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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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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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Oven Roasted Tomatoes

June 4, 2020 by pamflo

Lately, I’ve been thinking about tomatoes as I water my newly planted little garden with it’s beautiful green leaves, so full of life and hope. I made this bright roasted tomato salad with small tomatoes, and topped it with balsamic vinegar and freshly grated parmesan cheese. It’s as easy as tossing whole cherry or grape tomatoes with olive oil, salt, pepper and fresh thyme sprigs, and roasting in a hot oven until the little gems burst open. With so few […]

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

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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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Hearty Minestrone Soup

April 30, 2020 by pamflo

There are many ways to make a delicious soup. The success of a soup is in the depth of flavors. The first layer of flavor is the pancetta, cured and salted pork belly. Olive oil is a good substitute if you don’t have or want to use pancetta. Another layer of flavor are the aromatics, vegetables used as a base flavor including, but not limited to, celery, carrots, onions and fresh herbs. Adding a piece of the rind from a […]

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

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Spaghetti Squash Pizza

March 26, 2020 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, Pantry Staples, Side Dish • Tags: Bake

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Ribollita Soup

March 19, 2020 by pamflo

I’ve been digging into my archives for easy recipes using pantry staples. Ribolitta is a Tuscan soup made with lots of vegetables and hunks of toasted or stale bread. Traditionally this soup is made with inexpensive vegetables like carrots, celery and onions as well as white beans, kale and cabbage. This hearty soup is easy to make and you can use whatever variety of veggies you have on hand. I often finish soups with a splash of acid, using either […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Greens, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, One-Pot Meals, Pantry Staples, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Simmer

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Charred Broccolini with Slivered Almonds

March 12, 2020 by pamflo

This is a quick and easy vegetable dish to make! Broccolini is a cross between regular broccoli and Chinese broccoli. It has smaller florets and the entire plant is edible, including the stalks and leaves. Broccolini has a more mild and subtle earthy flavor, compared to regular broccoli. It has antioxidant properties and is high in beta carotene, which helps promote healthy skin. Broccolini can be sautéed, steamed, roasted, and grilled. With a couple of tablespoons of water I first steamed […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Nuts, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Sauté

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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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Braised Chicken with Artichokes, Olives and Lemon

February 20, 2020 by pamflo

These brisk winter days have me craving a hearty one-pot meal. The combination of the crisp chicken skin, plump juicy meat and rich broth is outstanding in this braised dish. The extra step of browning the chicken before cooking 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. Artichokes are high in vitamin C, high in fiber, and considered a heart […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals, Vegetables • Tags: Braise, Sear

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Shakshuka

February 6, 2020 by pamflo

This one-pot dish of soft poached eggs in a steaming, flavorful tomato broth with peppers, onions and spices is called shakshuka in Israel, and is traditionally served for breakfast. This delicious dish is a staple not only in Israeli, but in Tunisian, Moroccan and Egyptian cuisine. Many other cuisines have their own version of this dish. Shakshuka is usually served in a cast iron pan with bread to soak up the zesty sauce. There are many ways to make this […]

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

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Baked Cauliflower Parmesan

January 30, 2020 by pamflo

Over the years, my cauliflower recipes have been some of the most popular. With the 2020 Super Bowl only days away, it seems timely to post a healthy recipe option and a great dish for your vegetarian guests. This is a great way to serve cauliflower, the heat caramelizes and sweetens the cauliflower when it’s roasted. Each head of cauliflower yields two to three thick slices. First cut off the inedible leaves and trim the core, leaving the stem intact. Cut thick […]

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

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Roasted Citrus Slices

January 23, 2020 by pamflo

Fresh produce is limited in New England in the winter months with the exception of citrus. The variety of citrus options are outstanding! These caramelized citrus slices can brighten any winter dish, and roasting intensifies the citrus flavors. The fruit can be served alongside roast meat, atop a grain or green salad, with granola and yogurt, or simply sprinkled with cinnamon for dessert. Experiment with different fruit, like tangerines, grapefruit and an assortment of oranges. I drizzled the citrus slices […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Snack • Tags: Roast

