Author Archives: pamflo

Classic Beef Stew

March 14, 2019 by pamflo

Arrowroot flour is a form of starch that is derived from the root of a tropical plant. It is used in baking and cooking as an effective gluten-free alternative to white flour or cornstarch. I used arrowroot as a substitute for all-purpose flour, to coat the stew meat and help thicken the sauce. Making a stew does take the better part of the day to make on the stove top. I don’t own a slow-cooker and really enjoy using my […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals • Tags: Sear, Simmer

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Almond Chocolate Chip (No Cook) Oat Bars

March 7, 2019 by pamflo

There is a vast array of snack bars, protein bars and crunchy snack items on the market. I love making my own snack bars since I can choose my ingredients and know there are no stabilizers or added sugar. These bars couldn’t be easier to make as they don’t even require cooking, just a trip to the freezer. Almond butter is the base of the bar, and the oats keep the bars together along with maple syrup. I added lightly […]

Categories: Bars, Breakfast Ideas, Chocolate, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar • Tags: No Cooking

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Beer Can Roast Chicken

February 28, 2019 by pamflo

This chicken dish is absolutely delicious and moist! The benefits of roasting a chicken atop a can of beer ensures a succulent and flavorful bird. Although this is a fun summer dish, the chicken can be cooked in the oven in a cast iron pan or roasting tray and is a satisfying dish any time of the year. The beer provides both steam and flavor so pick a brand that you enjoy drinking. Here are some useful tips for cooking […]

Categories: Boozy, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry • Tags: Roast

Spicy Steamed Shrimp

February 21, 2019 by pamflo

En papillote or cooking “in paper” is when food is enclosed in packets of parchment paper or foil, and cooked in the oven. 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 parchment or foil needs to be sealed completely in order to keep the steam from escaping while the food cooks. As the packets bakes, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Seeds, Vegetables • Tags: Steam

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Raspberry Swirl Meringues

February 14, 2019 by pamflo

I was recently at Flour Bakery for one of Joanne Chang’s yummy salads. With such an amazing display of baked goods, there was no way I was leaving empty- handed. I purchased a beautiful pillowy meringue with a raspberry coulis. The fresh raspberry sauce is swirled in before baking using a wooden skewer or chopstick. In honor of Valentine’s day, I created these light crispy cookies at home. Meringues are low in calories, and a naturally gluten and dairy free […]

Categories: Cookies, Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gifts, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake, Whip

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Decadent Chocolate Truffles

February 7, 2019 by pamflo

Sadly, many of the small private Massachusetts colleges are closing. Unusual that I mention this in a blog post, but I really enjoyed the many semesters I spent years ago at Newbury College in their culinary program. It was a big undertaking with classes running every Saturday from 9am-6pm, and a baby and a three year old at home with my husband. I learned so much though and came home with goodies every weekend. I loved the pastry classes although […]

Categories: Boozy, Chocolate, Dessert, Gifts, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Melt

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Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

January 31, 2019 by pamflo

In honor of my 300th Zest for Cooking post, I’ve created a spicy cauliflower recipe. Over the years, my cauliflower recipes have been some of the most popular. With the 2019 Super Bowl only days away, it seems timely to post a healthy recipe option and a great dish for your vegetarian guests as well. Combining sriracha and your favorite hot sauce is the secret sauce in these tasty, fiery bites. Sriracha, the iconic hot sauce that originated in Thailand, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Game Day, Gluten Free, Healthish, Snack, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp and Lemon

January 24, 2019 by pamflo

It started with a phone call from my brother on the west coast, why isn’t your shrimp and lemon pasta dish on the blog, I want to make it now?! Many years ago, before culinary school, he and I had taken a series of cooking classes together and a lemon pasta dish was by far the most memorable recipe we made. After tweaking the recipe and adding shrimp, it became one of my signature dishes and part of a weekly […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Seafood, Vegetables • Tags: Roast, Sauté

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Smoked White Fish Rillettes

January 17, 2019 by pamflo

What are rillettes, you ask? Rillettes are a traditional French spread similar to pâté usually using pork, duck or goose that is cooked, cooled and shredded. I thought it might be fun to create rillettes with smoked white fish, although this recipe is more of a chunky spread than a smooth pâté. I purchased a white fish fillet that had already been smoked. I then blended the shredded fish with crème fraîche, lemon zest, lemon juice, a generous amount of […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Dips/Sauces, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: No Cooking

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Tuscan Kale Soup with Beans and Fregola

January 10, 2019 by pamflo

I made this soup for my son who had gotten sick this past week. As I served it to him still sleepy at 2pm, he devoured it but was confused about what the round starchy orbs in the soup were. I told him it was Fregola, which is an Italian semolina based pasta that has been toasted. “Yum”, he said! These tiny pasta rounds are a must have in soups adding a wonderful toasty flavor and texture. It sometimes can […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Rice/Grains, Soups/Stews • Tags: Simmer

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Lentil and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

January 3, 2019 by pamflo

Happy 2019! The weather feels more seasonal in Boston with the temperature dropping this week. Start the year with this warm and comforting salad that’s easy to make. Lentils are a legume filled with fiber and protein. When combined with butternut squash, a nutrient-dense vegetable, this healthy dish will brighten the cold winter months. Green lentils tend to hold their shape better than red lentils when cooked, and are ideal for salads or mixed with other grains. This recipe is […]

Categories: Beans/Legumes, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: Roast, Simmer

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Grilled Mushroom Eggs “Benedict”

December 27, 2018 by pamflo

Preparing for a holiday brunch? Here is an easy and delicious dish to add to your menu. Although this recipe doesn’t have a classic hollandaise sauce, it has an avocado sauce that is a healthier version for sure! Instead of toast or an english muffin, I filled a big portobello mushroom with bacon, a poached egg and topped it with an easy avocado puree. Over a bed of lettuce or topped with fresh chopped herbs this is a perfect breakfast.

