One-Pot Meals | Zest For Cooking

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

Beef Brisket with Prunes and Apricots

December 29, 2016 by pamflo

Recently, we welcomed winter with some very varied weather in Boston. 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 beautiful and mildly sweet sauce for the brisket. This dish is perfect for a crowd or made in advance, leaving great leftovers. When purchasing brisket, you are more likely to find the “first cut”, a leaner piece of meat, but if possible, ask the butcher for […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals • Tags: Braise, Sear

Wine-Braised Short Ribs

November 3, 2016 by pamflo

The season for low and slow cooking is under way, with a quick drop in temperature in the Northeast. I haven’t braised a piece of meat in quite some time so I made a trip to one of my favorite places, The Boston Public Market, for some good quality beef. Both Chestnut and Stillman Farms have a permanent booth at this market. Braising is a perfect cooking method for tough pieces of meat that will break down over the cooking time. Beef […]

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

Braised Lamb Shanks

April 14, 2016 by pamflo

Braising is a perfect activity for a rainy day. It’s a combination of dry and wet heat cooking. The meat is typically seared over high heat until browned, and then cooked slowly in a flavorful liquid over low heat. This low and slow cooking breaks down the tough connective tissue. The meat takes on the flavors of the braising liquid it’s bathing in. The key ingredients are a good drinking wine, chicken or vegetable broth, fresh herbs and a variety of vegetables. This […]

Categories: Cooking Tips, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals, Vegetables • Tags: Braise, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low and Slow Cooking, Sear

Chicken Provençal

January 7, 2016 by pamflo

As a new year approaches, I love listening to a summary of what was popular the past year. As a teen, I liked to listen to Casey Kasem count down America’s top songs. I recently listened to NPR’s Terry Gross list the top books, movies and streamed television shows for 2015. But even more exciting, The New York Times printed the top saved recipes for 2015! The top recipe, a roasted chicken dish, caught my eye and was the first meal I made after taking a […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals, Pan Sauce • Tags: Baste, Dairy Free, Roast