Category Archives: Crowd Pleaser

Parmesan Squash Rounds

August 13, 2020 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

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Summer Plum Crumble

August 6, 2020 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

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Grilled Corn on the Cob

July 30, 2020 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

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Honeydew and Cucumber Gazpacho

July 23, 2020 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

Sweet and Sour Vegetables over Noodles

July 16, 2020 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

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Linguini with White Clam Sauce

July 9, 2020 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

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Tomato Citrus Salad

July 2, 2020 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

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Grilled Watermelon Slices

June 25, 2020 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

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Red Sangria

June 18, 2020 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

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Oven Roasted Tomatoes

June 4, 2020 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

Blueberry Cornmeal Crostata

May 28, 2020 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

Shaved Asparagus Salad

May 21, 2020 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

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Sheet Pan Pizza

May 7, 2020 by pamflo

I feel fortunate that I was finally able to score active dry yeast and all-purpose flour! Baking bread is quite popular these days. A sheet pan pizza is not as beautiful as classic Neopolitan pizza, but it’s easy, feeds a crowd or provides leftovers. If pressed for time or not feeling motivated, store bought pizza dough is a strong alternative. I doubled the dough recipe and made two trays of pizza. I topped one pizza with red sauce, shredded mozzarella […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Lunch Ideas, Pizza • Tags: Bake

Hearty Minestrone Soup

April 30, 2020 by pamflo

There are many ways to make a delicious soup. The success of a soup is in the depth of flavors. The first layer of flavor is the pancetta, cured and salted pork belly. Olive oil is a good substitute if you don’t have or want to use pancetta. Another layer of flavor are the aromatics, vegetables used as a base flavor including, but not limited to, celery, carrots, onions and fresh herbs. Adding a piece of the rind from a […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, One-Pot Meals, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Simmer

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Toasted Sesame Tahini Cookies

April 23, 2020 by pamflo

Seeds of Collaboration (SoCo) is a company that produces delicious tahini and has a social mission as well. Their mission is seeding a healthy change in kitchens and communities. They believe economic collaboration is a way to build bridges. SoCo supports MEET – Middle East Entrepreneurs of Tomorrow – a non-profit in full partnership with MIT since 2004, that connects young Israeli and Palestinian students using the common language of technology and entrepreneurship. Every SoCo jar sold helps fund an Israeli-Palestinian student […]

Categories: Cookies, Crowd Pleaser, Dessert, Gluten Free, Seeds, Snack • Tags: Bake

Chocolate Chip Meringues

April 9, 2020 by pamflo

Light, airy, melt-in-your mouth and gluten free, meringues are surprisingly simple to make! The secret to crispy meringues are whipping the egg whites to a creamy, white firm peak. You can either use a standing mixer with the whip attachment, or a hand mixer. Although, when I was in cooking school we had to whip the egg whites by hand — it builds muscle! The key steps are to whip room temperature egg whites until they’re a little creamy, slowly adding […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Dessert, Eggs, Holiday Ideas, Passover Recipes • Tags: Bake, Whip

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Easy Beef and Beer Chili

April 2, 2020 by pamflo

What is the secret to making a dish that is restaurant quality? Spices! Using dried spices can add so much flavor, texture, and heat to a dish. Dried ground spices usually have a shelf life of 6 months, whole spices will last up to a year, so ensure that your spices are fresh. If they don’t smell strong, it’s time for a new bottle. Store your dried spices in a cool dry place. This chili recipe has a variety of dried […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans, Boozy, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals, Pantry Staples, Vegetables • Tags: Sauté, Simmer

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Spaghetti Squash Pizza

March 26, 2020 by pamflo

I thought it might be fun to put together a quick and easy crowd pleasing dish. All that is needed is a few pantry staples and any veggies you have on hand. The fact that this actually tastes like pizza came as a complete surprise. Spaghetti squash is a healthy, versatile vegetable. The flesh becomes beautiful noodle-like strands, that will take on whatever flavor you add to it. High in fiber and rich in nutrients, spaghetti squash is a tasty […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Pantry Staples, Vegetarian • Tags: Roast

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Ribolitta Soup

March 19, 2020 by pamflo

I’ve been digging into my archives for easy recipes using pantry staples. Ribolitta is a Tuscan soup made with lots of vegetables and hunks of toasted or stale bread. Traditionally this soup is made with inexpensive vegetables like carrots, celery and onions as well as white beans, kale and cabbage. This hearty soup is easy to make and you can use whatever variety of veggies you have on hand. I often finish soups with a splash of acid, using either […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, One-Pot Meals, Pantry Staples, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Simmer

Spicy Pork and Bok Choy Stir Fry

March 5, 2020 by pamflo

This is a delicious one-pot stir fry dish! Bok choy is a cruciferous vegetable that is part of the cabbage family. Cruciferous vegetables have sulforaphanes that help reduce inflammation in the body. Bok choy is a nutrient dense food that has a lengthy list of health benefits, including anti-cancer properties. Both the white and green part of the bok choy stalks are used in this recipe. The spiciness in this delicious dish comes from sambal oelek, an Indonesian chile paste made […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals, Vegetables • Tags: Stir-Fry

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Spicy Tomato Soup

February 27, 2020 by pamflo

A food stylist is a culinary professional who prepares food for photography, video or film. It’s actually a hard job making food photogenic! The top food stylists come to a photoshoot with a variety of techniques, even if it requires using non-edible materials to achieve the best results. This tomato soup photo is from an intensive food styling class I took in NYC. It was really fun to learn the techniques involved in producing a beautiful food photo. That being said, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Soups/Stews, Vegetarian • Tags: Simmer, Whiz

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: Crowd Pleaser

Parmesan Squash Rounds

Summer Plum Crumble

Grilled Corn on the Cob

Honeydew and Cucumber Gazpacho

Sweet and Sour Vegetables over Noodles

Linguini with White Clam Sauce

Tomato Citrus Salad

Grilled Watermelon Slices

Red Sangria

Oven Roasted Tomatoes

Blueberry Cornmeal Crostata

Shaved Asparagus Salad

Sheet Pan Pizza

Hearty Minestrone Soup

Toasted Sesame Tahini Cookies

Chocolate Chip Meringues

Easy Beef and Beer Chili

Spaghetti Squash Pizza

Ribolitta Soup

Spicy Pork and Bok Choy Stir Fry

Spicy Tomato Soup