entertaining | Good Dinner Mrs Mellen | Page 2

Category: entertaining
- Roasted Hake and Peppers with Lemon Vinaigrette
  
  Posted at 12:51 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Feb 22nd
  The health benefits of a Mediterranean diet has been documented in clinical studies and shown to lead to longevity. I personally love a Mediterranean diet for the fantastic tasting food. I find that if you enjoy and savor food, you eat less and maintain a normal weight.
  
  If you are not familiar with the fish, Hake, you are missing a wonderful mild white fish that is part of the cod family. I bought this Hake on sale at Whole Foods for $7.99 per pound. I’ve added colorful peppers, green olives, thyme and a lemon vinaigrette dressing to make this fish dish pop! And it is ready in thirty minutes!
  
  1 tablespoon fresh thyme, finely chopped plus a few sprigs
  
  1 ½ pounds hake fillets
  
  ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
  
  ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  
  3 large bell peppers, 1 red, 1 orange and 1 yellow, thinly sliced
  
  4 ½ tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
  
  ¼ cup pitted, sliced green olives, I like Castelvetrano olives
  
  Lemon Vinaigrette
  
  ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  
  1 garlic clove, grated
  
  1 cup loosely packed Italian parsley leaves, chopped
  
  Heat oven to 400 degrees.
  
  Season fish all over with a large pinch or two of salt and pepper and rub with chopped thyme leaves. Let rest at room temperature while you prepare peppers.
  
  Toss peppers with 1 1/2 tablespoons oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt and ¼ black pepper and spread on a baking dish. Top peppers with the thyme sprigs. Roast, tossing occasionally until peppers are softened and golden at the edges, 15 to 20 minutes.
  
  Increase oven temperature to 500 degrees. Move peppers to the edges of the pan, making a space in the center. Lay fish out on that empty space and drizzle with oil. Scatter olives over the top of fish and peppers. Roast until fish turns opaque and is just cooked through, 6 – 10 minutes.
  
  Meanwhile, make a vinaigrette by combining lemon juice, garlic and a pinch of salt in a bowl. Whisk in remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil, then whisk in parsley. Serve fish and peppers drizzled with vinaigrette.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Easy recipes, entertaining, family meals, Fish, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Healthy, Hearty Meal, Mediterranean diet | Tagged Easy recipes, Hake, peppers, Whole Foods
- Italian Pot Roast
  
  Posted at 9:30 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Jan 20th
  Sunday dinner was a tradition in my family growing up. My mother, an exceptional cook, would prepare a feast with enough food to feed our entire neighborhood. All were welcome to join us for dinner. When I married and started my own family, I continued having large Sunday family dinners.
  
  One of my mother’s famous Sunday meals was her Italian Pot Roast. She preferred an Eye Round Roast, but you can use a Shoulder or Brisket. I like to make this just like my mother on a stove, but it can be cooked in a slow cooker. After the meat is browned on the stove place all the ingredients in a slow cooker and cook for eight hours.
  
  Italian Pot Roast
  
  4 lb. Eye Roast
  
  1 garlic clove, thinly sliced
  
  salt and pepper
  
  2 tablespoons olive oil
  
  1 cup chopped carrots
  
  1 cup chopped onions
  
  1 finely chopped celery stalk
  
  2 cloves garlic, minced
  
  2 bay leaves, crushed
  
  1 teaspoon thyme
  
  1 teaspoon rosemary
  
  1 teaspoon cinnamon
  
  1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
  
  1/4 cup tightly packed parsley leaves, chopped
  
  3 tablespoons tomato paste
  
  3 cups red wine
  
  1(28-ounce) can whole San Marzano tomatoes, drained and chopped*
  
  2 tablespoons flour
  
  1/4 cup water
  
  1 lb. penne pasta
  
  Cut slits in eye roast and insert sliced garlic into slits. Season the beef with salt and pepper. In a large casserole, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil until hot but not smoking. Brown beef on all sides. Transfer beef to a plate. Pour off browning fat.
  
