by pamflo
One of my favorite classes in culinary school was Breads and Rolls. I loved making fresh bread and actually had a sourdough starter that I kept “alive” and used for many months. This is an easy bread recipe that uses active dry yeast instead of a starter and bakes in a dry Dutch oven pot. The dough needs to rise overnight at room temperature, with a second rise of two hours before baking. Baking bread is a very satisfying accomplishment, […]
by pamflo
Let’s talk a little about figs — Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Green Kadota and Calimyrna figs are the varieties that are commonly available. Although not local to New England, the season for figs starts in the spring and goes through October. I used Black Mission figs for this simple and delicious treat. Figs are a unique seeded fruit with a sweet jammy flavor and soft chewy texture. A great source of fiber and nutrients, they’re delicate with a short shelf […]
Categories: Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar, Nuts, Snack • Tags: Melt
by pamflo
The 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 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. A slice of this galette served warm […]
Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Pies/Tarts, Side Dish • Tags: Bake
by pamflo
As the summer comes to a close, this soup is a perfect way to celebrate corn on the cob which is at its peak. At many of the farmers markets, you’ll find both white and yellow corn on the cob piled in nice big stacks. When shopping for corn, the husks should be bright green and wrapped tightly against the kernels. I sometimes take a tiny peek by peeling back the husk an inch or so, to make sure the […]
Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Soup, Vegetables • Tags: Simmer
by pamflo
This flavorful and fun seafood bake is perfect for the holiday weekend! It is like squeezing summer all onto one pan, with shrimp, sausage, clams, and veggies all cooked together on one sheet tray. I tossed the ingredients with a combination of butter, olive oil and Old Bay seasoning. I blanched the potatoes and corn ahead of time in lightly salted boiling water, and pre-cooked spicy Italian sausages instead of the classic andouille sausage, before adding to the sheet tray. […]
Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, One-Pot Meals, Seafood • Tags: Bake
by pamflo
Mezcal, a Mexican distilled spirit made from different varieties of agave that can be made clear, golden or amber. Incredibly smoky, it adds a unique flavor to this margarita. The reason for the smokiness is because of the way the agave plant is cooked. Tequila, on the other hand, is made by distilling the juice of the blue agave plant. The combination of mezcal and tequila makes an extremely tasty margarita! I sweetened my cocktail with a little agave nectar and […]
Categories: Alcohol, Boozy, Cocktail, Crowd Pleaser, Fruit • Tags: Grill
by pamflo
The carrots with their beautiful green tops looked so appealing this week that I bought them with no real recipe in mind. Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene, vitamin A and antioxidants. Their natural sweetness makes them a perfect vegetable for roasting. This is a simple recipe because all you need is a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper and a handful of your favorite fresh herbs. I finished the carrots with a splash of citrus. Save the slightly […]
Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast
by pamflo
Recently, I shopped (in person) at a favorite local market. I was rewarded with fresh, beautiful produce that I could pick out myself. I purchased a flavorful yellow and pale green summer squash called Zephyr. I gave the squash a quick salting to withdraw some of the moisture. I skipped the traditional flour and egg step and just combined freshly grated parmesan cheese, dry breadcrumbs and dried herbs for my version of parmesan rounds. Any type of summer squash or […]
Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Healthish, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Bake
by pamflo
This is a perfect summer dessert using fresh, ripe plums. The farmers’ markets are brimming with succulent fresh fruit, and this recipe takes advantage of the stone variety. Try plums, peaches, nectarines or a combination of the stone fruits. This is a simple recipe with just sliced fruit and a flavorful, crunchy topping with oats, nuts, flour, brown sugar, spices and coconut oil to bind it together. Serve the crumble warm out the oven with your favorite ice cream!
Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Nuts • Tags: Bake
by pamflo
I really miss dining out. It gave me a much needed respite from cooking, as well as inspiration for dishes. I’m hopeful that the restaurant industry will survive this pandemic. One of my favorite Boston restaurants is Toro, a spot where Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer serve delicious Spanish-style tapas. One of the highlights on their menu is the grilled corn on the cob. It’s messy, delicious and worth a try at home. Grilled corn is a common Mexican street food […]
Categories: Appetizer, Cheeses, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Healthish, Side Dish • Tags: Grill
by pamflo
This soup is a throwback to a fantastic gazpacho I had while traveling a few years ago in Missouri. This fun, hip restaurant in St. Louis had a fruit based gazpacho on their menu. The light, flavorful cantaloup gazpacho was garnished with toasted, chopped pistachio nuts and an optional dollop of tangy greek yogurt. I re-created the soup with honeydew melon and cucumber, and a garnish of lightly salted, crunchy chickpeas. This dish involves no cooking and makes a scrumptious […]
Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Soup, Vegetarian • Tags: No Cooking
by pamflo
I bought myself a beautiful vegetarian cookbook called Family, by Hetty McKinnon. I had seen the author cook this recipe live on social media, during a virtual culinary conference. With a family of dedicated carnivores, I wanted to see if they would even notice a meatless dish. It turns out that they devoured this delicious vegetarian dish, not even realizing there was no meat involved. I used both broccoli and cauliflower florets, but you can stick to one vegetable if […]
Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Stir-Fry
by pamflo
I fondly remember digging for clams at low tide around the Cape Cod jetties with my family. It was a highlight of our summer vacation and a vivid memory of mine. We’d steam the clams and eat them as soon as they opened, dipping them in melted butter. Linguini with white clam sauce is one of my favorite shellfish dishes. I add bottled clam broth with the white wine, along with the traditional minced garlic, red pepper flakes and fresh […]
Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Lunch Ideas, Pasta/Pizza, Seafood • Tags: Simmer
by pamflo
I’m struck by how delightful this tomato citrus salad is, with its distinct flavors. With the farmers markets re-opening and stocked with big, juicy tomatoes and fresh basil, this is a simple salad to assemble. The addition of avocado and crushed pistachios is optional, but adds crunch. Customize your own salad with a variation on the type of nuts or by adding fresh burrata or mozzarella cheese. Add a drizzle of good olive oil, a squeeze of orange juice and […]
Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Nuts, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking
by pamflo
Celebrate and savor watermelon season by grilling thick, sweet slices! Whether you fire-up your grill or use a grill-pan, grilled watermelon is healthy and delicious. Simply cut your watermelon into thick slices leaving the rind on. Grilling watermelon changes the texture of the fruit, brings out its natural sweetness and adds a subtle smoky flavor. I grilled lime halves alongside the watermelon. With a pinch of sea salt, fresh mint leaves and a squeeze of the smoky lime juice, you […]
Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Low Sugar • Tags: Grill
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, cherries, and melons ripe for the picking. For my wine choice, I selected a Spanish Rioja which is a blend of grapes varieties. You could use a Grenache, Tempranillo or Pinot Noir, pick something that is big, fruity and you would enjoy drinking on its own. I added thinly sliced citrus, […]
Categories: Alcohol, Beverage, Boozy, Cocktail, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free • Tags: No Cooking
by pamflo
Red, sweet and juicy, strawberries are ripe for the picking! There are many ways to enjoy these beautiful fresh berries, but I like the idea of a simple, fresh soup that involves no cooking. Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, folate, and potassium. Although the strawberries provide a light sweetness, this is a wonderful savory dish. I added lightly toasted slivered almonds for a little crunch.
Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Soup, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz
by pamflo
Lately, I’ve been thinking about tomatoes as I water my newly planted little garden with it’s beautiful green leaves, so full of life and hope. I made this bright roasted tomato salad with small tomatoes, and topped it with balsamic vinegar and freshly grated parmesan cheese. It’s as easy as tossing whole cherry or grape tomatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh thyme sprigs, and roasting in a hot oven until the little gems burst open. With so few […]
Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast
by pamflo
The approaching summer means blueberry season is almost here! Blueberries are believed to have the highest levels of antioxidants of any fruit. Although blueberries are healthiest when eaten raw, this rustic cornmeal fruit tart is a fun way to eat cooked blueberries and simple to make. The dough is similar to a cookie dough and just needs to be at room temperature to shape. This is an easy dessert that can be made in advance, just assemble the crostata and […]
Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dessert, Fruit, Pies/Tarts • Tags: Bake
by pamflo
Spring is here, and the fresh, beautiful stalks of asparagus are in season. Asparagus is a great source of vitamin C and folate. This shaved asparagus salad is fresh and super easy to prepare. I briefly steamed the asparagus prior to shaving it into thin slices with a vegetable peeler. You are welcome to shave it raw, but a little heat increases the nutrient benefits. Trim the spears by snapping one and cutting the rest to match the broken spear. […]
Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Blanch
by pamflo
Pappardelle shaped “noodles” made with zucchini are a great pasta substitute, and combined with a fresh, tangy pesto you would hardly realize that you’re not eating grains. I gave my spiralizer a short vacation and made zucchini ribbon “noodles” for this light dish. A wide vegetable peeler or a mandolin both work to create these pappardelle style noodles. To prevent the zucchini from become watery, place the ribbons in a colander and lightly salt. Let the ribbons sit for about […]
Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Healthish, Pasta/Pizza, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Bake, Whiz