Category Archives: Fruit

Bibb Lettuce Salad with Grilled Peaches

August 17, 2017 by pamflo

This summer, peaches are super sweet and juicy. Grilled peaches with crisp greens and a light vinaigrette is the perfect way to enjoy the summer’s ripe fruit. Peaches are part of the stone fruit family, with the seeds covered by a hard pit. Freestone peaches are the best type for grilling because they’re bigger, a bit firmer and the pit is easier to remove. Every year, the USDA publishes the “Dirty Dozen”, which is a list of fruits and vegetables […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas • Tags: Grill

Strawberry-Rhubarb Polenta Crisp

August 3, 2017 by pamflo

Strawberries are an iconic summer treat – sweet, juicy and a little tart. Freshly picked strawberries can easily be transformed into a bubbly, fragrant and beautiful dessert. This crisp is a perfect way to get your fill of the strawberry season, with thinly sliced rhubarb stalks added to provide some extra tartness. A lightly sweetened crumbly topping made with quick cooking cornmeal called polenta, adds a nice crispy texture to each bite. I find the best way to enjoy this […]

Categories: Dessert, Fruit, Low Sugar • Tags: Bake

Watermelon Margarita Slushy

June 29, 2017 by pamflo

Need a fun cool drink for the upcoming holidays? This watermelon margarita is unsurpassed with in season watermelon and in slushy style to cool you down. This bright red, elongated sweet fruit paired with tequila and fresh lime juice, make the perfect summery beverage. I included a recipe for making a simple syrup, which is a sweetener made with equal parts water and granulated sugar. It can sweeten many recipes without the grit of the sugar. Make a large amount of this […]

Categories: Beverage, Cocktail, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free • Tags: Whiz

Fresh Strawberry Shortcake

May 25, 2017 by pamflo

Strawberry season is just within reach in Boston, spanning from late May through June. These bright red, succulent beauties are delicious straight out of the box. Another way to use perfectly ripe fruit is to macerate it or soak it in sugar, alcohol or a flavored liquid. Maceration changes the texture and creates juicy, sweet and aromatic fruit. These lightly sweetened strawberries which were soaked in a little sugar and fresh orange juice, can be served simply with a dollop of fresh whipped cream […]

Categories: Biscuits, Dessert, Fruit • Tags: Bake, Whip

Balsamic Grilled Figs

September 22, 2016 by pamflo

With smooth skin, and sweet, juicy flesh fresh figs are the perfect healthy snack. Figs are high in calcium, magnesium and fiber. Every week I buy fresh figs and eat them right out of the little green basket, before I have a chance to try a new recipe. Finally this week, I saved a few fresh figs to grill. If you already have your grill fired up, just place them on the grill for 2-3 minutes. A grill-pan on the stove-top works […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas • Tags: Grill

Grilled Watermelon

August 25, 2016 by pamflo

Celebrate and savor watermelon season by grilling thick, sweet slices! Although it’s not the most beautiful dish, grilled watermelon is healthy, light and delicious. Whether you fire-up your grill or use a grill-pan indoors, make sure to lightly coat the watermelon with olive oil before grilling. The sweetness of the watermelon, combined with the salty feta and fresh mint, makes a great summer dish. I put my slices over an arugula salad for a light lunch! 3-4 large slices of watermelon, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Fruit, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish • Tags: Grill

Fresh Strawberry Salsa over Grilled Swordfish

June 2, 2016 by pamflo

We are on the cusp of strawberry season, with those juicy, beautiful farm stand berries just around the corner. It’s tempting to want to bake with strawberries, but my intern and I decided to make a savory dish this week instead. This fruity salsa can top many different proteins, like chicken pork or fish. We used our salsa to garnish grilled swordfish steaks. High in Vitamin C, plump, red and delicious, strawberries make a great addition to any meal. Fresh strawberries have a distinct […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Dips/Sauces, Dressing, Fruit, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Seafood, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking

