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• May 3, 2024 Samurai Cat Takes a Slice Out of The ‘Burg

  I just love it when we get a new eatery that is offering something unique and different in St. Pete. An extra bonus for me is that it is Asian, or more specifically in this case—Japanese. It is also niche-Japanese as it is a bakery & cafe offering breakfast, lunch and treats. Casual early dinner can be had as well. Their offerings are quite reasonably priced at this fast casual establishment. They are open from 8 am to 8 pm for takeout and dine-in. Those are perfect hours for me as I like to start early. I went for breakfast, and then came back for lunch on the same day as I was so excited to get the word out about this exciting new addition to our city. They had their soft opening in early April, and they already seem to have established a regular crowd. I hung out in the back dining room where the final assembly open kitchen is and chatted with Chef Howard while I ate. During this time a few customers came in and they exchanged familiar greetings with the chef. I’ve been formally studying Japanese cuisine for over a year now, and it wasn’t until last year that I learned of the existence of Onigiri. There’s only one restaurant offering it that I could find in St. Pete, besides Samurai Cat. It is BIG in Japanese culture as it is something that the kids grow up with in their bento boxes that they take for school lunch, and then it becomes comfort food for Japanese adults. After I learned how to make it, and showed photos to the Japanese woman that works at my chiropractor, she lit up like a kid at Christmas. If you are not familiar with onigiri, here’s a quick lesson that is mandatory if you want to enjoy it properly. Onigiri is a rice ball, usually stuffed, and usually shaped into a triangle. There is also usually nori seaweed on the outside. (This is the same seaweed that you find with sushi.) Samurai Cat’s onigiri is quite authentic right down to the grab & go packaging. Most onigiri consumed in Japan is purchased at convenience stores in clear plastic packaging. The nori is not wrapped around the rice ball as the moisture would make it soggy. It needs to be crisp so it crunches and bites off easily. The consumer wraps it themselves as follows. This is the trickiest part. The nori is fragile, and if you aren’t extremely careful, you will tear it when removing the plastic. Use one hand to hold the nori sheet in place while very gently pulling the plastic wrap up from its corner that is in the middle of the nori. Do this with all four corners of the plastic wrap. Once the plastic wrap is opened, then place your rice triangle on top of the the nori sheet, and then wrap it up.  Mine started to unravel, so I put a little moisture on my finger from the condensation on my drink cup, and glued down the corners. Sorry for the long explanation on onigiri, but I thought it would be necessary for the average St. Pete diner. The two onigiri offerings are: Tuna Onigiri – short grain seasoned rice ball filled with tuna, Kewpie mayo, and wrapped in nori. Smoked Salmon Onigiri – short grain rice ball filled with smoked salmon cream cheese, brunoise red onions, and dill coated in everything seasoning. You can’t tell from the photos, but these are about the size of your hand, so one might be enough for most people, but I wanted to try them both and they were delicious. The Cold Sesame Udon Salad was delicious and filling. I like how they intertwine the cabbage strands with the noodles. There’s a nice contrast of chewiness with the udon, and crispy bright notes with the cabbage. The freshness of the cucumber and umami of the sesame soy sauce pull it all together. It’s quite delicious as is, but you can also request some chili crunch oil if you like spice, and that puts it really over the top. (This is not shown in the photo as I put it on after I started eating.) Be sure to squeeze the lime onto it too. Menu description: chilled udon noodles dressed with sesame soy sauce, tossed with thinly sliced cabbage, cucumber, chives, and sesame seeds. I was pretty full by this time, but I still wanted to try the Tamago Sando (egg salad sandwich), so I ordered one to go, except that I ate half of it there while talking to Chef Howard Lopez, and brought home the other half for the next day’s breakfast. (In years past, the chef formerly worked at Noble Rice with Rexley Kwok, the owner of Sushi Sho Rexley in St. Pete.) The sandwich is tasty with the Kewpie mayo, and fun with the soft boiled, jammy eggs in addition to the egg salad. I accompanied my lunch with a cool, refreshing Matcha Lemonade. This will be a regular beverage order for me. I took home an Ube (purple yam) Rice Crispy for dessert. It was nice and gooey with just the right amount of sweetness. The next day, I ate the other half of my Tamago Sando for breakfast, and then headed back to Samurai Cat for lunch. (I forgot that I ate breakfast as I told the chef that I didn’t. That note is just for him when he reads this.) Everything up to this point was really good with the Udon Salad being my favorite until I came back and got the Tiger Avocado Toast – jammy egg, avocado, lime, cucumbers, nori, chili crisp, and scallions on toasted milk bread. This open faced sandwich / Japanese avocado toast is so packed with flavor. It’s unbelievable. Imagine a suitcase that somebody’s trying to jam with twice the amount of clothes that can actually fit into it, and then they have to […]

