Ikigai with a Taste of Saigon: Where Sushi Meets Vietnamese

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• June 14, 2024 Taste the Mediterranean in St. Pete Beach at Branzini

  Opened in December 2023, Branzini is a charming new addition to the St. Pete Beach dining scene, perfectly located near public beach access. Beachgoers can enjoy a delightful brunch before hitting the sand or unwind with dinner and drinks after a long day in the sun. The restaurant boasts an inviting atmosphere, with a large, full service bar enhanced by garage doors that open up to create a seamless indoor-outdoor experience. With a focus in Mediterranean flavors and seafood, the culinary theme at Branzini revolves around bright, fresh flavors and simple ingredients cooked to perfection. Every dish we sampled exemplified this philosophy. The menu at Branzini offers an array of options, including appetizers, soups, salads, pastas, meats, seafood, and pizza. While we couldn’t try everything, several dishes caught our eye and are on our must-try list for next time. These include the crispy fish croquettes, the baby octopus salad, and the highly recommended lamb shank. The short rib and wild-caught grouper also promise to be great choices. The Grilled Octopus was a standout, perfectly tender with a slight crisp on the exterior. The freshness was palpable, and the accompanying potatoes were cooked to perfection, making for a delightful combination of textures and flavors. The Ceviche is served with white fish, shrimp, garlic, onion, peppers, avocado, mango, and jalapeño, and featured large fresh chunks of seafood. Unlike typical ceviches, it wasn’t drenched in sauce, allowing the quality of the seafood to shine. The light, airy bread served alongside was the perfect complement. The prosciutto pizza featured a thin crust that struck the perfect balance between crispy and chewy, topped with red sauce, cherry tomatoes, arugula, shaved parmesan, and prosciutto. The light, fresh flavors of the toppings made each bite a delight. While all the dishes were delicious, the lobster ravioli was my favorite. The ravioli was filled with a luscious blend of lobster and a hint of ricotta, and the garlicky, lemony cream sauce was both rich and refreshing. The lemon in the sauce added a bright note that lightened the dish, making it feel indulgent yet not heavy. The restaurant’s namesake dish did not disappoint. The whole branzino was perfectly cooked with crispy skin and flaky meat, showcasing the kitchen’s expertise in preparing seafood. Served alongside the fish was swiss chard and potatoes. Branzini’s ability to deliver simple yet sophisticated dishes in a relaxed, beachside setting makes it a must-visit. Whether you’re coming off the beach for a casual meal or looking for a special dining experience, Branzini promises to impress with its fresh, flavorful fare and welcoming atmosphere.

