Archives

Wine-Braised Chicken Thighs

April 15, 2021 by pamflo

These brisk spring evenings have me craving a hearty chicken dish. Here is a recipe for perfectly browned, juicy chicken thighs in a delicious sauce prepared on the stove top. These pan seared chicken thighs are an easy meal for a weeknight. Braising is one of my favorite methods of cooking. A cast-iron skillet or heavy-bottom enameled pan are good choices. I used a large non-stick sauté pan and it worked well. Once the chicken is nicely browned, it’s time to […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Meat/Poultry, Pan Sauce • Tags: Braise

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Roasted Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

April 8, 2021 by pamflo

Spring is here, although some days still feel like winter! Lately, I’ve been thinking about tomatoes as I gaze out at my stark little garden. With that thought in mind, I made this bright roasted tomato caprese salad, and topped it with a nut-free arugula and basil pesto. I just tossed whole cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper, and fresh thyme sprigs and then roasted these little gems in the oven until they burst open. It’s funny that […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish • Tags: Roast

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Roasted Spaghetti Squash Pizza

March 18, 2021 by pamflo

I thought it might be fun to put together a quick and easy crowd pleasing dish. All that is needed is a few pantry staples and any veggies you have on hand. The fact that this actually tastes like pizza came as a complete surprise. Spaghetti squash is a healthy, versatile vegetable. The flesh becomes beautiful noodle-like strands, that will take on whatever flavor you add to it. High in fiber and rich in nutrients, spaghetti squash is a tasty […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Pizza, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Broil, Roast

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Spicy Grilled Steak Lettuce Wraps

March 4, 2021 by pamflo

Firing up your outdoor grill is not completely out of the question, as the temperature has been climbing and the snow melting! A stove-top grill pan works well too. The secrets to juicy tender steak is letting the meat come to room temperature for about 15-30 minutes before cooking, and using a meat thermometer to cook it to your desired temperature. Let the meat rest after cooking for about 5 minutes or so before slicing. The last tip is one I […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, Vegetables • Tags: Grill

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Hearty Winter Vegetable Soup

February 25, 2021 by pamflo

It’s been a cold winter in Boston and this hearty vegetable soup just hits the spot. This can be a “clean out your refrigerator” soup, using whatever veggies you have on hand. In addition to onion, celery and garlic, I used a combination of sweet and regular potatoes, butternut squash, rainbow carrots and a large handful of greens. I added a bit of smoked paprika to my soup as it adds a delicious subtle smokiness. A generous splash of sherry […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, One-Pot Meals, Soup, Vegetables • Tags: Simmer

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Eggs Baked in Winter Squash

February 18, 2021 by pamflo

Naturally low in fat and nutrient dense, winter squash is a healthy substitute for the toast in the classic breakfast dish of egg-in-the-hole. There’s a beautiful assortment of squash available and you can use any variety of winter squash, although acorn is the best with its sweet and tender flesh. These squash are small and heavy when ripe, with a tough outer skin that’s eatable after cooking. I used the small sweet dumpling squash as I was drawn to its […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Eggs, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

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Cheesy Baked Potato Rounds

February 4, 2021 by pamflo

These loaded baked potato rounds are an easy, fun sized, game day dish for the Super Bowl. The potatoes are sliced, baked until lightly browned and then topped with ingredients of your choice. They’re a healthier way to enjoy stuffed potatoes skins and are just as satisfying. I topped the sweet potato rounds with shredded mozzarella cheese and chopped scallions. The russet potatoes are topped with crispy bacon and a combination of cheddar cheeses. Enjoy! Cheesy Baked Potato Rounds Print […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Game Day, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

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Hearty Butternut Squash Soup

January 28, 2021 by pamflo

Butternut squash is a great source of dietary fiber and potassium. Turmeric, known as a medicinal spice and a member of the ginger family, has powerful anti-inflammatory qualities. Sweet, hearty and nutritious, this soup is a bowl of complete goodness. There are many ways to make butternut squash soup, but the combination of vegetables, fruit and spices makes this soup one to be repeated. This soup is even better the next day! Hearty Butternut Squash Soup Print Recipe Servings 4-6 servings Servings […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Game Day, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Soup, Vegetables • Tags: Simmer

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Baked Sweet Potato Chips

January 21, 2021 by pamflo

If you’re looking for a healthy way to enjoy potato chips, making your own sweet potato chips is fun and simple. These very thin slices of sweet potato, crisp up and get golden brown in a low temperature oven. Using a mandolin, a very sharp flat slicing tool, is a way to get uniform thin slices that cook evenly. Please use the safety guard provided, a cut-resistant glove or a kitchen towel between your hand and the potato and keep […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Side Dish, Snack, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Bake

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Sea Bass en Papillote

January 7, 2021 by pamflo

En papillote is a classic method of cooking food wrapped in parchment paper. It’s an easy and healthy way to steam food and infuse flavor. The traditional method of using parchment paper requires origami-style folding and results in a beautiful, elegant presentation; aluminum foil works too. The paper rises while cooking, and is filled with the fragrances of the fresh ingredients. When you open the parchment you get the gift of this wonderful aroma. The rule of thumb for cooking […]

Categories: Cooking Tips, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Seafood • Tags: Steam

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Roast Tenderloin of Beef with Horseradish Sauce

November 24, 2020 by pamflo

Roasted beef tenderloin is without a doubt incredibly decadent! A dish for a celebratory occasion. In the years that I hosted a large family Thanksgiving, I would make both beef tenderloin and roast turkey. There was always leftover turkey and never leftovers of the beef. This was one of the best dishes at my New York culinary program many years ago. Naomi Pomeroy of Beast in Portland, OR, made this dish with grass-fed beef, and it was outstanding. If the […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry • Tags: Roast