• May 2, 2024 10 Best Cuban Sandwiches in St. Petersburg FL 2024

  Best Authentic Cuban Sandwiches in St. Pete   Salami or No Salami? The Cuban Sandwich was invented in Ybor City in the late 1800s by Cuban immigrants with some influence from Italian immigrants (salami), as well as German newcomers (mustard). (The original included a Spanish dried sausage that was subsequently replaced with salami.) Later, when Miami picked up on the Cuban Sandwich, they left the salami off. Oddly, ironically, and likely because of the larger population, the Miami version is the more popular one. Because of this, many people think that the Miami version without salami is the true one, but it is not. I think that if you are in the Tampa Bay area making Cubans, that the salami (or something similar) should be there. There’s a great article with more details on Today.com There were several highly touted Cuban sandwiches that did not have the third meat, and they were excluded because of this. If you don’t see your favorite Cuban here, please go check to see if they only have roast pork and ham for the meats, and then you’ll know why. I make no apologies for this. Missing Salami or a similar-to-salami third meat in addition to the roast pork and ham. Bodega on Central Habana Cafe M & G Cuban Cafe Simply Delicious Smileys Cafe There are more places here making this Tampa sandwich Miami-style, but the above were mentioned the most. Others & Other Reasons to Not be on the List On Bodega’s Cuban, the bread is great! It comes from Casino Bakery in Ybor City. Everything else is made from scratch at Bodega, and they do use high quality ingredients. The pork seemed like very good quality—thick, meaty pieces—but it was unfortunately dry. There was no mustard. Bodega uses mayo – one that turned thin and watery when the sandwich was pressed. George (the owner) says they don’t use mustard or salami because he thinks it overpowers the pork. Mustard is the traditional condiment, and mayo is an option, but it is frowned upon by traditionalists. (All of the sandwiches on this list use a combination of both, or similar.) La Segunda is famous for their Cuban bread, and many places tout that their Cuban sandwiches use La Segunda’s bread. On the sandwich I had at La Segunda the bread was too dry. It was like a slap in the face when I bit into it as I was expecting greatness. They just put a little bit of butter on the bottom of the press, and the top is left dry. They don’t flip and re-butter. I did love the special sauce though. It’s a mayonnaise and mustard blend with garlic powder and pepper. If you go, ask them if they can butter both sides of the bread when pressed. Pipo’s is another one that people go crazy for, that I thought was just good. You have to be great to get on the list. Don’t even get me started on Pepo’s. Most Likely, The Only Real Best Cubans List Another important thing you should be aware of is that there are other publishers of “best of lists” that do not actually go to the establishments, or actually eat the food. Most don’t. Recently, one even pretended to. (Sounds ridiculous, right?) They just download photos from the internet, or embed Instagram posts from someone else. Instant best of list produced without having to leave the house. That’s NOT how we do it. We absolutely DO eat at all of the restaurants on all of our lists. (How can anyone recommend something they never experienced?) Unfortunately, we’ve seen these junk lists a lot—from national and local publishers. We are also aware of a local publisher that offers paid placement in best-of-lists. There is no paid placement here. I PERSONALLY ATE ALL OF THESE SANDWICHES, AND WENT TO ALL OF THESE PLACES, AND THESE ARE ALL OUR PHOTOS. To bring you this list, I personally consumed: 170,000 calories 1,095 grams of fat 2,782 mg of cholesterol 35,000 mg of sodium 858 grams of protein That’s why all the other publishers just stay home and download photos off the internet, or use computer-generated lists from Yelp or similar. Here are the Best Cuban Sandwiches in St. Pete for 2024 These are listed in RANDOM order except for the first three. 1. Old Southeast Market 1700 3rd St S St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 823-1992 (Tap to call) Old Southeast Market The Old Southeast Market is a funky little place tucked away off the beaten path in the Salt Creek Marina District. It’s a little convenience store with a food counter and an odd eclectic selection of things like gallon-size jugs of hot sauce, normal size bottles of hot sauce, several varieties of tortilla chips, jarred queso dips, candy, sodas, water. More than half of their inventory is wine and beer, and there is a small cigar humidor. The Cuban sandwich here is everything a Cuban sandwich should be. It’s crunchy on the outside without being dry, then you get that wonderful slam to the tastebuds of sourness from the pickles and vinegar sting from the mustard which is smoothed out by the mayonnaise, and finally the salty, chewy unctuousness of the meats. Mmm! The menu describes the sandwich as having “Cuban Sauce”, which I was told is a mixture of mustard and mayonnaise with spices. The trick to this one is that the cook slathered the top of the bread with butter and then pressed it for five minutes with a large brick on top of the press. Then he flipped it, buttered again, and pressed for another five minutes with the heavy brick on top.   2. Tudays 2 Day Deli (NOTE: Two days before we published (April 30), Tudays announced that they were closing.) 7108 9th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33710 Tudays Website Tudays is another great example of an unassuming, off-the-beaten-path place putting out great Cuban sandwiches. Everything sings in perfect harmony on […]

