Category Archives: Dairy Free

Root Vegetable Chips

January 5, 2023 by pamflo

If you’re looking for a healthier way to enjoy potato chips, it’s very simple to bake your own vegetable chips! I took a combination of sweet potatoes, turnips and beautiful red beets and sliced them incredibly thin with a mandolin. A mandolin is a very sharp flat slicing tool and the perfect way to get super thin uniform slices that cook evenly. Please use the safety guard provided, a cut-resistant glove, or a kitchen towel between your hand and the vegetable, […]

Categories: Chips, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

Leave a comment

Nutty Chocolate Bark

December 15, 2022 by pamflo

In preparation for the holidays I’m making one of my favorite desserts, nutty chocolate bark. It’s a fun and festive recipe, delicious and easy to make. Most professional chocolate is “tempered”, which requires it to be brought to a certain temperature. This process takes time and a bit of skill, but ensures a shiny finish and a longer shelf life. Candies, like truffles, dipped chocolates and bars of chocolate require tempering to create their signature taste and texture. Some simple candy recipes […]

Categories: Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Low Sugar, Nuts, Snack • Tags: Melt

Leave a comment

Braised Brisket with Apricots and Prunes

December 8, 2022 by pamflo

One of the my favorite winter activities is braising tough cuts of meat slowly, using a low temperature. The dried fruit in this recipe creates a delicious sweet sauce for the brisket. When purchasing brisket, you are more likely to find the “first cut”, a leaner piece of meat, but if possible ask the butcher for the “second cut”. Although both cuts of meat work, the second cut of meat is marbled with fat and perfect for braising. The aromatics, […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Meat/Poultry • Tags: Braise, Sear

Leave a comment

Cocoa Dusted Almonds

November 22, 2022 by pamflo

These outrageous cocoa dusted almonds are oven roasted, lightly sweetened and covered in cocoa powder. If this isn’t your year to host the holidays, maybe you’re in need of a hostess/host gift idea. These almonds make a fun gift and it’s easy to double the recipe. The secret to this delicious treat is in the quality of the cocoa powder and good quality cocoa powder elevates your desserts. When baking, you should always use unsweetened cocoa powder as it allows you […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Gifts, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Nuts, Snack • Tags: Roast

Leave a comment

Maple Roasted Carrots with Pistachios

November 17, 2022 by pamflo

The Thanksgiving buzz is in full swing! It starts when cooking magazines arrive at my house with photos of gleaming turkeys and perfectly plated sides. For the years that I hosted the Thanksgiving feast, my preparations typically started in October. I would make and freeze turkey stock, bake breads and make ice cream. Although I’m not hosting this year, I miss the menu planning and holiday hustle. This is a beautiful carrot dish that takes no advanced planning and is […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Nuts, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

Flourless Almond Butter Pecan Cookies

November 10, 2022 by pamflo

Almond butter is the delicious paste that comes from grinding almonds into a nut butter. It is the glue, along with an egg, that binds these flourless cookies together. Almonds are high in antioxidants, low in carbohydrates, and a source of healthy fat and protein. You can use natural almond butter, commercial almond butter or you can make your own almond butter. There will be a difference in the texture so you’ll want to put some muscle into making a […]

Categories: Cookies, Dairy Free, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Nuts • Tags: Bake

Leave a comment

Cioppino (Seafood Stew)

November 3, 2022 by pamflo

Cioppino or Brodetto di Pesce, is a delicious rustic Italian stew brimming with fresh seafood cooked in a tomato broth with wine, garlic and herbs. This hearty stew is traditionally served with grilled bread rubbed with garlic. Although there are many ingredients in this seafood stew, the dish comes together quite quickly. This dish can be a simple soup with just the fresh seafood cooked in broth and tomatoes, or you can use the ingredients to build a rich flavorful stew. […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, One-Pot Meals, Seafood, Soups/Stews • Tags: Sauté, Simmer

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

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

October 20, 2022 by pamflo

Pumpkin purée is low in calories, high in nutrients and readily available. It’s a great source of potassium, fiber and vitamin A. Don’t mistakenly purchase pumpkin pie filling which is spiced and already sweetened. Canned pumpkin purée is nothing more than puréed pumpkin flesh. I usually grab a few extra cans this time of year for soups, pancakes/waffles and baked goods. I added spinach to my smoothie which does turn the beautiful orange pumpkin flesh to a dull green, but adds vitamin […]

Categories: Beverage, Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Drinks, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Low Sugar, Nuts • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

Sheet Pan Chicken

October 6, 2022 by pamflo

Sheet pan meals are simple to prepare, easy to cleanup and delicious. This sheet pan bake is very flavorful and includes a full meal with proteins, vegetables and a starch. I love fingerling potatoes for their shape and creamy texture, yet russet potatoes are a good choice too. You can really use any protein that you want, nevertheless I prefer bone-in chicken thighs for their distinctive taste. Any type of sausage would work if you’re not a chorizo fan, although make […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals • Tags: Bake

Blistered Green Beans

September 29, 2022 by pamflo

Although green beans are available almost all year round, they’re at their peak in the northeast. When purchasing green beans look for beans that are tender, long and firm. They should “snap” when broken. 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. Step two is placing the green beans into an icy water bath to halt the cooking process. Blanching […]

Categories: Beans, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Side Dish • Tags: Blistered

