Tag: Whiz

Watermelon Margarita Slushy

June 29, 2017 by pamflo

Need a fun cool drink for the upcoming holidays? This watermelon margarita is unsurpassed with in season watermelon and in slushy style to cool you down. This bright red, elongated sweet fruit paired with tequila and fresh lime juice, make the perfect summery beverage. I included a recipe for making a simple syrup, which is a sweetener made with equal parts water and granulated sugar. It can sweeten many recipes without the grit of the sugar. Make a large amount of this […]

Categories: Beverage, Cocktail, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free • Tags: Whiz

Dutch Baby Breakfast Pancake

July 21, 2016 by pamflo

I can honesty say that I’ve never had a dutch baby pancake before, so this was a first. This treat is a yummy cross between a pancake and a popover. I couldn’t wait until the puffy, light and beautiful pancake was done. I was tempted to add bacon as it’s a classic American breakfast ingredient, but I liked the simplicity of the fried eggs and avocado. You can even add smoked salmon or salad greens. The options are unlimited! It’s best eaten […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Eggs, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish • Tags: Bake, Whiz

Fudgey Date Bars

March 17, 2016 by pamflo

Always in search of a healthy treat, I was inspired by this fudge recipe that uses dates as a base and provides its sweetness. Both the coconut oil and almond butter have a dual purpose by providing great flavor and the “glue”, without any flour. This fudge recipe involves no cooking and is easy to prepare. It’s just a quick trip through the food processor, a few hours of chilling, and it’s ready to serve. This is a great breakfast option, instead of […]

Categories: Bars, Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Desserts, Gluten Free • Tags: Chill, Gluten Free, Whiz

Almond Joy Smoothie

March 10, 2016 by pamflo

“Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don’t. Almond Joy’s got nuts, Mounds don’t”! That’s the Hershey’s jingle from the 1970’s. The Almond Joy candy bar, an American classic, is a fantastic combination of almonds, coconut and chocolate. This smoothie recipe is a fusion of these flavors in a delicious and healthy beverage. 12 ounces coconut milk (I use the unsweetened, full-fat Native Forest brand) Option: The serving size of this full-fat coconut milk is 1/3 cup (about 3-4 ounces). Feel free […]

Categories: Beverages, Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Lunch Ideas, Smoothies/Shakes, Vegetarian • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Whiz

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

Spicy Tomato Soup

January 21, 2016 by pamflo

We threw an impromptu birthday dinner for my son and some friends, and I thought tomato soup and grilled cheese fit the bill. This is Barbara Lynch’s recipe from her beautiful Stir Cookbook. The soup gets better as the flavors meld, so I always increase the recipe and we devour the leftovers. Although the crème fraîche is optional, I strongly recommend it. The flavor is similar to a mild sour cream and completes the dish. You can make your own by adding […]

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

Watermelon Granita

August 20, 2015 by pamflo

Ripe, juicy watermelon, nothing could be more satisfying on a hot and steamy summer day. Cut into triangles, cut into cubes, served any way, watermelon is refreshing. I thought it might be fun to make a granita with the watermelon. It reminds me of the Italian ices from the old fashioned ice cream trucks. You can also make an adult version that contains rum or tequila. 1/4 of a whole seedless watermelon Juice of a lime 1-2 tablespoons honey Mint leaves Rum or tequila (optional) […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Smoothies/Shakes • Tags: Dairy Free, Freeze, Gluten Free, Whiz

Strawberry Gazpacho

July 2, 2015 by pamflo

Red, sweet and juicy, strawberries are ripe for the picking! There are so many ways to enjoy fresh berries. I like the idea of a simple, fresh soup that involves no cooking. Although the strawberries provide a light sweetness, this is a wonderful savory dish. The garnish could be any of the soup’s components, chopped finely and sprinkled on top. In addition to a garnish of cucumber, strawberry and tarragon, I added lightly toasted slivered almonds for a little crunch. […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Fruit, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, No Cooking, Whiz

Summer Minestrone Soup

June 18, 2015 by pamflo

There are many ways to make a delicious soup. The success of a soup is in the depth of flavors. I prefer recipes that have fewer ingredients, but this soup is worth the effort. The first layer of flavor is the pancetta, cured and salted pork belly. Olive oil is a good substitute for those who do not want to use pancetta. Another layer of flavor is the aromatics, vegetables used as a base flavor including (but not limited to) celery, carrots, […]

Categories: Appetizer, Beans/Legumes, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Gluten Free, Simmer, Whiz

Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Gremolata

May 28, 2015 by pamflo

As a kid, scallops were one of my least favorite meals (sorry mom)! I remember them dry and overcooked. The secret to a delicious scallop is a perfect sear and it only takes 4-5 minutes. The goal is a caramelized outside crust and a creamy, sweet center. I embellished my gremolata sauce, which is traditionally made with parsley, garlic and lemon zest. Feel free to add fresh herbs or other citrus fruit. It’s a great addition to many dishes, soups and makes a bright, flavorful […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dairy Free, Dips/Sauces, Gluten Free, Greens, Seafood • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Grill, Whiz

