Pamela, Author at Pamela Salzman

Dinner Planner – Week of August 7, 2023

Happy August!! The new monthly cooking class is UP and it is called “The Best of Summer!” Here’s the menu: Fried Zucchini Blossoms, Grilled Bell Peppers with Burrata, Pine Nuts and Basil Vinaigrette, New England Cod Cakes, Roasted Poblano Corn Chowder, Spiced Peach Shortcakes.

If you are a monthly subscriber, go ahead and log in and watch the class on your own. You can purchase any class as a single if you don’t want to commit to a subscription! Look out for an email from me for when I am hosting live “office hours.” It’s your time to ask me whatever you like!

Here’s your dinner planner for the week:

Lighter and Easier Eggplant Parmesan Recipe

I love eggplant parmesan, but restaurant versions are way too oily and leave me with a heavy feeling in my stomach. This version is not only much lighter, but faster and easier too. In the summer, I often make a quick fresh tomato sauce which can save you $$$ over buying a good one at the store. I’ll give you this recipe too which you can use over pasta or spaghetti squash. If you see “seconds” at the tomato stands at the farmers market, you can take advantage of them for this sauce or anything that calls for cooked tomatoes.
I love this eggplant parmesan as a hearty main dish with a salad in the summer and I also use this recipe as a vehicle for adding in leftover cooked veggies like sautéed greens, mushrooms or even swapping in roasted zucchini for the eggplant.

Dinner Planner – Week of July 31, 2023

I made a grated carrot salad on IG live this week because I know so many people are struggling with very hot temps and just don’t want to use the stove or the oven. I offered a few no-cook options in this week’s dinner planner. Another option is to let the supermarket cook for you – rotisserie chickens have a million uses; precooked rice is often in the freezer section and just need a minute in the microwave; there are lots of great seasoning blends and marinades for the grill; I dip into my pantry items like canned fish, canned white beans, olives, salsa, and chips with dips. Here’s your dinner planner for the week: Continue reading

Dinner Planner – Week of July 24, 2023

I know the heat can be difficult and maybe even discourage you from cooking. I get it! It’s not hot where I live, but I sometimes I enjoy not turning on the stove or the oven and eating less structured meals of olives, hummus, crackers and cheese. We’ve been doing this for ages, but now it’s trending LOL and even has a hashtag #girldinner. Ok whatever. Let’s make a mocktail (I have the best recipe in last week’s newsletter) and celebrate being ahead of the curve! Here’s your dinner planner for the week: Continue reading

Green Bean and Basil Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette Recipe

It’s not always easy to come up with new salad dressings especially when I have many that I really love. I prefer to change up the salad ingredients and leave the dressings as is. But it is really important to have a few versatile dressings that can go with almost any salad. My Everyday Salad Dressing #2 is my go-to, but even I like a change of pace every once in a while. This vinaigrette is my new obsession and I can barely keep it around because my family loves it so much. The key is adding the olive oil in a steady stream while the blender is going. This is what creates a thick and emulsified dressing. The Dijon mustard is also a great emulsifier. If you want a lighter colored dressing, use a white balsamic vinegar. If you don’t have balsamic, use red wine vinegar and add a splash of maple syrup or honey.Continue reading

Dinner Planner – Week of July 17, 2023

I realize I have been a bit MIA the last two weeks. The week of July 3 I was on vacation with my family and wanted to be present. Plus we were out all day every day! This past week, my mother had an unexpected health issue and I have been in NY with her. She is a trooper and will bounce back soon!

For my monthly cooking class subscribers, I am so thrilled you are loving July’s “Coastal Italian” class! I am making myself available for live office hours on Wednesday, July 19th at 12 pm PST if you can join. Check your email for the zoom link! Here’s your dinner planner for the week: Continue reading

Peach-Blueberry Buckle Recipe

A buckle is basically a coffee cake with way more fruit than you’d put in an actual cake. Sometimes you’ll see recipes for fruit buckles with a serious crumble topping plus a glaze. But you know my style for desserts is to keep the sugar at a minimum and not go overboard. I am crazy for the combo of stone fruit and berries, which is perfecto for summer. But if you want to change up the fruit, by all means go for it!Continue reading

almond extract blueberry buckle cinnamon egg lemon zest milk peach sugar vanilla extract

Dinner Planner – Week of July 10, 2023

I hope you had an enjoyable week, whether you had one day off or turned this into a longer holiday. We were in Park City, Utah with one of my sisters and her family and we had a great time. There is so much to do there in the summer and I absolutely love being out in nature. It’s wonderful family time because everyone is disconnected from devices (at least in the outdoors!) Here’s your dinner planner for the week: Continue reading