Food | Good Dinner Mrs Mellen

Category: Food
- Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Coffee Cake
  
  Posted at 9:09 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 22nd
  I love this cake because it combines the excellent taste of chocolate and pumpkin. What makes it even more delicious is the wonderful spices added to the batter. This cake not only tastes great but smells like spiced hot chocolate. I love a pretty presentation for my cooking and baking and by adding the mini chocolate chips and powdered sugar not only does that enhance the taste but also adds to the visual display. You can do more to this cake to dress it up. I sometimes decorate the cake with chocolate-dipped strawberries or dried apricots, both are very easy to do. I just place the fruit around the base of the cake on the cake dish. This is very nice for a buffet table. As I like to say, just use your imagination and try different ideas. Remember no fear; just enjoy. I’ve included the recipe for chocolate dipped fruit.
  
  via Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Coffee Cake
  
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  Posted in Cake, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Uncategorized | Tagged Pumpkin
- Bake Tomato Casserole
  
  Posted at 9:39 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 14th
  I love locally grown tomatoes. Farm fresh tomatoes taste wonderfully alive with flavor and bright with color. You can see and taste the difference. I am fortunate that the town that I live in has a summer farmers market and I have generous friends that share their bountiful produce. Lately, I’ve been seeing a rainbow of color tomatoes from golden yellow to deep purple come to market which makes a beautiful colorful tomato casserole.
  
  I serve this casserole as a side dish with dinner or for lunch with a salad and crisp fresh bread.
  
  3 cups assorted cherry tomatoes
  
  2 tablespoon olive oil
  
  1/4 cup kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
  
  1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
  
  1/4 cup chopped fresh herbs, basil, rosemary, and french thyme
  
  Preheat oven to 350F. Place tomatoes, olives, and herbs in a bowl, gently toss to combine. Transfer tomato mixture to a baking dish and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle parmesan cheese on top.
  
  Bake for 20-25 minutes until tomatoes are bubbling and topping is golden brown.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, lunch, Side dish, Tomato, vegetable bake, Vegetables, Vegetarian | Tagged easy, farm fresh tomato, quick, tomato bake, tomato casserole
- Fall Apple Desserts
  
  Posted at 8:25 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 11th
  Autumn, crisp mornings when dew glistens on burnished crimson leaves and you can taste the ripe apples in the orchards, just waiting to be picked. Apples, caramels, walnuts, and cinnamon flavors my favorite ingredients baked into fabulous desserts!
  
  Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  In New England we are love to celebrate the fall season. Cool 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 on display for all to enjoy. Fall baking is one of my favorite past times and I especially love to make apple desserts. Going through all my post 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 just inspires me like nature to give it my all and go wild! Here are a few of my 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
  
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  Posted in Apples, Cake, desserts, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen | Tagged Apple cake, Apple Pie
- Farro and Kale Salad with Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
  
  Posted at 12:12 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 7th
  4 cups of water
  
  2 cups farro, rinse under cold water*
  
  1 (14 oz.) package shredded vegetables, such as kale, Brussel sprouts, broccoli, and cabbage
  
  1 bunch scallions, sliced thin
  
  1/4 cup dried cranberries
  
  2 tablespoons roasted pumpkin seeds
  
  Add water to a saucepan and bring to boil. Add faro. Cover with a lid, and let simmer on low-medium heat for 20-25 minutes or until all of the water is absorbed. Transfer to large bowel. Add kale, scallions, cranberries, pumpkin seeds, toss. Pour dressing over the salad and toss again. Serve at room temperature.
  
  Lemon Poppy Seed Dressing
  
  2 teaspoons stevia
  
  1/2 cup lemon juice
  
  2 teaspoons diced onion
  
  1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  
  2/3 cup canola oil
  
  1 tablespoon poppy seeds
  
  Blend stevia, lemon juice, onion, Dijon mustard, and salt in a blender until smooth. Stream canola oil in a thin stream into the mixture while the blender is running. Add poppy seeds and pulse blender a few times, just to mix seeds into the dressing.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  *I used Nature’s Earthy Choice Farro
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  Posted in Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Healthy, Salad, vegan, Vegetarian | Tagged Farra, Healthy food, Nature's Earthly Choice
- Farm Fresh Tomato Quiche
  
  Posted at 11:35 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 2nd
  1 9-inch uncooked deep dish pie crust, frozen then thawed, refrigerated pie crust or homemade
  
  1/2 cup parmesan cheese
  
  1 cup mozzarella cheese
  
  15-20 large basil leaves, chopped, about 1/2 cup
  
  2 cups sliced petite multi-colored heirloom tomatoes, save a few to add last
  
  6 eggs
  
  1/2 cup milk, whole milk preferred
  
  1/2 cup cream
  
  1 tablespoon garlic, minced
  
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  
  1/4 teaspoon pepper
  
  pinch of Pink Himalayan salt
  
  Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  
  In uncooked pie crust, evenly sprinkle half (1/4 cup) parmesan cheese in the bottom. Next, add tomatoes, saving a few to place on top of the pie. Place mozzarella cheese over tomatoes then add chopped basil.
  