Pomegranate Cosmopolitans

December 29, 2015 by pamflo

The New Year is within reach and I thought it might be fun to finish out 2015 with a celebratory cocktail recipe. Thanks so much for following Zest For Cooking. I appreciate the comments and feedback. Wishing you a Happy and Healthy 2016! 2 cups of good vodka 1 cup Cointreau liqueur 1 cup cranberry juice cocktail 1/2 cup pomegranate juice 1/2 cup freshly squeezed lime juice (juice of 4 limes) Garnish: Thinly sliced limes and/or pomegranate seeds. Combine the vodka, […]

Categories: Cocktail, Drinks, Fruit • Tags: Drink, Shake

Chocolate Bark

December 22, 2015 by pamflo

In preparation for the holidays, I thought I would re-post chocolate bark, a decadent holiday gift idea. 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 ensures a shiny finish, and a longer shelf life. This process takes time and a bit of skill. This bark recipe doesn’t require tempering and is so addicting that it will get eaten before it’s chopped! Un-tempered chocolate […]

Categories: Bars, Chocolate/Candy, Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Low Sugar, Nuts, Snack • Tags: Dairy Free, Melt, Sprinkle, Stir

Pumpkin Spice and Apple Muffins

November 5, 2015 by pamflo

The countdown to Thanksgiving has begun! The buzz usually begins when the November cooking magazine issue arrives, usually with a big, gleaming turkey on the cover. Spontaneously, I took a Thanksgiving IQ quiz in one of the magazines and learned that I’m hardly a master, even after 14 years of hosting. I didn’t know that pumpkin pie is America’s favorite pie! Talking about pumpkins, these pumpkin apple muffins make a great snack and actually have no white sugar, but are sweetened with maple syrup instead. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Fruit, Low Sugar, Muffins, Snack • Tags: Bake

Maple Cinnamon Baked Apples

September 17, 2015 by pamflo

Apple season is here in full force and there is no shortage of apple varieties. The best baking apples balance both tartness and sweetness, and hold their shape during cooking. Granny Smith apples are a favorite among bakers, but Honeycrisp, Pink Lady and Cortland apples are a great choices too. Although I love many apple based desserts, I wanted a lighter apple treat that was still satisfying. There are many ingredients you can use to stuff your baked apple. I decided to forgo […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Side Dish, Snack • Tags: Bake, Dairy Free, Gluten Free

Watermelon Granita

August 20, 2015 by pamflo

Ripe, juicy watermelon, nothing could be more satisfying on a hot and steamy summer day. Cut into triangles, cut into cubes, served any way, watermelon is refreshing. I thought it might be fun to make a granita with the watermelon. It reminds me of the Italian ices from the old fashioned ice cream trucks. You can also make an adult version that contains rum or tequila. 1/4 of a whole seedless watermelon Juice of a lime 1-2 tablespoons honey Mint leaves Rum or tequila (optional) […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Smoothies/Shakes • Tags: Dairy Free, Freeze, Gluten Free, Whiz

Strawberry Gazpacho

July 2, 2015 by pamflo

Red, sweet and juicy, strawberries are ripe for the picking! There are so many ways to enjoy fresh berries. I like the idea of a simple, fresh soup that involves no cooking. Although the strawberries provide a light sweetness, this is a wonderful savory dish. The garnish could be any of the soup’s components, chopped finely and sprinkled on top. In addition to a garnish of cucumber, strawberry and tarragon, I added lightly toasted slivered almonds for a little crunch. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, No Cooking, Whiz

Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

April 9, 2015 by pamflo

“There is no love sincerer than the love of food” –George Bernard Shaw. This was the quote in yesterday’s Boston Globe Food section. A popular chef who was being interviewed, stated that you can often feel the love that goes into preparing a dish. This rings true especially around the holidays. There’s something very satisfying about knowing that the meal you’ve prepared, brought together the friends and family around your table. After a few big holiday meals, I’ve been craving a […]

