Category Archives: Salads

Summer Panzanella Salad

July 3, 2019 by pamflo

Panzanella is a popular Tuscan chopped salad traditionally made with really ripe tomatoes, toasted bread cubes and red onion. It sometimes includes cucumbers and is simply dressed with olive oil and vinegar. In my summer salad, cornbread croutons add a modern twist to a combination of avocado, tomatoes, cucumbers and freshly chopped basil. Slivered raw red onion adds some bite, but is optional. Dress this salad with extra-virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar, and season it with salt and […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Toast, Toss

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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Frico Salad Cups

June 21, 2018 by pamflo

Called frico, these crisp cracker cups are made entirely of melted cheese. They’re easy to make and can elevate your cheese platter, make a beautiful salad holder, or just be a fun snack. It’s as simple as making mounds of cheese on a sheet tray and baking until melted and lightly browned. I placed the hot lacy crackers in an empty muffin tin to create a perfect serving bowl. I filled my cups with a fresh radish and cucumber salad, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Cheeses, Crackers, Dressing, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

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Provençal Tuna Salad

May 17, 2018 by pamflo

Pan Bagnant is a favorite French sandwich that literally means “bathed bread”. This popular sandwich is usually filled with many vibrant vegetables, hard boiled egg, canned tuna and then the bread is soaked in a zesty vinaigrette. With so many beautiful, nutrient dense ingredients, I thought it might be fun to deconstruct this sandwich and serve it as a salad. I roasted the peppers but you can use jarred roasted peppers instead. The dressing elevates an otherwise ordinary salad to […]

Categories: Appetizer, Cooking Tips, Dairy Free, Dressing, Eggs, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Seafood, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking

Shaved Asparagus Salad

April 12, 2018 by pamflo

Spring is here…I think?! Regardless of the crazy weather, the fresh, beautiful stalks of asparagus are in season. Asparagus is a great source of vitamin C and folate. This shaved asparagus salad is fresh and super easy to prepare. I briefly steamed the asparagus prior to shaving it into thin slices with a vegetable peeler. You are welcome to shave it raw, but a little heat increases the nutrient benefits. Trim the spears by snapping one and cutting the rest […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Vegetables • Tags: Steam

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Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad

January 25, 2018 by pamflo

Spring is not that far off…..right?! Lately, I’ve been thinking about tomatoes as I gaze out at my frozen little garden with it’s stark, empty branches. With that thought in mind, I made this bright roasted tomato caprese salad and topped it with a nut-free arugula and basil pesto. It’s as easy as tossing whole cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper and fresh thyme sprigs. Roast these little gems in the oven until they burst open. It’s funny […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetarian • Tags: Roast

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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

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

Israeli Chopped Salad

August 11, 2016 by pamflo

Raw. Simple. Fresh. A perfect salad for a hot summer night, as a side dish or a quick lunch. An Israeli salad is defined as a finely chopped salad of raw vegetables, tossed with a simple dressing. Middle Eastern restaurants serve variations of this salad in pita pockets, on it’s own or to accompany falafel, a deep-fried chickpea fritter. Traditionally, the salad contains tomatoes, Kirby or Persian cucumbers, onion and peppers. I added carrot and radishes and skipped the onion and pepper. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish, Snack, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: No Cooking

Grilled Corn Salad

August 4, 2016 by pamflo

Corn on the cob has no substitute, and it’s especially delicious at its peak on the east coast in August. However, making a quick and simple salad, using the kernels is a great idea too. You could grill the corn on the cob and then remove the kernels or remove and sauté the kernels on the stove-top. Fresh heirloom tomatoes and fragrant basil leaves are the perfect combination with the corn. Top with fresh lime juice and you have a […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish • Tags: Sauté

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Cornbread Panzanella Salad

June 30, 2016 by pamflo

Inspiration for a blog post comes from many different places. Recently, I sat down with a box of folders filled with recipes from my past cooking classes and culinary events. While casually perusing my files, I quickly realized that this cornbread panzanella salad was one of the most popular dishes. With fresh avocado, toasty cornbread and summer tomatoes this salad will become a favorite. Enjoy the July 4th holiday! 4 cups cornbread- preferably a day old (store-bought or you can make your own if time permits), cut into 1/2-inch […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Dressing, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish • Tags: Toast, Toss

Sesame Soba Noodle Salad

May 26, 2016 by pamflo

There’s a limit to how many lettuce-based salads one can eat in the course of a week. It was time to add a new healthy, flavorful salad to the rotation. My industrious intern wanted to try this recipe and it turned out to be a winner. You can modify both the salad and the dressing to suit your mood. Roast chicken left over from a previous meal, combined with the soba noodles and some seasonal vegetables made the perfect cold salad. This dish is terrific for […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Dressing, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Nuts/Seeds, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Boil, Toss, Whisk

