entertaining | Good Dinner Mrs Mellen

Category: entertaining
- Christmas Cranberry Cheesecake
  
  Posted at 10:00 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Nov 30th
  My mother passed this recipe New York-style cheesecake to me many years ago. It is the richest cheesecake that you can make. I save it for special occasions when I want to share a show-stopping dessert that tops off dinner or a party. I have included a recipe for a pineapple glaze, or you can thickly spread sour cream on top. Or if I want to make this for a Christmas dessert I put candied cranberries on top. Either way, this cheesecake is the star of the show!
  
  Crust:
  
  1 cup sifted flour, King Arthur Flour
  
  1/4 cup sugar
  
  1 teaspoon grated lemon peel
  
  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  
  1 egg yolk
  
  1/4 cup butter, softened
  
  Filling:
  
  5 pkg.(8-oz) cream cheese softened, Philadelphia cream cheese
  
  1 3/4 cups sugar
  
  3 tablespoon flour
  
  2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
  
  1 1/2 grated orange peel
  
  1/4 teaspoon vanilla
  
  5 eggs, plus 2 egg yolks
  
  1/4 cup heavy cream
  
  Pineapple Glaze:
  
  2 tablespoon sugar
  
  4 teaspoon cornstarch
  
  2 cans(8 1/4-oz) crushed pineapple in heavy syrup, undrained
  
  2 tablespoon lemon juice
  
  Sugared cranberries
  
  2 cups fresh cranberries
  
  1 1/2 cups sugar, divided
  
  1 cup water
  
  Preheat over to 400F. Grease the inside of the 9-inch springform pan(3 inches high). Remove side.
  
  Make the crust: In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, lemon, peel, vanilla. Make well in center; with a fork, blend in yolk and butter. Mix with fingertips until smooth. Form half of the dough into a ball and place it on the bottom of the springform pan. Place wax paper on top; roll pastry to edge of the pan. Remove paper. Bake for 6 to 8 minutes or until golden. Cool. Meanwhile, divide the rest of the dough into three parts. Between waxed paper roll each part 2 1/4 inch wide and 9 inches long. Assemble the springform pan with the crust on the bottom. Line sides of the pan with pastry strips, overlapping ends. Remove waxed paper. Preheat oven 450F.
  
  Filling: In a large mixer bowl, blend cheese, sugar, flour, peels, and vanilla at high speed. Beat in eggs and yolks, one at a time: beat until smooth, occasionally scraping bowl with a spatula. Beat in cream. Pour into pan. Bake 10 minutes. Lower oven to 250F. Bake 1 hour longer. Remove pan to rack to cool, 2 hours. Make glaze.
  
  Glaze: In a small saucepan, combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in the remaining ingredients. Over medium heat, bring to boiling, stirring; boil 1 minute, or until thickened and translucent. Cool.
  
  Spread the surface of cheesecake with glaze; refrigerate for 3 hours or overnight.
  
  Sugared Cranberries: Bring 1 cup sugar and water to a simmer in a saucepan. Simmer until sugar is completely dissolved. Pour simple syrup into a heatproof bowl and allow to cool for about 10 minutes. Add cranberries and stir to coat. Refrigerate cranberries in syrup overnight, stirred a couple times to coat with syrup.
  
  Remove cranberries from syrup and roll in the remaining 1/2 cup of sugar. You’ll need to roll them a few times to get a couple layers of sugar on them.
  
  Set cranberries aside to dry for an hour or so.
  
  To serve: Loosen pastry from the side of the pan with a spatula. Remove sides of springform pan. Top with either Pineapple glaze or sugared cranberries. Serves 16
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Baking, Baking, Cake, Celebrations, cheese, Christmas, Christmas Recipes, Dessert, entertaining, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen | Tagged Cheesecake, Cranberries, King Arthur's Flour, Philadelphia cream cheese
- Pecan Pie
  
  Posted at 9:01 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Nov 28th
  My family loves a traditional Pecan Pie. For years I’ve wanted a more creative pie, like adding chocolate, but, no, no, they tell me. So I no longer ask them; I give them what they want!
  
  Here is my traditional Pecan Pie that graces our Christmas table each year. It’s easy and delicious!
  
  Traditional Pecan Pie
  
  Pie Crust
  
  1-1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  
  1/4 teaspoon salt
  
  1/3 cup shortening, Crisco
  
  4 – 5 tablespoons cold water
  
  1. Stir together flour and salt. Using a pastry blender, cut in shortening until pieces are pea-size.
  
  2. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the water over part of the mixture; gently toss with a fork. Push moistened dough to the side of the bowl. Repeat moistening dough, using 1 tablespoon of the water at a time, until all the dough is moistened. Form dough into a ball.
  