  Top with remaining (1/4 cup) parmesan cheese over the tomato slices. Set aside.
  
  In a mixing bowl, beat eggs, milk, cream, garlic, salt, and pepper together. Pour into pie crust. It should cover all ingredients and fill to the top of the crust. Place remaining tomatoes on top. Sprinkle with pink Himalayan salt.
  
  Place on a cookie sheet in case of spillage. Bake at 350 degrees for 50-60 minutes or until golden brown and soft set.
  
  Let cool 5-10 minutes before serving.
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  Posted in Easy recipes, eggs, Food, Pie, Tomato, Vegetarian | Tagged Easy recipes, Farm Fresh Tomatoe, quiche
- Nicoise Salad
  
  Posted at 4:58 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Aug 6th
  Nicoise Salad
  
  I love salads for a leisurely, cool summer lunch, or dinner. Nicoise Salad is a favorite in our family. I used tricolor potatoes to add beautiful color, red, purple, and white. Add a lemon mustard dressing with a touch of honey for sweetness for irresistible fresh flavor.
  
  ¾ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  
  ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
  
  2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
  
  1 tsp. honey
  
  1 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
  
  1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more
  
  6 large eggs
  
  1 lb. green beans, trimmed
  
  12 oz Tricolor Baby Melody potatoes
  
  4 cups seedless cucumbers
  
  3 cups oil-packed tuna*
  
  Olives, capers, pepperoncini, pickles, or other pickled-briny ingredients (for serving)
  
  Flaky sea salt
  
  *I like Italian tuna.
  
  Whisk oil, lemon juice, mustard, honey, pepper, and 1 tsp. kosher salt in a medium bowl; set dressing aside.
  
  Place eggs in a medium pot cover with salted water and bring to a boil. Lower to simmer and cook for 7 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer eggs to a bowl of ice water; chill until cold, about 5 minutes. Peel; set aside.
  
  Meanwhile, add green beans and potatoes to the same pot of boiling water and cook until just tender, 2–4 minutes for green beans, 8-10 minutes for potatoes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a bowl of ice water; let sit until cold, about 3 minutes. Transfer to paper towels; pat dry.
  
  To serve, slice eggs in half and arrange on a platter with cooked and raw vegetables and tuna. Top with pickled-briny ingredient(s), sprinkle with sea salt and drizzle some reserved dressing over. Serve with remaining dressing alongside.
  
  Do Ahead: Dressing can be made 5 days ahead; cover and chill. Eggs can be boiled, and vegetables blanched 2 days ahead; cover and chill separately.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in eggs, Food, Salad, Vegetables, Vegetarian | Tagged Easy recipe, Nicoise Salad, summer dinner
- 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 put together easy make a head 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 ingriendants my hummus dip ready for an impromptu get together or to bring to a 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
- Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Chickpeas, Goat Cheese and Olives
  
  Posted at 6:47 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Jul 1st
  Warm weather and refreshingly different salads two of my favorite things. I find salads not only fun to make trying different combinations of ingredients but easy to make. Almost any salad you can think of is do ahead and easy to transport to family and friends homes or on a picnic. Being of Italian heritage I love the flavors of the Mediterranean areas with the wonderfully flavorful seasonings. What I like most about this salad is the interesting combination of orzo, a rice shaped pasta, with chick peas, goat cheese and olives. Just add some lemon, garlic, oil and fresh oregano to bring out the other ingredients. I almost forgot, I have been adding Sesame Tahini to many of my salads for a more intense taste. I think you’ll really enjoy this salad!
  
  Mediterranean Orzo Salad with Chickpeas, Goat Cheese and Olives
  
  1 1/2 cups orzo, cooked according to package instructions
  
  1/4 cup olive oil
  
  juice of one lemon
  
  1 clove of garlic, minced
  
  1 teaspoon Sesame Tahini
  
  15-oz can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  
  2 tablespoon chopped oregano
  
  1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
  
  5 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
  
  1/2 cup kalamati olives chopped
  
  In a large bowl, whisk together oil, lemon juice and sesame tahini. Add the chickpeas, orzo, oregano and pepper. Gently stir in goat cheese then olives. Serve over a bed of lettuce. Chill until ready to serve.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Easy recipes, Food, Salad, Vegetarian | Tagged barbacue, Chickpeas, Easy recipe, goat cheese, July 4th, Orzo salad
- Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes and Pesto Sauce
  