• May 1, 2024 Best Pizza Places in St. Petersburg, FL 2024

  Best Pizza Joints in St. Pete In the past three years, I’ve learned more about pizza than ever, and I continue to study and make about 100 pizzas a year myself. Lori and I are also Certified Pizza Judges with the Pizza Cook-off Association, and we took a pizza making course in Naples, Italy. We’ve also eaten at the top three NY Pizza places ranked by Bon Appétit Magazine in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens. For many of the pizzas here, we topped them with pepperoni, mushrooms, jalapeños and bacon, but not all. Some of the places have more than one location. We list the local St. Pete location that we went to. This is not an “apples to apples” list as far as pizza styles go. We’ve included styles of New York, Neapolitan, Roman Pizza al Taglio, Roman Pizza alla Pala, and Chicago Deep Dish. Some don’t fit into an exact category either. The oven styles, dough recipes, and cooking methods all vary as well. In a pizza competition, this would be free-form, where competitors can make any style of pizza. Before we get into the list, an important thing you should be aware of is that there are other publishers of “best of lists” that do not actually go to the establishments, or actually eat the food. (Sounds ridiculous, right?) They just download photos from the internet, or embed Instagram posts from someone else. Instant top 10 list produced without having to leave the house. That’s NOT how we do it. We absolutely DO eat all of the food on all of our lists. (How can anyone recommend something they never experienced?) Unfortunately, we’ve seen these junk lists a lot—from national and local publishers. We are also aware of a local publisher that offers paid placement in best-of-lists. There is no paid placement here. WE PERSONALLY ATE ALL OF THESE PIZZAS, AND WENT TO ALL OF THESE PLACES, AND THESE ARE ALL ST. PETE FOODIES PHOTOS. (All photos by Kevin Godbee unless otherwise noted.) The list includes locations in St. Petersburg, and St. Pete Beach. Here are the Best Pizzas in St. Pete for 2024 These are listed in RANDOM order except for the first three. 1. The Violet Stone Pizza & Sandwiches 2134 9th Ave N. St. Petersburg, FL 33713 (727) 202-8940 (Tap to call) The Violet Stone Website The Violet Stone started out as a food truck in August 2022, and opened their brick & mortar in February 2023. They make the best pizza on this list. I was there on March 6, 2024, which is the same day that pizza reviewer Dave Portnoy visited. (Luckily, I was there and gone before he arrived.) He gave them one of his best scores which blew them up so big that they had to unplug their phone and turn off online ordering. You just had to go and wait in line. Things have calmed down a bit now, and you can order by phone or online again. Keep in mind that they are staying quite busy, and the parking isn’t so great, but it is definitely worth it. They offer takeout only. In addition to the round 10″ and 16″ pizzas, they also offer Sicilian (rectangular pan) pizzas, sandwiches and hoagies. They were using a wood-fired oven until recently, but had to switch to  “regular” deck gas oven to keep up with demand. Some people have complained on social media that their pizza is “burnt”. It is not. A charred cornicione (what most call the crust) is normal for some pizzas, and most people don’t eat that part anyway. Complain if you want. It just leaves more for the pizza fans that deserve it. For the pizza nerds out there, here’s some more info: I asked about the style of pizza because to me it is somewhat NY style, but not exactly. Technically, the dough ingredients are Neapolitan-like as there is no sugar or olive oil like a NY pizza has. It has flour, water, yeast and salt like a Neapolitan, but it is not Neapolitan either. Here’s a fun fact: The dough isn’t pizza dough. It’s bread dough. “Bubbly and properly fermented. Not dense or cold out of the fridge.” “It’s not a specific type of pizza. We use grande mozz and special parent flour. Our hydration percentage is very high so we can do intensive mixes. Typical NY pizza is 60%, and Neapolitan is roughly 70% hydration. We’re higher than both of these.” They also use Bianca tomatoes, which are considered the best by many gourmet pizza makers. Pictured above is The Diablo – fresh house made mozzarella, whole milk mozzarella, arrabbiata sauce, hot sausage, pickled onions, topped with basil & parmesan – I also added pepperoni.   2. Pizza Box 923 Central Avenue St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (727) 623-0444 (Tap to call) Pizza Box Website Pizza Box, downtown on the 900 block of Central Avenue is wood-fired, and it is completely unique and different. I promise you that you’ve never had pizza like this. It’s like nothing else, and it is amazing. They celebrated their 8th anniversary this year. One of my favorites is the Lover Boy Pizza – Housemade San Marzano Tomato Sauce, Mozzarella, Housemade Meatballs, Herb Whipped Ricotta, Cherry Peppers, Caramelized Onions and Fresh Basil.   3. Nicko’s Pizza and Subs 1239 4th St S St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 416-1200 (Tap to call) Nicko’s Website Of all of the NY-style pizzas on this list, Nicko’s is the best replication. They nailed it. This one would be hard to discern from an actual NY pizza in a blind taste test. Lori said, “we ordered a whole Supreme Pizza topped with onion, mushroom, green pepper, pepperoni, sausage, ham, mozzarella and pizza sauce and all of their pizzas can be made gluten free in the 12″ size. It is topped with the freshest of ingredients and was just as delicious when we reheated our leftovers the next day. Anyone who says crust doesn’t make a pizza, is […]

