IL Ritorno Launches Spirit Pairing Series Starting with Tequila

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Kevin Godbee
Feb 8, 2018
1 min read

IL Ritorno will host a dinner once a month with a five-course tasting menu created to pair with the designated spirit. (The series runs from February to May.) February’s dinner pairs with Lunazul Tequila. Lunazul means “Blue Moon”, and this tequila has a 250-year history. Joining Chef David is Lunazul’s master distiller, Francisco Quijano. He’ll be educating attendees on the pairings that evening.

Lunazul Tequila Master Distiller, Francisco Quijano

Check out the succulent sounding menu:

Hamachi Crudo – fingerlings, & calabrese chili foam
Paired with the Lunazul Blanco

Tallegio Agnolotti with wild boar belly, chanterelles mushrooms, & charred garlic scape
Paired with Lunazul Reposado

Seafood Risotto with seared scallops, key west pink shrimp, lemon leaf, & jalapeno
Paired with Lunazul Añejo Primero

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Truffle Spaghetti
Paired with Lunazul Double Barrel Aged Reposado

Blood Orange Panna Cotta with Meyer Lemon Gelato, & Vanilla Tuile
Paired with the Lunazul Añejo

*Menu subject to change depending on ingredient avaiablilty

Time & Place:

What: IL Ritorno Spirit Series: Tequila
Where: IL Ritorno – event room
When: Tuesday, February 27th
Time: 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.

Featuring five expressions of Lunazul Tequila including Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, Primero, and Double Barrel Reposado (finished on Rittenhouse Rye barrels).

Tickets are $95 per person and can be purchased on Eventbrite. There is also a Facebook event page with more information.

Below is the Spirit Series schedule, with more details to come.

March 20: Rum
April 11: Bourbon
May 22: Cognac

Mark your calendars!

(Tequila and Francisco photos courtesy of Lunazul. Food photos courtesy of IL Ritorno.)

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IL Ritorno
Italian, Modern Italian, Northern Italian
- Mon - Sat 5:00pm - 10:00pm
View menu
Take Reservations: Yes!

449 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, US

IL Ritorno's first spirits pairing dinner event with Lunazul Tequila is Tuesday, February 27th.

IL Ritorno Website

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February 8, 2018

Kevin Godbee

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Written by Kevin Godbee

World Food Championships Certified Food Judge #1541

I've always loved cooking. When I was 6-years old I wanted to cook. When my mom said that she was just running to the neighbor's and would be right back, I climbed onto the kitchen counter and found Lipton Instant French Onion Soup Mix. By the time my mom returned, I was stirring the pot on the stove, and proclaimed; "Look Mom! I'm cooking!"

In High School, I took three different cooking classes and got an A in each. After getting my first apartment, I used to cook 5-nights a week, and go out two nights. An old girlfriend from decades ago had a brother-in-law that was a CEO of a trucking company, and he used to entertain in Manhattan quite a bit ... and he started taking us along.

This was when I learned about gourmet food and fine wine. For a couple of years, Lori and I went out about 4-5 nights a week, but now we have a better balance of 50/50 between cooking at home, and going out to the amazing restaurants we are so lucky to have in our beloved Downtown St. Petersburg.

