Category Archives: Holiday Ideas

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

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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

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

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Loaded Hummus Platter

September 8, 2022 by pamflo

Smooth, creamy and lemony with a hint of garlic and a few splashes of hot sauce, that’s my favorite kind of hummus. I topped my hummus with olives, capers, cucumbers, tomatoes, chickpeas, feta cheese and a drizzle of good olive oil. I’ve included my favorite homemade hummus recipe but please feel free to use your favorite store-bought brand instead. I served my loaded hummus platter with crackers and a crisp Chardonnay. Seeds of Collaboration (SoCo) is a company that produces delicious […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans/Legumes, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Seeds, Snack, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

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

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Almond Tuile Cookies

June 30, 2022 by pamflo

There’s a popular ice cream shop in Cape Cod called the Polar Cave. The ice cream is delicious, but the “made to order” warm waffle cones are outstanding. The freshly baked waffle cones perfume the air as you’re waiting in line to enter the store. I wanted to create a lighter version of this experience at home and a thin, toasty almond cookie did the trick. These cookies are light, airy, gluten free and make a delightful dessert. The warm […]

Categories: Cookies, Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Nuts • Tags: Bake

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

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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

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Strawberry Rhubarb Polenta Crisp

May 5, 2022 by pamflo

Fresh strawberries can easily be transformed into a bubbly, fragrant and beautiful dessert. Strawberries paired with thinly sliced rhubarb stalks provide some extra tartness to this delicious crisp. Rhubarb is high in antioxidants, vitamin K and a natural laxative. A lightly sweetened crumbly topping made with quick cooking polenta, adds a nice crispy texture to each bite. I find the best way to enjoy this crisp is serving it warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh chilled […]

Categories: Crisp, Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Fruit, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake

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Date and Almond Butter Fudge Bars

April 21, 2022 by pamflo

Always in search of a healthy treat, I was inspired by this fudge recipe that uses dates as a base and provides its sweetness. Large and plump, Medjool dates are a perfect natural sweetener for bars, smoothies and baked goods. Dates are a stone fruit that are high in fiber and a rich source of antioxidants. Choose dates that are shiny, unbroken, and not too firm. Both the coconut oil and almond butter have a dual purpose of providing great […]

Categories: Bars, Breakfast Ideas, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas • Tags: No Cooking

Sesame Roasted Asparagus

April 14, 2022 by pamflo

Spring is finally here and the asparagus is in season, with its beautiful green stalks and familiar earthy fragrance. With the 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 […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Seeds, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

Almond Coconut Meringues

April 7, 2022 by pamflo

Light, airy, melts in your mouth and gluten free! Meringues are surprisingly simple to make. The secret to crispy meringues are whipping the egg whites to stiff peaks. You can either use a standing mixer with the whip attachment or a hand mixer. When I was in cooking school we had to whip the whites by hand — it builds muscle! The key steps are to whip room temperature egg whites with a pinch of cream of tartar until slightly […]

Categories: Cookies, Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake, Whip

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Wine Braised Short Ribs

March 31, 2022 by pamflo

Braising is a perfect cooking method for tough pieces of meat that will break down over the cooking time. Beef short ribs naturally contain a good hunk of fat, which adds significant depth of flavor to this dish. Marinating the ribs in red wine overnight and then braising the ribs in a combination of wine and chicken broth with aromatics, creates a rich, savory meal. The meat shrinks a great deal so if you’re serving a crowd be sure to […]

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

Roasted Lamb Chops with Blood Oranges

March 3, 2022 by pamflo

Blood oranges and other delicious citrus are at their peak in the winter months. Blood oranges are an excellent source of fiber, vitamin C and antioxidants. They may also be linked to improved gut health and better immune function. Blood oranges are less acidic than navel oranges, have a hint of sweetness and contain less seeds. I eat a piece of citrus everyday and thought it might be fun to make a savory recipe with oranges. The blood orange slices roast […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry • Tags: Roast