• May 1, 2024 Grilled Shrimp Tostada with Mango & Papaya Salsa Recipe

  Indulge in this spring/summer recipe delight of Grilled Shrimp Tostadas with Mango & Papaya Salsa. The spice-coated shrimp are kissed by the flames of the grill and are accompanied by a refreshing mango & papaya salsa, creamy avocado sauce and zesty lime-dressed watercress. All of these components are layered atop a beautifully crisped organic corn tortilla. While there are a few different elements to assemble for this tostada recipe, don’t let them intimidate you. Each one comes together in no time with very minimal effort. The only step that may be a bit demanding is the peeling and deveining of the shrimp. However, this can be avoided by purchasing shrimp that are already peeled and deveined. For your convenience, Rollin’ Oats carries two types of frozen ready to cook shrimp – a 12oz bag by Wixter and a 32oz bag by Baywinds. The quality of both products is top notch. In this recipe, I have included two different ways of transforming the corn tortillas into crunchy tostadas. Feel free to prepare them in whichever way feels more comfortable to you. The first way is perhaps the most popular – on the stove by frying with some canola oil or another oil with a high smoke point. The second method is the easier of the two and requires less steps and ingredients and this is by utilizing the grill. If you choose to go this route, just make sure to keep an eye on the tortillas as they can burn quickly (I did this my first try). Make sure to have each part of the grilled shrimp tostada recipe prepped and ready before heading to the grill to cook your shrimp. The salsa, avocado sauce and tostada shells should be ready for assembly and the shrimp should be tossed in their oil and spices and threaded onto skewers. Grilled Shrimp Tostada with Mango & Papaya Salsa Recipe This grilled shrimp tostada recipe is bursting with lively flavors and in season ingredients. Prepare your salsa, avocado sauce and tostada shells before you head to the grill. The cook time is quick and assembly is a breeze. large bamboo skewers Papaya & Mango Salsa1/2 cup papaya (diced into small pieces)1 mango (ripe, diced into small pieces)1/2 cup red onion (diced)1/2 cup frozen sweet yellow corn (cooked per package instructions and cooled)1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)1 jalapeno (minced)1 lime1/2 tsp salt (plus more, to taste)Avocado Sauce1 avocado (ripe, discard pit and skin)1 lime1/4 cup water (plus more for a thinner sauce)1/4 cup cilantro (roughly chopped)1/2 tsp salt (plus more, to taste)Shrimp & Tostada Assembly12 shrimp (peeled and deveined)1/2 tsp smoked paprika1/2 tsp garlic powder1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp cayenne1 tsp olive oil4 corn tortillas1/2 cup canola oil2 cups watercress1 lime (divided – use 1/2 for watercress and cut the remaining half into small wedges for serving)cilantro (optional, for serving) Papaya & Mango SalsaCombine all ingredients in a medium bowl, season to taste with salt and refrigerate until ready to assemble tostadas.Avocado SauceCombine all ingredients in a high-powered blender like a Vitamix. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Add water, 1 tsp at a time, to thin the sauce as much as you'd like. Season to taste with salt. Refrigerate until ready to assemble tostadas.TostadasThere are two ways to turn your tortillas into tostadas – frying in oil or simply on the grill. To fry in oil, heat oil in a medium pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Line a plate with a paper towel. Fry one tortilla at a time for about 3.5-4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tortilla's are crisp and begin to take on some golden color. Place on paper towel-lined plate and repeat with remaining tortillas.To grill, heat the grill over medium-high heat to about 350F. Add tortillas and grill for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until tortillas begin to crisp and take on some color. Keep the grill on for the shrimp.Shrimp & Tostada AssemblySoak bamboo skewers in water for at least 10 minutes. Toss shrimp in a bowl with olive oil and spices. Thread three shrimp onto each skewer.Place skewers over medium hight heat and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until shrimp are cooked through. Remove shrimp from grill and skewers and prepare to assemble tostadas.Toss watercress with juice of 1/2 of lime. Begin tostada assembly by spreading a dollop of avocado sauce on the tostada shell.Top sauce with lime-dressed watercressSpoon over some salsaTop each tostada with 3 pieces of shrimpGarnish tostadas with cilantro and serve with lime wedges (optional) Dinner, Main DishMexicanGrilled Shrimp Tostadas

• April 25, 2024 Best Italian Restaurants in St. Petersburg FL 2024

  I moved to St. Petersburg a little over 15 years ago, and it seems like we’ve had an average of two Italian restaurants open each year since then, if not more. Lately, it seems like two every few months. There’s definitely no shortage of Italian eateries to choose from here. We’re always interested in checking out the newest places, and you’ll find some of them in this round-up. We also give respect to those establishments that have been knocking out great food day in and day out for years and stay on top of their game even with all of the new arrivals. We utilized our team of five, including myself, to assess what we consider to be the essential Italian food spots in our area. As our name would suggest, we focus on St. Petersburg, but there were also a couple of standouts in St. Pete Beach, and one in Gulfport. There were many Italian restaurants that have been highly touted in our Facebook group that were on our list to try. I can assure you that we tried them all—over 20. If they did not make the list, there is a very good reason why. We had some very disappointing experiences with a few and some great surprises as well. In reality, this list is about Italian-American restaurants. I had someone contact me for recommendations on the most authentic Italian restaurants as her father was coming to visit from Italy, and she wanted a place where he could eat the exact same type of food he would have at home. This is what I told her. “We have lots of good Italian restaurants in St. Pete. However, I do not think we have any that are not Americanized. Italian-American style has lots more sauce, over-cooked pasta, and even several dishes that don’t exist in Italy – like chicken parmesan. We also serve some things differently, like Spaghetti & Meatballs – these are two separate dishes in Italy and never served together there.” Another important thing you should be aware of is that there are other publishers of “best of lists” that do not actually go to the establishments, or actually eat the food. Most don’t. Recently, one even pretended to. (Sounds ridiculous, right?) They just download photos from the internet, or embed Instagram posts from someone else. Instant best of list produced without having to leave the house. That’s NOT how we do it. We absolutely DO eat at all of the restaurants on all of our lists. (How can anyone recommend something they never experienced?) Unfortunately, we’ve seen these junk lists a lot—from national and local publishers. We are also aware of a local publisher that offers paid placement in best-of-lists. There is no paid placement here. WE PERSONALLY ATE ALL OF THE FOOD BELOW, AND WENT TO ALL OF THESE PLACES, AND THESE ARE ALL ST. PETE FOODIES PHOTOS. The list is in order of oldest to newest establishment. Gratzzi Italian Grille 211 2nd St. South Saint Petersburg, FL 33701 727-579-1570 (Tap to call) Gratzzi Website Gratzzi always comes out on top in reviews and surveys. Chef Tony Mangiafico and co-owner / General Manager Domenic D’Angelo are both from Italy and bring great Southern Italian authenticity to the food and atmosphere. Many of their recipes come from the old country, and some are centuries old. They offer “fine dining with a family atmosphere”. One of my favorites is the Rigatonacci alla Vodka, and we always get the Shrimp Arrabbiata every time we go. One of the reasons Gratzzi does so well is that they have something for everyone. They have the classics that everyone expects from an Italian eatery, but their steaks and seafood also rival specialty steakhouses and seafood restaurants. Lastly, we would be remiss if we didn’t mention their signature Cavatelli Bada Bing—cooked table side—handmade ricotta cavatelli, vodka flambéd in a pan and then poured inside of a giant Padano parmesan wheel with San Daniele prosciutto, tomatoes, and basil. It is stirred and stirred as the walls of the cheese start melting and coating the pasta. <span data-mce-type=”bookmark” style=”display: inline-block; width: 0px; overflow: hidden; line-height: 0;” class=”mce_SELRES_start”></span>     Pia’s Trattoria 3054 Beach Blvd South Gulfport, FL 33707 (727) 327-2190 (Tap to call) Pia’s Trattoria Website From Abby: Pia’s is the Italian heart and soul of quaint Gulfport, FL. Located just minutes from downtown, Pia’s has an attractive, romantic and cozy vibe that is quite easy to fall in love with. In Italian, Trattoria translates to “eating house,” which is exactly what they pride themselves as being. No fuss, nor frills, just simple, fresh Italian food that is prepared exceptionally well. From Lori: Two of our favorite dishes are the hearty, rustic Lasagna, and the Spaghetti Bolognese pictured above with added veal meatball and a sausage. In 2005, Pia-Maria and Tom Goff opened Pia’s Trattoria in Gulfport. Having just arrived from Europe with their four small children and a new resident in Gulfport, FL, Pia was homesick for Italian food made from scratch, the food she grew up with. So they decided to open just a small Pasta-Panini-Salad Bar called Pia’s Trattoria. A small place with only three tables inside and an outside shaded courtyard. Well, that didn’t last long, her pride as a chef and her love for food, and the hospitality business in general, changed the face of the small Trattoria rather quickly. Adding space and surrounding herself with an exceptional talented culinary team gave way to welcomed growth. But really, word of mouth is the reason why Pia’s is so successful and a favorite in midst of the bustling and ever changing restaurant scene of the Greater Tampa Bay area. Although it still is a family owned and operated place with a big heart and excellent food, the place has expanded and offers a candle lit wine dining room, outside covered garden patio seating, a full liquor bar and two private dining rooms for groups of up to ten guests. There is […]

