Tag: Roast

Lentil and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

January 3, 2019 by pamflo

Happy 2019! The weather feels more seasonal in Boston with the temperature dropping this week. Start the year with this warm and comforting salad that’s easy to make. Lentils are a legume filled with fiber and protein. When combined with butternut squash, a nutrient-dense vegetable, this healthy dish will brighten the cold winter months. Green lentils tend to hold their shape better than red lentils when cooked, and are ideal for salads or mixed with other grains. This recipe is […]

Categories: Beans/Legumes, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Lunch Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: Roast, Simmer

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Honey Glazed Rainbow Carrots

September 13, 2018 by pamflo

These beautiful multi-colored carrots provide a wallop of Vitamin A and a solid dose of Vitamin C. They make a perfect side dish for dinner or a great contribution to a holiday meal. When roasting vegetables, make sure the chunks or pieces of veggies are about the same size, so they’ll roast evenly. Save the slightly bitter carrot tops for a zippy pesto, fun addition to a salad or as a leafy green garnish for soup.

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

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Zucchini and Lemon Pasta Salad

March 22, 2018 by pamflo

Adding lightly roasted zucchini really seems to elevate a dish. With a little imagination, the zucchini half-moons might remind you of eating candy! This is a delightful meal with a simple dressing of olive oil, lemon juice and fresh basil. Perfect for an easy lunch, or perhaps you serve it with a protein for a hearty dinner. It’s impressive that there are many brands of gluten-free pasta. It takes a little experimenting to find a brand where you like both […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Nuts, Rice/Grains, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

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Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad

January 25, 2018 by pamflo

Spring is not that far off…..right?! Lately, I’ve been thinking about tomatoes as I gaze out at my frozen little garden with it’s stark, empty branches. With that thought in mind, I made this bright roasted tomato caprese salad and topped it with a nut-free arugula and basil pesto. It’s as easy as tossing whole cherry tomatoes with olive oil, salt and pepper and fresh thyme sprigs. Roast these little gems in the oven until they burst open. It’s funny […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetarian • Tags: Roast

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Cauliflower Steaks with Lemon Caper Sauce

January 4, 2018 by pamflo

Welcome to 2018! For many years I worked for Weight Watchers helping people achieve their weight loss goals, one step at a time. It was more about teaching people to establish a healthy lifestyle instead of just following another diet. There isn’t one plan that works for everyone. It’s about figuring out what works for you as an individual, based on your genetic makeup, preferences, food allergies and health issues. Although I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions, healthy […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast, Sear

Sweet and Savory Glazed Nuts

November 16, 2017 by pamflo

If this isn’t the year you’re hosting Thanksgiving and lucky enough to be a guest, maybe you’re in need of a hostess gift idea. These are an easy and healthier version of glazed nuts. I’ve provided recipes for both lightly sweetened glazed walnuts and spicy savory cashews, but you can use a variety of nuts if you choose. Both recipes use honey or maple syrup as sweetener instead of sugar. Turmeric, a plant that’s part of the ginger family, has curcumin […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gifts, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas, Nuts • Tags: Roast

Squash with an Egg-in-the-hole

November 2, 2017 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: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Eggs, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

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Roasted Radishes with Brown Butter

October 5, 2017 by pamflo

Many chefs say that there’s nothing better than a super sharp knife and I agree. One would think that sharper knives would pose more of a risk in the kitchen, but it’s actually the opposite. Sharper knives make slicing and dicing easier. You’re also using less pressure when chopping, reducing the risk of slipping and injuring yourself. By keeping your knives sharp, your prep time will be quicker and more enjoyable. Serrated knives, Japanese-style santoku knives and even your poultry sheers […]

Categories: Appetizer, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

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Spaghetti Squash Pizza

April 20, 2017 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 substitute for […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetarian • Tags: Roast

Sesame Roasted Asparagus

April 6, 2017 by pamflo

Spring is finally (almost) here and the asparagus is in season, with its beautiful green stalks and familiar earthy fragrance. With the April holidays approaching, roasting asparagus is an easy and quick side dish for a crowd. When purchasing these beauties looks for firm stalks and closed tips. Asparagus should be used within 2 days of purchase and can be stored with the ends wrapped in a damp paper towel. You can peel the stalks for a sleek plated presentation, but it is […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

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Baked Chicken with Olives and Artichokes

March 16, 2017 by pamflo

With spring approaching slower than I would like, I was feeling the urge for a hearty one-pot meal. The extra step of browning the chicken before roasting, 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. The combination of the crisp chicken skin, plump, juicy meat and rich broth is outstanding. I used marinated artichokes hearts that were grilled and tossed in olive oil and vacuum […]

Categories: Gluten Free, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals • Tags: Roast, Sear

Nutty Brussels Bowl

February 23, 2017 by pamflo

The lightly fried egg provides the protein, the beautiful roasted Brussels provides the veggies, and the sticky white rice provides the carbs. A complete meal in one bowl! All the ingredients are interchangeable or optional. This dish can be created with leftovers and pantry staples that you have on hand. I had some toasted almond slivers and garnished the bowl with that as well. Topped with a light, tangy dressing it’s absolutely one of the best lunches I’ve had in a while! I used umami-packed Asian […]

