Let Them Eat Cake… I’ll Have The Chicken Fried Steak

April 4, 2016.Reading time 7 minutes.

According to WordPress today is Meals With Mel’s official two-year blogiversary and I think some celebration is in order. First, I would like to say THANK YOU to all of my readers who over the last two years have encouraged, inspired, and most of all become my friends. Thank you for every single LIKE, Comment, Follow, […]

Spicy Cajun Shrimp, Sausage, and Grits

January 25, 2016.Reading time 8 minutes.

Good Morning Everyone!!! Did everyone have a good weekend? How many of you are digging out from the snow? It’s going to be sunny and 63 here in North Texas today!! Anyone want to trade weather? I thought it would be fun to post a NEW recipe this week on Monday instead of my usual […]

Countdown to Turkey Day: Spiced Sweet Potato Gratin

November 17, 2015.Reading time 4 minutes.

Oh how I love the mighty sweet potato. As a kid one of my favorite Thanksgiving side dishes was the iconic mashed sweet potatoes topped with toasted marshmallow…. Mmm! I mean I was actually allowed to eat marshmallows with a meal, what kid wouldn’t love that? As I got older it became more about the […]

Extra Creamy Macaroni & Cheese….

September 29, 2015.Reading time 5 minutes.

Sigh…. It’s been quite the week since we last talked and as a Dallas Cowboys fan I’m in need of some serious comfort. Now I’m not telling you to eat your emotions but we all know that gooey, creamy, cheesy, Macaroni & Cheese makes everything better right? It’s called “Comfort Food” for a reason 🙂 […]

Hatch Green Chile Chicken Noodle Soup

August 25, 2015.Reading time 4 minutes.

After a weekend of partying with friends I want something light and comforting for dinner and for me the the ultimate comfort food is chicken noodle soup. But since this is August and it just so happens to be Hatch Chile season why not make Hatch Green Chile Chicken Noodle Soup? Hatch Green Chiles have […]

Tamale Cravings and a Quick Dinner Solution: Tamale Pie

March 27, 2015.Reading time 5 minutes.

Every summer I set aside a couple of days to make Tamales for tailgating during the upcoming Dallas Cowboys Football Season. I get comfy in the kitchen, I start a Doctor Who Marathon on Netflix and I make Tamales. “Green” Pulled Pork Tamales Now anyone who has ever made Tamales will tell you that it’s […]

Ooey, Gooey, Pecan Pie Cobbler and Pecan Pie Bars

November 25, 2014.Reading time 9 minutes.

This past weekend I hosted my first ever Friends-Giving. I was cooking the Turkey, gravy, cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes, rolls and a dessert. I made my to do list and I checked it twice. The night before I brined the Turkey, and made the cranberry sauce. For my dessert I decided to make a Pecan Pie […]

Delicious Braised Beef Short Ribs and Creamy White Cheddar Polenta

November 18, 2014.Reading time 7 minutes.

I’m pretty sure we have completely skipped the beautiful “Fall” season and have gone straight to Winter here in North Texas. It has been extremely cold here over the past week and we even got a little snow Sunday night. It’s only mid-November!! The weatherman is even saying we are going to have a “Colder” […]

Bacon “Mac & Cheese” Risotto with Truffle Oil and a Leftover Treat…

November 14, 2014.Reading time 6 minutes.

My husband was going to be home for dinner in 30 minutes. The refrigerator was almost empty except for some cheese, bacon, half a bottle of white wine, a little milk and some butter. “Ok… I can work with this”, I think to myself. I go to the pantry and the first thing that catches […]

Comforting Roasted Butternut Squash, Bacon and Sage Risotto

October 28, 2014.Reading time 6 minutes.

After a long, hard Monday, I know there is always one thing that I can find comfort in. One thing that will always make me slow down, relax and shake off a bad day. I know comfort can always be found standing over a big bubbling pot of fragrant risotto. While risotto is easy to […]