Cooking Tips | Zest For Cooking

Sea Bass en Papillote

January 7, 2021 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 […]

Categories: Cooking Tips, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: Steam

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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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Chocolate Dipped Flourless Oatmeal Cookies

October 18, 2018 by pamflo

It’s a chilly 46 degrees right now as I write this post. Perfect weather for baking 🙂 These oatmeal cookies have almond flour as a substitute for white flour and are sweetened with coconut palm sugar. Coconut palm sugar (not to be confused with palm sugar) is made from the sap of the coconut palm tree. This is a solid alternative sweetener for refined sugars and is most similar to brown sugar. Although this type of sugar provides the same […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Cooking Tips, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar • Tags: Bake

Provençal Tuna Salad

May 17, 2018 by pamflo

Pan Bagnant is a favorite French sandwich that literally means “bathed bread”. This popular sandwich is usually filled with many vibrant vegetables, hard boiled egg, canned tuna and then the bread is soaked in a zesty vinaigrette. With so many beautiful, nutrient dense ingredients, I thought it might be fun to deconstruct this sandwich and serve it as a salad. I roasted the peppers but you can use jarred roasted peppers instead. The dressing elevates an otherwise ordinary salad to […]

Categories: Appetizer, Cooking Tips, Dairy Free, Dressing, Eggs, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Seafood, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking

Easy Veggie Frittata

May 10, 2018 by pamflo

A warm, custardy vegetable frittata is easier to make then you think! A great brunch idea for Mother’s Day, here are some tips that will help perfect your frittata. Use the right pan for the job, that is either a non-stick oven safe skillet or a well seasoned cast iron pan. After sautéing your potatoes and veggies until almost fully cooked on the stove top, add your vigorously whisked eggs to the pan and it will go into the oven […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Cooking Tips, Eggs, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: Bake, Sauté

Root Vegetable Chips

May 5, 2018 by pamflo

Note to readers: I apologize and ask for your patience as I experiment with a new recipe format. This yummy root vegetable recipe was posted last week but was never emailed in my Thursday newsletter. Enjoy! Looking for a healthy way to enjoy potato chips? Making your own vegetable chips are healthier, simple and very rewarding. I took a combination of sweet potatoes, turnips and beautiful red beets sliced super thin, and roasted low and slow with just a little […]

Categories: Appetizer, Cooking Tips, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

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What’s In Your Pantry?

June 9, 2016 by pamflo

The key to success in the kitchen is having a well stocked pantry. If you have many of these staples on hand it will help you put together a meal with ease. With a well rounded pantry you can have an impromptu dinner party, put together a last minute meal or feed hungry kids. I have included essentials for both cooking and baking and listed some brands that I like. Your pantry should suit your diet and lifestyle. Just a note […]

Categories: Cooking Tips • Tags: Pantry

Braised Lamb Shanks

April 14, 2016 by pamflo

Braising is a perfect activity for a rainy day. It’s a combination of dry and wet heat cooking. The meat is typically seared over high heat until browned, and then cooked slowly in a flavorful liquid over low heat. This low and slow cooking breaks down the tough connective tissue. The meat takes on the flavors of the braising liquid it’s bathing in. The key ingredients are a good drinking wine, chicken or vegetable broth, fresh herbs and a variety of vegetables. This […]

Categories: Cooking Tips, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals, Vegetables • Tags: Braise, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low and Slow Cooking, Sear

Double Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins

October 1, 2015 by pamflo

What’s a double oatmeal cookie you ask? These cookies are made with oat flour and old-fashioned rolled oats and no white flour. Pastry chef Alice Medrich has mastered baking with non-wheat flours. Her recipes are my go-to for a wheat-free treat. The oat flour provides texture and flavor, without it tasting like just another gluten-free cookie. Xanthan gum is a stabilizer and a necessary addition to your pantry if you’re regularly baking gluten-free goodies. It adds volume, acts as a binder […]

Categories: Cookies/Brownies, Cooking Tips, Dessert, Gluten Free, Snack • Tags: Bake, Gluten Free

New York Culinary Experience 2015

April 16, 2015 by pamflo

This was my 6th year at the International Culinary Center in Soho, New York. This two day cooking extravaganza is a yearly experience that inspires me to get into the kitchen and try new dishes! I took a pastry class with Joe Murphy from Jean-Georges, savory cooking classes with Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer from Toro in Boston (and New York), Jimmy Bradley from The Red Cat in New York, and Paris chef, Bruno Verjus. Here are some of the highlights […]

Categories: Cooking Tips

Vodka Pie Crust

November 22, 2011 by pamflo

Vodka in pie crust, yes vodka….can you believe it! Americas’s Test Kitchen published a recipe in their 2007 Cook’s Illustrated magazine for a pie crust with vodka. I tried it that year and then repeated it for a few Thanksgiving holidays following that. The vodka provides the dough with moisture and imparts no flavor. It’s worth a try! You can use the rest of the vodka for a holiday cocktail 🙂 FOOLPROOF VODKA PIE DOUGH Makes one 9-inch double pie […]

Categories: Cooking Tips, Dessert, Gifts, Holiday Ideas, Pie • Tags: Bake, Prep

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Turkey Brine

November 6, 2011 by pamflo

I have hosted Thanksgiving at my home every year for the last eleven years. I always brine my turkey. A brine is simply a salty water solution that adds moisture and flavor to meat. I have brined my turkey in salted water, apple cider and even bourbon (not something I’d recommend!). There are many recipes for brines and it is worth the effort to brine your meat, especially turkey. The turkey should be cleaned out and completely thawed. A fresh, “natural” […]

Categories: Brine, Cooking Tips, Holiday Ideas, Meat/Poultry • Tags: Brining, Prep

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Mise en Place

September 27, 2011 by pamflo

Mise en place literally means “putting in place”. In culinary context, the term is a French phrase referring to having all of your ingredients ready to prepare a dish. This means you need to review the recipe start to finish and check for ingredients and equipment. When setting up mise en place, the ingredients are washed, measured, chopped and placed into individual bowls. It includes pre-heating the oven and taking out your tools and appliances. If you are a fan […]

Categories: Cooking Tips • Tags: Mise en place, Prep

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: Cooking Tips

Sea Bass en Papillote

Sautéed Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes

Chocolate Dipped Flourless Oatmeal Cookies

Provençal Tuna Salad

Easy Veggie Frittata

Root Vegetable Chips

What’s In Your Pantry?

Braised Lamb Shanks

Double Oatmeal Cookies with Raisins

New York Culinary Experience 2015

Vodka Pie Crust

Turkey Brine

Mise en Place