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Honey Glazed Chicken Wings

January 16, 2020 by pamflo

I use local raw honey everyday to sweeten my tea and thought it might be fun to post a savory recipe using honey. These chicken wings are spicy and delicious. Here are some interesting facts about honey; it’s a sweet liquid from the nectar of flowers produced by bees, and not only a sweetener but it can soothe a cough, heal a wound, promote digestion, and populate your gut with good bacteria. There is some research that suggests that eating […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, Side Dish • Tags: Broil

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Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup

January 9, 2020 by pamflo

Butternut squash is a great source of dietary fiber and potassium. Turmeric, known as a medicinal spice, has powerful anti-inflammatory qualities. Coconut adds the healthy fat and provides a good source of energy. Fresh ginger aids in digestion and can alleviate gastrointestinal distress. Sweet, hearty and nutritious, this soup is a bowl of complete nourishment! There are many ways to make butternut squash soup, but the combination of vegetables, herbs and spices makes this soup special. Butternut Squash and Coconut […]

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

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Scrambled Egg Stuffed Peppers

January 2, 2020 by pamflo

I’m starting off the new year with a healthy breakfast option. Naturally sweet bell peppers are a perfect vehicle for baking eggs, and an easy dish to prepare. I chopped and sautéed the flesh from the pepper tops on the stovetop with olive oil to soften them, and use in the filling along with kale and cooked bacon. After filling each pepper, bake until the eggs are set. A pinch of cheese could work here and a garnish of fresh […]

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

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Hearty Vegetable and Bean Soup

December 5, 2019 by pamflo

Umami is a savory flavor sometimes referred to as the fifth taste alongside sweet, salty, sour and bitter. Naturally occurring in foods such as mushrooms, cheese, fish, meat, tomatoes and soy beans, to name a few. Sometimes when you have a dish that seems to be missing something, it’s often the umami flavor. This soup has an abundance of umami. Both the buttery parmesan rind that dissolves in the soup and the pungent anchovy paste, provide great depth of flavor. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Bacon, Beans, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Sauté, Simmer

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Roasted Root Vegetables

November 21, 2019 by pamflo

Odd shaped and knobby, the root of the celery stalk is called celeriac. Although it’s not the most beautiful of the root vegetables, its subtle celery flavor is perfect for roasting. To prepare the celeriac, cut off both top and bottom ends so you have a flat base. With a sharp knife or vegetable peeler, cut vertical strips from top to bottom until you’ve removed all the skin. When exposed to the air, the creamy flesh will turn brown, but […]

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

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Baba Ganoush

November 14, 2019 by pamflo

Baba ganoush is a Mediterranean dip similar to hummus, but its base is roasted or grilled eggplant instead of chickpeas. Eggplant, a vegetable in the nightshade family, is high in fiber and nutrient dense. The beautiful purple globe eggplants make really good baba ganoush! It’s an easy dip to prepare with just a few ingredients, and is simple to dress up with smoked paprika, pomegranate seeds and a drizzle of olive oil, as garnish. As with hummus, sesame paste or […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Dips/Sauces, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Seeds, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast, Whiz

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Simple Herb Roasted Carrots

October 24, 2019 by pamflo

The local Farmers Markets in Massachusetts are rapidly coming to a close. 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 for roasting carrots because all you need is a bit of olive oil, salt and pepper, and a handful of […]

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

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Archives

Linguini with White Clam Sauce

Tomato Citrus Salad

Strawberry Gazpacho

Oven Roasted Tomatoes

Zucchini Pesto Pappardelle

Hearty Minestrone Soup

Spaghetti Squash Pizza

Ribollita Soup

Charred Broccolini with Slivered Almonds

Spicy Tomato Soup

Braised Chicken with Artichokes, Olives and Lemon

Shakshuka

Baked Cauliflower Parmesan

Roasted Citrus Slices

Honey Glazed Chicken Wings

Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup

Scrambled Egg Stuffed Peppers

Hearty Vegetable and Bean Soup

Roasted Root Vegetables

Baba Ganoush

Simple Herb Roasted Carrots