Zest For Cooking

Heirloom Tomato Galette

July 20, 2017 by pamflo

The Farmers Markets are in full swing and bursting with amazing fresh produce. The highlight for me are the ripe, colorful and juicy heirloom tomatoes. This tasty, savory tart is made with a simple crust combining butter and crème fraîche. The crust can be made a day ahead and be refrigerated overnight. The filling is a delicious combination of heirloom tomatoes and manchego cheese, a popular Spanish sheep’s milk cheese with a tangy, nutty flavor profile. A slice of this […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Cheeses, Lunch Ideas, Vegetarian • Tags: Bake

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White Wine Sangria

July 13, 2017 by pamflo

The best part of making sangria whether it’s red or white is showcasing the beautiful seasonal fruit. This time of year the fruit options are unlimited with peaches, plums and melon ripe for the picking. For my wine choice, I selected a fruity, floral, Moscato and added thinly sliced citrus and fresh berries. I also added a few tablespoons of a mint simple syrup. This sangria is a perfect summer happy hour drink for a backyard party with your friends. […]

Categories: Beverage, Cocktail • Tags: No Cooking

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Cured Salmon

July 6, 2017 by pamflo

“There has never been a sadness that can’t be cured by breakfast food!” – Ron Swanson Making your own cured salmon is fun and easy, but plan ahead because the curing process takes a few days. Curing is preserving fish, meat or vegetables by smoking, salting or drying. The curing mixture of salt, sugar, and spices dehydrates the food. A fresh center cut piece of Atlantic salmon or the bright pink wild salmon are good choices. If possible when purchasing […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Seafood • Tags: No Cooking

Watermelon Margarita Slushy

June 29, 2017 by pamflo

Need a fun cool drink for the upcoming holidays? This watermelon margarita is unsurpassed with in season watermelon and in slushy style to cool you down. This bright red, elongated sweet fruit paired with tequila and fresh lime juice, make the perfect summery beverage. I included a recipe for making a simple syrup, which is a sweetener made with equal parts water and granulated sugar. It can sweeten many recipes without the grit of the sugar. Make a large amount of this […]

Categories: Beverage, Cocktail, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free • Tags: Whiz

Bluefish with Garlic Aioli

June 22, 2017 by pamflo

It was a cool, dark early June morning when my kids took off to go on a deep sea fishing charter off of Cape Cod. Often sea sick on boats I passed on the adventure, but promised to cook whatever they were lucky enough to catch. Lo and behold, they came home with beautiful pieces of bluefish, the filleting courtesy of the boat captain. We had never eaten bluefish, so I quickly researched on-line and found a mayo based glaze. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: Bake

Grilled Pizza

June 15, 2017 by pamflo

Despite the cool wet spring in New England, I was ready to fire up the outdoor grill. Although this charred and crispy bread is more like a garnished flatbread than a pizza, it can be topped with all sorts of fresh and seasonal fruits, vegetables and meats. The stunning red and bizarre shaped heirloom tomatoes are just starting to show up at the market. With the addition of some arugula leaves, sliced prosciutto and shredded mozzarella cheese, I had a […]

Categories: Appetizer, Lunch Ideas, Pasta/Pizza, Sandwiches, Snack • Tags: Grill

Huevos Rancheros

June 8, 2017 by pamflo

Huevos Rancheros is a fiery and flavorful Mexican breakfast dish often made with fried eggs, a spicy chili salsa and served over corn tortillas. The tomato based salsa can be as mild or spicy as you can tolerate. For the peppery kick, I used canned chipotle chilies and pureed the sauce for a smooth salsa, but keeping the sauce chunky is an option as well. This dish is a great choice for a quick, casual breakfast. You can also consider […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Eggs, Snack • Tags: Fry, Sauté