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Chopped Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad

November 19, 2020 by pamflo

With Thanksgiving one week away, here is an easy raw salad to lighten your meal. The combination of flavors is fantastic, but feel free to mixed it up and use almonds, pistachios or pepitas and tart dried cherries, as a substitute for the walnuts and cranberries. Brussels sprouts are especially rich in vitamin K and vitamin C. They have a high fiber content which helps support regularity and gut health. Brussels sprouts, broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower as well as other cruciferous vegetables are […]

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

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Simple Roast Turkey

November 12, 2020 by pamflo

Turkey is a delicious Thanksgiving tradition, juicy, crispy and tender! My first turkey experience required me to pluck the turkey feathers, an experience I hope never to have again! I’ve brined turkey in herbs, apple cider and even bourbon. I’ve cooked organic, kosher and heritage turkeys. I’ve tried a dry brine but have never been brave enough to deep fry a turkey. I will leave that to the fearless. From all my experiences, I think that a simple roast turkey […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Meat/Poultry • Tags: Roast

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Brandy and Butter Glazed Carrots

November 5, 2020 by pamflo

The Thanksgiving buzz has begun! It starts when cooking magazines arrive at my house with photos of gleaming turkeys and perfectly plated sides. For the years that I hosted the Thanksgiving feast, my preparations typically started in October. I would start with making and freezing turkey stock, baking breads and making ice cream. I would usually assign the side dishes to willing family members. Although this year will be a very small gathering, this brandy and butter glaze adds a […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Blanch, Roast

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Roasted Fennel and Tomatoes with Beans

October 8, 2020 by pamflo

Beans, beans they’re good for your heart, the more you eat…..and you know the rest of the tune! Not everyone is a bean lover, but they’re a good source of protein and fiber. Research suggests that if beans are soaked and/or cooked, they are easier to digest, and this is a great way to add them to your diet. Fennel is a member of the carrot family and has a fresh anise flavor when it is eaten raw. It gets […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Side Dish, Vegetarian • Tags: Roast

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Creamy Corn Chowder

September 10, 2020 by pamflo

As the summer comes to a close, this soup is a perfect way to celebrate corn on the cob which is at its peak. At many of the farmers markets, you’ll find both white and yellow corn on the cob piled in nice big stacks. When shopping for corn, the husks should be bright green and wrapped tightly against the kernels. I sometimes take a tiny peek by peeling back the husk an inch or so, to make sure the […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Soup, Vegetables • Tags: Simmer

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Seafood Bake

September 3, 2020 by pamflo

This flavorful and fun seafood bake is perfect for the holiday weekend! It is like squeezing summer all onto one pan, with shrimp, sausage, clams, and veggies all cooked together on one sheet tray. I tossed the ingredients with a combination of butter, olive oil and Old Bay seasoning. I blanched the potatoes and corn ahead of time in lightly salted boiling water, and pre-cooked spicy Italian sausages instead of the classic andouille sausage, before adding to the sheet tray. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, One-Pot Meals, Seafood • Tags: Bake

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Oven Roasted Rainbow Carrots

August 20, 2020 by pamflo

The carrots with their beautiful green tops looked so appealing this week that I bought them with no real recipe in mind. Carrots are a great source of beta-carotene, vitamin A and antioxidants. Their natural sweetness makes them a perfect vegetable for roasting. This is a simple recipe because all you need is a bit of olive oil, salt, pepper and a handful of your favorite fresh herbs. I finished the carrots with a splash of citrus. Save the slightly […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

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Parmesan Squash Rounds

August 13, 2020 by pamflo

Recently, I shopped (in person) at a favorite local market. I was rewarded with fresh, beautiful produce that I could pick out myself. I purchased a flavorful yellow and pale green summer squash called Zephyr. I gave the squash a quick salting to withdraw some of the moisture. I skipped the traditional flour and egg step and just combined freshly grated parmesan cheese, dry breadcrumbs and dried herbs for my version of parmesan rounds. Any type of summer squash or […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Healthish, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Bake

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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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Linguini with White Clam Sauce

July 9, 2020 by pamflo

I fondly remember digging for clams at low tide around the Cape Cod jetties with my family. It was a highlight of our summer vacation and a vivid memory of mine. We’d steam the clams and eat them as soon as they opened, dipping them in melted butter. Linguini with white clam sauce is one of my favorite shellfish dishes. I add bottled clam broth with the white wine, along with the traditional minced garlic, red pepper flakes and fresh […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Lunch Ideas, Pasta/Pizza, Seafood • Tags: Simmer

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Archives

Wine-Braised Chicken Thighs

Roasted Cherry Tomato Caprese Salad

Roasted Spaghetti Squash Pizza

Spicy Grilled Steak Lettuce Wraps

Hearty Winter Vegetable Soup

Eggs Baked in Winter Squash

Cheesy Baked Potato Rounds

Hearty Butternut Squash Soup

Baked Sweet Potato Chips

Sea Bass en Papillote

Roast Tenderloin of Beef with Horseradish Sauce

Chopped Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad

Simple Roast Turkey

Brandy and Butter Glazed Carrots

Roasted Fennel and Tomatoes with Beans

Creamy Corn Chowder

Seafood Bake

Oven Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Parmesan Squash Rounds

Honeydew and Cucumber Gazpacho

Linguini with White Clam Sauce