fresh basil leaves | Ingredients

Spicy Shrimp and Farro Bowl

March 17, 2022 by pamflo

Farro is a hearty wheat-based grain that has a rich, nutty flavor. It is a good source of fiber and protein. Look for the pearled farro or semi-pearled farro as the cooking time is less than cooking the whole grain. You can make a large batch of farro as it’s a great addition to soups, salads and hot cereal. Sambal oelek is a spicy Indonesian paste made with hot red chili peppers, vinegar and salt and it adds a fantastic spicy kick […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Grains, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Seafood, Side Dish • Tags: Sauté, Simmer

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Halloumi Caprese Salad

July 29, 2021 by pamflo

I’m participating in a fun virtual global cooking class that provides a box of diary ingredients for each class. The last class was a tour of Greece along with a nutrition presentation and cooking demonstration. My box of Greek inspired dairy products came with a block of halloumi cheese. Having never had halloumi cheese, I did a bit of research to find out that grilling the cheese, which I did on the stove top in a grill pan, is the […]

Categories: Appetizer, Cheeses, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Salads • Tags: Grill

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Honeydew and Cucumber Gazpacho

July 23, 2020 by pamflo

This soup is a throwback to a fantastic gazpacho I had while traveling a few years ago in Missouri. This fun, hip restaurant in St. Louis had a fruit based gazpacho on their menu. The light, flavorful cantaloup gazpacho was garnished with toasted, chopped pistachio nuts and an optional dollop of tangy greek yogurt. I re-created the soup with honeydew melon and cucumber, and a garnish of lightly salted, crunchy chickpeas. This dish involves no cooking and makes a scrumptious […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Soup, Vegetarian • Tags: No Cooking

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Tomato Citrus Salad

July 2, 2020 by pamflo

I’m struck by how delightful this tomato citrus salad is, with its distinct flavors. With the farmers markets re-opening and stocked with big, juicy tomatoes and fresh basil this is a simple salad to assemble. The addition of avocado and crushed pistachios is optional, but adds crunch. Customize your own salad with a variation on the type of nuts or by adding fresh burrata or mozzarella cheese. Add a drizzle of good olive oil, a squeeze of orange juice and […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Nuts, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking

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Strawberry Gazpacho

June 11, 2020 by pamflo

Red, sweet and juicy, strawberries are ripe for the picking! There are many ways to enjoy these beautiful fresh berries, but I like the idea of a simple, fresh soup that involves no cooking. Strawberries are a good source of vitamin C, folate, and potassium. Although the strawberries provide a light sweetness, this is a wonderful savory dish. I added lightly toasted slivered almonds for a little crunch. Strawberry Gazpacho Print Recipe Servings 4 servings Servings 4 servings Strawberry Gazpacho […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Soup, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

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Zucchini Pesto Pappardelle

May 14, 2020 by pamflo

Pappardelle shaped “noodles” made with zucchini are a great pasta substitute, and combined with a fresh, tangy pesto you would hardly realize that you’re not eating grains. I gave my spiralizer a short vacation and made zucchini ribbon “noodles” for this light dish. A wide vegetable peeler or a mandolin both work to create these pappardelle style noodles. To prevent the zucchini from become watery, place the ribbons in a colander and lightly salt. Let the ribbons sit for about […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Bake, Whiz

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Spicy Tomato Soup

February 27, 2020 by pamflo

A food stylist is a culinary professional who prepares food for photography, video or film. It’s actually a hard job making food photogenic! The top food stylists come to a photoshoot with a variety of techniques, even if it requires using non-edible materials to achieve the best results. This tomato soup photo is from an intensive food styling class I took in NYC. It was really fun to learn the techniques involved in producing a beautiful food photo. That being said, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Soups/Stews, Vegetarian • Tags: Simmer, Whiz

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Watermelon and Tomato Gazpacho

July 11, 2019 by pamflo

The delightful flavors of watermelon, ripe tomatoes and cucumbers come together to create this sweet and savory chilled soup. With the added tang of a lime and the heat of a jalapeño, this is the perfect dish for a hot and steamy summer night! This soup can be served smooth or chunky. If you want a combination of both, puree the soup completely in a blender or food processor, and then add the extra finely diced watermelon and cucumbers. If […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar, Lunch Ideas, Soups/Stews, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

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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, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Toast, Toss

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Summer Charcuterie Platter

August 30, 2018 by pamflo

Shopping at your local farmers market is the best way to connect to what is fresh and seasonal. It supports the local farmers and minimizes the impact on the earth, with less distance to travel to your plate. With the amazing array of produce and no cooking required, I assembled fresh fruits and vegetables paired with cheese and meat, accompanied by crispy crackers….and a glass of rosé wine! There is an unlimited choice of the freshest fruits and vegetables in […]

Categories: Appetizer, Fruit, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Nuts, Vegetables • Tags: No Cooking

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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

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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, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Archives

Spicy Shrimp and Farro Bowl

Halloumi Caprese Salad

Honeydew and Cucumber Gazpacho

Tomato Citrus Salad

Strawberry Gazpacho

Zucchini Pesto Pappardelle

Spicy Tomato Soup

Watermelon and Tomato Gazpacho

Summer Panzanella Salad

Summer Charcuterie Platter

Quinoa Veggie Bowl with a Lemon Mustard Vinaigrette

Frico Salad Cups