View all posts by: Kevin Godbee

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Recipes

June 1, 2021 St. Louis-Style Ribs and Hasselback Cantaloupe Recipe

Okay folks, it’s June…and that means summer, picnics and the start of grilling season. I don’t know about you, but when I think about grilling, a juicy rack of ribs often comes to mind. However, being that we live in a small downtown St. Petersburg apartment with very minimal outdoor space, grilling is not something that we are able to do. Therefore, over the years, I have had to learn how to recreate favorites from the grill in our kitchen. Oven-baked ribs, when cooked properly, are just as satisfying as a slab from the grill if you ask me. Low and slow at 325 degrees and then finished with some high heat will yield a similar product. I typically gravitate towards Babyback Ribs. However, Rollin’ Oats offers some incredible St. Louis style spareribs that have changed the game. St. Louis Style Ribs often have more fat (much like a Ribeye steak), but fat means flavor. In addition to quality ribs, Rollin’ Oats also has a selection of premium organic barbecue sauces. St. Louis-Style Ribs with Hasselback Cantaloupe St. Louis style spareribs may contain more fat, but that means more flavor. Hasselback Cantaloupe1 Cantaloupe (Sliced into quarters, seeded and then sliced into half moons)1 bunch Fresh Basil 8 oz Fresh Mozzarella (Cut into approximately 1 1/2 inch slices)Olive OilSaltPepperSt. Louis-Style Spareribs1 rack Spareribs (Approximately 2-2.5lbs)1.5 tbsp Garlic Powder1.5 tbsp Paprika1 tbsp Salt1 tsp Brown Sugar1 tsp Cayenne Pepper1 cup Barbeque Sauce (Any will work – we love Annie's Organic!) St. Louis-Style Ribs Preheat oven to 325 F. In a small bowl, combine garlic powder, paprika, salt, brown sugar and cayenne. Rub spice mix evenly all over the ribs.Wrap seasoned ribs in foil completely, place on a baking sheet and bake for 2-2 1/2 hours. Remove ribs from the oven, unwrap. Coat ribs all over in barbeque sauce of choice. Increase heat to 425 F. Place ribs in the oven, uncovered, for 15 minutes (sauce will begin to caramelize). Remove ribs from the oven and serve.Hasselback CantaloupeTake the melon half moons and cut slits every 1" without cutting through the skin. Stuff 1 leaf of basil and a thin slice of Mozzarella into each slit in the melon. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Appetizer, Main Dish, Side DishAmericanCantaloupe, Spareribs, St. Louis Style Spareribs
May 3, 2021 Short Rib Quesabirria Tacos Recipe

If you tend to keep up with all of the latest food trends, and/or don’t live under a rock, odds are, you have heard of Birria or Quesabirria Tacos. However, for those who haven’t, Birria tacos are usually comprised of meat, such as beef or goat, that has been slowly braised and is then loaded into a tortilla and pan fried then served with consomé on the side. The meat is braised in a brilliant combination of chilis and spices and oozes with flavors. Quesabirria tacos take things one step further. In essence, they are the perfect storm of a cheese quesadilla and a taco, all wrapped up into one incredible being. Let’s get serious, who could be mad about that? While goat is traditionally used, I prefer beef. In fact, utilizing a combination of beef is encouraged, though, not necessary. I love using two pounds of just short ribs when I encounter some beautiful ones, but, use any kind of beef that you can get your hands on. Recommendations include: beef shank, chuck roast, cap roast, etc. Rollin’ Oats offers a superb variety of quality beef, most of which is grass fed and organic. Additionally, they have everything else needed for this fancy little taco number that you’ll want to make over and over. A lot of Birria recipes recommend Guajillo dried chilis, which are not always offered at Rollin’ Oats. However, they do have Anaheim and Pasilla chilis, which boast a very similar flavor profile. Short Rib Quesabirria Tacos Imagine if Birria Tacos and a Cheese Quesadilla had a baby – that's precisely what we have going on here. These babies take a little bit more time to make; however, the cost is totally worth the reward. Meat and Marinade2 lbs Short Ribs, Beef Roast, or Beef Shank (You can use one or a combination of two meats – whichever you prefer)3 Dried Pasilla Peppers (Guajillo or Anaheim will work as well)1 7oz can Chipotle Peppers in Adobo3/4 cup Crushed Tomatoes1/4 cup White Wine Vinegar6 Garlic Cloves (Minced)1 1/2 tsp Oregano1 tsp Paprika2 tbsp Salt (Divided, plus more, as needed)PepperConsome1 White Onion (Medium in size, chopped)1 Cinammon Stick3 Bay Leaves4 cups Beef Broth1 tbsp Olive OilBirria Taco Assembly4 Tortillas (Your preference. I like Siete Foods grain free)1 cup Queso Blanco Cheese (Grated)Minced White OnionFresh Cilanto MarinadeAdd dried Pasilla peppers to a medium heat safe bowl. Bring a few cups of water to a boil and then carefully pour the hot water over the peppers. Allow to soak and soften for about 15 minutes. Remove peppers from water, cut off stems and dump the seeds out into the sink and discard. Add softened peppers to food processor with the rest of the marinade ingredients and 1 tbsp salt and process until smooth. Liberally salt meat with remaining 1 tbsp salt and some pepper. Pour marinade over meat and cover and marinade for at least one hour and up to overnight.ConsomeHeat oil in a large dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, 6-8 minutes. Add in meat and marinade and remaining consome ingredients. Bring to a simmer, partially cover and turn the heat to medium low/low (whichever heat level allows for a gentle simmer) until meat is fall off the bone tender and shreds easily, 3.5 – 4 hours.Remove meat/bones from consome, discard bones and place meat in a separate bowl, shred and reserve for assembly.Carefully strain consome into a heat proof bowl/pot through a mesh sieve and reserve for assembly, discard any solids. Birria AssemblyLadle one half cup or so of consome into a shallow bowl or onto a plate. Heat medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. One at a time, dip one side of tortilla into shallow bowl/plate of consome. Then place tortilla consome dipped side down into the skillet.Liberally cover tortilla in shredded Queso Blanco. Then, top with shredded meat, followed by onions and cilantro.Carefully fold the tortilla in half and continue to cook until each side of the tortilla is lightly crisp and golden. Serve tacos with consome on the side for dipping. Main DishMexicanQuesabirria Tacos, Birria Tacos
April 5, 2021 Lobster Thermidor Recipe