  3. On a lightly floured surface, use your hands to slightly flatten the dough. Roll dough from center to edges into a circle about 12 inches in diameter.
  
  4. To transfer pastry, wrap it around the rolling pin. Unroll pastry into a 9-inch pie plate. Ease pastry into pie plate, being careful not to stretch pastry.
  
  5. Rim pastry to 1/2 inch beyond edge of pie plate. Fold under extra pastry. Crimp edge as desired. Do not prick pastry. Or you can use a pre-made pie crust(I like Pillsbury refrigerated pie crust)
  
  Filling
  
  1/2 cup dark corn syrup, Karo
  
  1/2 cup light corn syrup, Karo
  
  3 eggs
  
  1 cup of sugar
  
  2 Tbs. butter, melted, Cabot Creamery
  
  1 tsp vanilla extract
  
  1 1/2 cups pecans halves
  
  Pre-heat oven to 350 F. Whisk the first five ingredients thoroughly. Pour into the pie crust. I like to place the pecan halves in a circular design.
  
  Bake on the center rack of the oven for 55 to 60 minutes. Do not overbake.
  
  TIP: Pie is done when the center reaches 200 F. Tap center surface of pie lightly; it should spring back when done. Don’t overbake.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Baking, Baking, Celebrations, Christmas, Christmas Recipes, Dessert, desserts, Easy recipes, entertaining, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Holiday Celebrations, Pastry, Pie | Tagged Cabot Butter, Christmas dinner, Crisco, Easy recipe, Karo syrup, Pecan pie, Pillsbury Pie crust
- Winter Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pecans and Goat Cheese
  
  Posted at 9:57 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Nov 27th
  Winter Squash with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pecans and Goat Cheese
  
  A colorful, tasty salad is a fabulous addition to your holiday table or buffet. One of my favorite fall/winter veggies is butternut squash. I use this versatile vegetable in soup, lasagna, roasted, pureed, and salads.
  
  I love this salad for its taste, vibrant color, and texture. The pecans and pomegranate arils add crunch. I have a few tips to cut down on preparation time when I make this salad. I buy bagged kale that has already been cut and washed. Then I remove the large stems from the cut kale making it easier to eat. Also softening with lemon and oil is a great tip. I use packaged butternut squash instead of peeling and cutting myself.
  
  Did I mention that this salad looks beautiful and is healthy!
  
  Ingredients
  
  FOR THE SALAD:
  
  12 oz. Shredded Kale
  
  1/2 Lemon, Juiced
  
  1 tablespoon. Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  
  12 ounces. Shredded Vegetables, I used Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Carrots
  
  2 Medium Apples, Peeled, Cored, and Diced, I used Granny Smith
  
  1 1/2 c. Candied Pecans (See Note)
  
  4 oz. weight Crumbled Goat Cheese
  
  20 ounces Roasted Butternut Squash (See Note), I purchased a cut-up Butternut Squash package
  
  1/2 cups Pomegranate Arils
  
  FOR THE DRESSING:
  
  1/2 cup Red Wine Vinegar
  
  4 teaspoon Dijon Mustard
  
  4 teaspoon Pure Maple Syrup
  
  1/4 teaspoon Sea Salt
  
  1/4 teaspoon Ground Black Pepper
  
  1/2 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  
  Directions
  
  Put the shredded kale in a large mixing bowl. Add lemon juice and extra-virgin olive oil. Use your hands to massage the lemon juice and olive oil into the greens, about a minute or so. The greens should wilt slightly and take on a deep green color.
  
  Add the other shredded vegetables/greens to the bowl as well as the chopped apple and pecans.
  
  Make the dressing by combining all of the dressing ingredients in a lidded glass jar. Shake vigorously for 30 seconds and then pour it over the salad. Mix well.
  
  Place greens on a long-serving plate. Add the crumbled goat cheese, butternut squash, and pomegranate arils on top. Serve.
  
  Notes:
  • To make the candied pecans, put the pecans in a small skillet with 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup and 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard. Cook on medium-low heat until nuts are toasted and sticky, 5-6 minutes. There shouldn’t be any liquid left in the pan. Add a pinch of salt and remove it from the pan to cool before adding them to the salad.
  