  Add carrots, onions, and celery, stirring until golden. Add garlic and cook 1 minute more. Season lightly with salt and pepper. Stir in bay leaves, thyme, rosemary, cinnamon, nutmeg, parsley and tomato paste. Add the wine and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the beef and tomatoes. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook at a gentle simmer for 3 hours, until meat is tender.
  
  Remove beef, cover with aluminum foil to keep warm. Mix two tablespoon flour with 1/4 cup water. Add to the sauce to thicken. Simmer on low heat stirring until sauce thickens about 3-5 minutes. While sauce is thickening cook pasta according to package directions.
  
  Place cooked pasta on a large plater, pour the sauce over pasta. Slice beef and arrange over pasta. Serve with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
  
  *I used Cento certified San Marzano tomatoes.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Beef, company dinner, dinner, Easy recipes, entertaining, family meals, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Main Dish, Main Meal, pasta | Tagged Cento San Marzano tomates, Pot roast, sunday dinner
- Cornish Game Hens in Champagne Sauce
  
  Posted at 10:04 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Jan 5th
  True Cornish game hens are young female Cornish chickens weighing about 2 pounds. They make an elegant single serve entry. And they are easy to roast like a chicken. Perfect for a romantic dinner for two or a smaller dinner party.
  
  I am a big fan of spices and seasonings when I cook, using very little salt relying on fresh and dried herbs and spices to flavor food. When I was young I would help my grandmother who immigrated from Italy harvest her vegetables for winter canning. We’d sit for hours at her red and white enamel kitchen table and I’d watch her braid fresh garlic and tie peppers together, then she would hang them in her cellar to dry. As soon as you stepped into the cellar the pungent aroma assailed your senses.
  
  CORNISH GAME HENS IN CHAMPAGNE SAUCE
  
  2 Cornish Hens
  
  1/4 cup fresh or frozen cranberries
  
  fresh thyme sprigs
  
  fresh rosemary sprigs
  
  2 whole garlic cloves, peeled and sliced in half
  
  1 lemon, sliced in half
  
  2 tablespoon butter, melted and cooled
  
  1/2 cup dry champagne or sparkling wine, at room temperature
  
  salt and pepper
  
  1 cup baby carrots
  
  Preheat oven 375 F
  
  Rinse hens and pat dry. Stuff each hen cavity with half of the cranberries, next thyme, and rosemary, then cloves and finish with the lemon half. Truss the hen legs. Combine butter and champagne. Pour over hens. Season with salt and pepper. Place baby carrots around the hens.
  
  Roast the hens in the preheated oven for about 1 hour or until an instant-read thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the thigh registers 165 degrees F and the juices run clear. Baste hens every 15 minutes. Remove the hens from the oven, loosely tent with foil and let rest 10 minutes before carving or serving.
  
  Serve over Israel couscous.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Chicken, Easy recipes, entertaining, Food | Tagged Cornish Hens, Easy recipes, romantic dinner
- Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Shallots and Cranberries
  
  Posted at 1:55 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Dec 15th
  If you read my blog by now you know that I am obsessed with cranberries. As soon as these red jewels come to market I start to cook and bake everything with cranberries. My family loves Brussels Sprouts with cranberries and I make this recipe for our Christmas dinner; the red cranberries are an added festive touch. Many grocery stores carry the petite Brussels Sprouts which I like to use as they are nice and tender. If you use the larger variety you will need to split them in half. Another favorite ingredient that I use regularly is fig balsamic vinegar; sweet and tangy perfect with Brussels Sprouts. Versatile Brussels Sprouts are so perfect roasted alone too!
  - 2 tablespoon butter
  - 2 small shallots, chopped (about 1⁄4 cup)
  - 2 teaspoons minced garlic (about 2 garlic cloves)
  - 3 tablespoons fig balsamic vinegar
  - 3 pounds fresh Brussels sprouts, halved (about 10 cups) or petite Brussels, whole
  - 2 tablespoons olive oil
  - 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  - 1/2 teaspoons black pepper
  - 1 cup fresh cranberries
  Step 1
  
  Melt large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots, and cook, stirring often, until shallots are softened and start to brown, about 8 minutes. Add garlic, and cook, stirring often for 1 minute. Add vinegar, and cook until thick and syrupy, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and pour into a small microwavable bowl. Cool to room temperature, cover, and chill until ready to use, up to 1 day ahead.
  