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Dips/Sauces, Eggs, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: Grill, Whiz

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Holiday Spritz

December 20, 2018 by pamflo

For the last few years, I’ve posted a cocktail recipe in preparation for the holidays. This year my friend and cocktail-mixing expert, Katherine Steiger, wrote a guest post for my blog. Enjoy the holiday season! Every year for Thanksgiving I make a very elaborate cocktail with multiple steps and a long list of ingredients. That’s a great tradition for November, where everything is a sprint to the one day main event. The December holidays are more of a marathon, with […]

Categories: Alcohol, Beverage, Boozy, Cocktail, Holiday Ideas

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Fudgy Olive Oil Brownies

December 13, 2018 by pamflo

What is olive oil doing in a brownie recipe, you ask? Other than creating a dairy free dessert, it adds a bright fruity flavor to your brownies. I used freshly brewed Columbian coffee as the liquid, added in a speckling of extra-dark chocolate chips and topped with large flaky sea salt. Powdered sugar and dark chocolate drizzle are optional. These brownies make a beautiful dessert or a great holiday gift. Coffee enhances the flavor of the chocolate, but no stuffing […]

Categories: Cookies/Brownies, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gifts, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

December 6, 2018 by pamflo

Deep purple and glossy with a unique texture and flavor, who doesn’t love eggplant?! Well the truth is that I’m the only one in my house that will eat eggplant which is why this is my first eggplant blog post. Nutrient dense and antioxidant rich, eggplant is part of the nightshade family, along with peppers, potatoes and tomatoes. There is no replacement for battered and deep-friend eggplant, smothered with sauce and cheese, however, this lighter version is a close second […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Vegetarian • Tags: Bake

Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

November 29, 2018 by pamflo

Need an idea for an easy weeknight dinner? I created healthy recipes using beautiful artisan greens for a sustainable produce company. This dish has all the wonderful flavors of tacos, but with lettuce leaves as the shell. Serve these yummy lettuce wraps with salsa, fresh guacamole, shredded cheese and fresh cilantro. I also roasted bell peppers and onions in olive oil, salt, pepper and a dash of sherry vinegar to serve with the wraps. The cayenne pepper provides the heat and […]

Categories: Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

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Roasted Citrus Slices

November 20, 2018 by pamflo

With the holidays around the corner and the assortment of tempting foods, I thought a simple, lightly sweetened citrus recipe could be a perfect alternative. We’re on the cusp of the citrus season, so try experimenting with the wide variety of oranges, tangerines and grapefruit. Serve these lightly caramelized slices and their accumulated juices over your favorite yogurt with sprigs of fresh mint for a scrumptious dessert. If you find yourself not wanting to heat the broiler, toss the fresh […]

Categories: Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Low Sugar • Tags: Broil

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Sautéed Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes

November 15, 2018 by pamflo

Green beans are a Thanksgiving staple, and this dish is fun and easy to make. Even if you’re not hosting or contributing a dish for the holiday, this green bean dish elevates a weeknight dinner to something a bit more special. I prefer a two step process when cooking green beans. The first step is blanching which is a quick dip of about 3-4 minutes in rapidly boiling salted water, then into an icy cold water bath to halt the […]

Categories: Beans, Cooking Tips, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Blanch, Sauté

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Roasted Pecan Crusted Salmon

November 8, 2018 by pamflo

Looking for a quick and easy dinner idea? Salmon is a great source of lean protein and filled with omega-3 fatty acids which have been shown to reduce inflammation and lower your blood pressure. Salmon is also a good source of potassium and vitamin B12, plus research shows it reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. In this recipe, I topped my salmon filet with a maple mustard glaze and then coated the fish with chopped pecans. The combination of the […]

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

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Pumpkin and Apple Smoothie

November 1, 2018 by pamflo

Pumpkin purée is low in calories, high in nutrients and readily available. It is a great source of potassium, fiber and Vitamin A. Don’t mistakenly purchase pumpkin pie filling which is spiced and already sweetened. Canned pumpkin is cooked and pureed pumpkin flesh, nothing more. I usually grab a few extra cans this time of year for soups/chilis, pancakes/waffles, as an addition to oatmeal, and of course baked goods. I thought it might be fun to make a fall inspired pumpkin […]

Categories: Beverage, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar, Smoothies/Shakes, Vegetables • Tags: Whiz

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Kale, Red Pepper and Sausage Sauté

October 25, 2018 by pamflo

As we head into November, many of the outdoor Farmers Markets in the Boston area are coming to a close. With one last run, I purchased all the ingredients for this dish. This one-pot meal is a quick and easy dinner idea. I also roasted beautiful, creamy fingerling potatoes to serve alongside the sauté. One nice thing about using crumbled sausage meat after removing the casings, is the meat is already seasoned and flavorful. Once you cook the sausage, leave some […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Sauté

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Author Archives: pamflo

Classic Beef Stew

Almond Chocolate Chip (No Cook) Oat Bars

Beer Can Roast Chicken

Spicy Steamed Shrimp

Raspberry Swirl Meringues

Decadent Chocolate Truffles

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp and Lemon

Smoked White Fish Rillettes

Tuscan Kale Soup with Beans and Fregola

Lentil and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Grilled Mushroom Eggs “Benedict”

Holiday Spritz

Fudgy Olive Oil Brownies

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Roasted Citrus Slices

Sautéed Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes

Roasted Pecan Crusted Salmon

Pumpkin and Apple Smoothie

Kale, Red Pepper and Sausage Sauté