Category Archives: Dairy Free

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

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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Fish Stew

April 5, 2018 by pamflo

Do you want an easy to make fish dish as an alternative to grilling or broiling? I was excited to explore a new option. Although I love salmon, because it’s a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, it was time for a fresh approach. Wow, the combination of the fennel, white wine and dill make this a fantastic, flavorful dish. The fish is simmered slowly in a combination of white wine and water (with no dairy), on a low heat […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, One-Pot Meals, Seafood, Soups/Stews • Tags: Simmer

Almond Tea Cookies

March 29, 2018 by pamflo

“I’m officially in the weeds!” A phrase familiar in the culinary world for falling behind. I’m hosting family this weekend for the holiday and should be farther along in my planning and prep. Rather than racing to catching up, I decided to play with some cookie dough as I experimented with a simple cookie recipe yesterday. These cookies are crunchy, pack an awesome almond punch, and are both gluten and dairy free. The delightful aroma of freshly baked cookies still lingers […]

Categories: Cookies/Brownies, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gifts, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Passover Recipes • Tags: Bake

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Zucchini and Lemon Pasta Salad

March 22, 2018 by pamflo

Adding lightly roasted zucchini really seems to elevate a dish. With a little imagination, the zucchini half-moons might remind you of eating candy! This is a delightful meal with a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice and fresh basil. Perfect for an easy lunch, or perhaps you serve it with a protein for a hearty dinner. It’s impressive that there are many brands of gluten-free pasta. It takes a little experimenting to find a brand where you like both […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Nuts, Rice/Grains, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

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Honey Ginger Chicken Wings

March 15, 2018 by pamflo

Who doesn’t love an easy dinner idea?! These wings are simple to prepare and bake quickly. The bite from the ginger combined with the sweetness of the honey makes for a tasty sauce. Ginger root is readily available in most markets and is known for its ability to ease nausea and improve digestion. The best way to prepare the root it is to cut off the smaller roots from the main piece and peel the skin off with a vegetable […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry • Tags: Bake

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Beer Braised Brisket

March 8, 2018 by pamflo

Brisket can be a tough cut of meat, but with low and slow heat it becomes a tender, succulent dish. Cooking with beer adds a rich, almost earthy flavor. Excitedly, I went in search of good local craft beer to use. I came across Fuzzy Logic whose Belgian Ale added a surprisingly sweet note to the sauce. When purchasing brisket you usually have two choices for the cut of meat and both cuts work well. The flat cut generally has […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals • Tags: Braise, Sear

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Turmeric and Kale Egg Scramble

March 1, 2018 by pamflo

I’m just returning from a long weekend in New York City where I joined my fellow culinary professionals for a fantastic conference. It’s three intensive days of networking, workshops, field trips and sessions led by industry leaders. It’s an unbelievable community of food writers, food and prop stylists, cookbook authors, recipe testers, editors, agents and more. Some of the more interesting topics were the popular food trends and stories, how to polish your social media presence, how to run cooking […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Eggs, Gluten Free, Greens • Tags: Sauté

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Spicy Skirt Steak Fajitas

February 22, 2018 by pamflo

Firing up your outdoor grill in Boston this week is not completely out of the question, as the temperature has been in the mid 60’s! These super tasty steak fajitas were grilled in my trusty stove-top grill pan. Both skirt and flank steak benefit from a few hours of marinating as they’re typically tougher cuts of meat. The secrets to juicy tender steak is letting the meat come to room temperature for about 30 minutes or so before cooking, and […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, Vegetables • Tags: Grill, Marinate

Paleo Peppermint Patties

February 8, 2018 by pamflo

Any interest in making your Valentine a healthy treat? Me too, that’s why I love this recipe and it involves no cooking! Food that doesn’t involve cooking relies on really fresh, high quality ingredients. These divine chocolate patties are super minty and pack an intense coconut punch. Instead of corn syrup or white sugar, I used pure maple syrup. Store the patties in an airtight container in the freezer for up to a month. This refreshing treat makes a beautiful […]

Categories: Chocolate/Candy, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Paleo • Tags: No Cooking

Millet Maple Porridge

January 11, 2018 by pamflo

Millet is a healthy whole grain that is naturally gluten-free and a good source of protein and dietary fiber. It has a mild nutty flavor, cooks in about 30 minutes and is a unique breakfast option. When cooking millet as a breakfast cereal, the ratio of liquid to grain is higher as this hearty grain expands when cooked. I used two cups of liquid, a combination of almond milk and water, to a 1/2 cup of the millet. Serve a […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Rice/Grains • Tags: Simmer

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Cauliflower Steaks with Lemon Caper Sauce

January 4, 2018 by pamflo

Welcome to 2018! For many years I worked for Weight Watchers helping people achieve their weight loss goals, one step at a time. It was more about teaching people to establish a healthy lifestyle instead of just following another diet. There isn’t one plan that works for everyone. It’s about figuring out what works for you as an individual, based on your genetic makeup, preferences, food allergies and health issues. Although I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions, healthy […]