  • To make roasted butternut squash, put the squash on a small baking sheet. Toss with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and a pinch or two of sea salt. Roast at 425ºF until browned and soft, about 20-25 minutes.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Apples, Autumn, cheese, Christmas, Christmas Recipes, company dinner, Easy recipes, Elegant, entertaining, family meals, Farm Fresh Produce, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Healthy, Holiday Celebrations, Salad, Thanksgiving, Vegetables, Vegetarian | Tagged butternut squash, holiday salad, pecans, pomegranate, winter salad
- Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier and Oranges
  
  Posted at 10:00 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Nov 16th
  Massachusetts, abundant in cranberries bogs, produces glorious fresh cranberries that are harvested in the fall coming to market just in time for Thanksgiving. You can get frozen cranberries all year long a wonderful alternative when fresh are out of season. I just love fresh cranberries and I buy copious quantities for making naturally fresh cranberry sauce along with bread, cakes, stuffing, and roasted vegetables. You could say I go cranberry crazy this time of year. And you have to be quick since fresh cranberries are gone from the market right after the new year. As you might have guessed homemade cranberry sauce is a must, a favorite accompaniment to our Thanksgiving dinner. Each year I tweak the ingredients for a different sauce; sometimes I add pecans for a crunchy texture or lemons for a tangy sauce, this year I made cranberry sauce with chopped oranges. I like my cranberry sauce spirited adding a little liqueur; to this recipe, I added Grand Marnier; a french orange liqueur. If you are interested in reading more about cranberries and blogs their natural growing habitat click on this link. https://science.howstuffworks.com/life/botany/cranberry-bogs1.htm
  
  CRANBERRY SAUCE WITH ORANGES AND GRAND MARNIER
  
  INGREDIENTS
  
  1 medium navel orange, seeds removed, chopped
  
  1 lb. fresh (or frozen) cranberries
  
  1 cup of sugar, if you like tart cranberry sauce use 1/2 cup
  
  2 Tbsp. unsalted butter
  
  1 3″-long cinnamon stick
  
  ½ tsp. ground allspice
  
  Pinch of kosher salt
  
  2 tablespoon Grand Marnier
  
  RECIPE PREPARATION
  
  Place the orange in a large saucepan and pour in cold water to come 1″ up the sides of the pan. Bring to a boil, then remove immediately from heat and drain orange in a mesh sieve or colander. Rinse under cold water; return to saucepan. Add cranberries, sugar, butter, cinnamon, allspice, and salt and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve sugar. Reduce heat cook stirring often until cranberries burst, juices are syrupy, for about 9-12 minutes. Stir in Grand Marnier simmer for another two minutes. Remove cinnamon stick. and discard.
  
  DO AHEAD: Sauce can be made 1 week ahead. Cover and chill.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Autumn, Christmas, Christmas Recipes, company dinner, cooking, Easy recipes, Elegant, entertaining, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Holiday Celebrations, Thanksgiving, Vegetarian | Tagged cranberry sauce, Fresh crandberries, Grand Marnier, oranges
- Spectacular Fall Desserts
  
  Posted at 10:00 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Oct 12th
  In New England, we love to celebrate the fall season. Fantastic morning with warm sunny days, jewel-tone leaves, farm roadside stands bursting with the last of summer’s bounty all signal the change in the seasons. Nature’s premier show is on display for all to enjoy. Fall baking is one of my favorite pastimes, and I especially love to make apple desserts. Going through all my posts, I realized I’m kind of obsessed with apples, cakes, pies, cupcakes, and more. When I’m creating a new cake or pie, the fall inspires me to give nature my all and go wild! Here are a few of the fall favorites that I have posted over the years.
  
  Candied Apple Fudge Bundt Cake
  
  Candied Apple Fudge Bundt Cake
  
  FANTASTIC APPLE PIE
  
  Fantastic Fall Apple Pie
  
  CANDIED APPLE CRUMB CAKE
  
  Candied Apple Crumb Cake
  
  FALL APPLE PIE
  
  FALL APPLE PIE
  
  ENJOY!
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  Posted in Apples, Autumn, Baking, Baking, Cake, Celebrations, Dessert, desserts, Easy recipes, entertaining, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Pastry, Pie | Tagged Apple cake, Apple Pie, Cabot Butter, fall desserts, New England
- A Milestone Birthday Celebration with Friends
  
  Posted at 10:00 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Oct 8th
  Milestone birthdays never held any fascination or interest for me. Birthdays celebrations in the past have been family dinners at home or a restaurant. This year I felt differently and decided to throw a birthday gathering for my female friends, who hold a special place in my heart!
  