• June 13, 2024 Best Burgers in St. Petersburg FL 2024

  Best Hamburgers / Cheeseburgers in St. Petersburg FL 2024 Hamburgers! Who doesn’t get excited by hamburgers? I used to wonder why they were named this when there was no ham involved. It’s because they get they their name from Hamburg, Germany, home of a dish called the Hamburg steak that eventually evolved into what we now consider hamburgers. “The Hamburg steak was served raw or lightly cooked and was accompanied by a raw egg… A variant of Hamburg steak is Salisbury steak, which is usually served with a gravy similar in texture to brown sauce …” – Wikipedia It is actually disputed whether the hamburger was invented in Germany or the U.S.A. One thing that is not disputed is that they are definitely thought of as the quintessential “American food”. They almost always have cheese on them, so it’s safe to say that a hamburger / cheeseburger is the epitome of almost everyone’s favorite American food. Smashburgers There are some smashburgers on the list, and obviously if they’re on the list that means that they are really good. When I posted one of these smashburgers in our Facebook group, a discussion ensued with some saying that it was not a true smashburger. So I did some research on smashburgers. The original smashburger is 2.5 – 3 oz of meat. It is rolled into a meatball and then smashed flat with a metal press. It is smashed so flat that it is thin enough to get very crispy edges and is about a quarter of an inch thick or less. Then, there is the restaurant chain with the name Smashburger. They DO smash their burgers, and they do get caramelized, but their “Classic Smashburger” is 5 ounces of meat and looks like they are about a half inch thick instead of a quarter inch or less. It’s a different style that provides the customer with more meat. That is the style of the smashburgers from the local, independently owned restaurants that we review and include on this list. As with all of our lists, and unlike most other publishers, we personally went to all of these places, and ate all of these burgers, and took all of these photos. For ALL of these – the burgers were moist, juicy, fresh and flavorful… so I don’t have to repeat it a dozen times. “It’s really a lot like writing porn. After you’ve used the same adjectives over and over again, it’s like the Penthouse Letters…” – Anthony Bourdain, Parts Unknown, Budapest – Aired June 14, 2015 Here’s our Dozen Best Burgers (in no particular order) in St. Petersburg Florida for 2024. Engine No. 9 56 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N St. Petersburg, FL 33705 (727) 623-0938 Engine No.9 Website If you ask ten people where to get the best burgers in St. Pete at least eight of them, if not all ten, will say Engine No.9. They’ve been a local’s favorite since they opened in 2012 with their over-the-top, super creative burger creations. Be sure to go hungry as all of their burgers are a half pound. Border Line Burger – guacamole, smoked pancetta, roasted cherry peppers, pepperjack cheese & chipotle mayo.  This is a flavor bomb of spicy, tangy, smoky and umami. There are tons of amazing burgers at Engine No.9. Two of my other favorites are The Black Flag, and The Don Carlo. A little known fact is that Engine No.9 owner, Jason Esposito is the son of the late Tony Esposito, who along with his brother (Jason’s uncle) Phil Esposito founded the Tampa Bay Lightning hockey team in the 1980s.   Noble Crust 8300 4th St N St. Petersburg, FL 33702 (727) 329-6041 Noble Crust Website One of the things I love about Noble Crust is that they have such a great variety, and wide range of items. You could go there with a party of 25, and include all of the special diets, such as vegetarian, gluten-free, low-fat, or my special diet since I’m into fitness … uh, I mean “fitness this whole pizza in my mouth”. They have great soups and salads, and lighter fare, but I love them for their excellent execution of comfort food, like the Smashburger. Lori said the Smashburger was the star of the show when we last went to family dinner at Noble Crust. I got one the next time and loved it too. Noble Crust Smash Burger – Buttered brioche bun, American cheese, shaved iceberg, dill pickle, caramelized onion, tomato and noble sauce. There is an option for a single or double patty. The single is pictured.   V9 Eats 5800 9th Ave N St. Petersburg, FL 33710 (727) 256-9723 V9 Eats Website A perfect classic double smashburger with housemade pickles. The buns are from Bruno’s Bakery, another local family run business. The fries are like McDonald’s in a good way. The fried okra is the best I ever had, and Lori said it reminded her of her grandmother’s fried okra. You can choose your toppings and I went with the smashburger classics – lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. This burger is so flavor-packed that it is craveable. All of the flavors and textures form a perfect creation of a burger.   Wild Child 2710 Central Ave St. Petersburg, FL 33712 (727) 954-7425 Wild Child Website Wild Child, helmed by Chef Rob Reinsmith, is one of the best and most creative restaurants in St. Pete. Their bacon cheeseburger is the perfect example of how any great chef should be able to make a great burger. It has American cheese, special sauce, caramelized onions, bibb lettuce, kumato tomato, and house dill pickles on a brioche bun and comes with fries.   The Bier Boutique 465 7th Ave North St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 827-2691 The Bier Boutique Website The Bier Boutique became a locals favorite immediately after they opened in 2019, and have remained so ever since. They continually turn out amazing dishes. All of the burgers are made with bison […]