It isn’t hard to make a lobster dish fabulous, because, well, lobster is already plenty fabulous on its own. Over time, Lobster was tossed into that category of “occasion-only” meals, along with the likes of Beef Wellington, Prime Rib and Cassoulet – you know, those “never enough time on a weeknight” type-of-meals. Well, I’m here to debunk all of that and prove to you that you can, in fact, not only enjoy, but prepare a beautiful little lobster dinner on any night, occasion, or not. Lobster Thermidor is a French dish, typically comprised of lobster in a rich and creamy sauce. Normally, I’m a simple kind of gal when it comes to lobster. Some sous vide meat, drawn butter – that’s all I usually need. However, for Lobster Thermidor, I make an exception. Great to serve as an appetizer for a dinner party, whilst also perfect for a low effort, but impressive weeknight dinner which boasts a high return – it’s the dish that delivers whenever you need it. Recently, Rollin’ Oats added Luke’s Lobster, which is wild caught and sustainably sourced, to their shelves and the quality is incredible! You can find Luke’s Lobster meat, claws and tails in the frozen section at Rollin’ Oats in St. Pete. Lobster Thermidor 2 Lobster Tails (Preferably wild caught, like Luke's brand in the frozen section at Rollin' Oats)1 cup Heavy Cream1/2 cup Mushrooms (Chopped – I use Cremini.)1/4 cup Butter (Unsalted)2 tbsp White Wine (Nothing too sweet, but, something you would drink!)1/2 tsp Paprika2 Egg Yolks1/2 tsp Salt (Plus more, to taste)1/4 tsp PepperFresh Tarragon (Chopped, for serving (optional)) Fill a stockpot with water and a few heavy pinches of salt and bring to a boil over high heat. Add lobster tails and cook until bright red and beginning to curl up, 8-9 minutes.Remove tails and cool. Once cool, cut each tail in half long-ways. Remove lobster meat from shells, chop and reserve for later use. Additionally, also reserve the lobster tail shells (we'll be stuffing the meat back in later on).Heat a large pot like a dutch oven over medium. Add the butter and when melted, pour in the chopped mushrooms and cook until they become softer and begin to take on color, 6-8 minutes. Add in cooked lobster tail meat, paprika, pepper and 1 tsp of salt and reduce the heat to low.Pour in 1/2 cup of the heavy cream and 1 tbsp of the wine, stir to combine, and then simmer for 5 minutes, then remove from heat.In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks with the remaining tbsp of white wine. Pour mixture into a small sauce pan and simmer, whisking constantly, until liquid thickens slightly and becomes a custard.Remove from heat and slowly mix into lobster mixture.Place reserved lobster shells on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spoon lobster and sauce carefully into each shell. Save extra lobster sauce for serving.Broil lobster tails until they begin to brown, 5-6 minutes. Remove from oven and serve garnished with chopped Tarragon (if using), along side some toasted bread and a light salad. Appetizer, Main CourseFrench
March 8, 2021 Strawberry-Balsamic Chicken with Crispy Rice & Watercress Recipe

