Zest For Cooking

Mint Chocolate Sable Cookies

December 17, 2020 by pamflo

I had the privilege of meeting Dorie Greenspan, baker extraordinaire and cookbook author. She has published many beautiful cookbooks, but Dorie’s Cookies is a wonderful gift for any baker. At a recent book signing event, the discussion about her food journey was heartfelt, warm and funny. Listening to her speak about making cookies, reminded me how much I enjoy baking during the holidays. Sables are French butter cookies and they’re a perfect holiday gift or treat. The smooth, deep minty […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Gifts, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake

Double Chocolate Baked Donuts

December 10, 2020 by pamflo

Decadent and easy, you will never know these divine double chocolate donuts are grain free. All you’ll need is a standard donut pan to make this fun and easy dessert (or breakfast treat)! Coconut flour is a very good alternative flour in gluten-free baking. It has the ability to absorb liquid and provides a perfect substitute for all-purpose flour in many gluten-free baked goods. Often the challenge in gluten-free baking is finding the correct proportion and balance of ingredients to […]

Categories: Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Desserts, Donuts, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake

Coconut Macaroons with a Chocolate Drizzle

December 3, 2020 by pamflo

Calling all coconut lovers! Coconut is a great source of immediate energy, helps reduce inflammation in the body and is a heart healthy fat. These macaroons are a satisfying, gluten free, healthy snack. There are a few ways to make macaroons. This recipe is a two step process, but it guarantees a delicious cookie. The exterior of the cookies will be golden and crisp, and the interior will be soft and moist. Let’s Do Organic Unsweetened Coconut Flakes is the […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Desserts, Gifts, Gluten Free, Healthish • Tags: Bake

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, Greens, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Nuts, 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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Maple Pecan Ice Cream

October 29, 2020 by pamflo

This is a creamy, luscious custard-style ice cream sweetened with maple syrup in place of white sugar. An easy stove-top custard is first made with heavy cream, milk, maple syrup and egg yolks, and then chilled before churning in your ice cream maker. The toasted maple pecans add an abundance of flavor so that you don’t even miss the sugar. With no stabilizers or preservatives to mask the flavors, there is really no substitute for homemade ice cream. Plan ahead […]

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Gluten Free, Ice Cream, Low Sugar • Tags: Simmer, Toast, Whiz

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Maple Cinnamon Applesauce

October 22, 2020 by pamflo

It is a beautiful fall season in New England. We went apple picking by appointment and it yielded both tart and sweet apple varieties. The wafting smell of simmering apples made the process of peeling and coring the apples worthwhile. Serve your applesauce with yogurt or oatmeal for breakfast, as a snack with some toasted nuts or as a side dish with your main course. I kept it simple with just cinnamon sticks, a pinch of nutmeg and maple syrup […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Snack • Tags: Simmer

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Paleo Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

October 15, 2020 by pamflo

The Paleo diet is one of the most searched diets on the internet and is about eliminating gluten, dairy, grains and refined sugar. It can be considered a restrictive way to eat but for people battling celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, autoimmune issues or just prefer a low inflammatory diet, it’s a great option. These delicious muffins take advantage of a variety of fall spices, and use almond and coconut flour in place of white flour. Pumpkin puree is high in […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Dessert, Muffins, Paleo, Snack • Tags: Bake

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, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetarian • Tags: Roast

Dutch Oven Baked Bread

October 1, 2020 by pamflo

One of my favorite classes in culinary school was Breads and Rolls. I loved making fresh bread and actually had a sourdough starter that I kept “alive” and used for many months. This is an easy bread recipe that uses active dry yeast instead of a starter and bakes in a dry Dutch oven pot. The dough needs to rise overnight at room temperature, with a second rise of two hours before baking. Baking bread is a very satisfying accomplishment, […]

Categories: Breads • Tags: Bake

Chocolate Dipped Figs with Pistachios

September 24, 2020 by pamflo

Let’s talk a little about figs — Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Green Kadota and Calimyrna figs are the varieties that are commonly available. Although not local to New England, the season for figs starts in the spring and goes through October. I used Black Mission figs for this simple and delicious treat. Figs are a unique seeded fruit with a sweet jammy flavor and soft chewy texture. A great source of fiber and nutrients, they’re delicate with a short shelf […]

Categories: Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar, Nuts, Snack • Tags: Melt

Heirloom Tomato Galette

September 17, 2020 by pamflo

The markets are in full swing and bursting with amazing fresh produce. The highlight for me are the ripe, colorful and juicy heirloom tomatoes. This tasty, savory tart is made with a simple crust combining butter and crème fraîche. The crust can be made a day ahead and refrigerated overnight. The filling is a delicious combination of heirloom tomatoes and manchego cheese, a popular Spanish sheep’s milk cheese with a tangy, nutty flavor. A slice of this galette served warm […]

Categories: Appetizer, Crowd Pleaser, Holiday Ideas, Lunch Ideas, Pies/Tarts, Side Dish • Tags: Bake

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, Soup, Vegetables • Tags: Simmer

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, One-Pot Meals, Seafood • Tags: Bake

Grilled Pineapple Margarita

August 27, 2020 by pamflo

Mezcal, a Mexican distilled spirit made from different varieties of agave that can be made clear, golden or amber. Incredibly smoky, it adds a unique flavor to this margarita. The reason for the smokiness is because of the way the agave plant is cooked. Tequila, on the other hand, is made by distilling the juice of the blue agave plant. The combination of mezcal and tequila makes an extremely tasty margarita! I sweetened my cocktail with a little agave nectar and […]

Categories: Alcohol, Boozy, Cocktail, Crowd Pleaser, Fruit • Tags: Grill

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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

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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Summer Plum Crumble

August 6, 2020 by pamflo

This is a perfect summer dessert using fresh, ripe plums. The farmers’ markets are brimming with succulent fresh fruit, and this recipe takes advantage of the stone variety. Try plums, peaches, nectarines or a combination of the stone fruits. This is a simple recipe with just sliced fruit and a flavorful, crunchy topping with oats, nuts, flour, brown sugar, spices and coconut oil to bind it together. Serve the crumble warm out the oven with your favorite ice cream!

Categories: Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Nuts • Tags: Bake

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Grilled Corn on the Cob

July 30, 2020 by pamflo

I really miss dining out. It gave me a much needed respite from cooking, as well as inspiration for dishes. I’m hopeful that the restaurant industry will survive this pandemic. One of my favorite Boston restaurants is Toro, a spot where Jamie Bissonnette and Ken Oringer serve delicious Spanish-style tapas. One of the highlights on their menu is the grilled corn on the cob. It’s messy, delicious and worth a try at home. Grilled corn is a common Mexican street food […]

Categories: Appetizer, Cheeses, Crowd Pleaser, Gluten Free, Healthish, Side Dish • Tags: Grill

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