Tag: Paleo

Vanilla Bean Hot Chocolate

February 12, 2015 by pamflo

73! That might be the average temperature in Florida at this time of year, but it’s also the amount of snow (in inches) that Boston received in the last 3 weeks. The first thing that comes to mind on these chilly, snowy days, is a luscious, creamy cup of hot chocolate. This recipe happens to be dairy-free and absolutely delicious! 2 cups unsweetened almond milk 1 can coconut milk (I like the Native Forest Unsweetened Organic Coconut Milk) 1 vanilla […]

Categories: Beverages, Chocolate/Candy, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Paleo • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Simmer

DIY Energy Bar

October 16, 2014 by pamflo

Many people rely on energy bars for a quick snack or even as a meal replacement. Over the past few years the snack bar options have improved dramatically, but many bars still have too many grams of sugar. Seamus Mullen, chef and cookbook author, recently wrote an article for a health magazine with a power bar recipe that looked so good, it prompted me to […]

Categories: Bars, Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Paleo, Snack • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, No Cooking, Paleo

Cinnamon Pumpkin Pancakes

October 9, 2014 by pamflo

This week I was inspired by the beautiful pumpkins at the market. One of the questions that I get asked most often is….what can I make for a healthy breakfast? These pumpkin pancakes are a winner because they are light, flavorful and free of white flour and sugar. Pumpkin is low in calories, high in fiber and a great source of Vitamin A. I garnish my pancakes with fresh blueberries and toasted pecans, but you […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Waffles/Pancakes • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Griddle, Paleo

Apple Crisp

September 18, 2014 by pamflo

I used to make an unbelievably decadent apple crisp for Thanksgiving each year. It is a recipe of Jasper White’s, one of my favorite chef instructors from my BU Culinary program, years ago. Since it was not the healthiest dessert, I decided to think a little out of the box and make a healthier, lighter version of this crisp. The apples are perfectly ripe and overflowing at the Farmers Markets! Use any kind of apples you like, but Mitsu, Honey Crisp and […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Paleo, Pies/Tarts • Tags: Bake, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo

Ginger Lemon Iced Tea

July 31, 2014 by pamflo

One of my favorite summertime drinks is an Arnold Palmer, a drink with half lemonade and half iced tea. It’s usually made with freshly brewed black tea (works well with green tea too), lemonade and lots of ice. I decided to make my own version of this drink. This ginger lemon tea is twice as good as my Arnold Palmer! The spiciness of the ginger is offset by the tartness of the lemon, and then sweetened by either maple syrup or agave. […]

Categories: Beverages, Dairy Free, Gluten Free • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Simmer, Whiz

White Gazpacho

May 29, 2014 by pamflo

Cool, refreshing, healthy and no cooking required! Even if you’re not a cold soup fan, this is tangy and delicious. This soup is a Spanish classic and provides a nice break from a traditional tomato-based gazpacho. It does require a hearty blender or food processor. Give it a try! 2 pounds seedless green grapes, stemmed 1/2 cup whole blanched almonds 2 garlic cloves 6 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro 3 tablespoons good-quality sherry vinegar 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice 1 […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, No Cooking, Paleo

Pickled Cucumbers

May 8, 2014 by pamflo

Pickles are a sweet yet salty, crunchy, healthy snack! How are pickles healthy you ask? Your gut is home to many different strains of bacteria, both good and bad. There’s plenty of data that shows that eating fermented foods regularly, helps balance these bacteria, and in turn support the health of your immune system. If it’s as simple as eating sauerkraut, pickles or kimchi, I say why not? I liked this pickle recipe because it has a super healthy spice- turmeric. […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Vegetables • Tags: Boil, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo

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Kale and Mango Salad

April 3, 2014 by pamflo

Yes, I am massaging my kale! Massaging the kale softens its fibrous texture. This is particularly helpful if you’re serving raw kale. Kale is a very trendy vegetable right now, but is quite nutritious. It actually has more than twice the amount of vitamin C as an orange. There are many kale recipes available, but I like this recipe because it combines sweet, juicy mango and lightly salted seeds. 1 bunch kale (black kale is especially good), stalks removed and discarded, leaves thinly sliced […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens, Paleo, Vegetables • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, No Cooking, Paleo