Recipes

• May 1, 2024 Grilled Shrimp Tostada with Mango & Papaya Salsa Recipe

  Indulge in this spring/summer recipe delight of Grilled Shrimp Tostadas with Mango & Papaya Salsa. The spice-coated shrimp are kissed by the flames of the grill and are accompanied by a refreshing mango & papaya salsa, creamy avocado sauce and zesty lime-dressed watercress. All of these components are layered atop a beautifully crisped organic corn tortilla. While there are a few different elements to assemble for this tostada recipe, don’t let them intimidate you. Each one comes together in no time with very minimal effort. The only step that may be a bit demanding is the peeling and deveining of the shrimp. However, this can be avoided by purchasing shrimp that are already peeled and deveined. For your convenience, Rollin’ Oats carries two types of frozen ready to cook shrimp – a 12oz bag by Wixter and a 32oz bag by Baywinds. The quality of both products is top notch. In this recipe, I have included two different ways of transforming the corn tortillas into crunchy tostadas. Feel free to prepare them in whichever way feels more comfortable to you. The first way is perhaps the most popular – on the stove by frying with some canola oil or another oil with a high smoke point. The second method is the easier of the two and requires less steps and ingredients and this is by utilizing the grill. If you choose to go this route, just make sure to keep an eye on the tortillas as they can burn quickly (I did this my first try). Make sure to have each part of the grilled shrimp tostada recipe prepped and ready before heading to the grill to cook your shrimp. The salsa, avocado sauce and tostada shells should be ready for assembly and the shrimp should be tossed in their oil and spices and threaded onto skewers. Grilled Shrimp Tostada with Mango & Papaya Salsa Recipe This grilled shrimp tostada recipe is bursting with lively flavors and in season ingredients. Prepare your salsa, avocado sauce and tostada shells before you head to the grill. The cook time is quick and assembly is a breeze. large bamboo skewers Papaya & Mango Salsa1/2 cup papaya (diced into small pieces)1 mango (ripe, diced into small pieces)1/2 cup red onion (diced)1/2 cup frozen sweet yellow corn (cooked per package instructions and cooled)1/4 cup cilantro (chopped)1 jalapeno (minced)1 lime1/2 tsp salt (plus more, to taste)Avocado Sauce1 avocado (ripe, discard pit and skin)1 lime1/4 cup water (plus more for a thinner sauce)1/4 cup cilantro (roughly chopped)1/2 tsp salt (plus more, to taste)Shrimp & Tostada Assembly12 shrimp (peeled and deveined)1/2 tsp smoked paprika1/2 tsp garlic powder1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp cayenne1 tsp olive oil4 corn tortillas1/2 cup canola oil2 cups watercress1 lime (divided – use 1/2 for watercress and cut the remaining half into small wedges for serving)cilantro (optional, for serving) Papaya & Mango SalsaCombine all ingredients in a medium bowl, season to taste with salt and refrigerate until ready to assemble tostadas.Avocado SauceCombine all ingredients in a high-powered blender like a Vitamix. Blend until the mixture is smooth. Add water, 1 tsp at a time, to thin the sauce as much as you'd like. Season to taste with salt. Refrigerate until ready to assemble tostadas.TostadasThere are two ways to turn your tortillas into tostadas – frying in oil or simply on the grill. To fry in oil, heat oil in a medium pot or dutch oven over medium heat. Line a plate with a paper towel. Fry one tortilla at a time for about 3.5-4 minutes, flipping halfway through, until tortilla's are crisp and begin to take on some golden color. Place on paper towel-lined plate and repeat with remaining tortillas.To grill, heat the grill over medium-high heat to about 350F. Add tortillas and grill for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until tortillas begin to crisp and take on some color. Keep the grill on for the shrimp.Shrimp & Tostada AssemblySoak bamboo skewers in water for at least 10 minutes. Toss shrimp in a bowl with olive oil and spices. Thread three shrimp onto each skewer.Place skewers over medium hight heat and cook for 6-8 minutes, flipping halfway through, until shrimp are cooked through. Remove shrimp from grill and skewers and prepare to assemble tostadas.Toss watercress with juice of 1/2 of lime. Begin tostada assembly by spreading a dollop of avocado sauce on the tostada shell.Top sauce with lime-dressed watercressSpoon over some salsaTop each tostada with 3 pieces of shrimpGarnish tostadas with cilantro and serve with lime wedges (optional) Dinner, Main DishMexicanGrilled Shrimp Tostadas