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding with Coconut Cream

May 14, 2015 by pamflo

The cup of pudding sat in front of my son, who was exhausted from his tennis match and crazy hungry. I asked him to try this new recipe. What’s in it he asks? Not revealing my secret, I said…try it. My son liked the idea of dessert before dinner. Hmmm….he says, it’s good, interesting texture but very tasty. He was shocked to find out that it was dairy free and made with avocados. A winner and great blog post, he […]

Categories: Chocolate/Candy, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Pudding, Snack • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Whip, Whiz

Almond Coconut Meringues

March 26, 2015 by pamflo

Light, airy, melts-in-your mouth and gluten free! Meringues are surprisingly simple to make. The secret to crispy meringues are whipping the egg whites to stiff peaks. You can either use a standing mixer with the whip attachment, or a hand mixer. When I was in cooking school, we had to whip the whites by hand — it builds muscle! The key steps are to whip room temperature egg whites until they’re a little creamy, slowly add the sugar, and then stabilize the whites […]

Categories: Chocolate/Candy, Cookies/Brownies, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Nuts, Snack • Tags: Bake, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Whiz

Chopped Kale and Brussels Sprout Salad

March 19, 2015 by pamflo

After two months of hibernating indoors with such a cold and snowy winter, I finally went for a walk outdoors and actually heard the birds chirping. With the thought of spring arriving soon, I made this fresh crunchy salad. Feel free to mixed it up, use almonds, pistachios or pepitas and tart dried cherries as a substitute for the cranberries. Yum! SALAD: 1 cup walnuts, chopped 1 pound brussels sprouts, trimmed, halved and thinly sliced 1 pound Tusan or curly kale […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Greens, Nuts, Salads, Side Dish, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Gluten Free, Toast, Whiz

Carrot and Fennel Soup

December 30, 2014 by pamflo

Raw fennel has a similar taste to anise, but don’t let that intimidate you. Fennel is a flavorful addition to salads, soups and savory dishes, and just happens to be a good source of vitamin C too. Slow cooking fennel in olive oil or butter, mellows and sweetens the flavor. Smooth and scrumptious, you’ll find this soup surprisingly tasty. The process of sweating the vegetables, bring out the subtle flavors. Consider serving the soup in shot glasses, with a drizzle of maple creme […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Side Dish, Soups/Stews, Vegetables, Vegetarian • Tags: Gluten Free, Simmer, Whiz

Chilled Tomato Soup

September 25, 2014 by pamflo

Although fall just began, this is a throw back to summer. It’s a refreshing chilled tomato soup. The tomatoes are perfectly ripe now and this soup is light and simple to make. It’s a twist on a Greek salad, but re-invented as a soup. 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling 1 small red onion, thinly sliced 3/4 cup pitted Nicoise olives 2 tablespoons oregano leaves 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar 1 tablespoon sherry vinegar Kosher salt […]

Categories: Appetizer, Side Dish, Soups/Stews, Vegetables • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Sauté, Whiz

Walnut Basil Pesto

September 4, 2014 by pamflo

Basil is in abundance this time of year. It’s so fragrant, you can smell it from far away! The beautiful, green leaves are great for making fresh pesto. Consider making a big batch of pesto and storing it in ice cube trays so you can use it in single servings or to enhance sauces. Pesto isn’t just for pasta, it’s great as a spread for sandwiches, as a dip or salad dressing, added to soups, and as a marinade for […]

Categories: Appetizer, Dips/Sauces, Gluten Free, Greens, Side Dish • Tags: Gluten Free, Toast, Whiz

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

Roasted Asparagus with Poached Egg and Lemon Chive Oil

July 10, 2014 by pamflo

ad hoc…a brilliant idea by Thomas Keller. A community restaurant serving a 4 course family style dinner, in the small town of Yountville in Napa Valley. The food was fantastic! Fresh and perfectly prepared, but you have to eat what they’re serving that evening. Our first course was a beautiful asparagus and mushroom salad with homemade croutons, topped with a poached egg and drizzled with a light vinaigrette. This is my re-creation of the dish. This dish is very simple to make and […]

Categories: Appetizer, Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Meat/Poultry, Vegetables • Tags: Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Poach, Roast, Whiz

Homemade Hummus

June 26, 2014 by pamflo

Smooth, creamy, lemony with a hint of garlic…that’s the kind of hummus I like. Most people have a very specific opinion about the type of hummus they prefer. The favorite store bought brand in my house is Tribe Zesty Lemon. However, that being said, nothing beats the taste of homemade hummus. There are many hummus varieties. This is a great base recipe, but feel free to alter it in any way that suits your taste. Some ideas to add a zip of […]

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

Healthy Waffles

June 19, 2014 by pamflo

This is a great gluten free, healthy recipe for breakfast or a snack. I’ll make a batch, store in the refrigerator and toast them as I use them. They are delicious plain, with fresh fruit, or if you feel the urge…a little bit of maple syrup or powdered sugar. Enjoy! 1 tub (16oz) fat free or low fat cottage cheese or part skim ricotta cheese (I use 1% milk fat Friendship cottage cheese) 1 container of liquid egg whites (160z) […]

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

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

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!