• June 10, 2024 Ikigai with a Taste of Saigon: Where Sushi Meets Vietnamese

  Tucked away in a plaza off of 54th Ave N. in St. Petersburg, Ikigai with a Taste of Saigon is offering up a memorable experience of a blend of sushi and Vietnamese delights. Their concept encourages both take out and dine-in experiences, but the to-go option appears to be the most popular amongst the masses. Whether you’re a sushi aficionado or a lover of Vietnamese pho, Ikigai with a Taste of Saigon captivates your palate with a menu that celebrates the best of both worlds. Ikigai with a Taste of Saigon started its journey seven years ago and was originally only a sushi-focused spot. They were open for five years and then temporarily shut their doors for renovations. They were supposed to only close the establishment for a couple of months; however, the renovation process lasted longer than expected and Ikigai remained closed for two years. Three months ago, Ikigai was able to reopen to the public with an expanded menu which included Vietnamese cuisine. Jason owns and operates Ikigai with the help of his sister, Trang. Trang said that while they were closed, her brother teamed up with his friend, Au, who aided in adding the Vietnamese options to their menu. The space at Ikigai is simple and humble. They’re situated in a small plaza with enough parking spots to handle their flow of customers. It may not be located in a popular area for dining in St. Pete, but it certainly appears to draw quite the crowd. We visited Ikigai on a Saturday afternoon around lunchtime and the restaurant was buzzing with both dine-in and take-out clientele. Though, take-out was the clear favored option. Delivery services were in and out of Ikigai constantly, but there was also a steady flow of diners enjoying their meal on premise. If you’re eating in at Ikigai, as we did, you start by selecting your seat, reviewing the menu and then you place your food and drink order at the counter. Everything is then brought to you as it is prepared. As far as drinks are concerned Ikigai offers sake, soju, a few beers, water and some bottled soft drinks. We love sake and enjoy it often so naturally, that’s how we started our lunch. Sho Chiku Bai Nigori unfiltered was the selection and it was mild and a touch sweet. It was quite refreshing and paired well with our lunch. We usually tend to gravitate towards eggrolls, but it was 98 degrees on this Saturday afternoon and my husband suggested the fresh spring rolls with shrimp and pork and I couldn’t say no. These were a sleep hitter for me – we absolutely loved them. The flavors were so vibrant and I really enjoyed how present the fresh mint was. Not only were they delicious, but they were visually appealing too. As we were finishing our last bites of the spring rolls, the pho landed. Ikigai has phenomenal pho offerings which include beef pho, chicken pho, a build your own bowl option and more. We selected the beef pho which comes with two meats and we landed on the beef meatball and the shrimp. Additional meat options include steak, tendon, chicken, shrimp, tofu, fish balls, imitation crab, pork hock, blood cubes and egg yolks. After your pho arrives, you then have the option to head up to Ikigai’s buffet-like condiment station which entails lots of garnishes and sauces. We obviously took advantage of this garnish station and topped our huge bowl of delectable pho with cilantro, thai basil, jalapeños, sprouts and chili oil. This pho was incredible. The broth was so packed with flavor, noodle ratio was pristine and the do it yourself garnish game really was the cherry on top. As far as portions are concerned, this bowl was absolutely huge – we took more than half of it home and happily enjoyed it the next day. Sushi bowls are also a very popular option at Ikigai with a Taste of Saigon. When ordering this, they hand you a laminated card with all of the bowl options with an erasable marker to make your selections. For my bowl, I selected tuna, sweet and spicy Ikigai sauce, avocado, cucumber, edamame, jalapeño and onion. When it arrived, I first noted how ideal the portion was. Had we not ordered any other food, this bowl would’ve been the perfect amount of food to sustain me for lunch. A bed of rice with fresh tuna and vivacious accoutrements – it’s the utmost satisfying, to say the very least. Sushi rolls are a must at Ikigai. They have classic and specialty options and we had to order one of each, of course. Both rolls arrived on a platter together and the first standout detail of note was their beautiful appearance. The Mexican Roll under the classic selection of rolls has been deemed a favorite with the masses, so that one was a no-brainer. Tempura shrimp wrapped up in a blanket of seaweed and rice with avocado and topped with smelt roe – it’s a hard roll not to love. Texturally, this sushi roll is on-point. The avocado levels out the richness that the shrimp tempura brings to the table and all of it together makes for a glorious bite. A specialty roll was a must and we seem to always lean towards the tuna offerings – specifically, spicy tuna options. Luckily, they have a roll that is 100% up our alley and that is the Kamikaze roll. The roll is simple, but it hits all desired notes with spicy tuna and cucumber inside and more fresh tuna and spicy mayo on top of the roll on the outside. I often don’t love how large slices from a specialty roll can be, but these pieces were great and more than manageable. Spice levels were enjoyable without being too intense and the tuna was quite fresh. I find that less is more when it comes to a sushi roll and if you’re looking for that, this […]

