Category Archives: Gluten Free

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

Truffle Parmesan Potato Chips

August 10, 2017 by pamflo

Potato chips have always been one of my favorite snack foods, so I thought why not make my own twist on this classic snack. I added truffle salt and grated Parmesan cheese to the warm chips, for a boost in flavor. It turns out that a sprinkle of truffle salt is not only perfect for my chips, but is delicious on foods such as steak or even grilled cheese. The secret to crispy potato chips are maintaining the temperature of […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Snack, Vegetables • Tags: Fry

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Coconut Lime Ice Cream

July 27, 2017 by pamflo

Dairy free ice cream is all the rage this summer. FoMu, is a popular Boston-based ice cream company that sources its fresh ingredients locally and makes small batch plant-based ice cream. Their vanilla bean coconut-based ice cream is outstanding and I thought, why not try this at home. My version is very light and refreshing with lime juice and just a little sweetener. The coconut ice cream base is slowly simmered on the stove top, chilled and then transferred to […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Vegetarian • Tags: Chill, Simmer

Cured Salmon

July 6, 2017 by pamflo

“There has never been a sadness that can’t be cured by breakfast food!” – Ron Swanson Making your own cured salmon is fun and easy, but plan ahead because the curing process takes a few days. Curing is preserving fish, meat or vegetables by smoking, salting or drying. The curing mixture of salt, sugar, and spices dehydrates the food. A fresh center cut piece of Atlantic salmon or the bright pink wild salmon are good choices. If possible when purchasing […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Seafood • Tags: No Cooking

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

Bluefish with Garlic Aioli

June 22, 2017 by pamflo

It was a cool, dark early June morning when my kids took off to go on a deep sea fishing charter off of Cape Cod. Often sea sick on boats I passed on the adventure, but promised to cook whatever they were lucky enough to catch. Lo and behold, they came home with beautiful pieces of bluefish, the filleting courtesy of the boat captain. We had never eaten bluefish, so I quickly researched on-line and found a mayo based glaze. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: Bake

Lime and Cilantro Scallops

May 18, 2017 by pamflo

Many years ago, I was a guest on a friend’s local television show and was asked a few personal questions to wrap up the segment. The host asked if my mother was a positive cooking influence in my life. Without filtering my thoughts, I said that my mom was an awful cook and had ruined my joy of eating scallops…oops! Although this was true, I profusely apologized to my mom and we still laugh about that moment. Scallops are a lean protein source and easy to cook. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: Sauté

Savory Socca (Chickpea Pancake)

May 11, 2017 by pamflo

The advantages to the tremendous amount of rain that Boston has received recently are beautiful, green grass and bright, colorful flowers. I was surprised to find some fragrant mint and sage in my little backyard garden, as well. I used the mint for tea and the sage for topping my socca. Socca, a regional French dish, is a savory pancake created with chickpea flour (also called garbanzo flour), water and olive oil. The batter makes a beautiful, gluten-free pancake that can be […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish • Tags: Bake, Broil

Black Rice Salad

May 4, 2017 by pamflo

I used to own a finicky rice cooker made by a company called Fuzzy Logic. I came to rely heavily on this favorite kitchen appliance for all dishes involving rice. After years of dependable, consistent batches of perfectly steamed fluffy rice it just stopped working, bringing tears to my eyes. I realized that I couldn’t remember when I had last cooked rice on the stove-top. I never replaced my rice cooker and embraced cooking rice on the stove, which takes precision. Remember to […]

Categories: Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Rice/Grains, Salads • Tags: Boil

Ricotta Chocolate Mousse

April 27, 2017 by pamflo

Craving something light and tasty, try this creamy ricotta chocolate mousse. Reminiscent of the filling from a cannoli, it’s chocolatey but not too sweet. This is a very simple and easy recipe. With so few ingredients, they need to be top quality. When purchasing chocolate for cooking and baking, look for bars with about 60 percent cocoa solids. It’s so good you’ll want to eat this mousse right out of the mixing bowl, but it can be chilled before serving. […]

Categories: Dessert, Gluten Free, Low Sugar • Tags: No Cooking

Spaghetti Squash Pizza

April 20, 2017 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 substitute for […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetarian • Tags: Roast

Sea Bass en Papillote

April 13, 2017 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 fish is […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: Bake

Sesame Roasted Asparagus

April 6, 2017 by pamflo

Spring is finally (almost) here and the asparagus is in season, with its beautiful green stalks and familiar earthy fragrance. With the April holidays approaching, roasting asparagus is an easy and quick side dish for a crowd. When purchasing these beauties looks for firm stalks and closed tips. Asparagus should be used within 2 days of purchase and can be stored with the ends wrapped in a damp paper towel. You can peel the stalks for a sleek plated presentation, but it is […]

