Category Archives: Appetizer

Chilled Cucumber Soup

August 31, 2023 by pamflo

With this chilled soup, the crispness of cucumbers meets the vibrant tang of lime juice, while the subtle sweetness of honey complements the fresh aroma of basil. Elevating the experience is the velvety richness of cashew butter, lending a luscious creaminess that’s both satisfying and indulgent. No cooking is required and after a few hours in the fridge, this cucumber soup will be so creamy, cool, bright, and refreshing that you won’t be able to resist going back for seconds. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Soup, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

Watermelon Gazpacho

August 17, 2023 by pamflo

The delightful flavors of watermelon, ripe tomatoes and cucumbers come together to create this sweet and savory chilled soup. Enhanced with a hint of smoky paprika and a touch of sherry vinegar, this gazpacho boasts a depth of flavor that perfectly balances the sweet and savory elements. The paprika infuses a subtle, earthy undertone, while the sherry vinegar lends a gentle acidity that brightens up every spoonful. The velvety consistency of blended watermelon and tomatoes is enlivened by the refreshing […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

Savory Tomato Gratin

August 3, 2023 by pamflo

Although it seems almost sinful to cook beautifully ripe tomatoes at the height of the summer, this dish intensifies the flavor of the tomatoes. A classic gratin is usually a dish of layered vegetables topped with cheese and buttery breadcrumbs. My version is a simple dish with large juicy tomato slices, a sprinkling of parmesan cheese, fresh herbs and a splash of balsamic vinegar. Uncomplicated yet utterly satisfying, this recipe is a testament to the simple pleasures of seasonal cooking […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish • Tags: Bake

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Summer Corn Chowder

July 27, 2023 by pamflo

Indulge in the delicious flavors of summer with this vibrant and refreshing corn chowder, enriched with the creamy goodness of coconut milk. Bursting with the season’s sweetest corn, this dairy-free twist on the classic chowder is perfect for those seeking a lighter chowder. 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 kernels are […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Soup • Tags: Simmer

Spicy Watermelon and Feta Salad

July 20, 2023 by pamflo

Beat the summer heat with this refreshing and vibrant salad! This delightful dish is a true fusion of flavors, where the coolness of the watermelon beautifully contrasts with the tangy saltiness of the feta, all enhanced by a subtle kick of spiciness. The addition of fresh mint adds a burst of herbal freshness. Perfect for a light lunch, a side dish or even as a unique party appetizer, this salad is a sublime balance of sweet, savory and spicy flavors. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Salads, Side Dish • Tags: No Cooking

Summer Salad with Peaches, Pepitas and Mozzarella Cheese

July 13, 2023 by pamflo

This vibrant and delicious summer salad combines the best flavors of early summer, featuring juicy peaches, creamy avocado, crunchy pepitas and fresh mozzarella cheese. Bursting with freshness and complemented by a splash of extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar, this salad is a perfect choice for warm summer days when you crave a light meal. The salad is not only visually stunning but also offers a healthy dose of essential nutrients and antioxidants. Whether enjoyed as a side dish […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Fruit, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Salads • Tags: No Cooking

Roasted Asparagus Wrapped In Prosciutto

June 22, 2023 by pamflo

Indulge in mouthwatering flavors with a delightful recipe for asparagus. This elegant dish combines the earthy taste of asparagus with the salty richness of prosciutto, enhanced by parmesan cheese and vibrant lemon zest. The contrasting textures and harmonious flavors create a delicious combination. When purchasing fresh asparagus look 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 […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Game Day, Holiday Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

Spicy Sesame Cucumber Salad

May 18, 2023 by pamflo

This spicy cucumber salad is a deliciously tangy and refreshing dish that packs a punch! Thinly sliced cucumbers are tossed in a tangy dressing made with rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, honey and chili garlic sauce for a spicy kick. The best substitute for chili garlic sauce is sriracha or sambal oelek. In a pinch, red chili flakes will work. The sesame seeds add a nutty crunch that complements the cool and refreshing cucumbers perfectly. This salad is vegan, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Seeds, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking

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Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Fresh Mint and Toasted Pine Nuts

April 13, 2023 by pamflo

With its bright green colors and crisp, crunchy texture, this sugar snap pea salad is the perfect way to celebrate the fresh flavors of spring! Sugar snaps are a non-starchy vegetable that’s a cross between traditional English peas and snow peas. They’re high in fiber and antioxidants and entirely edible, including the pod. I slivered the raw pea pods lengthwise and tossed them with olive oil, fresh mint leaves, shaved parmesan cheese, lightly toasted pine nuts, lemon zest and fresh lemon […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Nuts, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking

Tinned Fish Board

March 30, 2023 by pamflo

Tinned fish boards have been all the rage recently. They’re like a charcuterie board but with a mix of flavor-packed, delicious tins of fish and seafood, chips, condiments and other small bites. Conservas, or food preserved in cans or jars, are popular in Spain and Portugal. Seafood conservas can include tuna, trout, salmon, anchovies, mussels, octopus, mackerel, and many more types of fish. In the last few years, more tinned fish brands are available in specialty markets and on restaurant menus in […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: No Cooking

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Roasted Tomatoes with Pesto, Feta Crumbles and Pine Nuts

March 2, 2023 by pamflo

I recently had a fantastic dinner with family and friends at a popular Miami restaurant, Michael’s Genuine Food and Drink. The chef Michael Schwartz was just nominated as a semifinalist for a James Beard Award. We had a superb dinner with great food, interesting drinks and a fun vibe. We ordered a delicious side dish of wood-fired tomatoes that caught me by surprise with its simplicity. Although tomatoes are not in season in the northeast now, I attempted to re-create […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Side Dish • Tags: Roast

