Category Archives: Healthish

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

January 31, 2019 by pamflo

In honor of my 300th Zest for Cooking post, I’ve created a spicy cauliflower recipe. Over the years, my cauliflower recipes have been some of the most popular. With the 2019 Super Bowl only days away, it seems timely to post a healthy recipe option and a great dish for your vegetarian guests as well. Combining sriracha and your favorite hot sauce is the secret sauce in these tasty, fiery bites. Sriracha, the iconic hot sauce that originated in Thailand, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Game Day, Gluten Free, Healthish, Snack, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp and Lemon

January 24, 2019 by pamflo

It started with a phone call from my brother on the west coast, why isn’t your shrimp and lemon pasta dish on the blog, I want to make it now?! Many years ago, before culinary school, he and I had taken a series of cooking classes together and a lemon pasta dish was by far the most memorable recipe we made. After tweaking the recipe and adding shrimp, it became one of my signature dishes and part of a weekly […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Seafood, Vegetables • Tags: Roast, Sauté

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Smoked White Fish Rillettes

January 17, 2019 by pamflo

What are rillettes, you ask? Rillettes are a traditional French spread similar to pâté usually using pork, duck or goose that is cooked, cooled and shredded. I thought it might be fun to create rillettes with smoked white fish, although this recipe is more of a chunky spread than a smooth pâté. I purchased a white fish fillet that had already been smoked. I then blended the shredded fish with crème fraîche, lemon zest, lemon juice, a generous amount of […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Dips/Sauces, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: No Cooking

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Tuscan Kale Soup with Beans and Fregola

January 10, 2019 by pamflo

I made this soup for my son who had gotten sick this past week. As I served it to him still sleepy at 2pm, he devoured it but was confused about what the round starchy orbs in the soup were. I told him it was Fregola, which is an Italian semolina based pasta that has been toasted. “Yum”, he said! These tiny pasta rounds are a must have in soups adding a wonderful toasty flavor and texture. It sometimes can […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Rice/Grains, Soups/Stews • Tags: Simmer

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Lentil and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

January 3, 2019 by pamflo

Happy 2019! The weather feels more seasonal in Boston with the temperature dropping this week. Start the year with this warm and comforting salad that’s easy to make. Lentils are a legume filled with fiber and protein. When combined with butternut squash, a nutrient-dense vegetable, this healthy dish will brighten the cold winter months. Green lentils tend to hold their shape better than red lentils when cooked, and are ideal for salads or mixed with other grains. This recipe is […]

Categories: Beans/Legumes, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: Roast, Simmer

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Grilled Mushroom Eggs “Benedict”

December 27, 2018 by pamflo

Preparing for a holiday brunch? Here is an easy and delicious dish to add to your menu. Although this recipe doesn’t have a classic hollandaise sauce, it has an avocado sauce that is a healthier version for sure! Instead of toast or an english muffin, I filled a big portobello mushroom with bacon, a poached egg and topped it with an easy avocado puree. Over a bed of lettuce or topped with fresh chopped herbs this is a perfect breakfast.

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Dips/Sauces, Eggs, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: Grill, Whiz

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Baked Eggplant Parmesan

December 6, 2018 by pamflo

Deep purple and glossy with a unique texture and flavor, who doesn’t love eggplant?! Well the truth is that I’m the only one in my house that will eat eggplant which is why this is my first eggplant blog post. Nutrient dense and antioxidant rich, eggplant is part of the nightshade family, along with peppers, potatoes and tomatoes. There is no replacement for battered and deep-friend eggplant, smothered with sauce and cheese, however, this lighter version is a close second […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Vegetarian • Tags: Bake

Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

November 29, 2018 by pamflo

Need an idea for an easy weeknight dinner? I created healthy recipes using beautiful artisan greens for a sustainable produce company. This dish has all the wonderful flavors of tacos, but with lettuce leaves as the shell. Serve these yummy lettuce wraps with salsa, fresh guacamole, shredded cheese and fresh cilantro. I also roasted bell peppers and onions in olive oil, salt, pepper and a dash of sherry vinegar to serve with the wraps. The cayenne pepper provides the heat and […]

Categories: Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

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Roasted Citrus Slices

November 20, 2018 by pamflo

With the holidays around the corner and the assortment of tempting foods, I thought a simple, lightly sweetened citrus recipe could be a perfect alternative. We’re on the cusp of the citrus season, so try experimenting with the wide variety of oranges, tangerines and grapefruit. Serve these lightly caramelized slices and their accumulated juices over your favorite yogurt with sprigs of fresh mint for a scrumptious dessert. If you find yourself not wanting to heat the broiler, toss the fresh […]

Categories: Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Low Sugar • Tags: Broil

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Sautéed Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes

