Pantry to Plate Recipes
Meet Chef Ze Carter
Chef Ze Carter, also known as “The Roaming Gourmet Ze Carter” for over a decade has been sought out by people in our community for ways to enliven their culinary and eating experiences.
“Food and cooking are my passions. Through teaching and hands-on instruction, I have brought my passion to others.” says Chef Ze Carter, “I give private instruction to people of all ages, my classes are an immersive interactive experience where I learn from my students and my students learn from me!”
We are so honored for her to be providing our “Pantry to Plate” recipes, many of which use most or all of the ingredients our pantry clients might receive. Since 2010, Chef Ze Carter has been a food columnist for The Daily Commercial.
Take Advantage of Blueberry Season – Make Ze’s Pancakes
April is the beginning of Blueberry season in Florida. There are plenty of local farms right here in Lake County and for this reason it is a good idea to take advantage of local U-Pick farms and their low cost blueberries. Many farms also donate a portion of their...
Quick & Delicious Sausage Gumbo by Ze
I love this recipe it has a deep history in the south with African and French influences which includes okra a native vegetable of Africa. This recipe can be made with a variety of meats many versions call for seafood, chicken and my favorite addition, sausage. Feel...
Quick & Easy Pesto
Healthy food can taste good and be a delight to the senses, take for instance pesto. I love pesto and a simple pesto is full of flavor and aroma and can be used in a multitude of dishes. Pesto is quick and easy to make and is friendly with most diet plans. Even if you...
Ze’s Healthier Holiday Party Mix
I decided that I would create a healthier party mix that was equally delicious and nutritious. By default I also realized the no bake mix that I created also happened to be dairy and gluten free, which is a nice bonus for those of us who are avoiding either one or...
Ze’s Crock-pot Mac N Cheese
With the summer upon us, sometimes cooking over a hot stove is the last thing we want to do, yet you and your family still need to eat! Deciding what to eat is not always a simple task, who wants burgers, who wants chicken, oh heck, let's just go out and grab...
Roasted Butternut Squash and Turmeric Bisque by Ze Carter
Resolve to try something new this year, try butternut squash. Have you ever seen this long odd shaped gourd and wondered what it is and what it actually tastes like? Well the sweet and nutty flavor paired with all of its health benefits are just what the doctor...
Ze Carters Cranberry Orange & Pumpkin Muffins
It is that time of the year, pumpkins are everywhere. In the past I was not a fan of everything pumpkin but each year I am learning to embrace pumpkin in my own special way and enjoy the taste of real pumpkin in my favorite fall recipes. This recipe is great for fall...
Ms. Annie Mae’s Corn Salad
I cannot think of any time of year that corn is a bad menu choice, corn goes with everything. I love summer months because you can peel fresh corn and place it directly on the grill and enjoy it with your barbecue; or in the winter months, add it to a creamy chowder...
Quick Hash Browns, by The Roaming Gourmet Ze’ Carter
I love potatoes, they are perfect for feeding any family large or small. Potatoes are very versatile as well. Over the years, potatoes have gotten a bad reputation when it comes to nutrition but these brown beauties are full of Vitamin B and Vitamin C and one...
Ze’s Blueberry Muffins
I love spring because it means that even though we are nearing the end of orange and strawberry season Mother Nature does not want us to feel blue but to eat it. Yes, it is blueberry season and the local u-pick farms are ready. All I can say is the early bird gets the...
Strawberry Freezer Jam
Florida's strawberry season runs from December to March and this recipe is great for all strawberry lovers. It is easy to make, and because you are making this recipe yourself you can adjust the sugar or use an alternative such as agave or honey. Ingredients 2 cups...
Oldways Sweet Potato Peanut Stew “Mafe”
Last year I taught a plant based class named "A Taste of Africa Heritage" for Black history month that focused on the healthy diets of Africans. Africa is vast and so are the flavors and many regions nearly all have a plant based diet. I love this recipe because it...