Winter Radish Salad

February 16, 2023 by pamflo

This radish salad is delicious and healthy and will surely brighten a winter day! Radishes are in the root vegetable family, brightly colored with crunchy flesh and a subtle peppery taste. They come in varying shapes and sizes, an assortment of beautiful colors and can be eaten raw, pickled or cooked. The best way to get super thin uniform slices is with a mandolin, a very sharp flat slicing tool. If you use a mandolin please use the safety guard […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: No Cooking

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Crispy Smashed Potatoes

February 9, 2023 by pamflo

These crispy smashed potatoes are easy to make and a fun game day dish for your Super Bowl gathering. I like roasting small yellow potatoes as they crisp up nicely after baking and remain creamy on the inside. You’ll boil the potatoes until tender and once cooled you’ll gently smash them down using the flat bottom of a glass. Then you’ll roast the potatoes topped with olive oil and garlic powder. Serve warm with freshly grated parmesan cheese and chopped fresh herbs.

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Game Day, Gluten Free, Healthish, Side Dish • Tags: Bake, Boil

Winter Citrus Salad with Avocado and Pecans

January 12, 2023 by pamflo

This winter citrus avocado salad is beautiful and bursting with flavor! It’s a salad of juicy orange slices and avocado on a bed of butter lettuce, topped with beet microgreens and toasted pecans. I just love winter citrus especially blood oranges and Cara Cara oranges. Clementines, navel oranges, tangelos and grapefruit are all great choices. Use a sharp knife to cut off the top and bottom of the peel. Then cut off the peel from top to bottom, working your […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Fruit, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking

Potato Pancakes with Smoked Salmon

December 19, 2022 by pamflo

A latke is a type of potato pancake or fritter which is traditionally served during the Hanukkah holiday. These potato pancakes are crispy and lip-smacking good! Potato pancakes can be made with grated, shredded or mashed potatoes. I add grated onion, an egg, matzo meal (or all-purpose flour), a little baking powder and butter. The potato pancakes are fried in vegetable oil, peanut oil or another high heat neutral oil. These pancakes can be made earlier in the day and […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Holiday Ideas, Side Dish • Tags: Fry

Roasted Delicata Squash with Lemon Tahini Sauce

October 27, 2022 by pamflo

There are many winter squash options available at the markets now. Squash is harvested in the fall and if stored in a cool dry spot, they’ll last for awhile. When purchasing squash make sure they’re firm and free of bruises. Delicata squash is oblong in shape, has pale yellow skin with a green stripe and delicate yellow flesh. There’s no need to peel the squash before you chop it, because once the squash is cooked you can eat the skin. Tahini […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Dips/Sauces, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

Loaded Hummus Platter

September 8, 2022 by pamflo

Smooth, creamy and lemony with a hint of garlic and a few splashes of hot sauce, that’s my favorite kind of hummus. I topped my hummus with olives, capers, cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, feta cheese and a drizzle of good olive oil. I’ve included my favorite homemade hummus recipe but please feel free to use your favorite store-bought brand instead. I served my loaded hummus platter with crackers and a crisp Chardonnay. Seeds of Collaboration (SoCo) is a company that produces delicious […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans/Legumes, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Seeds, Snack, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

Peach, Tomato and Feta Salad

September 1, 2022 by pamflo

This peach, tomato and feta salad is a refreshing and delicious summer side dish or perfect light lunch. It’s a fun combination of stone fruit and heirloom tomatoes, requires no cooking and is a great way to serve the super ripe end of summer produce. I added feta cheese, fresh basil and a very simple vinaigrette. You can change up the flavor of the vinaigrette by using different vinegars but use good quality olive oil. Champagne vinegar, sherry vinegar or white […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Salads, Side Dish • Tags: No Cooking

Heirloom Tomato Galette

August 25, 2022 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 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 […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Lunch Ideas, Pies/Tarts, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

Steamed Clams in White Wine and Butter

August 11, 2022 by pamflo

Making steamers at home is easy, and just requires cleaning and prepping the clams. First, rinse and scrub the clams under cold running water, discarding any cracked or damaged clam shells. If your clams are gritty, dissolve 1/4 cup of kosher salt in 4 cups of cold water in a large bowl and soak the clams for about 20 minutes. Soaking in salt water helps to draw out the sand and grit. You’ll then steam the clams in white wine, garlic […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Seafood, Side Dish • Tags: Steam

Sautéed Corn and Tomato Salad

August 4, 2022 by pamflo

Corn on the cob has no substitute, and it’s especially delicious at its peak on the east coast in August. However, making a quick and simple salad using the kernels is a great idea too. You could grill the corn while it’s still on the cob and then remove the kernels, or remove and sauté the raw kernels on the stove top as I did. Fresh heirloom tomatoes and fragrant basil leaves are the perfect combination with the corn. Top […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Sauté

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: Appetizer

Chilled Cucumber Soup

Watermelon Gazpacho

Savory Tomato Gratin

Summer Corn Chowder

Spicy Watermelon and Feta Salad

Summer Salad with Peaches, Pepitas and Mozzarella Cheese

Roasted Asparagus Wrapped In Prosciutto

Spicy Sesame Cucumber Salad

Sugar Snap Pea Salad with Fresh Mint and Toasted Pine Nuts

Tinned Fish Board

Roasted Tomatoes with Pesto, Feta Crumbles and Pine Nuts

Winter Radish Salad

Crispy Smashed Potatoes

Winter Citrus Salad with Avocado and Pecans

Potato Pancakes with Smoked Salmon

Roasted Delicata Squash with Lemon Tahini Sauce

Loaded Hummus Platter

Peach, Tomato and Feta Salad

Heirloom Tomato Galette

Steamed Clams in White Wine and Butter

Sautéed Corn and Tomato Salad