Weeknight dinner | Good Dinner Mrs Mellen

Category: Weeknight dinner
- 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
- Baked Cod with Panko Parmesan Crust
  
  Posted at 11:19 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Jun 2nd
  Cod fish versatility lends to many different toppings. In New England, where beautiful fresh fish is prevalent, many restaurants still serve the traditional Ritz cracker topping which is delicious. I love to create new toppings to enhance the flavor of cod. Being of Italian heritage I gravitate toward Mediterranean flavors used by my family when I was growing up. My recipes are strongly influence by my mother and grandmother who were wonderful cooks and shared their passion with me. I am grateful for and indebted to their high standards, serving wonderfully prepared fresh food flavored with their love of family. I am the cook I am today because of these two exceptional women.
  
  4 cod filets(3 ounces each)
  
  1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
  
  1/2 cup unseasoned panko breadcrumbs
  
  1/4 cup fresh grated Parmesan cheese
  
  2 cloves garlic, crushed
  
  1 teaspoon dried oregano
  
  1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  
  1/4 teaspoon sea salt
  
  1 tablespoon olive oil
  
  1/2 cup chopped cherry tomatoes
  
  1/4 cup chopped kalamata oilves
  
  2 teaspoons capers
  
  Preheat oven to 425F.
  
  Place cod in baking dish then pour lemon juice over. Let sit while preparing the breadcrumb topping.
  
  In a small bowl combine breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic, oregano, pepper, salt and oil. Toss to mix.
  
  Cover fish with breadcrumb mixture. Top with tomatoes, oil and capers. Bake for 15 -20 minutes or until the topping starts to brown. Do not overcook. Serve hot or at room temperature.
  
  Serves 4.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  You can also find my recipes @buzzchomp.com
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  Posted in family meals, Fish, Food, Main Dish, Main Meal, Weeknight dinner | Tagged cod fish, easy, Healthy, mediterranean topping
- Baked Penne with Pomodoro Sauce
  
  Posted at 9:51 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Feb 10th
  Some days when the wind is cold and bitting with no sun in sight I know making a hearty pasta dish is just perfect comfort food for dinner. All the ingredients for my Baked Penne I purchased at Trader Joe’s except I made my own Pomodoro sauce. Trader Joe’s has a tasty prepared Pomodoro sauce which will cut down the time to make an easy home cooked meal. Put the casserole together the night before and bake for dinner the next day. Delicious, easy and a quick home cooked meal!
  
  1 pound penne pasta, cooked according to package directions
  
  8 ounces part skim Ricotta cheese
  
  8 ounces Burrata mozzarella, two balls chopped
  
  1/4 cup parmesan cheese
  
  2 teaspoon dry oregano
  
  Pomodoro Sauce* or Trader Joe’s Rustico
  
  8 ounce cooked chicken sausage, slice 1/4 inch thick
  
  Preheat oven to 375 F. Combine ricotta, 1/2 burrata, parmesan cheese, oregano in medium size bowl. Cook pasta according to package instructions, drain and set aside. Place 1/4 cup of Pomodoro sauce in bottom of baking dish( 13 inch x 9 inch). Add half penne to baking dish over sauce. Top with cheese mixture, layer with 1/2 remaining sauce, penne and top with rest of sauce. Finish with remaining Burrata. Bake 35- 40 minutes until cheese is melted and bubbling.
  
  *Pomodoro Sauce
  
  1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  
  1 medium onion, minced
  
  4 garlic cloves, minced
  
  1 pinch crushed red pepper flakes
  
  1 28 ounce can pureed Pomodoro tomatoes
  
  1/2 cup red wine
  
  Kosher salt
  
  3 large fresh basil sprigs
  
  In a sauce pan over medium heat saute onion and garlic in oil for two minutes. Add red pepper flakes, tomatoes and wine. Cook for 5 minutes. Add salt, basil and slice sausage. Simmer for ten minutes.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  gooddinnermrsmellen.com
  
  buzzchomp.com
  
  gooddinnermrsmellen@blogspot.com
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  Posted in Casserole, Easy recipes, family meals, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Hearty Meal, Main Dish, Main Meal, pasta, Weeknight dinner | Tagged easy meal, family meal, pasta, quick meal, Sausage, Trader Joe's
- BUTTERNUT SQUASH AND APPLE SOUP
  