  Step 2
  
  Preheat oven to 400°F. Toss Brussels sprouts with olive oil, 1 teaspoon of the salt, and 1⁄2 teaspoon of the pepper. Transfer to lightly greased 13 x 9-inch baking dish. Roast Brussels sprouts in the preheated oven until golden and tender, about 25 minutes, stirring halfway through baking. Set aside for up to 1 hour.
  
  Step 3
  
  Microwave shallot mixture on MEDIUM (50% power) until mixture can be stirred, about 30 seconds. Add shallot mixture to Brussels sprouts. Sprinkle evenly fresh cranberries, and bake at 400°F until heated thoroughly about 15 minutes. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.
  
  Enjoy!
  
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  Posted in Christmas Recipes, Easy recipes, entertaining, family meals, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, vegetable bake, Vegetables, Vegetarian | Tagged Brussels Sprouts, Christmas recipe, Cranberries
- Hummus Dip with Tobbouleh, Feta, Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Tzatziki
  
  Posted at 12:00 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Jul 6th
  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, Barbecue, vegetables,easy,, Easy recipes, entertaining, Farm Fresh Produce, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Healthy, Vegetarian | Tagged Cedar's Mediterranean Foods, cucumbers, feta, hummus, Tobbouleh, tomatoes, Tzatziki
- Watermelon, Tomato and Feta Salad
  
  Posted at 4:27 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Jun 15th
  Watermelon is synonymous with hot summer days, infused with sun-kissed flavor. I remember growing up waiting – not patiently- for my mother to cut the biggest watermelon for us to enjoy when we returned home from a day spent at the pool baking in the sun. (we didn’t know about sun protection then) Instantly cooling and so refreshing!
  
  I still slice up watermelon to serve for family and friends on hot summer days. Perfect after a barbecue or here in New England, we’re fond of clam bakes. For parties or picnic, I love to splurge making a watermelon salad adding tomatoes, red onion and feta cheese with a sweet and salty dressing. Fresh mint and a pinch of Himalayan pink salt just the perfect finishing touch.
  
  1 small watermelon (about 3 – 5 lb.)
  
  1/2 c. fresh mint, finely chopped
  
  1/4 c. red onion, thinly sliced
  
  12 oz. cherry, halved
  
  2 tbsp. olive oil
  
  2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
  
  1 tsp. pure honey
  
  Kosher salt and black pepper
  
  1/4 cup Crumbled feta
  
  pinch of Pink Himalayan salt
  
  Remove the rind from watermelon and cut the flesh into 1/2 inch-thick cubes; arrange on a platter. Top with fresh mint, red onion, cherry tomatoes. Combine olive oil, fresh lime juice, pure honey, and kosher salt and black pepper in a bowl. Spoon over watermelon; top with crumbled feta. Sprinkle with a pinch of Pink Himalayan salt.
  
  If you are taking on a picnic or to a party assemble salad at your location.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in entertaining, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Salad, summertime recipes, Vegetarian | Tagged Easy recipe, Feta Cheese, summer salad, watermelon salad
- Party Paella
  
  Posted at 5:26 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  May 12th
  Paella is a wonderfully flavorful dish from the Valencia region of Spain. Traditional Paella is cooked on the stove in a special aptly named Paella pan, a large carbon steel pan that distributes the heat evenly. Paella pans can be used on the grill also and in the summer making Paella outside is a treat for your guest.
  
  When I am having a larger group I like to modify the traditional Paella recipe to make ahead and enjoy my guests. Most of the preparation can be done earlier in the day and assemble of the Paella just before you put in the oven.
  