• April 2, 2024 Bacon and Spinach Quiche Recipe

  This zero-fuss bacon and spinach quiche recipe should be your new weekend go-to brunch. The effort required to craft this crowd pleaser is minimal and the reward is quite high. Additionally, you can transform this quiche into anything you want with the mix-ins. In my opinion, the bacon and spinach combination are fantastic, but feel free to get creative. I recommend limiting the mix-ins to just two and be sure not to exceed two cups in total. Sausage, onion, asparagus, ham and bell pepper would also work well in this quiche recipe. Another customizable component to this quiche is the cheese. The recipe calls for one total cup of grated cheese, but that’s the only guideline that you need to follow. I used a 50/50 blend of sharp white cheddar and a creamy fontina and it turned out better than expected. I initially planned to use gruyere in place of the fontina, but the fontina is what I came across first at Rollin’ Oats and I simply couldn’t resist it. They carry both cheeses though – they have Finlandia and Emmi brand gruyere and Belgioso fontina. Other types of cheese I suggest using are feta, swiss and even mozzarella. If you’re up for it, you can absolutely make your own pie crust; however, store bought frozen crusts will make your life much easier. Just make sure to allow for 20 minutes or so of thawing time. Rollin’ Oats carries a set of two organic pie shells by Wholly Wholesome brand and they’re delicious. They also have gluten free shells available by the same brand and they’re equally as good. Bacon and Spinach Quiche Recipe Use this quiche recipe as a base for making any quiche. Feel free to get creative with the mix-ins, but don't use too many (I wouldn't go beyond three). 1 pie crust (store bought, thawed)4 eggs1/2 cup heavy cream1/2 cup whole milk1/2 cup bacon (cooked and crumbled)1 1/2 cups spinach (fresh)1 cup cheese (shredded, plus more for serving/topping before baking – I used sharp cheddar and fontina, but feel free to use what you love. )1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp black pepper Heat oven to 375F. Place a piece of parchment paper on the thawed pie crust and weigh down with pie weights (or small oven-safe utensil – I used a small skillet). Bake for 15 minutes. Remove parchment and weights and poke holes all over the bottom of the crust with a fork. Bake for another 6 minutes or until the crust begins to turn golden.Reduce oven heat to 350F. Combine eggs, heavy cream, milk, salt and pepper in the bowl of a stand mixer and mix on high for one minute.Stir in cheese, crumbled bacon and spinach.Carefully pour quiche mixture into partially baked pie crust. Top with more grated cheese (optional).Bake quiche for 45-50 minutes, or until quiche is set and no longer jiggly and crust is crisp and golden. Allow to cool for 10 minutes before serving. Slice quiche into 4 even pieces and serve. Breakfast, Brunch, Main DishAmericanBacon and Spinach Quiche

• March 5, 2024 Oven Risotto with Roasted Mushrooms & Tomatoes Recipe

  This preparation of risotto removes a whole lot of work and stirring with the use of the oven. The majority of the effort required to make this dish is required during prep. The steps all happen very quickly so it is absolutely crucial that all of your ingredients are prepped, measured, etc. before any of the cooking begins. This risotto is delicious on its own without the mushrooms and tomatoes; however, they really elevate the dish with flavor and texture. The mushrooms specifically are a true delight as they take on a beautiful crisp in the oven – the umami flavor is completely next level. Speaking of mushrooms, you can choose to use whatever kind you can get your hands on. I recommend oyster, shiitake, king trumpet and maitake. Rollin’ Oats carries a superfood mushroom mix that would be great for this recipe. Definitely don’t skip nor skimp on the lemon juice or zest as both add the perfect amount of acidity and brightness. Dill as a garnish also breathes a bit of freshness into the risotto which is composed with richer-leaning ingredients like parmesan, butter, vegetable broth and the mushrooms and tomatoes. If you don’t want to purchase a bottle of white wine just for this dish, use some dry vermouth that you already have on hand. Though, I’m willing to bet that Rollin’ Oats will have a nice bottle of white wine that won’t break the bank and you can enjoy after using it for this recipe. I suggest seeking out something like a sauvignon blanc, vinho verde or pinot grigio. Oven Risotto with Roasted Mushrooms & Tomatoes Recipe This method for preparing Risotto simplifies the process by minimizing all of the stirring. The roasted mushrooms and tomatoes taste like an explosion of umami. Tomatoes1 cup cherry tomatoes (cut in half)1 tbsp olive oil1/2 tsp salt1/2 tsp garlic powderMushrooms1 lb mushrooms (cut or torn into 1-2" pieces – use any mushrooms like shiitake, oyster, king trumpet or whatever you can find)2 tbsp olive oil4 garlic cloves (minced)6 thyme sprigs1/2 tsp saltRisotto & Assembly2 tbsp olive oil1 white onion (medium in size – diced)1 cup arborio rice1/2 cup white wine (dry vermouth will also work)1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste)1/4 tsp black pepper (cracked)3 cups vegetable broth1 cup parmesan (grated)1 tsp lemon juice1 tsp lemon zest2 tbsp unsalted butter1/4 cup fresh dill (chopped)lemon wedges ((optional)) TomatoesMake the tomatoes first. Heat the oven to 400F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Toss all tomato ingredients together in a bowl. Place the tomatoes, cut side up, on the prepared baking sheet. Roast tomatoes for 30-35 minutes or until the edges start to take on a little color. Add tomatoes to a plate and set aside until ready to plate. Reserve baking sheet for mushrooms.MushrooomsPlace one oven rack on the bottom and the other more towards the middle. Heat oven to 350F. Toss all mushroom ingredients together in a bowl and place them in a single layer on reserved baking sheet. Roast on the bottom rack for 30 minutes or until the mushrooms crisp up a bit.Risotto & AssemblyPrepare risotto while mushrooms are roasting. Heat oil in a dutch oven or other oven-safe pot with a lid over medium-high heat. Add in onion and cook for 4-6 minutes, or until onion softens.Add in rice and stir constantly for about 2 minutes until some of the rice begins to turn translucent.Pour in the white wine or vermouth and cook while stirring until most of the liquid is absorbed – about 2 minutes. Add in 1/2 tsp salt and pepper.Carefully pour in 2 1/2 cups of the vegetable broth and set remaining 1/2 cup aside (we will use this later). Bring pot to a simmer, place the lid on the pot and put into the oven on the middle rack for 18 minutes until most of the broth has been absorbed.Carefully take pot out of the oven, remove the lid and heat risotto over medium heat. Add in the remaining 1/2 cup broth and cook risotto while stirring constantly until rice is almost done and sauce has a creamy consistency, 3-5 minutes.Turn off the heat and stir in parmesan, lemon juice, zest and butter. Stir to combine and taste for salt. Add in more if needed.To plate, add risotto to bowls, top with tomatoes and mushrooms and garnish with dill. Serve with more lemon wedges if desired. Main CourseAmerican, ItalianOven Risotto, Oven Risotto with Roasted Mushrooms & Tomatoes