Chunky Apple Walnut Muffins

September 22, 2022 by pamflo

Apple season is in full swing! These incredibly moist, chunky muffins are a perfect way to bake with the amazing variety of apples that are available. My favorite baking apples are Honeycrisp, Braeburn, Granny Smith and Cortland. My muffins are dairy and gluten free, as I substituted gluten-free flour for regular all-purpose flour. With a combination of applesauce and coconut oil, I could cut back on the amount of granulated sugar used. Although adding chopped walnuts are optional, they add […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar • Tags: Bake

Honey Roasted Figs

September 15, 2022 by pamflo

Late summer into early fall is fig season in New England. Figs don’t ripen after they’re picked, so buy them at their peak when they’re soft, round and about to burst. Minor bruises or tears are usually harmless, but avoid buying dry, cracked figs. Figs are deliciously sweet with a slight hint of honey and are a good source of calcium and potassium. These roasted figs can be served with a savory dish like chicken or pork. They can also be […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Snack • Tags: Roast

Leave a comment

Banana Oat Bites

August 18, 2022 by pamflo

Using only 5 ingredients, these banana oat bites are easy, delicious and quick to make. These cookies are on the healthier side with no added sugar and perfect with your morning coffee or as an afternoon snack. Make sure to use a very ripe banana, as the banana along with the dates provide the sweetness. The cookies are bound together with oats and I used old fashioned oats for a chewier cookie, but quick oats work too.

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Cookies, Dairy Free, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Snack • Tags: Bake

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

Lime Fizz Cocktail

July 28, 2022 by pamflo

This tangy cocktail gets its fizz from a bottle of dry sparkling wine. With vermouth and fresh lime juice, it’s everything a summer cocktail should be – light, citrusy and perfect for happy hour or paired with a summer meal. A simple syrup is made using equal parts water and sugar. You’ll heat the ingredients on the stovetop just until the sugar dissolves. This recipe makes extra simple syrup which can be made ahead of time and stored in the […]

Categories: Alcohol, Boozy, Cocktail, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free • Tags: Cocktail

Leave a comment

Blueberry Avocado Popsicles

July 21, 2022 by pamflo

These yummy popsicles are filled with blueberries, creamy avocado, dates, a hint of lime and a secret surprise of almond butter. They’re so refreshing on these hot summer days! I experimented with two types of popsicle molds, plastic and silicon and prefer the silicon molds. Rather than submerging the mold in hot water to release the pops, you can simply peel back the silicone. The silicon molds come with 10 popsicle slots, bags for storage and wooden popsicles sticks. The mold has […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar, Popsicles • Tags: Freeze, Whiz

Leave a comment

Quick Dill Pickles

July 14, 2022 by pamflo

Quick pickles or refrigerator pickles are simply vegetables that are pickled in a brine made from vinegar, water, salt, and sometimes sugar. The cucumbers and carrots sit in the pickling brine in the refrigerator for 24 hours and then are ready to enjoy. The pickled vegetables are good for about a week in the refrigerator. The beauty of this quick pickle recipe is that it uses less salt, and has no sugar added. Kirby cucumbers are crunchy, have a firm […]

Categories: Brine, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Snack, Vegetables • Tags: Boil

Watermelon Tequila Slushy

July 7, 2022 by pamflo

This slushy blender cocktail is perfect for a steamy summer evening. Instead of using ice, freeze the watermelon cubes ahead of serving. Place the cubes in a single layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet and freeze until solid. There is an abundance of peak produce at the farmers’ markets now, and in addition I purchased local raw honey to use as a sweetener. A simply syrup works as well. To make a simply syrup, simmer equal parts water and sugar […]

Categories: Alcohol, Boozy, Cocktail, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Whiz

Leave a comment

Fresh Strawberry and Radish Salsa

June 23, 2022 by pamflo

We’re in the peak of strawberry season with juicy, beautiful farm stand berries available almost everywhere! High in vitamin C, plump, red and delicious, strawberries make a great snack or addition to any meal. Make sure to pick berries that are bright red with a stem firmly attached, washing just before using. This fresh fruity salsa with radish and avocado is simple to prepare and requires no cooking. I served my zesty salsa with grilled swordfish but it can top […]

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

Leave a comment

White Gazpacho

June 16, 2022 by pamflo

Cool, refreshing and healthy, this cold soup requires no cooking! Even if you’re not a gazpacho fan, this soup is zesty and really delicious. This gazpacho is a twist on a Spanish classic and provides a nice break from a traditional tomato-based gazpacho. This beautiful creamy soup is usually made with a combination of grapes, cucumbers, garlic, blanched almonds and bread. I leave out the bread and include cilantro, a splash of sherry vinegar and plenty of lime juice. It […]

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

Leave a comment

← Older posts

Newer posts →

Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: Dairy Free

Root Vegetable Chips

Nutty Chocolate Bark

Braised Brisket with Apricots and Prunes

Cocoa Dusted Almonds

Maple Roasted Carrots with Pistachios

Flourless Almond Butter Pecan Cookies

Cioppino (Seafood Stew)

Roasted Delicata Squash with Lemon Tahini Sauce

Pumpkin Pie Smoothie

Sheet Pan Chicken

Blistered Green Beans

Chunky Apple Walnut Muffins

Honey Roasted Figs

Banana Oat Bites

Sautéed Corn and Tomato Salad

Lime Fizz Cocktail

Blueberry Avocado Popsicles

Quick Dill Pickles

Watermelon Tequila Slushy

Fresh Strawberry and Radish Salsa

White Gazpacho