Egg Scramble with Mushrooms

March 20, 2014 by pamflo

“The incredible edible egg!” Remember this slogan from the 1970’s? For 70 or so calories you get high quality protein and a delicious nutrient dense food. I love eggs and this recipe is one of my favorite combinations. In the fall, at a class with Sheryl Julian (of the Boston Globe), I learned how to make and photograph this flavorful dish. It is easy and a great dish as an appetizer for a crowd or just for breakfast. The flavor combination […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Gluten Free, Paleo • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Sauté

Honeyed Moroccan Lamb

March 13, 2014 by pamflo

When my kids were in elementary school, I volunteered to create a school community cookbook. It was one of my favorite projects. It began as a simple email to the community asking for favorite family recipes. It turned into a diverse and wonderfully creative collection of delicious food. This recipe is one of my favorites from the book. If you’re not a fan of lamb you can substitute the meat. It’s an easy weeknight dish and you might already have […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Meat/Poultry • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Sauté

Carrot Ginger Soup

March 6, 2014 by pamflo

It’s bright orange and certainly not boring! This carrot soup is a wonderful snack, or a great appetizer. I made this for my family the other night, and they devoured this delicious soup. You can garnish it with pepitas (pumpkin seeds), which are a good source of fiber, antioxidants and protein. It is a great soup for the end of winter (hopefully) and the start of spring. Enjoy! 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 large onion, roughly chopped 5 cups carrots, […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Sauté, Simmer, Whiz

Paleo Brownie Bites

February 13, 2014 by pamflo

Need a healthy option for Valentine’s Day? Try these Paleo Brownie Bites. Don’t be scared off by the term “Paleo”, these brownie bites are fudgy and satisfying. The Paleo diet is based upon eating wholesome food from the food groups that our hunter-gatherer ancestors thrived on during the Paleolithic Era. The Paleolithic diet consists mainly of fish, grass-fed pasture raised meats, eggs, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds and excludes grains, legumes, dairy products, potatoes, refined salt, refined sugar, and processed […]

Categories: Cookies/Brownies, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, No Cooking, Paleo, Whiz

Homemade Chicken Soup

January 30, 2014 by pamflo

Jewish Penicillin! Although not a cure for the common cold, chicken soup is certainly a way to ease the symptoms and make you feel better quicker. There are many recipes for chicken soup, but this one is foolproof and makes a beautiful and flavorful chicken broth. This broth is so delicious that you can drink it like a consommé. This recipe makes quite a bit of wonderful chicken soup, which I recommend freezing, because you never know when you’ll need […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Meat/Poultry, Soups/Stews • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Simmer

Avocado Hummus

January 23, 2014 by pamflo

Wow….another snow storm in Boston! I made this delicious hummus with creamy avocado and fresh crudités for my book club gathering, but unfortunately we had to cancel due the impending weather. Luckily, my family got to enjoy this hummus with dinner instead! It’s simple to make, healthy and a great appetizer. 2 medium Hass avocados, peeled and chopped One 15-ounce can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice 1 1/2 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste) 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Dips/Sauces, Gluten Free • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, No Cooking, Paleo

Oven Roasted Mushrooms

January 3, 2014 by pamflo

Bonne année! While in Paris, a foodie’s dream, I encountered the culinary wonders that France has to offer. I love the beautiful chocolates and pastries, and there are many fantastic dishes to explore. One evening, as a first course, I had the most delicious roasted mushrooms, served with a fresh baguette and a glass of red wine. It was simply perfect! I make this version of roasted mushrooms quite often. They are part of a chicken dish, but I make […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Vegetables • Tags: Bake, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, mushrooms, Paleo