Easy Challah Bread

February 24, 2022 by pamflo

This challah recipe is from a favorite cookbook, Zahav, by chef and restauranteur Michael Solomonov. His recipe is simple and reliable, producing a beautiful and delicious challah bread. The four basic ingredients in making bread are flour, yeast, water, and salt. Challah dough is enriched with eggs, oil and a little sugar to add some sweetness. Bread flour has a higher protein content than all-purpose flour and creates more gluten which gives bread the right structure and texture. This challah […]

Categories: Breads, Crowd Pleaser, Easy Recipes, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake

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Flourless Chocolate Cake with Chili

February 10, 2022 by pamflo

This dense, chocolaty and utterly delicious cake recipe is adapted from Eating Well magazine. This is a gluten-free cake with no flour in the batter and a secret ingredient of chipotle chili powder. I say secret ingredient because you might not detect the chili powder, but it intensifies the chocolate and the cinnamon flavors. I always recommend using good quality chocolate with at least 70% cacao. Guittard bittersweet baking wafers, which I enthusiastically recommend, are readily available in most markets. […]

Categories: Cakes, Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake, Melt

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Singapore Sling Cocktail

December 28, 2021 by pamflo

A classic tiki cocktail is not only colorful, fruity and lavishly garnished, but often has a folklore surrounding the recipe. For any experimenters looking to create a vacation in a glass, the Singapore Sling is an easy cocktail to impress your guests at a holiday party. The original drink was developed in the early 20th century at the Long Bar in Singapore’s Raffles Hotel and has since become the island’s national drink. Singapore Sling has a pink color from the […]

Categories: Alcohol, Boozy, Cocktail, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Shake

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Candied Walnuts

December 23, 2021 by pamflo

If you’re in need of a festive gift idea, these candied walnuts are a simple and healthier version of glazed nuts. The nuts are roasted in a combination of maple syrup and honey as a substitute for granulated sugar. In addition to giving these caramelized nuts as a gift, you can toss them into a salad, mix with your favorite popcorn, add to your oatmeal or just snack on them. These candied walnuts are also a perfect compliment to a […]

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

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Holiday Dessert Board

December 16, 2021 by pamflo

Looking for an easy way to serve dessert for the holidays, this dessert board is a fun and festive idea! My board has mugs of steamy oat milk hot chocolate (recipe below) and mini marshmallows, as well as an assortment of delicious cookies and pastries. I used the Oatly brand of oat milk which makes a very creamy hot chocolate. You can add sugar, vanilla extract and cinnamon, if you please. My hot chocolate had nothing added to it except […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Holiday Ideas • Tags: No Cooking

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Pistachio Cranberry Ice Box Cookies

December 9, 2021 by pamflo

The holiday season is upon us and creating homemade gifts can be fun and festive. These “ice box” or “refrigerator” cookies make beautiful and delicious gifts. These cookies are made by shaping dough into logs and then refrigerating the dough before slicing and baking. The advantage to this type of cookie is the dough can be prepared ahead of time and either refrigerated or frozen. The last step, although optional, is to coat the cookie dough in an egg wash and […]

Categories: Cookies, Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Holiday Ideas, Nuts • Tags: Bake

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Beer Braised Brisket

December 2, 2021 by pamflo

Brisket can be a tough cut of meat, but cooking at a low temperature and for a longer time allows it to become tender and succulent. Braising meat in beer adds a rich almost earthy flavor. Excitedly, I went in search of good local craft beer to use. Allagash, an independent craft brewery in Portland, Maine, has a delicious signature Belgian-style wheat beer called Alllagash White. This is the beer I used for my braise. When purchasing brisket you usually […]

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

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: Holiday Ideas

Sheet Pan Chicken

Blistered Green Beans

Honey Roasted Figs

Loaded Hummus Platter

Watermelon Tequila Slushy

Almond Tuile Cookies

Fresh Strawberry and Radish Salsa

White Gazpacho

Strawberry Rhubarb Polenta Crisp

Date and Almond Butter Fudge Bars

Sesame Roasted Asparagus

Almond Coconut Meringues

Wine Braised Short Ribs

Roasted Lamb Chops with Blood Oranges

Easy Challah Bread

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Chili

Singapore Sling Cocktail

Candied Walnuts

Holiday Dessert Board

Pistachio Cranberry Ice Box Cookies

Beer Braised Brisket