cup finely chopped onions
  
  2 eggs
  
  1 Tbs fine chopped parsley
  
  1 cup stale bread, crust removed and break bread into small pieces
  
  or you can use 1 cup fresh bread crumbs
  
  1/4 cup milk
  
  1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  
  salt and pepper
  
  3 Tablespoon olive oil for cooking
  
  Moisten bread with milk. Combine the moistened bread with all the other ingredients except olive oil and mix meat mixture very well. Form into meatballs and fry in oil for only a few minutes on each side. Add meatballs and one tablespoon of oil that was cooked with the meatballs to sauce. Cook sauce and meatballs on low for another hour.
  
  Or if you want to bake meatballs like my mother. Preheat oven to 450. Line a baking pan with aluminum foil. Coat with olive oil and bake for 10-12 minutes. Add meatballs and one tablespoon of oil that meatballs were baked into the sauce. Cook sauce and meatballs on low for another hour.
  
  Good cooks really put passion into what they make. Cooking is an art and skill that get better with practice and time. The best advice I can give is to have no fear of cooking. Try all different recipes and add your own touches that will make the meal special. What I found out over the years is that making a recipe your own is what makes that recipe special to you and your family. I have tried so many different dishes from magazines and cookbooks that I thought were not very good. So I just started from scratch and made the recipe how I thought it would be better and it was. So give it a try, just cook.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in cooking, family meals, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Hearty Meal, Main Dish, Main Meal, pasta | Tagged dinner, easy, meatballs, spagetti
- Springtime Lemon Pasta with Prosciutto and Asparagus
  
  Posted at 6:59 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Apr 11th
  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
  
  1 cup asparagus, lightly steamed
  
  1 cup heavy cream
  
  1 tablespoon plus 1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest (from about 1 large lemon)
  
  2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley, plus more for serving
  
  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  Freshly grated Parmesan (for serving)
  
  1/2 lemon thinly sliced for garnish
  
  Preparation
  
  Cook spaghetti in a large pot of boiling salted water, stirring occasionally, until al dente; drain, reserving 2 Tbsp. pasta cooking liquid.
  
  Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium skillet over medium-high. Add shallots and 1/2 tsp. salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes (do not brown). Add Prosciutto, asparagus, and cream. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce is slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in lemon zest, 2 Tbsp. parsley, and 1/2 tsp. pepper.
  
  Return pasta to pot. Toss with sauce and reserved pasta cooking liquid; season with salt and pepper. Place pasta on a plate then top with parsley, Parmesan seasoning with more pepper. Garnish with lemon slices.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in cooking, Food, Main Dish, peaches | Tagged asparagus, lemon, pasta, prosciutto
- Vegetable Soup with Israeli Couscous
  
  Posted at 8:29 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Apr 3rd
  I love this flavorful vegetable soup that is filling yet very healthy. Make and freeze in individual serving sizes for a deliciously easy soup. I added a Parmesan cheese rind for added flavor that is your option. If you want a strictly vegan soup omit the cheese. Serve with freshly baked bread along with a big salad for a fabulous easy quick dinner.
  
  Vegetable Soup with Israeli Couscous
  
  2 tablespoon olive oil
  
  4 cloves minced garlic
  
  1 chopped shallot
  
  1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  
  1 tablespoon Penzeys Mural of Flavor
  
  64 oz.( 8 cups) vegetable broth
  
  1cup dry red wine
  
  1 can (14.5 oz) Hunt’s Petite Diced Tomatoes without salt.
  
  12 oz French green beans cut into 2-inch pieces
  
  6 celery stalks thinly sliced
  
  1 package (16 oz) baby carrots sliced
  
  1 can (15.5 oz) small white beans, drained and rinsed
  
  1 4 inch piece Parmesan cheese rind (optional)
  
  1 cup Israeli Couscous
  
  In a large stockpot heat oil then add garlic and shallots cooking just until translucent. Don’t overcook the garlic it will become bitter. Add red pepper and Mural of Favor to garlic/onion mixture just heated. Pour vegetable broth, wine and tomatoes into pot heating to a boil. Add bean, celery, carrots and white bean. Once the soup begins to boil add couscous lower heat simmering for 60 minutes. If cheese rind isn’t dissolve remove. Serve with freshly grated Parmesan cheese.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in cooking, Easy recipes, Food, light dinner, lunch, Soup, Soups, Uncategorized | Tagged easy, green beans, Israel Couscous, vegetable soup
- Grilled Red, White and Blue Potatoes for July 4th
  
  Posted at 1:51 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Jul 2nd
  What could be more appropriate for a 4th of July party than red, white and blue potatoes on the grill. Oh, did I mention delicious and easy. You can make these potatoes ahead and serve them at room temperature or hot off the grill. Either way they taste wonderfully delicious.
  Ingredients
  3 packages(8-oz) gourmet tricolor potatoes
  
  1/4 cup olive oil
  
  4 cloves garlic, minced
  
  2 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped
  
  2 teaspoon sea salt
  
  1 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  Scrub potatoes, dry thoroughly. Place in large bowl. In a small bowl combine oil, garlic and thyme. Toss over potatoes. Set aside for 30 minutes. Preheat grill. Place potatoes on a grill pan, top with salt and pepper. Close lid grilling for 30-45 minutes until potatoes are soft. Test potatoes by piercing with a knife. Make ahead and serve at room temperature or serve immediately. Serves 20-25.
  Enjoy!
  
  Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
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  Posted in Barbecue, vegetables,easy,, cooking, Healthy, Side dish, vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian
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