Grilled Zucchini Salad

May 5, 2016 by pamflo

I’m a fan of making zucchini noodles as a healthy substitute for pasta, but it was time to branch out and try a new dish. Zucchini is actually a fruit, with its beautiful yellow blossoms that are edible. Usually eaten as a vegetable, zucchini is high in fiber, potassium and vitamin C. The peak season for zucchini is June through late August. The most delightful part of this salad is the pomegranate molasses, a thick tart syrup that’s drizzled on the grilled […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Nuts, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Dairy Free, Drizzle, Gluten Free, Grill

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Grilled Peaches over Greens

September 24, 2015 by pamflo

Happy Fall! No complaints about the weather here in Boston as it has been sunny, warm, and dry. The peaches are as abundant as the apples at the local markets. Plump and juicy, the peaches are perfect in September. When buying peaches, let your nose do the work, they should smell ripe and delicious. I had a hankering for grilled peaches and put this salad together for lunch. Make sure to use a neutral-flavored oil to grill the peaches. If you […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grill, Whisk

Pan-Roasted Corn Salad

September 3, 2015 by pamflo

I will be the girl crying in the empty parking lot, at the end of October when the local Farmer’s Market closes for the season. Truly, the best time to eat local corn is now and the bins are brimming. I usually buy the Butter & Sugar Sweet Corn, but will soon experiment with other varieties. For this recipe, remove the raw corn kernels and pan-roast them in butter. Add avocado, fresh tomatoes or onion, or keep it simple like I […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Snack, Vegetables • Tags: Gluten Free, Sauté

Summer Tomatoes

August 27, 2015 by pamflo

Have you noticed the beautiful summer tomatoes? For those of us in the Northeast, there is nothing more exciting then eating a locally grown, vine-ripened, juicy, sweet tomato. Heirloom tomatoes, which are genetically unique and pollinated naturally, are irregular in shape, come in funky colors and are often hand-picked locally. The abundance of tomato varieties at the farmer’s market is spectacular. I placed the cherry tomatoes on toothpicks, with fresh basil leaves and mozzarella cheese. With some extra-virgin olive oil, a hearty […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Salads, Side Dish, Snack, Vegetables • Tags: Gluten Free, No Cooking

Olive Oil Fried Egg

July 16, 2015 by pamflo

Farm fresh eggs, extra-virgin olive oil and a skillet…that’s all you need…and salt and pepper of course. Sizzling goodness! Crispy edges and a warm gooey yolk, a perfect breakfast, a great lunch, or an easy dinner. I love the combination of the peppery taste of arugula, with a simple dressing of olive oil and a splash of fresh lemon juice. A perfect place for my fried egg. Extra virgin olive oil packs a flavor punch and has a higher smoke […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish, Snack • Tags: Dairy Free, Fried, Gluten Free

Grilled Caesar Salad

May 21, 2015 by pamflo

What are you making for dinner? I hear that question quite a bit. I often have a plan in place, but tonight I did not. As I stared blankly at my almost empty refrigerator, it was obvious that all I could muster was some sort of salad. It’s time to fire up the grill, after the long winter, I thought. Grilled salad, what a brilliant idea, if I say so myself! If a grill isn’t available to you, a […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish • Tags: Gluten Free, Grill, Shake

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

Chopped Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad

March 19, 2015 by pamflo

After two months of hibernating indoors with such a cold and snowy winter, I finally went for a walk outdoors and actually heard the birds chirping. With the thought of spring arriving soon, I made this fresh crunchy salad. Feel free to mixed it up, use almonds, pistachios or pepitas and tart dried cherries as a substitute for the cranberries. Yum! SALAD: 1 cup walnuts, chopped 1 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved and thinly sliced 1 pound Tusan or curly kale […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Greens, Nuts, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Gluten Free, Toast, Whiz

Marinated Golden Beets

March 12, 2015 by pamflo

There is something so satisfying about adding beets to your salad. Golden beets have a nice mild, earthy flavor and are high in potassium. Interestingly, the dark leafy greens that are on top of the bundle of beets, are even more nutritious. Most greens get cut off and discarded, but consider a quick sauté with olive oil or as an addition to soups and salads. High in natural sugar, beets are one of those vegetables that are a healthy treat, almost like […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Roast

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: Salads

Summer Panzanella Salad

Quinoa Veggie Bowl with a Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette

Frico Salad Cups

Provençal Tuna Salad

Shaved Asparagus Salad

Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad

Black Rice Salad

Farro and Arugula Salad

Israeli Chopped Salad

Grilled Corn Salad

Cornbread Panzanella Salad

Sesame Soba Noodle Salad

Grilled Zucchini Salad

Grilled Peaches over Greens

Pan-Roasted Corn Salad

Summer Tomatoes

Olive Oil Fried Egg

Grilled Caesar Salad

Salad in a Jar

Chopped Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad

Marinated Golden Beets