November 15, 2018 by pamflo

Green beans are a Thanksgiving staple, and this dish is fun and easy to make. Even if you’re not hosting or contributing a dish for the holiday, this green bean dish elevates a weeknight dinner to something a bit more special. 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, then into an icy cold water bath to halt the […]

Categories: Beans, Cooking Tips, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Blanch, Sauté

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Pumpkin and Apple Smoothie

November 1, 2018 by pamflo

Pumpkin purée is low in calories, high in nutrients and readily available. It is a great source of potassium, fiber and Vitamin A. Don’t mistakenly purchase pumpkin pie filling which is spiced and already sweetened. Canned pumpkin is cooked and pureed pumpkin flesh, nothing more. I usually grab a few extra cans this time of year for soups/chilis, pancakes/waffles, as an addition to oatmeal, and of course baked goods. I thought it might be fun to make a fall inspired pumpkin […]

Categories: Beverage, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar, Smoothies/Shakes, Vegetables • Tags: Whiz

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Kale, Red Pepper and Sausage Sauté

October 25, 2018 by pamflo

As we head into November, many of the outdoor Farmers Markets in the Boston area are coming to a close. With one last run, I purchased all the ingredients for this dish. This one-pot meal is a quick and easy dinner idea. I also roasted beautiful, creamy fingerling potatoes to serve alongside the sauté. One nice thing about using crumbled sausage meat after removing the casings, is the meat is already seasoned and flavorful. Once you cook the sausage, leave some […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Sauté

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Chocolate Dipped Flourless Oatmeal Cookies

October 18, 2018 by pamflo

It’s a chilly 46 degrees right now as I write this post. Perfect weather for baking 🙂 These oatmeal cookies have almond flour as a substitute for white flour and are sweetened with coconut palm sugar. Coconut palm sugar (not to be confused with palm sugar) is made from the sap of the coconut palm tree. This is a solid alternative sweetener for refined sugars and is most similar to brown sugar. Although this type of sugar provides the same […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Cooking Tips, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar • Tags: Bake

Peach and Berry Crumble

September 6, 2018 by pamflo

I’m feeling bittersweet as summer comes to a close with the steamy hot days slowly getting shorter. However, fall often represents an exciting and new fresh start. The fall in New England is one of the most beautiful seasons of all. The farmers’ markets are still brimming with succulent fresh fruit, and this recipe takes advantage of the ripe stone variety. I chose peaches and added blueberries using maple syrup for a bit of sweetness, plus cinnamon and nutmeg. Almond […]

Categories: Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish • Tags: Bake

Watermelon Slices with Whipped Vanilla Ricotta

August 2, 2018 by pamflo

I’ve been playing around with watermelon recipes these last few weeks. Grilling it, both indoors and out, and adding toppings like a spicy salsa and even coating it in dark chocolate. These recipes still need some tinkering 🙂 Now here’s a fun riff on a dessert “pizza” with the watermelon slices resembling slices of pizza. This is a refreshing and easy dish requiring just assembly, but no cooking. It’s a beautiful light dessert or a creative brunch dish.

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar • Tags: No Cooking

French Chocolate Bark

December 19, 2011 by pamflo

I thought I would give you another idea for holiday gifts. A fun and festive recipe is Ina Garten’s French Chocolate Bark. It is delish, easy to make and a beautiful gift. 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. It takes time and a little skill. This bark recipe does not require you to temper the chocolate. Un-tempered chocolate can “bloom” or turn […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cooking Tips, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gifts, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Low Sugar, Nuts • Tags: Melt

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Chicken Parm

October 26, 2011 by pamflo

I am a big fan of taking a classic dish and creating a lighter, healthier version. Ellie Krieger from the Food Network makes Chicken Parmesan, and it is fantastic. She makes her own bread crumbs from whole wheat bread. If you don’t want to make your own crumbs than use Panko, a Japanese style breadcrumb that is light and crunchy. I buy both whole wheat and white Panko Breadcrumbs and sometimes combine them for the coating. I often make extra chicken […]

Categories: Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry • Tags: Bake

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: Healthish

Buffalo Cauliflower Bites

Spaghetti Squash with Shrimp and Lemon

Smoked White Fish Rillettes

Tuscan Kale Soup with Beans and Fregola

Lentil and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Grilled Mushroom Eggs “Benedict”

Baked Eggplant Parmesan

Spicy Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Roasted Citrus Slices

Sautéed Green Beans with Cherry Tomatoes

Pumpkin and Apple Smoothie

Kale, Red Pepper and Sausage Sauté

Chocolate Dipped Flourless Oatmeal Cookies

Peach and Berry Crumble

Watermelon Slices with Whipped Vanilla Ricotta

French Chocolate Bark

Chicken Parm