  Posted at 9:50 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Dec 22nd
  A good bowel of hot soup on a cold winter day, what better way 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
  
  buzzchomp.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
- Slow Cooked Chicken Casserole
  
  Posted at 1:36 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 27th
  SLOW COOKED CHICKEN CASSEROLE
  
  September is here and fall is in the air in New England. Morning are cool and leaves are turning burnished shades of autumn. Time to pull out the warm sweaters for a brisk walk in the woods. Summer meals are replaced with hearty casseroles flagrantly scented with fresh herbs still flourishing in the garden. I made this chicken casserole in a low over and you could use a slow cooker too. Either method produces tender chicken that just pulls away from the bone melting in your mouth!
  
  6 pounds mixed chicken pieces, breasts, legs and thighs.
  
  2 tablespoon olive oil
  
  1 large onion chopped
  
  4 cloves garlic minced
  
  8 ounces sliced mushrooms
  
  1 tablespoon minced rosemary
  
  1 tablespoon minced thyme
  
  1 teaspoon kosher salt
  
  1/2 teaspoon fresh ground pepper
  
  1 cup dry white wine
  
  2 tablespoon flour
  
  Pre heat over to 275 F. Heat oil in pan to high. Add chicken pieces searing to brown on each side. One browned remove chicken placing in dutch over. I love Le Creuset from France. Expensive yet so worth the price as they cook food beautifully and last forever. Cook onion in pan until translucent. Add garlic; cook for a few minutes then add mushrooms stirring until juices evaporate. Add rosemary, thyme, salt and pepper combine for a minute before adding wine. Bring to boil then simmer adding flour mixing to thicken the sauce. Poor over chicken in dutch over and slow cook for two and a half hours.
  
  You can make this ahead the day before and warm up to eat.
  
  Serve with rice or butter noodles.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  gooddinnermrsmellen.com
  
  buzzchomp.com
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  Posted in Casserole, Chicken, Easy recipes, family meals, Food, Hearty Meal, Main Dish, Main Meal, slow cooker, Weeknight dinner | Tagged chicken. casserole, Easy recipes, family meal, le creuset, Mushrooms
- Spicy Lentil Chili
  
  Posted at 5:11 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 16th
  Spicy Lentil Chili
  
  I love anything that is healthy and taste good. My Vegan Lentil Chili is a perfect example of a good for you tasty meal! I eat this filling yet light chili after a hot power yoga or on a cold snowy day. Combining lentils with chick peas adds protein and fiber to the vegetable mix. I make a batch freezing individual serving for later eating!
  
  2 boxes(32 oz) organic vegetable broth, I like Full Circle organic
  
  1 medium onion, chopped
  
  l large red bell pepper, chopped
  
  1 jalapeno, chopped
  
  1 cup sliced baby carrots
  
  5 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  
  4 teaspoons salt-free chili powder
  
  1 (16 oz) package brown or red lentils, Goya
  
  2 cans(15 oz) cans no salt added diced tomatoes, I like Del Monte petite cut
  
  2 cans (15.5 oz) Chick Peas, I like Goya Premium
  
  1/4 cup chopped cilantro
  
  Bring one cup broth to simmer in a large pot over medium high heat. Add onion, pepper, carrots and garlic cooking about 8 minutes. Stir in chili powder cooking 1 minute, stirring constantly. Add rest of broth and remaining ingredients except cilantro. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer covered for 30 minutes until lentils are almost tender. Uncover and cook 10 minutes longer. Stir in cilantro and serve.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  gooddinnermrsmellen.com
  
  buzzchomp.com
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  Posted in Chili, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Healthy, light dinner, lunch, Main Dish, Main Meal, vegan, Vegetarian, Weeknight dinner | Tagged Chili, easy, Full Circle broth, Goya, Healthy, lentil, light dinner
- Savory Bread Pudding with Heirloom Tomatoes, Herbs and Mozzarella
  