  Ingredients:
  
  3 tablespoons olive oil
  
  6 fresh chorizo sausages or mild chicken sausages (about 1 3/4 pounds)
  
  12 chicken thighs with skin and bones (about 4 1/4 pounds), excess fat trimmed
  
  2 very large onions, chopped (about 5 cups)
  
  10 garlic cloves, chopped, plus 1 garlic clove, minced
  
  1 can (14.5 oz) chopped tomatoes, drained
  
  2 bay leaves
  
  3 red bell peppers, cut into 1-inch-wide strips
  
  1 1/2 pounds uncooked large shrimp, peeled, deveined
  
  1 generous pinch saffron threads
  
  2 1/2 cups arborio rice
  
  1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  
  5 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
  
  2 teaspoons paprika
  
  Chopped fresh parsley
  
  Directions:
  
  Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a heavy large shallow pot over medium-high heat. Add sausages and sauté until cooked through, turning often about 10 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper. Working in batches, add chicken, skin side down, to the pot. Cover and cook until brown, about 6 minutes. Turn chicken over, cover and cook until brown and cooked through, about 8 minutes longer. Transfer chicken to bowl with sausages. Add onions and 10 chopped garlic cloves to pot; sauté until tender, about 8 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves; stir 2 minutes. Stir bell peppers. Transfer to another large bowl.
  
  Toss shrimp with remaining 2 tablespoons oil, 1 minced garlic clove and a generous pinch of saffron in a medium bowl. (Chicken-sausage mixture, vegetable mixture, and shrimp mixture can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.)
  
  Preheat oven to 375°F. Brush one 18 x 12 x 2 1/4-inch roasting pan with olive oil. Mix rice and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt into vegetable mixture. Spread rice mixture evenly in prepared pan. Cut sausages diagonally into 1-inch slices. Using a wooden spoon, push sausage and chicken pieces into rice mixture; pour any juices from bowl over. Bring 5 cups chicken broth, paprika and remaining 1/4 teaspoon saffron to boiling in a medium saucepan. Pour evenly over rice mixture. Cover roasting pan tightly with foil. Bake until rice is almost tender, about 40 minutes.
  
  Sprinkle shrimp mixture with salt and pepper. Arrange atop rice mixture. Cover pan with foil; bake until shrimp are opaque in center, rice is tender and most of the liquid in the pan is absorbed, about 20 minutes longer. Sprinkle with parsley.
  
  Serves 10.
  
  You can make more than one pan for larger groups!
  
  Enjoy!
  
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  Posted in Casserole, entertaining | Tagged Chicken, large group, Make ahead, Paella, Party food, Sausage, Shrimp
- Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella
  
  Posted at 5:19 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Mar 9th
  Ina Garten’s Chicken Marbella
  
  I’m a big fan of Ina Garten collecting all her cookbooks. I opened her new cookbook, Cook Like a Pro: Recipes and Tips for Home Cooks, a Christmas present from my husband Chris, eager to try her variation of Chicken Marbella. When the Silver Palate cookbook was all the rage I made Chicken Marbella and wasn’t very impressed. So I approached Ina’s reinvention with trepidation planing on being disappointed. I made the dish and served it for a family Sunday dinner. Much to my surprise and delight we throughly enjoyed Ina’s Chicken Marbella. I found the flavor more intense than the Silver Palate recipe created by the addition of more prunes, olives, garlic, caper juice and less sugar. I will definitely make this recipe again.
  - 1/2 cup good olive oil
  - 1/2 cup good red wine vinegar
  - 1 1/2 cups large pitted prunes, such as Sunsweet
  - 1 cup large green olives, pitted, such as Cerignola (see tip)
  - 1/2 cup capers, including the juices (3 1/2 ounces)
  - 6 bay leaves
  - 1 1/2 heads of garlic, cloves separated, peeled, and minced (see tip)
  - 1/4 cup dried oregano
  - Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
  - 2 (4-pound) chickens, backs removed and cut in 8 pieces
  - 1/2 cup light brown sugar, lightly packed
  - 1 cup dry white wine, such as Pinot Grigio
  INSTRUCTIONS
  - Combine the olive oil, vinegar, prunes, olives, capers, bay leaves, garlic, oregano, 2 tablespoons salt, and 2 teaspoons pepper in a large bowl. Add the chicken to the marinade. (You can also place the chicken and marinade in a 2-gallon plastic storage bag and squeeze out the air to make sure the chicken is fully covered with the marinade.) Refrigerate overnight, turning occasionally to be sure the marinade is getting into all of the chicken pieces.
    Preheat the oven to 350°F.
    