• February 8, 2024 Panko Crusted Pickled Deviled Eggs Recipe

  My most recent restaurant review was centered around Sonata Restaurant at the Mahaffey Theater. For this month’s recipe, Kevin presented a brilliant idea of reverse engineering an item from Sonata’s menu. A few ideas were tossed around and ultimately, we landed on this one – Panko Crusted Pickled Deviled Eggs. We, of course, ordered these during our recent visit to Sonata and we absolutely loved this unique spin on a classic. Kevin informed me that the Panko Crusted Pickled Deviled Eggs from Sonata were carried over from The Mill by Chef Ted Dorsey who is now the executive chef at Sonata. These deviled eggs boast a tantalizing contrast with a crisp exterior giving way to soft, tangy center that delights the palate with each bite. The brightness of the avocado cream and the subtle kick of the spicy aioli serve as ideal complements to the eggs. I made some notes whilst first trying these at Sonata and when it came time to make my own rendition, I worked backwards and tried to keep each detail as close to the delicious original as possible. I started with the aioli and the avocado cream, which tasted like classic versions of themselves. The pickling of the eggs proved to be the most challenging, as there are at least a few ways to go about this. The concoction I used with red onions turned out spot on to how I had envisioned them. I have used beets in the past, but knew that a lot of people aren’t fond of them and the onions worked quite well in their place. Plan to make this recipe at least 24 hours before you plan to serve them, as the pickling process requires at least one full day. The ingredients required for this grown up version of deviled eggs are really quite simple – you’ll be able to pick them all up at Rollin’ Oats Natural Food Market. When picking out your eggs, opt for cage free and/or organic, like Vital Farms or Utophien. Rollin’ Oats even has organic breadcrumbs by Edward and Sons. As for the mayo, they also have organic options which makes me more than happy. I recommend Woodstock or Cadia. Recreating the plating of these eggs was so enjoyable as the presentation of them is quite gorgeous at the restaurant and I love the plating process. Serve these at your next dinner party, or perhaps for the upcoming Super Bowl – your guests will be more than impressed. Panko Crusted Pickled Deviled Eggs This recipe was inspired by the Panko Crusted Pickled Deviled Eggs on the menu at Sonata Restaurant in St. Petersburg, FL. They're a sophisticated and delicious spin on classic deviled eggs and are perfect for a party or gathering. Pickled Eggs6 eggs (or more/less depending on how many people you are serving – preferably cage free and organic)1 1/2 cups rice wine vinegar1/2 cup water6 garlic cloves (peeled and smashed)1/2 red onion (medium in size and sliced thin)1 1/2 tbsp sugar1 tbsp salt1 tsp black peppercornsAvocado Cream1/2 avocado (ripe and medium-large in size)1/2 lime (medium in size – about 2 tbsp)1/2 cup plain greek yogurt1/2 tsp salt (plus more to taste as needed)1/2 tsp olive oil1/4 tsp black pepper (cracked)Spicy Aioli1 cup mayonnaise3 garlic cloves1 tbsp lemon juice1 1/2 tsp cayenne (if you really like heat, add as much as you'd like.)1/2 tsp salt1/4 tsp black pepper (cracked)Panko Crusted Deviled Egg Assemblypickled eggsavocado creamspicy aioli1 cup panko breadcrumbs2 cups vegetable or canola oil (use any other frying oil of your choice)2 eggs (whisked together)1 cup all purpose flour3 tbsp mayonnaise1 tsp dijon mustard2 dashes hot sauce (like Diamond Crystal (optional))salt1/2 tsp paprikafresh dill (chopped, for garnish (optional)) Pickled EggsMake the pickled eggs at least 24 hours before you plan to serve them. Bring a large pot of water with enough water to cover eggs to a boil. Carefully add eggs to pot and boil for 10 minutes. Prepare an ice bath while the eggs boil. After the 10 minutes are up, add eggs to the bath to stop the cooking process. Leave for at least 10 minutes.In a medium pot, add all pickling ingredients with the exception of the eggs and onions. Bring to a boil, then remove from the heat and add the onions. While pickling solution cools a bit, carefully peel the eggs, discard ice bath water and place peeled eggs into the bowl used for the bath. Carefully pour pickling mixture with the onions over the eggs in the bowl used for the ice bath and place in the fridge for at least 24 hours.Avocado CreamThe day that you're going to assemble your eggs, make the avocado cream. Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until well combined. Mixture should be similar to a yogurt-like consistency. Add water, 1/4 tsp at a time, if mixture is too thick. Season with more salt as needed and refrigerate until ready to assembleSpicy AioliAfter the cream is complete, make the aioli. Add all ingredients to a high powered blender and blend until well combined. Season with salt as need. Optionally, you can add this mixture to a squeeze bottle or piping bag for plating purposes. Refrigerate until ready to assemble.Panko Crusted Deviled Egg Assembly24 hours later, remove eggs from pickling mixture – they should be slightly pink. You can optionally reserve onions and pickling mixture in a jar for another use. Cut Eggs in half and carefully scoop out the cooked yolks and add them to a bowl. Mash them and then mix in the mayo, dijon, hot sauce (if using) until smooth. Season with salt as needed.Add flour, whisked egg and panko to three separate bowls and have a plate ready. One at a time, coat eggs in flour, next egg (allowing excess to drip off) and then panko. Set on reserved plate.Heat oil in a medium pot over medium high heat. Line a separate plate with a paper towel. One at a time, fry […]