  Posted at 11:16 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Sep 11th
  First let me just say that this is a very rich dish not meant to be eaten in large portions. A wonderful lunch or dinner with a salad eating only a small serving size. Eating rich dishes and staying thin is all about portion control and exercise. It’s important to me that I don’t encourage anyone to over eat. With that said let’s get on to this wonderful bread pudding. Until recently I only thought of bread pudding as a rich dessert that I occasionally indulged. One summer in New Hampshire I ordered a savory bread pudding and I was hooked. I made my bread pudding with heirloom tomatoes that I picked fresh from my garden along with my fresh herbs. You can add different veggies to recipe. Experiment, have fun and enjoy a wonderfully richly flavorful dish.
  
  Savory Bread Pudding with Heirloom Tomatoes, Herbs and Mozzarella
  
  1(1pound) loaf crusty white bread
  
  1/4 cup olive oil
  
  1 tablespoon fresh thyme
  
  2 tablespoon fresh basil
  
  1 tablespoon fresh oregano
  
  1 garlic clove, minced
  
  3 tablespoon olive oil
  
  2 shallots, chopped
  
  2 cloves garlic chopped
  
  2 cups chopped heirloom tomatoes
  
  3 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
  
  8 large eggs
  
  1 teaspoon black pepper
  
  8 ounces fresh mozzarella chopped into 1-in cubes
  
  2 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese
  
  Heat oven to 375 F. Butter or spray with cooking spray a 13x9x2-inch baking dish. Cut bottom crust and short ends off bread, discarding. Cut remaining bread with crust into 1-inch cubes(about 10 cups loosely packed). Place cubes in large bowl. Add oil, thyme, basil, oregano and garlic; toss to coat. Spread bread cubes out on large baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until golden and slightly crunchy, stirring occasionally, about 15-20 minutes. Return toasted bread cubes to the same bowl.
  
  Add olive oil to large skillet. Add shallot and garlic saute about 5 minutes stirring occasionally. Add tomatoes continuing to cook for additional 5 minutes. Set aside.
  
  Whisk heavy cream, eggs, salt and ground pepper in large bowl. Mix egg mixture into bread. Place 1/3 of bread and egg mixture in prepared pan. Layer with 1/2 tomato then cheese. Continue layering 1/3 bread then 1/2 tomato and cheese then finally remaining 1/3 bread mixture. Sprinkle top with Parmesan cheese. Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.
  
  Preheat oven 350 F. Bake uncovered until set and top is golden about 50-60 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
  
  Enjoy!
  
  www.gooddinnermremellen.com
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  Posted in Casserole, family meals, Farm Fresh Produce, Food, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Main Dish, Main Meal, Vegetarian, Weeknight dinner | Tagged bread, family meal, heirloom tomatotes, herbs, Mozzarella, savory bread pudding, vegetarian
- Chicken Enchiladas with Sour Cream Sauce
  
  Posted at 8:58 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Dec 6th
  Perfect during the busy holiday season is his deliciously simple Enchiladas casserole. You add more heat to dish by adding more hot sauce and 2 not one jalapeno pepper. Have fun adding your own spin to the meal.
  
