garlic clove | Ingredients | Zest For Cooking

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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Pan Seared Scallops

February 3, 2022 by pamflo

Many years ago, I was a guest on a television show and was asked a few personal questions to wrap up my cooking segment. The host asked if my mother was a positive cooking influence in my life. Without filtering my thoughts, I stated that my mom was an awful cook and had ruined my joy of eating scallops…oops! Although this was true, I profusely apologized to my mom. We still laugh about it! The secret to a delicious scallop […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Pan Sauce, Seafood • Tags: Sear, Whiz

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Grilled Romaine Salad

August 12, 2021 by pamflo

Romaine lettuce is the hero of a Caesar salad, mild tasting with sturdy leaves and a thick rib down the center. Perfect for grilling! Many variations of Caesar salad are still popular on restaurant menus today. The lettuce can be grilled in a grill pan or on your outdoor grill. I grilled the romaine hearts on the stove-top and dressed the leaves with a tangy citrus Caesar dressing. Anchovy paste adds that “umami” flavor to the dressing, but Worcestershire sauce or […]

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

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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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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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Sweet and Sour Vegetables over Noodles

July 16, 2020 by pamflo

I bought myself a beautiful vegetarian cookbook called Family, by Hetty McKinnon. I had seen the author cook this recipe live on social media, during a virtual culinary conference. With a family of dedicated carnivores, I wanted to see if they would even notice a meatless dish. It turns out that they devoured this delicious vegetarian dish, not even realizing there was no meat involved. I used both broccoli and cauliflower florets, but you can stick to one vegetable if […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Seeds, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Stir-Fry

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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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Sautéed Yellow Zucchini with Pistachios and Mint

October 4, 2018 by pamflo

What does sauté mean? It’s a method of cooking food over high heat in a little bit of hot fat. This is a great way to cook vegetables while still maintaining their flavor and texture. Choose a wide bottom pan so the vegetables aren’t overcrowded. A quick sauté in olive oil is my choice for this recipe, but a combo of olive oil and butter add a nice depth of flavor. Coconut oil is a good option. This is an easy […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Nuts, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Sauté

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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

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Archives

Spicy Shrimp and Farro Bowl

Pan Seared Scallops

Grilled Romaine Salad

Creamy Corn Chowder

Honeydew and Cucumber Gazpacho

Sweet and Sour Vegetables over Noodles

Strawberry Gazpacho

Sautéed Yellow Zucchini with Pistachios and Mint

Provençal Tuna Salad