  Posted at 1:19 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Jun 29th
  Cooking and good food is in my blood. Both my grandmother and mother were accomplished cooks who could combine a few ingredients into a memorable feast that you would never forget. I learned from both these exceptional women that their love of cooking for family and friends was their secret ingredient that flavored their dishes better than any expensive seasoning or ingredient. Being of Italian heritage, tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil and pasta were the basis for many of the meals they cooked when I was growing up in Bucks County, Pennsylvania along the Delaware River. The Delaware Valley before all the housing developments was rich land with farms that went for miles. My grandmother and mother’s summer season gardens overflowed with the most beautiful fresh produce perfect for making Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes and Pesto Sauce. I’ve attempted to create the flavors from one of their signature dishes. Both women never used a recipe they just added a pinch of this, a dash of that magically creating breathtaking food!
  
  Linguine with Cherry Tomatoes and Pesto Sauce
  
  1 pint cherry tomatoes
  
  2 tablespoon olive oil
  
  4 cloves garlic, minced
  
  2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  
  1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  
  1/4 cup pesto sauce*
  
  12 oz of fresh linguine
  
  1 tablespoon butter
  
  Preheat oven 425F. Place the first six ingredients in a baking dish ad roast for 20 minutes until tomatoes are hot and bubbly. Cool. Add pesto sauce to tomatoes; stirring until combined. Cook pasta according to package directions. Drain and reserve 1/4 cup water from pasta. Place pasta in large bowel toss with 1 tablespoon butter and reserved water. Add tomato/pesto sauce and toss again. Serve with fresh grated Parmesan cheese.
  
  Pesto Sauce
  
  4 cups packed fresh basil
  
  1/2 cup olive oil
  
  1/2 cup pine nuts
  
  2 cloves garlic
  
  1/2 parmesan cheese
  
  1/2 cup olive oil
  
  1/2 teaspoon sea salt
  
  Combine basil, oil, pine nuts, and garlic in a blender. Blend until paste forms, stopping often to push down basil. Add both cheeses and salt; blend until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl. Freeze unused pesto.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Easy recipes, family meals, Farm Fresh Produce, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, pasta, vegan, Vegetarian, Weeknight dinner | Tagged Easy recipe, farm fresh, pasta, Pesto Sauce, sunday dinner, tomatoes
- Blueberry Pie with Pecan Topping
  
  Posted at 9:32 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Jun 23rd
  I just love blueberries and blueberry pie. While traditional blueberry pie is mouthwatering delicious sometimes I just like to change it up so I created this sinful decadent Pecan crumb topped sour cream blueberry pie. They say a picture is worth a thousand words but even this picture can only go so far in capturing the nutty topping with blueberry juice bursting from the fruit all in a creamy custard. I want another piece just writing this! Don’t forget to top with Bryers French Vanilla ice cream.
  
  Pastry
  
  1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
  
  1/4 cup sugar
  
  1 teaspoon cinnamon
  
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  
  2/3 cup butter
  
  2-3 tablespoon water
  
  1 egg, beaten
  
  Filling
  
  1 cup sour cream
  
  3 ounces cream cheese
  
  1 large egg
  
  3/4 cup light brown sugar
  
  1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  
  1 teaspoon vanilla
  
  4 cups blueberries, washed and picked over
  
  Crumb Topping
  
  1/2 cup all-purpose four
  
  1/3 cup sugar
  
  1/3 cup light brown sugar
  
  1 tablespoon cinnamon
  
  1/4 teaspoon salt
  
  1/2 cup butter
  
  3/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
  
  1. To prepare pastry, combine flour, sugar, cinnamon and salt in large bowl. With pastry blender cut in butter to consistence of coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle water one tablespoon at a time, mix until pastry holds together. Shape pastry into ball.
  
  2. On lightly floured surface, roll out pastry into 11-inch round. Fit into 9 inch pie plate. Turn extra dough at edge into rim and flute or crimp raised edge. Just before placing blueberry filling in pie shell, brush with beaten egg.
  
  3. To prepare filling, combine sour cream, cream cheese, egg, brown sugar, flour and vanilla in bowl. Beat thoroughly until smooth. Preheat over to 450F. Fill pie shell with blueberries. Pour cream mixture over blueberries. Bake 10 minutes at 450F, reduce temperature to 350F and bake 35-40 minutes.
  
  4. Prepare crumb topping by mixing flour, sugars, cinnamon, salt, butter and nuts. Blend to form crumbly mixture.
  
  5. After baking pie, remove pie from oven, cool, then distribute crumb mixture evenly over top. Return to over and bake 10-15 minutes more.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Baking, BLUEBERRY, desserts, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Pie | Tagged Blueberry Pie, Crumb topping, July 4th
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