Garlicky Kale Chips

October 31, 2013 by pamflo

Crispy, crunchy, garlicky…this is what my family loves about kale chips! Kale is super healthy and provides many nutrients. It’s high in fiber, iron, vitamin A, vitamin K, and calcium, as well as helps reduce inflammation. Kale chips are also a healthy and wonderful replacement for potato chips 🙂 When your shopping for kale leaves, look for firm, dark colored leaves with hardy stems. The smaller leaves will be more tender and milder in flavor. The leaves range in color […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens • Tags: Dairy Free, Garlic, Gluten Free, Kale, Olive oil, Paleo, Roast

Grilled Tuna Nicoise

October 9, 2013 by pamflo

This is a beautiful and easy dish to make. It takes a little time in the preparation for each item but it’s a great dish for a potluck dinner or a party. Ina Garten (Barefoot Contessa) makes a potato salad for her platter. I made oven roasted potatoes instead, healthier and less time consuming. Feel free to substitute canned tuna, if you are unable to find fresh tuna or don’t have the time to grill. The vinaigrette is the secret […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Greens, Seafood • Tags: Blanch, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Green bean, Grill, Mustard (condiment), Olive oil, Paleo, Potato, Roast, Tuna

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Egg Cups

September 24, 2013 by pamflo

These eggs cups are easy to make, store well in the refrigerator and are easy to eat on the run! Turkey and Egg Cups 12 slices of turkey breast, smoked salmon, ham or prosciutto 1 1/2 cups of steamed spinach 12 large eggs salt/pepper Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Generously coat a muffin pan with Pam 🙂 spray. Place your seafood or meat slices in the muffin tin. Steam your spinach and drain the water. Place the […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free • Tags: Bake, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Paleo, Prosciutto, Smoked salmon, Spinach

Crazy for Coconut Smoothie

March 5, 2013 by pamflo

Coconut has many healthy properties. The milk is made from the meat of a mature coconut. It is a healthy saturated fat with antioxidant properties and is shown to fight against many diseases. Coconut is rich in phosphorus and magnesium, as well as lauric acid. Coconut is one of a few foods that contain lauric acid, which is shown to promote immune health and lower risk of heart disease and strokes. It is one of the best sources of medium-chain […]

Categories: Gluten Free, Smoothies/Shakes • Tags: Almond milk, Coconut milk, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lauric acid, Paleo, Whiz

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Super Duper Green Smoothie

October 20, 2012 by pamflo

This recipe is adapted from a cutely named smoothie called “Smarty Pants”, that I had numerous times at a Cape Cod smoothie shop. It is packed with nutrients and tastes delicious. Green smoothies take some time getting used to, but really are a great substitute for a salad (liquid form) or a good way to start your day. Feel free to come up with your own version…add chia seeds or flax seed, vary your greens, use almond milk instead of […]

Categories: Gluten Free, Smoothies/Shakes • Tags: Almond milk, Collard greens, Dairy Free, Flax, Gluten Free, Paleo, Smoothie, Whiz

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Birthday Dinner

August 8, 2011 by pamflo

We recently had an early birthday dinner for my husband at a phenomenal restaurant on the Cape. I ordered the seared scallops which came with black quinoa. It was such a unique flavor that I had to do a little research on it. I am familiar with the red and cream colored grains. Although not really a grain and more of a seed, it has a high percentage of protein, fiber and many essential nutrients. What I found out is […]

Categories: Rice/Grains, Seafood, Uncategorized • Tags: Dairy Free, Fish, Gluten Free, Paleo, Sear

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Tag: Paleo

Vanilla Bean Hot Chocolate

DIY Energy Bar

Cinnamon Pumpkin Pancakes

Apple Crisp

Ginger Lemon Iced Tea

White Gazpacho

Pickled Cucumbers

Kale and Mango Salad

Egg Scramble with Mushrooms

Honeyed Moroccan Lamb

Carrot Ginger Soup

Paleo Brownie Bites

Homemade Chicken Soup

Avocado Hummus

Oven Roasted Mushrooms

Garlicky Kale Chips

Grilled Tuna Nicoise

Egg Cups

Crazy for Coconut Smoothie

Super Duper Green Smoothie

Birthday Dinner