  We gathered on a Sunday evening at my home to share and celebrate my special day.
  I called the soiree my annual thirty-fifth birthday celebration since that is a good age and how I feel. And I love to cook and wanted to prepare the food to celebrate my birthday and our friendship.
  First, I served a giant cheese board laden with various delicacies: cheeses, prosciutto, tapenade, olives, apricots, fig jam, and nuts, accompanied by crackers. On a trip to Sonoma, I found a beautiful cheese board made from the lid of a wine barrel. I couldn’t resist and am so pleased with my purchase. Another appetizer was shrimp with cocktail sauce. I purchased jumbo frozen shrimp from Wegman’s, which was delicious and easy.
  
  CHEESE BOARD AND SHRIMP COCKTAIL
  
  The party was buffet-style, and I used dishes that were my late mother-in-law’s and held special meaning to me. And gold-plated silverware, a gift from my mother. Since my birthday is in September, I decorated my house with a fall theme. The centerpiece on the table was a white pumpkin carved out and arranged with hydrangeas from my garden Candles, a must at my home, burned bright on the table.
  The main courses were roasted turkey breasts, roaster butternut squash lasagna, Spanakopita (Greek spinach pie), roasted brussels sprouts with fig balsamic glaze, and tossed Caesar salad. Dessert, I did not make, was a beautifully delicious birthday cake.
  
  BUFFET TABLE
  
  ROASTED BUTTERNUT SQUASH LASAGNA
  
  All the dishes I prepared ahead and put the finishing touches on the day of the party. When I entertain, I want to enjoy my guest, not in the kitchen.
  
  ROASTED TURKEY BREAT & SPANAKOPITA(GREEK SPINACH PIE)
  
  Maybe it was because of the pandemic and starved for personal contact we had a blast. Most have been friends for a long time and enjoy each other’s company. Either reason, this was a fantastic evening, and I’m thinking of making the party a reoccurring tradition!
  
  The final ingredient good friends, fellowship and conversation.
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  Posted in Celebrations, Celebrations, cooking, entertaining, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen | Tagged Birthday party, celebration, cheese board, Donna's Bakery Boston, Fall decorations, friends, Wegmans
- Hummus Dip with Tobbouleh, Feta, Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Tzatziki
  
  Posted at 10:00 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Aug 12th
  Easy summertime entertaining is my philosophy for summer parties. I love to put together easy to make ahead dishes so I can relax and enjoy my guests. During the summertime with abundant produce at Framer’s markets, I just love creating delicious healthy food. Keep all the intendants my hummus dip ready for an impromptu get together or to bring to friends home for a barbecue.
  
  Hummus Dip with Tobbouleh, Feta, Cucumbers, Tomatoes, and Tzatziki
  
  1 container prepared Hummus*, I like garlic
  
  1/2 cup prepared Tabbouleh Salad*
  
  1/4 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
  
  1/4 cup chopped English cucumber
  
  1/4 cup chopped feta
  
  1/4 cup prepared Tzatziki*
  
  sliced tomatoes and cucumbers for garnish
  
  Mound hummus on serving plate. Top with tabbouleh, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, feta, then drizzle with tzatziki. Garnish with sliced tomatoes and cucumbers. Refrigerate. Serve with pita bread or crackers.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  * I use Cedar’s Mediterranean Foods brand for the hummus, Tabbouleh, and Tzatziki.
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  Posted in Appetizer, entertaining, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Healthy, summertime recipes | Tagged feta, hummus, Tabbouleh, Tzatziki
- Baked Brie with Raspberry Pepper Jelly
  
  Posted at 10:00 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Apr 6th
  1 (7-ounce) Brie wheel
  
  1/4 cup red pepper jelly, I like Stonewall Kitchen
  
  1 package (6-ounce) raspberry, save a few to garnishPre heat oven to 350F.Line baking sheet with parchment paper; place brie on paper
  
  Preheat oven to 350F
  
  In a small bowl combine pepper jelly, and raspberries, breaking up some and leaving other whole.
  