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

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Coconut Banana Pancakes

March 30, 2017 by pamflo

I had the good fortune to spend time in Puerto Rico, enjoying the beautiful sites, the warm weather and delicious food. On foot, we roamed a local neighborhood in search of a casual cafe with their own homegrown produce. The Las Vistas Cafe is an open-aired patio which is part of the proprietor’s home, with breathtaking views of the ocean. Gladys, the owner, greeted us with the warmth of a grandmother, as she did with all her guests. The first […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Snack • Tags: Griddle

Baked Chicken with Olives and Artichokes

March 16, 2017 by pamflo

With spring approaching slower than I would like, I was feeling the urge for a hearty one-pot meal. The extra step of browning the chicken before roasting, is worth the little bit of extra effort. The chicken is then braised in a deeply flavored broth with a Mediterranean flair of olives, garlic, artichokes and lemon. The combination of the crisp chicken skin, plump, juicy meat and rich broth is outstanding. I used marinated artichokes hearts that were grilled and tossed in olive oil and vacuum […]

Categories: Gluten Free, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals • Tags: Roast, Sear

Bourbon Glazed Salmon

March 9, 2017 by pamflo

My past career in clinical trial management took me many places far and wide, but I had never been to Kentucky. I just arrived home from an excellent professional culinary conference that was held in Louisville, Kentucky. Respected cookbook authors, talented recipe developers, award-winning food writers, food photographers and more, came from all over to attend this dynamic annual conference. My head is still spinning from all the tips and tidbits I learned. Many of the local restaurants and bourbon makers exhibited their […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: Bake

Olive Oil and Orange Cake

March 2, 2017 by pamflo

I’m unapologetically a cookbook collector, but I also spend plenty of time reading foodie magazines, and surfing the net for recipes too. The one consistent part of my on-line recipe use, is that I read the comments that accompany a recipe. This is how I know what changes to consider, whether an oven temperature needs tweaking, substitutions, or general appeal of a recipe. For example, when a few comments consistently say to reduce the amount of sugar as it did with this recipe, […]

Categories: Cakes, Dessert, Gluten Free, Low Sugar • Tags: Bake

Italian Vegetable and Bean Soup

February 16, 2017 by pamflo

As I approach my 200th blog post, I want to thank all of my readers for your support! I really love hearing your thoughts, and if commenting on WordPress doesn’t work for you find me on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn. I look forward to your continued feedback, photos and ideas. Now let’s talk about umami, a savory flavor sometimes referred to as the fifth taste alongside sweet, salty, sour and bitter. Naturally occurring in foods such as mushrooms, cheese, fish, meat, tomatoes and soy […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Soups/Stews • Tags: Simmer

Fudgy Flourless Chocolate Brownies

February 9, 2017 by pamflo

The smell in my kitchen is absolutely intoxicating! I often forget how much I enjoy baking, and the beautiful, delicious results. February 14th is approaching and I used it as an excuse to experiment. This is an easy recipe for a sweet and chocolatey homemade gift. These heavenly squares are gluten-free, and the cornstarch-cocoa powder combination replaces the flour. The toasted chopped walnuts elevate these brownies to outstanding, but nuts are optional. I’ve added both cocoa nibs for extra crunch and a […]

Categories: Cookies/Brownies, Dessert, Gifts, Gluten Free • Tags: Bake

Sweet and Tangy Baked Chicken Wings

February 2, 2017 by pamflo

Even if you’re not a football fan, the Super Bowl is a big day for entertaining and eating. Chicken wings are a popular food with or without sports involved. Rice vinegar and Sriracha are not what comes to mind when you think of party wings, but this sweet and tangy chicken dish is a real treat. Topped with a squeeze of lime juice, sesame seeds and chopped cilantro, this dish is a great spin on a game time treat. Alongside these zesty wings, […]

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

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Cauliflower “Fried” Rice

January 26, 2017 by pamflo

Cauliflower seems like a boring white food, but don’t overlook it because it’s loaded with anti-inflammatory properties. Cauliflower is popular now masquerading in other dishes, such as a base for pizza dough. It was time to try cauliflower as a substitute for carbohydrates. It’s really good as faux “fried” rice! This vegetarian cauliflower dish is a warm and comforting bowl of goodness as is, but I could see adding a protein for a complete meal. Both pre-cut cauliflower and the pre-cut mixed vegetables can be […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Smoothies/Shakes, Vegetarian • Tags: Sauté

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: Gluten Free

Bibb Lettuce Salad with Grilled Peaches

Truffle Parmesan Potato Chips

Coconut Lime Ice Cream

Cured Salmon

Watermelon Margarita Slushy

Bluefish with Garlic Aioli

Lime and Cilantro Scallops

Savory Socca (Chickpea Pancake)

Black Rice Salad

Ricotta Chocolate Mousse

Spaghetti Squash Pizza

Sea Bass en Papillote

Sesame Roasted Asparagus

Coconut Banana Pancakes

Baked Chicken with Olives and Artichokes

Bourbon Glazed Salmon

Olive Oil and Orange Cake

Italian Vegetable and Bean Soup

Fudgy Flourless Chocolate Brownies

Sweet and Tangy Baked Chicken Wings

Cauliflower “Fried” Rice