    Place the chicken, skin side up, along with the marinade in one layer in a large (15 × 18-inch) roasting pan, sprinkle with the brown sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper, and pour the wine around (not over!) the chicken. Roast for 45 to 55 minutes, until the internal temperature of the chicken is 145 degrees. Remove the pan from the oven, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and allow to rest for 10 to 15 minutes. Discard the bay leaves. Transfer the chicken, prunes, and olives to a serving platter, sprinkle with salt, and serve hot with the pan juices.
  RECIPE NOTES
  
  Pro tip: You can’t buy good-quality pitted green olives. I buy whole olives and pit them with a cherry pitter.
  
  Pro tip: To peel a lot of garlic quickly, separate the cloves and blanch them in boiling water for 15 to 30 seconds, depending on the size of the cloves — the peel slips right off.
  
  Reprinted from Cook Like a Pro: Recipes & Tips for Home Cooks. Copyright © 2018 by Ina Garten. Photographs by Quentin Bacon. Published by Clarkson Potter/Publisher
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Chicken, dinner, entertaining, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Main Dish, Main Meal | Tagged Chicken Marbella, Ina Garten, sunday dinner
- CHOCOLATE TIRAMISU CAKE
  
  Posted at 7:05 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Mar 6th
  A luscious outrageous cake that will wow your guest! I loved creating this cake and had so much fun making the crepes that I hadn’t done in many years. Years ago when crepes were extremely popular I purchased a Sunbeam M’sieur Crepe maker. To my surprise I found the maker in a cabinet in my basement, unfortunately, it no longer worked so I used an omelet pan to make the crepes. This cake should be started two-three days before you want to serve. The cake is time-consuming yet easy to make. And your guest like mine will be so impressed with the cake because it looks and tastes amazing,
  
  INGREDIENTS
  
  Crepes
  ¾ cup plus 2 tablespoons cake flour
  
  ¾ cup plus 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
  
  ¼ cup granulated sugar
  
  2 teaspoons kosher salt
  
  4 large eggs
  
  5 large egg yolks
  
  1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  
  2 cups whole milk
  
  3 tablespoons cognac
  
  Tiramisu Filling
  1¼ cups confectioners’ sugar
  
  4 cups mascarpone cheese
  
  1/4 coffee liqueur
  
  1/4 cup natural cocoa powder plus 2 tablespoons for topping
  
  1 cup heavy whipping cream
  
  2 tablespoon powder sugar
  
  DIRECTIONS
  
  1. Make the crepe batter: Sift together the cake flour, all-purpose flour, and sugar in a medium bowl. Whisk in the salt. In another medium bowl, whisk together the eggs and egg yolks. Add the egg mixture to the flour mixture and whisk until smooth. In a slow, steady stream, whisk in the butter, then the milk and cognac, until the batter is smooth. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
  
  2. Set an 8-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Gently stir the crêpe batter, then pour ¼ cup of batter into the skillet. Holding the skillet by the handle, tilt and turn the skillet to quickly disperse the batter. Cook the crepe until the underside is golden-brown, about 1½ minutes. Lightly jerk the skillet to loosen the crepe, then flip the crepe over using a spatula, a more vigorous jerking motion or your fingers. Cook on the other side until golden-brown, about 30 seconds, then slide the crepe onto a plate. Top with waxed or parchment paper to prevent crepes from sticking together. Repeat until all of the batter is used (you’ll end up with about 20 crepes total, and will need 18 for the cake). Refrigerate the crepes on a plate until completely chilled, at least 2 hours or overnight.
  