Categories: Chocolate/Candy, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free • Tags: Gluten Free, Melt

Zucchini Spaghetti

September 11, 2014 by pamflo

One of my favorite kitchen appliances doesn’t need electrical power. It’s a spiral vegetable slicer! Simple to use, versatile and easy to clean. If you’re looking for an alternative to wheat pasta, vegetable “noodles” are a great, healthy option. You have 3 blade options; a shredder, a chipper and a slicer. I’m a big fan of making zucchini and summer squash noodles, as my garden is filled with these big, beautiful vegetables. But there are many options, as you could make apple chips, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Fruit, Gluten Free, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Gluten Free, No Cooking, Spin

Honey Roasted Figs

August 28, 2014 by pamflo

Late summer into early fall brings fig season! This time of year I eat figs almost every day. You can find figs at your local farmer’s market or at your supermarket. Figs don’t ripen after they’re picked, so buy them at the peak of ripeness when they are soft, round and about to burst. These roasted figs can be served with a savory dish like pork or chicken or can be served with yogurt and granola for a […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free • Tags: Bake, Dairy Free, Gluten Free

Twist on the Caprese Salad

August 7, 2014 by pamflo

There is nothing better in the summer than a caprese salad, it’s simple, no cooking required and delicious. A caprese salad includes fresh mozzarella or burrata cheese, vine-ripened tomatoes and a bit of aromatic basil. However, I like these interesting twists on the caprese salad. Using your best olive oil, freshly ground pepper and sea salt, drizzle it over perfectly ripened melon, shavings of good parmesan cheese and fresh tarragon leaves. Another option is fired roasted red peppers with fresh, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Fruit, Gluten Free, Salads, Vegetables • Tags: Gluten Free, No Cooking

Blueberry Cornmeal Crostata

July 17, 2014 by pamflo

Imagine a “superfood” strong enough to improve your health. Blueberries are one of those foods and believed to have the highest level of antioxidants, more then any other fruit. Although blueberries are healthiest when eaten raw, this crostata is a great way to eat cooked blueberries. It is a rustic cornmeal fruit tart and easy to make. The dough is similar to a cookie dough and just needs to be at room temperature to shape. This is […]

Categories: Desserts, Fruit, Pies/Tarts • Tags: Bake

Strawberry Rhubarb Romanoff

July 3, 2014 by pamflo

This is a fresh, delicious dessert that involves no cooking and is a perfect dish for the July 4th holiday. The sugar brings out the sweetness of the strawberries and tempers the tartness of the rhubarb. The strawberries are the shining star here, but for rhubarb fans, this is a great combination. Rhubarb is actually a vegetable and is only in season May thru July. I finish this dish with lightly toasted almonds and some fresh mint leaves. But the dish would […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Desserts, Fruit, Gluten Free • Tags: Gluten Free, No Cooking

Sugar Snap Peas with Warm Coconut Dressing

June 12, 2014 by pamflo

This is a terrific light dish that’s quick to prepare. The success of this dish is in giving the snap peas a quick sear, so they keep their crunch and color. I also like the combination of veggies and fruit in a salad. Sugar snap peas can compliment many spring dishes. After I cooked and photographed the dish, I ate it for lunch, adding grilled chicken and avocado…yum!! 1 […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Vegetables • Tags: Boil, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Sauté

Watermelon Salad

May 15, 2014 by pamflo

Simple, fresh, quick! Watermelon season is approaching, but I couldn’t hold out so I bought some and made this refreshing salad. I served it as a first course, but you could serve this for dessert as well. There are many variations to this dish but I liked the simplicity of this recipe. Feel free to experiment…tomato or cucumber might add a nice crunch. You could skip the cheese, but it does add a light saltiness to the dish. Try ricotta or halloumi instead […]

Categories: Fruit, Gluten Free, Greens • Tags: Gluten Free, No Cooking