Tag: Whiz

Pumpkin and Apple Smoothie

November 1, 2018 by pamflo

Pumpkin purée is low in calories, high in nutrients and readily available. It is a great source of potassium, fiber and Vitamin A. Don’t mistakenly purchase pumpkin pie filling which is spiced and already sweetened. Canned pumpkin is cooked and pureed pumpkin flesh, nothing more. I usually grab a few extra cans this time of year for soups/chilis, pancakes/waffles, as an addition to oatmeal, and of course baked goods. I thought it might be fun to make a fall inspired pumpkin […]

Categories: Beverage, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar, Smoothies/Shakes, Vegetables • Tags: Whiz

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Spiked Watermelon Mint Popsicles

August 16, 2018 by pamflo

What fun I had making boozy watermelon popsicles! I made two delicious batches of the pops, one spiked with citrus vodka and a non-alcoholic version with fresh squeezed orange juice. Both popsicles were a scrumptious and refreshing summer treat! With only 8 popsicle molds, I used the extra juice to make ice cubes. I recommend using wooden popsicle sticks for the ice cubes. Although the watermelon juice separates and settles at the bottom of the pop, it doesn’t affect the […]

Categories: Boozy, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Popsicles • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

Horchata

August 9, 2018 by pamflo

If you’ve spent anytime in Cape Cod you know that the village of Hyannis is a bustling spot in the summer months. There is a family owned, rustic cafe off the beaten path called Spoon and Seed that serves breakfast and lunch. At some point it was a hidden gem, but with a two hour wait on a weekend morning, the word is out. There is no shortage of delicious items on the menu, especially the horchata served over ice […]

Categories: Beverage, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Rice/Grains • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

Strawberry Lime Agua Fresca

July 3, 2018 by pamflo

It’s turning out to be a hot and steamy start to the summer in Boston! This wonderfully refreshing drink will cool you off. Since I can’t seem to get enough of the perfectly ripe strawberries, I thought it might be fun to use them in a beverage. Agua frescas are a popular drink throughout Mexico and are simply fresh fruit blended with lime juice, a bit of sweetener and water. This is a perfect non-alcoholic option for the holiday. Happy […]

Categories: Beverage, Dairy Free, Drinks, Fruit, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Whiz

Healthy Chocolate Breakfast Muffins

May 31, 2018 by pamflo

Looking for a breakfast treat that’s healthy, not too sweet and easy to make? These flourless, dairy free chocolate muffins are just the right combination of sweet and savory. These muffins contain amazing fudgy chocolatey-ness from good quality cocoa powder. Maybe chocolate is not a popular item on your breakfast menu, if that’s the case you can skip the sprinkle of dark chocolate chips. Avocado and coconut milk add the moisture and dates act as a natural sweetener. With so […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Muffins, Paleo • Tags: Bake, Whiz

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Almond Milk Granita

May 24, 2018 by pamflo

Almond granita served with an expresso shot and a brioche bun is a popular breakfast in Italy. Very sophisticated, right?! Why not make some of your own. A granita or these icy flakes are created when you scrape the mixture while it’s in the process of freezing. Usually a granita is made from a liquid, sugar and flavorings. I used blanched almonds which have their skins removed, filtered water, a little maple syrup, both almond and vanilla extract and cinnamon. […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Ice Cream, Low Sugar • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

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Summer Corn Chowder

September 7, 2017 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, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Soups/Stews, Vegetarian • Tags: Simmer, Whiz

Honeydew and Cucumber Gazpacho

August 31, 2017 by pamflo

I was totally inspired by this fantastic vegan gazpacho while traveling recently 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. Not home even 24 hours, 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, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Lunch Ideas, Side Dish, Vegetarian • Tags: No Cooking, Whiz

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Zucchini Pappardelle with Pesto

August 24, 2017 by pamflo

Zucchini pappardelle is a great pasta substitute, and combined with a fresh, tangy pesto, you hardly realize that you’re not eating any grains. I gave my spiralizer a short vacation and made zucchini ribbon “noodles” for this light summer dish. A wide vegetable peeler or a mandolin both work to create these pappardelle style noodles. To prevent the zucchini from become watery, place it in a colander and lightly salt it to withdraw some of the water. After coating the […]

Categories: Appetizer, Gluten Free, Greens, Lunch Ideas, Vegetarian • Tags: Bake, 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

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Tag: Whiz

Pumpkin and Apple Smoothie

Spiked Watermelon Mint Popsicles

Horchata

Strawberry Lime Agua Fresca

Healthy Chocolate Breakfast Muffins

Almond Milk Granita

Summer Corn Chowder

Honeydew and Cucumber Gazpacho

Zucchini Pappardelle with Pesto

Watermelon Margarita Slushy

Dutch Baby Breakfast Pancake

Fudgey Date Bars

Almond Joy Smoothie

Roasted Beet Tahini

Spicy Tomato Soup

Watermelon Granita

Strawberry Gazpacho

Summer Minestrone Soup

Pan-Seared Sea Scallops with Gremolata

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pudding with Coconut Cream

Almond Coconut Meringues