Don’t let this semi-intimidating name fool you, this chicken-rice-salad situation may sound intricate, but the truth is, it’s anything but. It all starts with some leftover rice, chicken, strawberries, whatever greens you have on hand and a few simple pantry staples items – that’s it. What is crispy rice you ask? This was something I discovered in the early stages of quarantine whilst watching Bon Appetit Magazine’s YouTube channel. In said video, they showed one of their favorite ways to utilize leftover rice (because let’s face it, we all always make way more rice than we need) by simply heating some oil/fat of choice over medium heat, spooning in and patting down some cooked rice and allowing the whole happy party to simmer away. Tenish minutes later, after a nice little invert, you’re left with a perfectly golden-brown crisp layer of sheer rice gold. When it comes to the type of rice to use for crispy rice, it’s truly all about preference. I usually like to use a basmati, just because that’s typically what I have on hand. Rollin’ Oats has a premium array of top-notch rice selections to choose from, and as always, they also have every single ingredient needed to make this recipe. Not only do they just have the ingredients, but Rollin’ Oats has the premium selection for all of the ingredients needed and so much more. As with the majority of my cooking, this recipe was designed with versatility in mind. It’s meant to be prepared in a way that suits you and your likes, lifestyle, etc. For example, if you follow a Vegan lifestyle, omit the chicken, add some crispy tofu or some extra vegetables. Or, if chicken isn’t your thing, replace it with a more desirable protein and perhaps swap out the strawberries. Add, subtract and improvise however you see fit. Strawberry-Balsamic Chicken with Watercress & Crispy Rice Brunch, Lunch, Dinner – this recipe is suitable for just about any occasion. Not only that, it screams Spring! Strawberry-Balsamic Mixture1 cup Strawberries (Washed, tops removed and sliced into small pieces)1/4 cup Balsamic Vinegar1 tsp SaltCrispy Rice2 cups Leftover Cooked Rice4 tbsp olive oilChicken & Salad Assembly1 bag Watercress (Or any other similar green, like Arugula.)1 Avocado1 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breast Cutlets (2 8oz cutlets. Or, one 1lb butterflied breast )2 tbsp Olive Oil1 tbsp Balsamic VinegarSalt and Pepper1/4 cup Fresh Basil (Chopped) Strawberry-Balsamic MixtureCombine all ingredients in a medium bowl. Cover and set aside until ready to use.Crispy RiceHeat a nonstick skillet, approximately 8", over medium heat and add olive oil. Spoon cooked rice into skillet while carefully patting down, making sure to cover the entire surface of the skillet. Continue to cook over medium heat until the edges of the rice begin to brown, approxmately 10-12 minutes.When all of the edges are golden brown, carefully place a heat-proof plate face-down over the skillet. Carefully invert the rice onto the plate – the top should be a nice brown color and ultra crispy. Set aside until ready to serveChicken and Salad AssemblyPreheat oven to 400F. Line a baking sheet with parchment. Salt and pepper all sides of the chicken breast cutlets and place on prepared baking sheet. Bake for 15 minutes and remove from the oven. Flip chicken and spoon reserved Strawberry-balsamic mixture over the chicken. If some Strawberries roast on the pan and not on the chicken, that's completely fine.Bake for another 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and allow to cool a few minutes. Remove strawberries from chicken (do NOT discard!) and slice chicken.To assemble the salad, start with the Watercress, spoon in some crispy rice, add avocado, top with sliced chicken, roasted strawberries and basil, evenly distribute oil and vinegar over the two salads and add salt and pepper to taste. Main Dish, SaladAmerican
February 8, 2021 Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Toasted Breadcrumbs Recipe

