Category Archives: Appetizer

Grilled Swordfish and Vegetable Kabobs

July 18, 2019 by pamflo

Swordfish is a firm-fleshed fish with a mildly sweet flavor, perfect for cutting into cubes and grilling for an easy weeknight meal. Although it’s on the list of fish that can be high in mercury, it’s a great protein source, and abundant in minerals and vitamins. If time permits, you can marinate the pieces of fish for up to 30 minutes. Being short on time, I generously coated the cubes with olive oil, salt and pepper before grilling. Serve hot with […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Seafood, Vegetables • Tags: Grill

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Watermelon and Tomato Gazpacho

July 11, 2019 by pamflo

The delightful flavors of watermelon, ripe tomatoes and cucumbers come together to create this sweet and savory chilled soup. With the added tang of a lime and the heat of a jalapeño, this is the perfect dish for a hot and steamy summer night! This soup can be served smooth or chunky. If you want a combination of both, puree the soup completely in a blender or food processor, and then add the extra finely diced watermelon and cucumbers. If […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

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Summer Panzanella Salad

July 3, 2019 by pamflo

Panzanella is a popular Tuscan chopped salad traditionally made with really ripe tomatoes, toasted bread cubes and red onion. It sometimes includes cucumbers and is simply dressed with olive oil and vinegar. In my summer salad, cornbread croutons add a modern twist to a combination of avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers and freshly chopped basil. Slivered raw red onion adds some bite, but is optional. Dress this salad with extra-virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar, and season it with salt and […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Toast, Toss

Creamy Cauliflower and Toasted Walnut Dip

June 27, 2019 by pamflo

Cauliflower is still all the rage. This humble head of white florets can be transformed into a tender, creamy and comforting addition to a great entree, or center stage with other great sides. The bonus is that cauliflower is a great source of vitamin C. Earthy and rich without being heavy, this creamy cauliflower dip is great for a crowd. It is perfect served with raw veggies, crackers or as a spread for sandwiches.

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables

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Charred Sugar Snap Peas

June 6, 2019 by pamflo

Sugar snap peas are a cross between snow peas and garden peas. The peas are naturally sweet and crunchy, and you can eat the whole pod. Snap peas may be eaten raw or cooked, although you may have to remove the “string” at the seam of the pod if eating the peas raw. Snap peas are low in calories, high in fiber, iron and Vitamin C. This is a terrific light dish that’s quick to prepare. The success of this dish is […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans/Legumes, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Char

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Roasted Asparagus with Cherry Tomatoes

May 9, 2019 by pamflo

Spring is finally here and the asparagus is in season, with its beautiful green stalks and familiar earthy fragrance. Roasting asparagus is a quick and easy dish for a weeknight meal or for a crowd. When purchasing these beauties 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 stalks for a sleek plated presentation, but it […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Nuts, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast, Toast

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Brown Butter Sea Scallops with Lemon and Capers

April 25, 2019 by pamflo

Many years ago, I was a guest on a local television show and was asked a few personal questions to wrap up my cooking 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. We still laugh about it! Scallops are a lean protein source and quite easy to cook. However, […]

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

Homemade Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips

April 18, 2019 by pamflo

My family loves salt and vinegar potato chips! I happened to read the label on a package of chips and realized that they’re seasoned with a vinegar powder, not something I had heard of before. I ordered the powdered vinegar on-line with the idea of making my own salt and vinegar chips. I experimented with sprinkling the vinegar powder over the warm chips and soaking the raw potato slices in apple cider vinegar, to see if there was a difference […]

Categories: Appetizer, Chips, Dairy Free, Gluten Free • Tags: Fry

Zucchini and Scallion Fritters

April 11, 2019 by pamflo

These zucchini fritters are crispy, simple to make and perfect for the upcoming holidays. The fritter batter requires flour for texture and I used almond flour. Feel free to use another flour like chickpea or all-purpose flour. If you’re making these fritters for the Passover holiday you can use potato starch. The trick to achieving crispy fritters, is to remove as much moisture as possible from the grated zucchini. This is a two step process by first salting the grated zucchini […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Passover Recipes, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Sauté