• June 3, 2024 Crispy Chicken Cutlets with Hot Honey Recipe

  Elevate your next dinner situation with crispy chicken cutlets topped with charred sweet peppers, homemade hot honey and a shower of minced chives. It’s a crunchy, hot, sweet, tangy dish that is chock-full of flavor and certain to leave you full of happiness and content after consumption. This recipe takes classic chicken cutlets to a new level, offering a crispy and golden exterior that encases juicy and tender meat. The charred sweet peppers perfectly complement the sweet heat from the hot honey and make for the perfect cutlet accessories. Minced chives assist in making these crispy cutlets next level with their fresh and vibrant characteristics. If you can’t be bothered with making your own hot honey, Rollin’ Oats carries Mike’s hot honey which is superb. I promise you though, making your own hot honey is a breeze. I suggest making it with honey that is raw and/or organic. Each stovetop is different, so the cook time for the chicken will vary. Keep a close eye on the chicken while in the oil as they do brown and cook quickly. Our cutlets took approximately 1 1/2 minutes to cook on each side on our stove. If you’re looking for an additional side to pair with the cutlets, I recommend a light and fresh side like an arugula salad dressed in lemon and olive oil. Crispy Chicken Cutlets with Hot Honey Recipe Savor this delightful combination of crispy chicken cutlets, hot honey with a punch and charred mini sweet peppers for your next easy yet crowd-pleasing dinner. Hot Honey1/2 cup honey (preferably raw and organic )1 jalapeno (sliced into thin rounds)1 1/2 tbsp crushed red pepper1 tsp red wine vinegar1/4 tsp saltCharred Sweet Peppers1 cup mini sweet peppers (sliced into thin rounds)1 tbsp olive oil1/4 salt (I always use pink Himalayan )Chicken Cutlets2 chicken breasts (each one split to make 4 total chicken breast cutlets)1/2 cup olive oil (or other oil of choice)1 cup all purpose flour1 cup panko breadcrumbs1/3 cup parmesan cheese (finely grated)2 eggs1 tsp salt (plus more for seasoning)pepper1/4 cup chives (minced) Hot HoneyCombine honey, jalapeno and crushed red pepper in a small pot. Place the pot over medium heat. As soon as the pot comes to a gentle simmer, remove the pot from the heat and allow the chilis to infuse the honey for 15 minutes. Strain the honey mixture through a fine mesh sieve. Set aside until chicken is complete. Leftover honey can be stored in a container in the refrigerator for one week. Charred PeppersHeat oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium high heat (this will be the same pot that you will fry the chicken in). Add the peppers and salt and saute for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pepper rings are charred. Remove peppers from heat and place in a bowl until ready to serve.Chicken Cutlets & PlatingOne at a time, place each cutlet between two pieces of plastic wrap. Pound them out until they are 1/4" thick. Season each cutlet with salt and pepper on both sideslPlace the flour, whisked egg and panko-parmesan-salt mixture into three separate bowls.Dredge each pounded cutlet in the flour, followed by the egg (allowing excess to drip off), followed by the panko mixture. Place on a clean plate.Heat oil in the pot or dutch oven and heat over medium high heat. One at a time, fry each chicken cutlet for four minutes (1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side – keep a close eye on them), until cutlets are golden, crispy and cooked throgh.Place them on a wire rack that is stacked on a parchment-lined baking sheet.To serve, place a cutlet on a plate, top with some peppers, drizzle with hot honey and garnish with lots of chopped chives. Dinner, Main CourseAmericanCrispy Chicken Cutlets with Hot Honey