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Lobster Roll

June 1, 2017 by pamflo

In anticipation of summer’s arrival, lobster was on my mind. Nothing beats a hunk of fresh lobster meat mixed with mayonnaise, a squeeze of lemon juice and diced celery on a buttery grilled bun. Lobster rolls are a true New England favorite. I learned from the lobster master, chef Jasper White, while in culinary school. He’s famous for his pan-roasted lobster in the shell. There are numerous ways to make lobster salad, with the addition of herbs, dried spices or various […]

Categories: Lunch Ideas, Sandwiches, Seafood • Tags: Boil

Fresh Strawberry Shortcake

May 25, 2017 by pamflo

Strawberry season is just within reach in Boston, spanning from late May through June. These bright red, succulent beauties are delicious straight out of the box. Another way to use perfectly ripe fruit is to macerate it or soak it in sugar, alcohol or a flavored liquid. Maceration changes the texture and creates juicy, sweet and aromatic fruit. These lightly sweetened strawberries which were soaked in a little sugar and fresh orange juice, can be served simply with a dollop of fresh whipped cream […]

Categories: Biscuits, Dessert, Fruit • Tags: Bake, Whip

Lime and Cilantro Scallops

May 18, 2017 by pamflo

Many years ago, I was a guest on a friend’s local television show and was asked a few personal questions to wrap up the segment. The host asked if my mother was a positive cooking influence in my life. Without filtering my thoughts, I said that my mom was an awful cook and had ruined my joy of eating scallops…oops! Although this was true, I profusely apologized to my mom and we still laugh about that moment. Scallops are a lean protein source and easy to cook. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: Sauté

Savory Socca (Chickpea Pancake)

May 11, 2017 by pamflo

The advantages to the tremendous amount of rain that Boston has received recently are beautiful, green grass and bright, colorful flowers. I was surprised to find some fragrant mint and sage in my little backyard garden, as well. I used the mint for tea and the sage for topping my socca. Socca, a regional French dish, is a savory pancake created with chickpea flour (also called garbanzo flour), water and olive oil. The batter makes a beautiful, gluten-free pancake that can be […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish • Tags: Bake, Broil

Black Rice Salad

May 4, 2017 by pamflo

I used to own a finicky rice cooker made by a company called Fuzzy Logic. I came to rely heavily on this favorite kitchen appliance for all dishes involving rice. After years of dependable, consistent batches of perfectly steamed fluffy rice it just stopped working, bringing tears to my eyes. I realized that I couldn’t remember when I had last cooked rice on the stove-top. I never replaced my rice cooker and embraced cooking rice on the stove, which takes precision. Remember to […]

Categories: Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Rice/Grains, Salads • Tags: Boil

Ricotta Chocolate Mousse

April 27, 2017 by pamflo

Craving something light and tasty, try this creamy ricotta chocolate mousse. Reminiscent of the filling from a cannoli, it’s chocolatey but not too sweet. This is a very simple and easy recipe. With so few ingredients, they need to be top quality. When purchasing chocolate for cooking and baking, look for bars with about 60 percent cocoa solids. It’s so good you’ll want to eat this mousse right out of the mixing bowl, but it can be chilled before serving. […]

Categories: Dessert, Gluten Free, Low Sugar • Tags: No Cooking

Spaghetti Squash Pizza

April 20, 2017 by pamflo

I thought it might be fun to put together a quick and easy crowd pleasing dish. All that is needed is a few pantry staples and any veggies you have on hand. The fact that this actually tastes like pizza came as a complete surprise. Spaghetti squash is a healthy, versatile vegetable. The flesh becomes beautiful noodle-like strands, that will take on whatever flavor you add to it. High in fiber and rich in nutrients, spaghetti squash is a tasty substitute for […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetarian • Tags: Roast

Sea Bass en Papillote

April 13, 2017 by pamflo

En papillote is a classic method of cooking food wrapped in parchment paper. It’s an easy and healthy way to steam food and infuse flavor. The traditional method of using parchment paper requires origami-style folding and results in a beautiful, elegant presentation; aluminum foil works too. The paper rises while cooking, and is filled with the fragrances of the fresh ingredients. When you open the parchment you get the gift of this wonderful aroma. The rule of thumb for cooking fish is […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: Bake