• January 3, 2024 Dutch Baby with Strawberries & Coconut Whip Recipe

  A Dutch Baby, also known as a German pancake or Dutch puff, is a delightful breakfast dish that elevates the boundaries of traditional pancake offerings. This oven-baked pancake is characterized by its unique puffiness and golden-brown edges which create a visually appealing presentation. The batter is made of simple ingredients like eggs, flour, milk and sugar which are all combined and poured into a piping hot buttered skillet. This mixture is then baked in the oven where it transforms into a fluffy and airy pancake with a custard-like interior. Typically, Dutch babies fall under the category of a sweeter breakfast option, as they’re often served with fresh fruits, syrups and dusted with powdered sugar. Though, they can also act as a savory option and are equally as delicious when topped with ingredients like bacon, avocado, scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and more. We’re taking the sweeter route this time with the addition of fresh strawberries, mint, maple syrup and an easy-to-make coconut whip which is made by whipping the solids of a can of coconut milk. Add some slabs of butter and a dusting of powdered sugar if you so desire – you won’t be disappointed. Feel free to make this recipe your own by using other fruits, like blueberries, raspberries and bananas. I chose strawberries, because they’re in season in Florida during the month of January and it’s quite simple at this time to find quality berries, especially organic varieties at Rollin’ Oats. I always encourage folks to buy organic when possible and Rollin’ Oats makes that easy with their high quality organic grocery options. Make sure that you get the can of full-fat coconut water into the fridge the night before you plan to make the Dutch baby. Since we are only using the cream part, fridge time ensures that the cream solidifies as it should in order to separate it from the water easier. Reserve the coconut water for another use. Dutch babies are prefect when you need a simple crowd pleaser that both looks and tastes impressive. Additionally, it’s great when you’re looking to feed a small crowd with minimal effort. Dutch Baby with Strawberries & Coconut Whip Recipe A Dutch baby is a mouthwatering twist on a traditional pancake. This luscious oven-baked pancake is adorned with fresh strawberries, coconut whip, fresh mint and maple syrup to ensure sweet & fluffy bites that are certain to please. High Speed Blenderovenproof skilletstand mixer Coconut Whip1 can unsweetened coconut milk (full fat & chilled in the refrigerator overnight)1 1/2 tbsp honey1 tsp vanilla extractDutch Baby & Assembly3 eggs3/4 cup whole milk2 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)1 tbsp unsalted butter1/2 cup flour2 tbsp cornstarch1 tsp sugar1 tsp vanilla extract1/2 tsp salt1 cup strawberries (washed & sliced)mint (fresh & torn)maple syruppowdered sugar (optional)butter (for topping, optional) Coconut WhipScrape the cream from the top of the chilled coconut milk (leave the water behind and save for another use) and add it to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add in vanilla extract and honey and mix on high until soft peaks form. Serve immediately or store in the refrigeratorDutch Baby & AssemblyPlace a medium oven-proof skillet (like cast iron) into the oven and heat the oven to 425F. Keep the skillet in there for at least 30 minutes until your batter is ready to be poured in. Prepare the batter by first adding 3 eggs to a blender. Blend the eggs on high for one minute – the eggs should now be a frothy consistency. Keep the motor running and slowly/gradually add in the milk, followed by the 2 tbsp of melted butter.Blend in flour, cornstarch, sugar, vanilla extract and salt just to combine (we don't want to over mix). Remove hot skillet from the oven and immediately add in remaining 1 tbsp of butter and swirl to coat the pan evenly. Carefully pour the batter into the skillet and bake the Dutch baby for 20-25 minutes, or until you see it begin to puff and slightly brown.The pancake will deflate a bit after you remove it from the oven and that's okay. Top with a few dollops of the coconut cream, fresh strawberries, maple syrup, butter and powdered sugar, if using. BreakfastAmerican, GermanDutch Baby Pancake Recipe, Dutch Baby Recipe

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