• May 28, 2024 Bohemios: A Flavor-Filled Journey Through Tapas

  Every meal should be an experience, in my opinion. I love to romanticize and fully immerse myself in every single culinary moment. To be an experience, it doesn’t have to be over the top nor overly expensive – I just always aspire for it to be memorable and intentional. Food is a love language to me and it is always my goal to enjoy and savor every moment and every bite of everything that is consumed. Additionally, I think that there is something important and beautiful about trying as many different dishes as possible with each meal. This is why I love tapas-style dining so much and that’s precisely what you’ll encounter at Bohemios Tapas Restaurant in downtown St. Petersburg. Bohemios is located on the ground floor of the Camden Central apartments located on St. Pete’s lively Central Ave between 8th St. N and Dr. MLK Jr. St. The restaurant has an expansive indoor bar, plenty of tables throughout that can be reserved online and even some outdoor seating that lines the sidewalk. While they do not have a designated parking area, street parking can be found on Central and the surrounding streets. We visited Bohemios on an early Saturday evening on a holiday weekend and had no issue finding a two hour parking spot one block from the restaurant. Bohemios in St. Pete has only been open for under a couple of months but this isn’t their first location – their original location is actually in Sarasota. From the time we arrived until the moment we left, the entire staff at Bohemios went above and beyond. We did not make a reservation and opted to sit at the bar where Basha provided us with exceptional hospitality. Additional staff members also checked on and conversed with us throughout our meal as well, including the chef. It’s the simple touches like that that truly make a difference in a dining experience. Lucky for us, we popped into Bohemios during their Friendly Hours, which occurs every day from 3:00PM – 6:00PM and all day on Sundays. The specials include $6.00 white and red sangria, $6.00 house wine, $3.50 domestic beers and six different tapas for $7.95 each. It’s a fantastic deal that I highly recommend. We took full advantage of Bohemios Friendly Hours and ordered one of each of the six tapas, the white and red sangria, champagne and the house Chardonnay. The six tapas on the Friendly Hours menu are: tequeños, empanadas, pataconcitos, mix ceviche, calamari and meatballs. The wine and sangrias landed in front of us moments after ordering them. It was a hot May afternoon in Florida and each of the sangrias were crisp and delicious without being overly sweet. The chardonnay that my mom ordered arrived in a chilled wine glass which we highly appreciated – it’s a great touch. Shortly thereafter, one at a time, our tapas began dropping in idyllic fashion. Our first taste of Bohemios was in the form of their pataconcitos with beef. Pataconcitos are deep fried plantain cups with ground beef. This happy hour rendition is comprised of three bite size cups and we absolutely loved them. They’re savory with a touch of sweetness from the plantains. We couldn’t have asked for a better bite to start our meal. The meatballs were the next to arrive in their pool of red sauce with a generous side of grated parmesan. These meatballs are on the smaller side and are quite tender. They’re great for sharing between a few people. After our last bites of the meatballs were consumed, the beef empanadas, calamari and the cheesy tequeños were placed in front of us. It’s important to note that each of the Friendly Hours items comes with three pieces (with the exception of the empanadas – they come with two). This was perfect for our group because each of us was able to enjoy one bite of everything without having the temptation to indulge in more (which we easily could’ve done). The tequeños were, without a doubt, the fan-favorite. These fried delights of dough and queso are served with a cilantro sauce and are essentially an elevated cheese stick and I mean this in the best way possible. We could’ve devoured an obscene amount of these. Cilantro sauce is served alongside a few of the tapas and this truly helped to cut the rich nature of these dishes. The empanadas are one of said dishes and while the dough and filling of the empanadas were both exceptional, the cilantro sauce elevated the bite. The calamari was good, but not as memorable as the other tapas on the Friendly Hours menu. The rings of squid are sliced thin, breaded and of course fried. If you’re a calamari fan, you’ll enjoy this version. Bohemios has a bruschetta section on their menu and the pan con tomate was 100% a must order. It’s one of my favorite dishes because the flavor that it delivers with its array of simple ingredients. It’s a dish that proves less is more when quality ingredients are involved. Tomato, olive oil, garlic and herbs served on crostini – need I say more? We were humming. This is something that I make regularly at home and I appreciate when it’s executed well at a restaurant. Croquettes also had their own section on the menu and when we noted that, I knew that we had to order at least one. I was set on the Manchego croquettes but Basha swayed us when she mentioned that the Iberian Ham rendition was a must order. We followed her lead and needless to say, we were extremely pleased. These croquettes are stuffed with serrano ham and seasoned potato and we simply went crazy over these. The last of the six Friendly Hour tapas to arrive was the mix ceviche. This ceviche has shrimp, fish, scallops, cilantro, sweet peppers and plenty of citrus and is served with plantain chips. It is a vibrant offering and we appreciated it after […]