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

Ribollita Soup

December 14, 2017 by pamflo

Warm up this holiday season with this hearty and healthy Tuscan vegetable soup. The cold, damp winter weather is the perfect time to hunker down and make a big ol’ pot of soup. Ribollita is an easy soup to make, with hunks of stale or toasted bread and lots of vegetables. Feel free to use a variety of veggies, although traditionally this soup is made with inexpensive vegetables, white beans, kale and cabbage. I love to finish soup with a […]

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

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Double Chocolate Expresso Cookies

November 30, 2017 by pamflo

These double chocolatey, ooey-gooey, decadent cookies are a family favorite and don’t contain any flour! With the holidays approaching, I added instant expresso for punch as well as dark chocolate chunks. The coffee will give you a little boost of energy after the holiday meal. Although these cookies are gluten free, they are still super flavorful and provide a profound chocolate blast. I don’t consider myself a contest type of girl, but just for fun I entered a holiday cookie […]

Categories: Chocolate/Candy, Cookies/Brownies, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free • Tags: Bake, Contest

Double Chocolate Baked Donuts

November 20, 2017 by pamflo

Decadent and easy, you might never know these divine double chocolate donuts are grain free. All you’ll need is a standard donut pan to make this fun and easy dessert (or breakfast treat)! Coconut flour is a very good substitute for all-purpose flour in gluten-free baking. It has the ability to absorb liquid and provides a perfect substitute for all-purpose flour in many gluten-free baked goods. Often the challenge in gluten-free baking is finding the correct proportion and balance of ingredients […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Dessert, Donuts, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Low Sugar, Snack • Tags: Bake, Glaze

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Sweet and Savory Glazed Nuts

November 16, 2017 by pamflo

If this isn’t the year you’re hosting Thanksgiving and lucky enough to be a guest, maybe you’re in need of a hostess gift idea. These are an easy and healthier version of glazed nuts. I’ve provided recipes for both lightly sweetened glazed walnuts and spicy savory cashews, but you can use a variety of nuts if you choose. Both recipes use honey or maple syrup as sweetener instead of sugar. Turmeric, a plant that’s part of the ginger family, has curcumin […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gifts, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Nuts • Tags: Roast

Homemade Gluten-Free Bread

November 9, 2017 by pamflo

With the holidays approaching, this is an easy, delicious gluten-free bread to bake and share. There is something very satisfying about baking your own bread, gluten-free or not! Gluten is the protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Many people are required to remove gluten from their diets for health reasons and others just choose to eliminate it. Many commercially made gluten-free breads are filled with too many ingredients, including added sugar and refined carbohydrates. Wheat flour and yeast are the […]

Categories: Breads, Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Nuts • Tags: Bake, Whip

Squash with an Egg-in-the-hole

November 2, 2017 by pamflo

Naturally low in fat and nutrient dense, winter squash is a healthy substitute for the toast in the classic breakfast dish of egg-in-the-hole. There’s a beautiful assortment of squash available and you can use any variety of winter squash, although acorn is the best with its sweet and tender flesh. These squash are small and heavy when ripe, with a tough outer skin that’s eatable after cooking. I used the small sweet dumpling squash as I was drawn to its […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Eggs, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

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Paleo Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

October 19, 2017 by pamflo

The Paleo diet is one of the most searched diets on the internet, and is about eliminating gluten, dairy, grains and refined sugar. It can be considered a restrictive way to eat but for people battling celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, autoimmune issues or just prefer a low inflammatory diet, it’s a great option. These delicious muffins take advantage of a variety of fall spices, and use almond and coconut flour in place of white flour. Pumpkin puree is high in […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Muffins, Paleo, Snack • Tags: Bake

Citrus Tomato Salad with Pistachios

October 12, 2017 by pamflo

I’m frequently inspired by the places I go and the meals I eat. Recently on a trip to Washington, D.C. I was struck by a delightful and simple tomato citrus salad. It was beautifully composed and had very distinct flavors. With the farmers markets still stocked with big, juicy tomatoes and my garden still heavy with basil, I created my own version. With a drizzle of good olive oil, a squeeze of orange juice and some fresh basil, this is […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish • Tags: No Cooking

Summer Corn Chowder

September 7, 2017 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, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, 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: Dairy Free

Provençal Tuna Salad

Root Vegetable Chips

Fish Stew

Almond Tea Cookies

Zucchini and Lemon Pasta Salad

Honey Ginger Chicken Wings

Beer Braised Brisket

Turmeric and Kale Egg Scramble

Spicy Skirt Steak Fajitas

Paleo Peppermint Patties

Millet Maple Porridge

Cauliflower Steaks with Lemon Caper Sauce

Ribollita Soup

Double Chocolate Expresso Cookies

Double Chocolate Baked Donuts

Sweet and Savory Glazed Nuts

Homemade Gluten-Free Bread

Squash with an Egg-in-the-hole

Paleo Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

Citrus Tomato Salad with Pistachios

Summer Corn Chowder