TODAY on MHTV: Whenever someone asks for an entertaining idea that's simple, sophisticated, and budget-friendly, I usually think mussels. My brother David is here and we're baking the dark-blue mollusks inside a parchment pocket with white wine and a tomato-parsley sauce. Eggplant dip with warm flatbread and crisp veggies is a no-fail appetizer, and fresh pears with gorgonzola, honey, and walnuts, a no-fuss dessert. More from the show.

Get the Recipes from this episode:

Eggplant Dip with Flatbread and Veggies

Mussels in Tomato-Parsley Sauce Baked in Parchment

Fresh Pears with Gorgonzola, Honey, and Walnuts

Get the recipes from the 11:30 am/et show, Al Fresco Dinner.

Watch ''Mad Hungry with Lucinda Scala Quinn'' weekdays at 11 a.m. /10 a.m. CT on Hallmark Channel. Bonus episode airs weekdays at 11:30 a.m./10:30 a.m. CT.