Category Archives: Rice/Grains

Baked Stuffed Tomatoes

September 19, 2019 by pamflo

The cocktail tomatoes are a smaller version, but a tad bigger than your typical cherry or grape tomato. They have a sweet flavor from a slightly higher sugar content compared to other tomato varieties. They’re a perfect size for stuffing and in a pinch make a fun, easy appetizer. The tomatoes are plentiful at the markets now, but we are heading toward the end of tomato season in New England. Pick tomatoes that are firm to the touch and free […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Rice/Grains, Side Dish, Vegetarian • Tags: Bake

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Spicy Rice Noodle Stir Fry

May 30, 2019 by pamflo

Joyce Chen is the chef credited with bringing northern-style Chinese cuisine to the United States. She invented the flat-bottom wok with a long handle, making it easier for the home cook to create authentic stir-fry dishes. Her daughter Helen Chen was one of my favorite chef instructors in culinary school. If you don’t own a wok, a heavy-bottomed skillet is a great substitute. Any type of fresh or dried noodle can be used in a stir-fry. I used the thick dried […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Peanuts, Rice/Grains, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Stir-Fry

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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Horchata

August 9, 2018 by pamflo

If you’ve spent anytime in Cape Cod you know that the village of Hyannis is a bustling spot in the summer months. There is a family owned, rustic cafe off the beaten path called Spoon and Seed that serves breakfast and lunch. At some point it was a hidden gem, but with a two hour wait on a weekend morning, the word is out. There is no shortage of delicious items on the menu, especially the horchata served over ice […]

Categories: Beverage, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Rice/Grains • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

Quinoa Veggie Bowl with a Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette

July 19, 2018 by pamflo

Some of the best salads I’ve had this summer have been a combination of vegetables, greens and grains with a protein. This is a very easy meal to prepare, especially if you recycle your leftovers. I composed my own bowl with leftover tri-colored quinoa and sautéed broccolini, fresh basil from my garden, sweet tomatoes, avocado and a hard boiled egg. Grains like brown rice, farro or freekeh work well. Add nuts or seeds for crunch or any type of greens […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Dressing, Eggs, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Rice/Grains, Salads, Vegetables • Tags: Boil, Whisk

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Zucchini and Lemon Pasta Salad

March 22, 2018 by pamflo

Adding lightly roasted zucchini really seems to elevate a dish. With a little imagination, the zucchini half-moons might remind you of eating candy! This is a delightful meal with a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice and fresh basil. Perfect for an easy lunch, or perhaps you serve it with a protein for a hearty dinner. It’s impressive that there are many brands of gluten-free pasta. It takes a little experimenting to find a brand where you like both […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Nuts, Rice/Grains, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

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Millet Maple Porridge

January 11, 2018 by pamflo

Millet is a healthy whole grain that is naturally gluten-free and a good source of protein and dietary fiber. It has a mild nutty flavor, cooks in about 30 minutes and is a unique breakfast option. When cooking millet as a breakfast cereal, the ratio of liquid to grain is higher as this hearty grain expands when cooked. I used two cups of liquid, a combination of almond milk and water, to a 1/2 cup of the millet. Serve a […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Rice/Grains • Tags: Simmer

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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

Oatmeal Soufflé

November 10, 2016 by pamflo

In the coming months, many people will host out-of-town visitors. This is an easy, healthy breakfast idea and a crowd pleaser that can be started ahead of time. The whipped egg whites folded into the oatmeal adds protein, as well as a light and airy texture to what would be an average breakfast. Almond or coconut milk works well as a non-dairy milk substitute. I sweetened the oatmeal with coconut sugar, an unrefined brown sugar but maple syrup or honey are […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Eggs, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Rice/Grains • Tags: Bake, Whip

Farro and Arugula Salad

October 27, 2016 by pamflo

A few of the outdoor Boston Farmer’s Markets are coming to a close for the season. I wanted to make a dish that incorporated some of the remaining beautiful fresh produce. The credit for this tasty salad goes to New York chef Charlie Bird. Farro can be bland on it’s own, but in this recipe it’s slowly simmered in fresh apple cider with a bay leaf. My version of this dish has just a few embellishments, feel free to alter it as […]

Categories: Appetizer, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Nuts, Rice/Grains, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Simmer

