Category Archives: One-Pot Meals

Classic Beef Stew

March 14, 2019 by pamflo

Arrowroot flour is a form of starch that is derived from the root of a tropical plant. It is used in baking and cooking as an effective gluten-free alternative to white flour or cornstarch. I used arrowroot as a substitute for all-purpose flour, to coat the stew meat and help thicken the sauce. Making a stew does take the better part of the day to make on the stove top. I don’t own a slow-cooker and really enjoy using my […]

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

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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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Delicious Chicken Soup

October 11, 2018 by pamflo

The leaves on the trees are changing into beautiful colors, although it still feels like summer in Boston. The start of flu season is coming and though not a cure for the common cold, chicken soup is certainly a way to ease the symptoms and make you feel better quicker. There are many recipes for chicken soup, but this one is foolproof and makes a beautiful and flavorful chicken broth. This broth is so delicious that you can drink it […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Simmer

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Kale and Sausage Orecchiette Pasta

June 7, 2018 by pamflo

This hearty and healthy dish is a family favorite with greens such as kale, spinach or broccoli rabe. For protein, I use a combination of spicy and sweet sausages, made with either pork or chicken. Instead of using the full sausages, I strip the ground meat out of their casings and sauté it in olive oil. With quick heat to wilt the greens, a giant scoop of mascarpone cheese and some reserved pasta water, the dish comes together very easily. Season […]

Categories: Appetizer, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals • Tags: Sauté

Fish Stew

April 5, 2018 by pamflo

Do you want an easy to make fish dish as an alternative to grilling or broiling? I was excited to explore a new option. Although I love salmon, because it’s a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, it was time for a fresh approach. Wow, the combination of the fennel, white wine and dill make this a fantastic, flavorful dish. The fish is simmered slowly in a combination of white wine and water (with no dairy), on a low heat […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, One-Pot Meals, Seafood, Soups/Stews • Tags: Simmer

Beer Braised Brisket

March 8, 2018 by pamflo

Brisket can be a tough cut of meat, but with low and slow heat it becomes a tender, succulent dish. Cooking with beer adds a rich, almost earthy flavor. Excitedly, I went in search of good local craft beer to use. I came across Fuzzy Logic whose Belgian Ale added a surprisingly sweet note to the sauce. When purchasing brisket you usually have two choices for the cut of meat and both cuts work well. The flat cut generally has […]

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

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Ribollita Soup

December 14, 2017 by pamflo

Warm up this holiday season with this hearty and healthy Tuscan vegetable soup. The cold, damp winter weather is the perfect time to hunker down and make a big ol’ pot of soup. Ribollita is an easy soup to make, with hunks of stale or toasted bread and lots of vegetables. Feel free to use a variety of veggies, although traditionally this soup is made with inexpensive vegetables, white beans, kale and cabbage. I love to finish soup with a […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, One-Pot Meals, Soups/Stews • Tags: Simmer

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Pulled Pork Nachos

December 7, 2017 by pamflo

Many years ago, my culinary school “market basket style” final exam was to prepare a pork tenderloin dish with assorted, random ingredients. I passed the exam but having never cooked a pork dish before this, I was petrified of ruining it. Thank goodness I didn’t overcook it, but after that experience I never made pork again until recently. Slow roasting is one of my favorite winter activities. This delicious pulled pork dish takes a good 3 plus hours to cook. Use […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals • Tags: Low and Slow Cooking

Poached Cod

September 21, 2017 by pamflo

Poaching is a method of moist heat cooking that is good for delicate foods. The high fat content of milk makes it an ideal poaching liquid, especially for a thick piece of fish. The milk absorbs whatever aromatics you choose to use, and gently simmers the fish in this flavorful broth. Coconut milk is a good choice for a non-diary poaching liquid. Spoon the delicious broth over the fish before serving. Serve with Yukon gold potatoes mash. 1-2 pounds small […]

Categories: Appetizer, Lunch Ideas, One-Pot Meals, Seafood • Tags: Poach

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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

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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

Sunday Afternoon Beef Stew

October 2, 2011 by pamflo

It’s not a cold wintery day, but I was in the mood to cook a hunk of meat low and slow. I decided on making beef stew. I found a good recipe on Epicurious and adapted it. I am planning to serve it with creamy polenta and a green salad…..can’t wait to eat it! All purpose flour 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil 3 pounds of trimmed boneless beef chuck, cut into 1 1/2 inch cubes 2 large onions, chopped 2 tablespoons […]

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

Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: One-Pot Meals

Classic Beef Stew

Kale, Red Pepper and Sausage Sauté

Delicious Chicken Soup

Kale and Sausage Orecchiette Pasta

Fish Stew

Beer Braised Brisket

Ribollita Soup

Pulled Pork Nachos

Poached Cod

Baked Chicken with Olives and Artichokes

Beef Brisket with Prunes and Apricots

Wine-Braised Short Ribs

Braised Lamb Shanks

Chicken Provençal

Sunday Afternoon Beef Stew