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Fruity Cobb Salad

March 21, 2019 by pamflo

As spring arrives this variation on the Cobb salad could offer some diversity to your meal rotation, and take advantage of some of the beautiful winter produce that’s still available. It’s often hard motivating to make a homemade salad on a cold day, but you’re rewarded with an interesting dish that might have been just an average salad. As the bacon is cooking, blanch the green beans in salted boiling water and then transfer to an ice bath to stop […]

Categories: Appetizer, Bacon, Beans, Fruit, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: Bake, Steam

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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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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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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

Delicious Chicken Soup

October 11, 2018 by pamflo

The leaves on the trees are changing into beautiful colors, although it still feels like summer in Boston. The start of flu season is coming and though not a cure for the common cold, chicken soup is certainly a way to ease the symptoms and make you feel better quicker. There are many recipes for chicken soup, but this one is foolproof and makes a beautiful and flavorful chicken broth. This broth is so delicious that you can drink it […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Simmer

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Sautéed Yellow Zucchini with Pistachios and Mint

October 4, 2018 by pamflo

What does sauté mean? It’s a method of cooking food over high heat in a little bit of hot fat. This is a great way to cook vegetables while still maintaining their flavor and texture. Choose a wide bottom pan so the vegetables aren’t overcrowded. A quick sauté in olive oil is my choice for this recipe, but a combo of olive oil and butter add a nice depth of flavor. Coconut oil is a good option. This is an easy […]

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

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Honey Glazed Rainbow Carrots

September 13, 2018 by pamflo

These beautiful multi-colored carrots provide a wallop of Vitamin A and a solid dose of Vitamin C. They make a perfect side dish for dinner or a great contribution to a holiday meal. When roasting vegetables, make sure the chunks or pieces of veggies are about the same size, so they’ll roast evenly. Save the slightly bitter carrot tops for a zippy pesto, fun addition to a salad or as a leafy green garnish for soup.

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

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Summer Charcuterie Platter

August 30, 2018 by pamflo

Shopping at your local farmers market is the best way to connect to what is fresh and seasonal. It supports the local farmers and minimizes the impact on the earth, with less distance to travel to your plate. With the amazing array of produce and no cooking required, I assembled fresh fruits and vegetables paired with cheese and meat, accompanied by crispy crackers…and a glass of rosé wine! There is an unlimited choice of the freshest fruits and vegetables in […]

Categories: Appetizer, Fruit, Lunch Ideas, Nuts, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking

Frico Salad Cups

June 21, 2018 by pamflo

Called frico, these crisp cracker cups are made entirely of melted cheese. They’re easy to make and can elevate your cheese platter, make a beautiful salad holder, or just be a fun snack. It’s as simple as making mounds of cheese on a sheet tray and baking until melted and lightly browned. I placed the hot lacy crackers in an empty muffin tin to create a perfect serving bowl. I filled my cups with a fresh radish and cucumber salad, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Cheeses, Crackers, Dressing, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: Appetizer

Grilled Swordfish and Vegetable Kabobs

Watermelon and Tomato Gazpacho

Summer Panzanella Salad

Creamy Cauliflower and Toasted Walnut Dip

Charred Sugar Snap Peas

Roasted Asparagus with Cherry Tomatoes

Brown Butter Sea Scallops with Lemon and Capers

Homemade Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips

Zucchini and Scallion Fritters

Fruity Cobb Salad

Spicy Steamed Shrimp

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp and Lemon

Smoked White Fish Rillettes

Tuscan Kale Soup with Beans and Fregola

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Delicious Chicken Soup

Sautéed Yellow Zucchini with Pistachios and Mint

Honey Glazed Rainbow Carrots

Summer Charcuterie Platter

Frico Salad Cups