Sesame Roasted Asparagus

April 6, 2017 by pamflo

Spring is finally (almost) here and the asparagus is in season, with its beautiful green stalks and familiar earthy fragrance. With the April holidays approaching, roasting asparagus is an easy and quick side dish for a crowd. When purchasing these beauties looks for firm stalks and closed tips. Asparagus should be used within 2 days of purchase and can be stored with the ends wrapped in a damp paper towel. You can peel the stalks for a sleek plated presentation, but it is […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

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Coconut Banana Pancakes

March 30, 2017 by pamflo

I had the good fortune to spend time in Puerto Rico, enjoying the beautiful sites, the warm weather and delicious food. On foot, we roamed a local neighborhood in search of a casual cafe with their own homegrown produce. The Las Vistas Cafe is an open-aired patio which is part of the proprietor’s home, with breathtaking views of the ocean. Gladys, the owner, greeted us with the warmth of a grandmother, as she did with all her guests. The first […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Snack • Tags: Griddle

Kandy Sweet Potato Wedges

March 23, 2017 by pamflo

I couldn’t resist buying this fragrant spice blend with a name like Kandy. This Sri Lankan dried spice mix is a combination of cinnamon, ginger, fennel, coriander, star anise, fenugreek, black pepper, clove, mace and cardamom. I used it on a whim, coating thick sweet potato wedges with the Kandy spice, extra-virgin olive oil and sea salt. The aroma in the kitchen was almost reminiscent of Thanksgiving. Fenugreek was the only herb in the spice combination that I didn’t recognize. After […]

Categories: Side Dish, Snack, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

Baked Chicken with Olives and Artichokes

March 16, 2017 by pamflo

With spring approaching slower than I would like, I was feeling the urge for a hearty one-pot meal. The extra step of browning the chicken before roasting, is worth the little bit of extra effort. The chicken is then braised in a deeply flavored broth with a Mediterranean flair of olives, garlic, artichokes and lemon. The combination of the crisp chicken skin, plump, juicy meat and rich broth is outstanding. I used marinated artichokes hearts that were grilled and tossed in olive oil and vacuum […]

Categories: Gluten Free, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals • Tags: Roast, Sear

Bourbon Glazed Salmon

March 9, 2017 by pamflo

My past career in clinical trial management took me many places far and wide, but I had never been to Kentucky. I just arrived home from an excellent professional culinary conference that was held in Louisville, Kentucky. Respected cookbook authors, talented recipe developers, award-winning food writers, food photographers and more, came from all over to attend this dynamic annual conference. My head is still spinning from all the tips and tidbits I learned. Many of the local restaurants and bourbon makers exhibited their […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: Bake

Olive Oil and Orange Cake

March 2, 2017 by pamflo

I’m unapologetically a cookbook collector, but I also spend plenty of time reading foodie magazines, and surfing the net for recipes too. The one consistent part of my on-line recipe use, is that I read the comments that accompany a recipe. This is how I know what changes to consider, whether an oven temperature needs tweaking, substitutions, or general appeal of a recipe. For example, when a few comments consistently say to reduce the amount of sugar as it did with this recipe, […]

Categories: Cakes, Dessert, Gluten Free, Low Sugar • Tags: Bake

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Welcome to Pam's Kitchen

Heirloom Tomato Galette

White Wine Sangria

Cured Salmon

Watermelon Margarita Slushy

Bluefish with Garlic Aioli

Grilled Pizza

Huevos Rancheros

Lobster Roll

Fresh Strawberry Shortcake

Lime and Cilantro Scallops

Savory Socca (Chickpea Pancake)

Black Rice Salad

Ricotta Chocolate Mousse

Spaghetti Squash Pizza

Sea Bass en Papillote

Sesame Roasted Asparagus

Coconut Banana Pancakes

Kandy Sweet Potato Wedges

Baked Chicken with Olives and Artichokes

Bourbon Glazed Salmon

Olive Oil and Orange Cake