  Chicken Enchiladas with Sour Cream Sauce
  
  1 pound boneless chicken breast or use Purdue short cuts
  
  2 tablespoon olive oi
  
  1 bunch scallions
  
  2 cloves garlic
  
  1 fresh jalapeño chile pepper, chopped
  
  1 cup tomatoes, chopped
  
  1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro
  
  2 teaspoons Franks Hot sauce
  
  1/2 cup cream
  
  1/2 cup sour cream
  
  10 soft flour tortilla
  
  1 cup shredded Mexican cheese blend
  
  Jalapeño wheels
  
  Pre-heat oven to 350 F. Place chicken breast in baking dish. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake for 30 minutes. Shred chicken and place in bowl, set aside. Heat oil in skillet, add scallions, garlic, jalapeno pepper and tomatoes. Saute, stirring for 5 minutes then add cilantro and hot sauce continuing to cook for another 2 minutes. Set aside. Put tortilla between two paper towels and microwave for one minute. Fill each tortilla with 1/4 cup chicken mixture and roll up tortilla. Place tortillas, seam sides down, in baking dish. Combine cream, sour cream and spoon sauce over tortillas. Top with cheese and Jalapeno wheels. Bake for 25- 30 minutes or until bubbly and starting to brown. Serve with sour cream, salsa and guacamole.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Casserole, Chicken, Easy recipes, family meals, Main Dish, Main Meal, Mexican, Weeknight dinner | Tagged Chicken, easy, Mexican, spicy
- Easy sauteed fresh vegetables
  
  Posted at 2:17 pm by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Jul 26th
  Eat your vegetables your Mom always said and she was right! Veggies are so good tasting as well as good for you. Low in calories, fat, no salt, cholesterol or sugar. I love to just saute fresh seasonal veggies for a dinner. I just serve over greens, polenta, farro or any whole grain. I wonderful healthy satisfying meal.
  
  Sauteed Fresh Vegetables over Greens
  
  2 tablespoons olive oil
  
  2 cloves garlic, minced
  
  1 large shallot, chopped
  
  Two red peppers, chopped
  
  8 oz fresh sliced mushrooms, I like baby portabella
  
  1 cup sliced grape tomatoes
  
  1 can chick peas, drained and rinsed
  
  2 teaspoon capers
  
  1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives
  
  1/4 teaspoon pepper
  
  2 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
  
  Fresh greens, I used a combination of kale and baby spinach
  
  Heat olive oil in medium saute pan over medium heat. Add garlic cooking for about 2 minutes. Don’t brown garlic as it will become bitter. Add shallots continuing to cook for another 1 minutes. Next add the red peppers and mushrooms cooking for about 5 minutes. Gently combine tomatoes stirring for another 2 minutes. Add capers, olives, pepper and basil cooking for a few minutes. Place veggie mixture on top of greens.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Farm Fresh Produce, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, Healthy, light dinner, vegan, Vegetables, Vegetarian, Weeknight dinner | Tagged Mushrooms, olive, peppers, tomatoes
- Easy sauteed fresh vegetables
  
  Posted at 8:25 am by Good Dinner Mrs Mellen
  
  Apr 16th
  Eat your vegetables your Mom always said and she was right! Veggies are so good tasting as well as good for you. Low in calories, fat, no salt, cholesterol or sugar. I love to just saute fresh seasonal veggies for a dinner. I just serve over greens, polenta, farro or any whole grain. I wonderful healthy satisfying meal.
  
  Sauteed Fresh Vegetables over Greens
  
  2 tablespoons olive oil
  
  2 cloves garlic, minced
  
  1 large shallot, chopped
  
  Two Red peppers, chopped
  
  8 oz fresh sliced mushrooms, I like baby portabella
  
  1 cup sliced grape tomatoes
  
  1 can chick peas, drained and rinsed
  
  2 teaspoon capers
  
  1/4 cup sliced kalamata olives
  
  1/4 teaspoon pepper
  
  2 tablespoon fresh basil, chopped
  
  Fresh greens, I used a combination of kale and baby spinach
  
  Heat olive oil in medium saute pan over medium heat. Add garlic cooking for about 2 minutes. Don’t brown garlic as it will become bitter. Add shallots continuing to cook for another 1 minutes. Next add the red peppers and mushrooms cooking for about 5 minutes. Gently combine tomatoes stirring for another 2 minutes. Add capers, olives, pepper and basil cooking for a few minutes. Place veggie mixture on top of greens.
  
  Enjoy!
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  Posted in Easy recipes, family meals, Farm Fresh Produce, Food, Healthy, light dinner, lunch, vegan, vegetable bake, Vegetables, Vegetarian, Weeknight dinner | Tagged beans, easy, Good Dinner Mrs Mellen, vegetarian
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