In search of an impressive, low-fuss dish to serve at that dinner party you agreed to host? Craving a decadent meal on a Wednesday night where time spared for dinner is sparse? Or, perhaps you’re longing for a luxurious meal that also leans on the healthier side? Well, I have a recipe capable of satisfying all three of those scenarios – queue, Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Toasted Breadcrumbs. With this rendition, though, I made a couple of health-conscious swaps, while still maintaining the integrity of the original recipe. While there is absolutely NOTHING wrong with a beautiful batch of Linguine (especially when it’s freshly handcrafted), for this recipe, I opted to leave the gluten on the bench, and instead, chose to use Banza’s Chickpea Pasta Linguine. Banza is gluten free and contains half of the carbs that regular pasta does. In my opinion and experience with cooking with Banza, your guests will likely not notice any difference! If you shop at Rollin’ Oats with regularity like I do, you won’t ever have a problem finding Banza products, as they always have an array in stock. In addition to the Banza, all of the ingredients for this dish can be found at Rollin’ Oats! Yes, even the shrimp, which are located on the back wall in the frozen section. They’re even already peeled and deveined, which makes your life THAT much easier. The other swaps that I made for this recipe were minor: fresh herbs for dried, extra crushed red pepper and the addition of toasted breadcrumbs, which makes for the perfect crunchy topping. How to Make Shrimp Fra Diavolo Shrimp Fra Diavolo with Toasted Breadcrumbs Elegant enough for date night at home, yet simple enough as a weeknight meal in under 30 minutes. 1 Tbsp Butter (Preferably grass-fed, like Vital Farms)1/4 Cup Breadcrumbs (Panko, or fresh grated breadcrumbs work well!)1/4 Cup Fresh Basil (Roughly chopped)SaltShrimp Fra Diavolo2 Tbsp Butter1 Red Onion (Medium in size, chopped)8 Garlic Cloves (Minced)1 1/2 Tbsp Crushed Red Pepper Flakes2/3 Cup Dry White Wine (Always cook with a wine that you would drink!)1 lb Shrimp (Peeled and deveined)1 28 Ounce Can Crushed Tomatoes (Organic is preferred)1/4 Cup Fresh Oregano1 8 Ounce Box Banza Linguine1 Tbsp Salt (Plus more, to taste)1 Tsp Black Pepper (Plus more, to taste)Fresh Basil (Chopped, for garnish)Parmesan Cheese (Grated, for garnish) Toasted BreadcrumbsMelt 1 tbsp Butter in a dutch oven or large pot over medium heat. Add breadcrumbs and stir occasionally until they begin to toast and turn golden, 5-7 minutes.Scrape toasted breadcrumbs into a medium bowl and mix in fresh chopped basil and a pinch of salt. Stir to combine and set aside .Shrimp Fra DiavoloIn the same pot that you used to make the breadcrumbs, add remaining 2 tbsp of butter and melt over medium heat. Add chopped onion, 1/2 tbsp of the salt and pepper and cook, stirring occasionally until onion has softened and is very fragrant, 5-7 minutes.Add in minced garlic and 1 tbsp of the crushed red pepper flakes. Stir until fragrent, 1-2 minutes.Carefully add shrimp to pot in an even layer and sprinkle with other 1/2 tbsp of salt. Cook the shrimp 2 minutes on each side. Pour in the wine and allow mixture to simmer until reducted by half, 3-4 minutes.Pour in crushed tomatoes and oregano. Stir to combine, taste for seasoning and add remaining crushed red pepper for additional heat and salt, as needed. Reduce the heat and simmer. In the meantime, Cook pasta 1 minute-less than package instructions and set aside, reserving 1 cup of pasta cooking water. Remove sauce mixture from the heat. Add in cooked pasta, a few splashed of the pasta water and some of the grated parmesan (if using). Using tongs or large spoons, stir to combine and add more cooking water and salt, as needed.To serve, top with toasted breadcrumbs and fresh basil and grated parmesan, if using. Main DishItalianShrimp Fra Diavolo, Main Dish