Recipes

• June 3, 2024 Crispy Chicken Cutlets with Hot Honey Recipe

  Elevate your next dinner situation with crispy chicken cutlets topped with charred sweet peppers, homemade hot honey and a shower of minced chives. It’s a crunchy, hot, sweet, tangy dish that is chock-full of flavor and certain to leave you full of happiness and content after consumption. This recipe takes classic chicken cutlets to a new level, offering a crispy and golden exterior that encases juicy and tender meat. The charred sweet peppers perfectly complement the sweet heat from the hot honey and make for the perfect cutlet accessories. Minced chives assist in making these crispy cutlets next level with their fresh and vibrant characteristics. If you can’t be bothered with making your own hot honey, Rollin’ Oats carries Mike’s hot honey which is superb. I promise you though, making your own hot honey is a breeze. I suggest making it with honey that is raw and/or organic. Each stovetop is different, so the cook time for the chicken will vary. Keep a close eye on the chicken while in the oil as they do brown and cook quickly. Our cutlets took approximately 1 1/2 minutes to cook on each side on our stove. If you’re looking for an additional side to pair with the cutlets, I recommend a light and fresh side like an arugula salad dressed in lemon and olive oil. Crispy Chicken Cutlets with Hot Honey Recipe Savor this delightful combination of crispy chicken cutlets, hot honey with a punch and charred mini sweet peppers for your next easy yet crowd-pleasing dinner. Hot Honey1/2 cup honey (preferably raw and organic )1 jalapeno (sliced into thin rounds)1 1/2 tbsp crushed red pepper1 tsp red wine vinegar1/4 tsp saltCharred Sweet Peppers1 cup mini sweet peppers (sliced into thin rounds)1 tbsp olive oil1/4 salt (I always use pink Himalayan )Chicken Cutlets2 chicken breasts (each one split to make 4 total chicken breast cutlets)1/2 cup olive oil (or other oil of choice)1 cup all purpose flour1 cup panko breadcrumbs1/3 cup parmesan cheese (finely grated)2 eggs1 tsp salt (plus more for seasoning)pepper1/4 cup chives (minced) Hot HoneyCombine honey, jalapeno and crushed red pepper in a small pot. Place the pot over medium heat. As soon as the pot comes to a gentle simmer, remove the pot from the heat and allow the chilis to infuse the honey for 15 minutes. Strain the honey mixture through a fine mesh sieve. Set aside until chicken is complete. Leftover honey can be stored in a container in the refrigerator for one week. Charred PeppersHeat oil in a large pot or dutch oven over medium high heat (this will be the same pot that you will fry the chicken in). Add the peppers and salt and saute for about 4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until pepper rings are charred. Remove peppers from heat and place in a bowl until ready to serve.Chicken Cutlets & PlatingOne at a time, place each cutlet between two pieces of plastic wrap. Pound them out until they are 1/4" thick. Season each cutlet with salt and pepper on both sideslPlace the flour, whisked egg and panko-parmesan-salt mixture into three separate bowls.Dredge each pounded cutlet in the flour, followed by the egg (allowing excess to drip off), followed by the panko mixture. Place on a clean plate.Heat oil in the pot or dutch oven and heat over medium high heat. One at a time, fry each chicken cutlet for four minutes (1 1/2 to 2 minutes per side – keep a close eye on them), until cutlets are golden, crispy and cooked throgh.Place them on a wire rack that is stacked on a parchment-lined baking sheet.To serve, place a cutlet on a plate, top with some peppers, drizzle with hot honey and garnish with lots of chopped chives. Dinner, Main CourseAmericanCrispy Chicken Cutlets with Hot Honey

• 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 […]

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