  Spoon jelly mixture on top of Brie. Bake until cheese is warm and melted, about 15 minutes
  
  Transfer to tray. Serve warm with crackers. Garnish with extra raspberries.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Appetizer, cheese, Cheese, Elegant, entertaining, Holiday Celebrations | Tagged Baked Brie, easy appetizers, Stonewall Kitchen Red Pepper Jelly
- Mediterranean Deviled Eggs with Blue Cheese
  
  Posted at 11:08 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Apr 3rd
  Who doesn’t love deviled eggs! You can add anything to the egg filling to create all different types of eggs. Deviled eggs are great for formal Easter dinner, a picnic, barbecue, just so versatile. I love to change up the ingredients in my eggs to create tasty new treats. I love Mediterranean food, and I couldn’t resist making an egg that captures the Mediterranean taste.
  
  Mediterranean Deviled Eggs with Blue Cheese
  
  12 large eggs
  
  1/2 cup mayonnaise
  
  1/4 cup milk
  
  2 teaspoon Dijon Mustard or Stonewall Kitchen Blue Cheese Herb Mustard
  
  1/8 teaspoon salt
  
  Freshly ground black pepper
  
  1/4 cup chopped kalamata olives
  
  1 tablespoon minced capers
  
  1/4 cup blue cheese or gorgonzola
  
  sliced kalamata olives
  
  Fresh thyme, for decoration optional
  
  1. Place eggs single layer in a saucepan and cover eggs with water up to that 1 1/2 inches above the eggs. Heat on high until water begins to boil, then cover, turn the heat to low, and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat and leave covered for 14 minutes, then rinse under cold water continuously for 1 minute.
  
  2. Crack eggshells and carefully peel under cool running water. Gently dry with paper towels. Slice the eggs in half lengthwise, removing yolks to a medium bowl, place the whites on a serving platter.
  
  3. Mash the yolks into a fine crumble using a fork. Add mayonnaise, mustard, salt, and pepper, and mix well. Gently combine olives, capers, and blue cheese with the egg mixture.
  
  4. Evenly disperse heaping teaspoons of the yolk mixture into the egg whites. Decorate with sliced olive and serve.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Easter Recipes, Easy recipes, eggs, entertaining, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Holiday Celebrations | Tagged Deviled eggs, Easter recipe, Stonewall Kitchen Blue Cheese Mustard
- Chocolate Covered Easter Eggs
  
  Posted at 9:20 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Apr 2nd
  These easy to make chocolate covered Easter Eggs will delight all your family members young and old alike. I sometimes omit the coconut and just make cream eggs and peanut butter. You can serve them plain or decorated with purchased sugar appliqués. However, you choose to embellish these candy eggs will be a big success.
  
  CHOCOLATE COVERED EASTER EGGS
  
  EGGS
  
  8 tablespoon butter softened
  
  4 cups confectioners sugar
  
  1 teaspoon vanilla
  
  3/4 cups sweetened condensed milk
  
  7 ounces sweetened coconut
  
  2/3 cup creamy peanut butter
  
  CHOCOLATE COATING
  
  1 package(12 ounces) Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
  
  6 tablespoon butter
  
  2 tablespoon heavy cream
  
  Sugar decorations
  
  Cream butter gradually with confectioners sugar. Add sweetened condensed milk and vanilla. Mix until combined. Divide sugar mixture in half adding coconut to one half and peanut butter to the other. Shape cream mixtures into small eggs. Place on wax paper
  
  Place chocolate and butter in a large glass bowl. Then, microwave one minute on high. The chocolate will look shiny; stir to combine butter. Microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until totally smooth. Chocolate continues to melt once you take it out of the microwave. If you microwave the chocolate until it looks completely melted, you risk burning the chocolate.
  
  Add cream to chocolate mixture until combined.
  
  Roll eggs in chocolate and place on wax paper. Don’t coat the underside of eggs. Use a small spatula to smooth out the chocolate and cover the eggs of the filing. Decorate. Store in refrigerator until ready to serve. The eggs can be made ahead and frozen. Makes 36 eggs.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Chocolate, Dessert, desserts, Easter Recipes, entertaining, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Holiday Celebrations | Tagged Chocolate easter eggs, Easy recipes, Ghirardelli Chocolate
← Older posts
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- Recent Posts: Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  Christmas Cranberry Cheesecake
  
  Pecan Pie
  
  Winter Salad with Roasted Butternut Squash, Pecans and Goat Cheese
  
  Cranberry Sauce with Grand Marnier and Oranges
  
  Shingled Sweet Potatoes with Spicy Brown Sugar
  
  Make-ahead Meals for the Holidays
  
  Pumpkin Cheesecake Bars with Drizzled Chocolate
  
  White Bean Soup with Kale
  
  Porcini Tomato Sauce over Polenta
  
  Bourbon Pecan Cheesecake

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