  3. Make the tiramisu filling: Sift the confectioners’ sugar. Add the mascarpone cheese, coffee liquor, and 1/4 cocoa. Combine the mixture at low speed until well combined.
  
  4. Remove the crepes from the refrigerator. Add 1 crepe to the bottom cake plate so it lies flat. Add ¼ cup of the tiramisu filling to the center of the crepe and use a small offset spatula to evenly spread the filling over the crêpe. Repeat with the filling and 17 more crêpes. Refrigerate the leftover filling; you’ll use it to finish the cake. Chill the cake in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight. Place a metal mixing bowl and metal whisk into the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes.
  
  Place the sugar into the mixing bowl and add the whipping cream. Whisk just until the cream reaches stiff peaks.
  
  Fold whipped cream into remaining tiramisu cream just until combined and no white streaks remain.
  
  Remove the cake from the refrigerator. Spread the remaining tiramisu cream on top and sides of the cake. Add the cocoa powder to a fine-mesh sieve and sprinkle it over the top of the cake. Slice and serve.
  
  Enjoy!
  
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  Posted in Cake, Chocolate, Dessert, desserts, Elegant, entertaining, Food | Tagged chocolate tiramisu cake, crepes
- Cranberry Desserts
  
  Posted at 9:36 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Dec 8th
  You all know by now that I love using cranberries in my cooking; sauce, with veggies – so good with Brussels sprouts – and especially desserts. Cranberries also add a festive touch to all your dishes. Especially around the Holidays Cranberries add a festive flavorful touch.
  
  This year once again cranberries will be the star on my holiday dessert table – from easy make-ahead tea bread to a rich cheesecake and a sparking show-stopping white cake.
  
  The Ultimate Cheesecake
  
  The Ultimate Cheesecake
  
  A rich cheesecake topped with candied cranberries taste delicious and looks beautiful on a dessert table. My youngest son Chad loves cheesecake; we’ve even been to Juniors in Times square to sample their array of delectable cakes. At Christmas, I make especially for him a cheesecake enjoyed by all. This cheesecake is what is called a New York-style – rich, five packages of cream cheese, five eggs plus two egg yolks and cream – making for a dense creaming cake. In the spring I make this cheesecake with crushed pineapple.
  
  Snowy Winter White Chocolate Cranberry Cake
  
  Snowy Winter White Chocolate Cranberry Cake
  
  Isn’t this a beautiful cake – looking like new-fallen snow on Christmas morning. The white cake is light and moist, one of my favorite recipes that I use over and over, just changing the filling and frosting.
  
  Sweet Potato Cranberry Pound Cake
  
  Sweet Potato Cranberry Pound Cake
  
  A deliciously easy cake, perfect after a meal, but I like to serve this cake with brunch or when sharing a cup of coffee with friends.
  
  Pumpkin Cranberry Tea Bread with White Chocolate
  
  Pumpkin Cranberry Tea Bread with White Chocolate
  
  Tea bread is great to make ahead and freeze for up to a month. I always around the holidays have a few in my freezer for when friends drop in or if I want to bring as a hostess gift. I wrap the tea bread in cello wrap which you can purchase at a craft store and tie with a festive bow.
  
  In New England, we have freshly picked cranberries from fall to December. Cranberries freeze well so I buy extra to freeze and use during the winter months in my cooking.
  
  I have many recipes on my blog with cranberries!
  
  Enjoy!
  
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  Posted in Cake, Christmas, Christmas Recipes, Dessert, desserts, Elegant, entertaining, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Tea Breads | Tagged Christmas, Clheesecake, Cranberries, Ghiradelli Chocolate, King Arthur Flour, Philadelphia cream cheese
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