Roasted Salmon with Harissa Glaze

April 7, 2016 by pamflo

Salmon is a regular item on my weekly dinner rotation. However, it was time to break out of my Asian marinade routine, and this harissa glaze was the perfect change. Although fish night is not a favorite meal in my house, salmon is an important part of a nutritious diet and has many health benefits. Salmon is a heart healthy protein and provides a significant source of omega-3 fatty acids. The key to moist and juicy salmon, is to cook it until it’s […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Rice/Grains, Seafood • Tags: Bake, Boil, Dairy Free, Glaze, Gluten Free

Nutty Oat Bars

May 7, 2015 by pamflo

Crunchy on the outside but soft in the middle, sweet and nutty, and honestly a terrific snack or breakfast! I’ve been working on finding a healthy and satisfying snack bar. Some bars are either too sweet or not sweet enough, crumble when cut or too mushy. Nutritious and flavorful, this is the perfect bar. High in protein and calcium, amaranth is a gluten-free grain and an important food source in South America and Mexico. If amaranth is hard to find, sesame seeds or […]

Categories: Bars, Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Desserts, Gluten Free, Nuts/Seeds, Rice/Grains, Snack • Tags: Bake, Boil, Dairy Free, Gluten Free

Salad in a Jar

April 23, 2015 by pamflo

Jarred salads are hardly a new idea, but certainly a smart one! Only your imagination will limit you. I like the combination of greens, seeds, fruit and grains. Consider a mixture of greens/herbs, grains, nuts, salsa, a variety of veggies and/or fruit, and a protein or two. Salad preparation is easy and can be made ahead. This makes a great “on the go” meal, just shake vigorously and dig in. The dressing works best as the bottom layer, the next […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans/Legumes, Nuts/Seeds, Rice/Grains, Salads, Seeds, Snack, Vegetarian • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Shake

Farro and Oatmeal Porridge

February 19, 2015 by pamflo

Most mornings I make myself a smoothie for breakfast. On very cold mornings, I’m not always craving an icy drink, but instead I’m craving a creamy, steamy bowl of warmth. On these (too many!) snowy days, this bowl of porridge is the ultimate comfort food. The topping options are many. My porridge is topped with toasted coconut flakes, slivered almonds, cinnamon and unsweetened almond milk. Consider other types of nuts or nut butters, dried or fresh fruit, chia seeds or pepitas. […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Nuts, Rice/Grains, Snack • Tags: Dairy Free, Simmer

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Coconut Quinoa Granola

January 8, 2015 by pamflo

As the snow falls gently outside, I’m inside making some warm and nutty granola. A wonderful ginger and coconut aroma has wafted upstairs and I hear “mom, it smells so good”! Serve this crunchy granola over yogurt with a smattering of fresh berries, over ricotta cheese with a drizzle of maple syrup or fill a bowl and enjoy with milk. This granola is easy to make and would be a lovely gift too. 3/4 cup rolled oats 1/2 cup quinoa, rinsed and […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Rice/Grains, Snack • Tags: Bake, Dairy Free, Gluten Free

Asian Salmon Bowl

October 18, 2013 by pamflo

I ate at a fantastic seafood restaurant in San Francisco this past spring. I ordered the Asian Salmon Bowl and the combination of flavors was delicious. I tried to re-create this dish at home and this is the closest I’ve come. The secret to cooking salmon, is don’t overcook it! The rule of thumb for fish is to cook it for 10 minutes per inch. Use a fork to test the salmon. It should be moist and flaky. Jacques Pépin taught […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Greens, Rice/Grains, Seafood • Tags: Boil, Dairy Free, Garlic, Gluten Free, Roast, Salmon, Sesame

Birthday Dinner

August 8, 2011 by pamflo

We recently had an early birthday dinner for my husband at a phenomenal restaurant on the Cape. I ordered the seared scallops which came with black quinoa. It was such a unique flavor that I had to do a little research on it. I am familiar with the red and cream colored grains. Although not really a grain and more of a seed, it has a high percentage of protein, fiber and many essential nutrients. What I found out is […]

Categories: Rice/Grains, Seafood, Uncategorized • Tags: Dairy Free, Fish, Gluten Free, Paleo, Sear

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: Rice/Grains

Baked Stuffed Tomatoes

Spicy Rice Noodle Stir Fry

Tuscan Kale Soup with Beans and Fregola

Horchata

Quinoa Veggie Bowl with a Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette

Zucchini and Lemon Pasta Salad

Millet Maple Porridge

Black Rice Salad

Oatmeal Soufflé

Farro and Arugula Salad

Roasted Salmon with Harissa Glaze

Nutty Oat Bars

Salad in a Jar

Farro and Oatmeal Porridge

Coconut Quinoa Granola

Asian Salmon Bowl

Birthday Dinner