Categories: Appetizer, Lunch Ideas, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

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Quinoa Stuffed Delicata Squash

December 15, 2016 by pamflo

Looking back fondly at the plethora of photos from my fall Farmers’ Market visits, I realize that it might not be too late to post a squash recipe. Although winter squashes are harvested in the fall, stored in a cool dry spot they’ll keep for a while. There are a few options for squashes at the markets now. Delicata squash, with its pale yellow, cylindrical shape, is a perfect vessel for stuffing. The skin is eatable, and when purchasing buy […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Vegetarian • Tags: Roast

Salt-Baked Rainbow Carrots

September 15, 2016 by pamflo

The local Farmers Markets are bursting with produce. I often go twice a week. The multi-colored carrots are just beautiful and I bought a bunch, not really knowing how I wanted to prepare them. The variety of carrot colors provide nutrients such as vitamin A and lycopene, and taste different than the standard orange carrots. Chef Seamus Mullen in his Hero Food cookbook, roasts carrots packed in salt. The idea of dry-roasting was very appealing and a method of cooking […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Side Dish, Vegetables • Tags: Roast

Roasted Beet Tahini

March 3, 2016 by pamflo

I recently attend a thought-provoking and informative conference in California. It was a nutrition and culinary conference, jointly organized by the Harvard School of Public Health and The Culinary Institute of America (CIA). A highlight was that the event was held at the scenic and beautiful CIA campus in Napa Valley. The conference brought together healthcare and culinary professionals to share information about food and health. As part of a hands-on healthy baking workshop, we made a similar beet dip to go with our freshly baked focaccia bread. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Dips/Sauces, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Snack, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Roast, Whiz

Oven-Roasted Tahini Broccoli

February 4, 2016 by pamflo

One of my most popular blog posts is about roasting a whole head of cauliflower. Planning another cauliflower post, I was surprised to learn in a recent article, that we’re in the midst of a cauliflower shortage. High in demand and low in availability, the prices have skyrocketed. I thought, why not try this recipe with broccoli instead of cauliflower. Broccoli is part of the cabbage family and a good source of both vitamin A and C. Tahini, a paste made […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Dips/Sauces, Gluten Free, Seeds, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Roast

Chicken Provençal

January 7, 2016 by pamflo

As a new year approaches, I love listening to a summary of what was popular the past year. As a teen, I liked to listen to Casey Kasem count down America’s top songs. I recently listened to NPR’s Terry Gross list the top books, movies and streamed television shows for 2015. But even more exciting, The New York Times printed the top saved recipes for 2015! The top recipe, a roasted chicken dish, caught my eye and was the first meal I made after taking a […]

Categories: Dairy Free, Lunch Ideas, Meat/Poultry, One-Pot Meals, Pan Sauce • Tags: Baste, Dairy Free, Roast

Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup

December 10, 2015 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 alleviates gastrointestinal distress. 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, herbs and spices makes this soup one to be repeated. 1 large butternut squash- […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Soups/Stews, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Gluten Free, Purée, Roast, Simmer

Roasted Root Vegetables

November 23, 2015 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, cut vertical strips from top to bottom until you’ve removed all the skin. A vegetable peeler works too. When exposed to the air, the creamy flesh will turn brown, but […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Roast

Roasted Rainbow Carrots

July 30, 2015 by pamflo

Like a kid in a candy store, the Farmer’s Market is my happy place! The markets are in full swing with everything from a mobile knife sharpening truck to a booth with bagels the size of your head. I often stop to converse with the farmers about their produce. The baby carrots were a show stopper this week, multi-colored and arranged loosely in a wicker basket. Baby carrots are sweeter than the full size carrots, but just as nutrient dense. These […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Side Dish, Snack, Vegetables • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Roast

Marinated Golden Beets

March 12, 2015 by pamflo

There is something so satisfying about adding beets to your salad. Golden beets have a nice mild, earthy flavor and are high in potassium. Interestingly, the dark leafy greens that are on top of the bundle of beets, are even more nutritious. Most greens get cut off and discarded, but consider a quick sauté with olive oil or as an addition to soups and salads. High in natural sugar, beets are one of those vegetables that are a healthy treat, almost like […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Roast

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Tag: Roast

Lentil and Roasted Butternut Squash Salad

Honey Glazed Rainbow Carrots

Zucchini and Lemon Pasta Salad

Roasted Tomato Caprese Salad

Cauliflower Steaks with Lemon Caper Sauce

Sweet and Savory Glazed Nuts

Squash with an Egg-in-the-hole

Roasted Radishes with Brown Butter

Spaghetti Squash Pizza

Sesame Roasted Asparagus

Baked Chicken with Olives and Artichokes

Nutty Brussels Bowl

Quinoa Stuffed Delicata Squash

Salt-Baked Rainbow Carrots

Roasted Beet Tahini

Oven-Roasted Tahini Broccoli

Chicken Provençal

Butternut Squash and Coconut Soup

Roasted Root Vegetables

Roasted Rainbow Carrots

Marinated Golden Beets