Foodista's Roasted Shrimp Risotto

I'll admit it...I've been eating a looot lately.  And while I love trying different restaurants and indulging in foods I'd never cook at home, sometimes it can be a bit much.  That's why I cooked up a healthy and really satisfying meal yesterday, combining two dishes I've made before - 1. Mexican risotto and 2. roasted shrimp salad.

It was gooood - hearty and fresh tasting, as it used mostly fresh ingredients and really good shrimp.  I bought jumbo shrimp for this, and it made a huge difference.  They added meatiness to the dish and made it more substantial--as did the generous cubes of my beloved ingredient, avocado.  Even though you can't see it from the picture above, the bed of this dish consists of long grain white rice with black beans.  Everything was seasoned with lemon juice, giving it nice tang.  Try it yourself and feel free to add your favorite protein or veggies.

Foodista's Roasted Shrimp Risotto

Ingredients (serves 2)
1/2 cup of long grain white rice

1 cup of black beans
1 avocado, cubed into 1/2" pieces

1/2 lb of jumbo shrimp, cleaned and deveined (or you can clean them yourself)
Juice of 1/2 lemon

Olive oil

A pinch of each, Italian seasoning and dried paprika

Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:
Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Cook rice according to directions on the packaging.  Add the beans at the end, when you've taken the rice off the flame.

Clean shrimp and coat with olive oil (1 generous glug), Italian seasoning, dried paprika, salt and pepper.  Make sure to incorporate it thoroughly.  Spread out on a lined baking sheet and bake for about 5 minutes or less. Check on it once to see that the shrimp is nice and pink, but be careful not to overcook it. If it curls in too much, that means you overdid it.

Spoon rice and beans into a bowl.  Top with more beans if you like and then add the sliced avocado.  Add the roasted shrimp at the very top.  Season with more salt and pepper if you like and squeeze lemon juice on top. 

Enjoy with a glass of white wine or a nice light beer.

Foodista on Martha Stewart Sirius Satellite Radio

Image by www.life.com

So readers...I have some really great news to share with you.  As you can undoubtedly gather from the headline of this post, I'm going to be on the radio again. And this time, it's going to be on Martha Stewart Living Radio on Sirius Satellite radio.  I couldn't be more thrilled and I hope you can check me out.  I'll be talking about my blog as well as the topic of ethnic foods.  There will be a live taste test so the pressure is on - tune in on Monday, March 22nd at 3:30 p.m. ET to find out what I've cooked up.

Foodista on Martha Stewart Living Radio on Sirius Satellite Radio

Monday, March 22nd at 3:30 p.m. E.T.

If you don't have SIRIUS, click here for a 7 day free trial.

Enjoy the show and please call in if you'd like to talk to me. I'd be happy to answer your questions.

Celebrate St. Patty's Day in Astoria

Tomorrow is St. Patty's day and that always promises a fun time, especially in Astoria.  The weather is supposed to be warm and sunny, offering the perfect opportunity to hop around to different bars and take advantage of various food and drinks specials.  Here are my personal suggestions (in alphabetical order):

Astoria Brewhouse (fka Indigo) - Always partaking in festivities, Astoria Brewhouse will offer drinks specials as well as an Irish food menu with specialties such as a corned beef sandwich, shepherd's pie, Irish-style fish and chips and more.  These specials will run all day tomorrow.  28-50 31st Street, Astoria.  718.728.0050

Bohemian Hall & Beer Garden - Although their drinks special is not St. Patrick's Day related (after all, they are a Czech/Slovak establishment), they will feature a 2-for-1 ladies night special all night.  29-19 24th Avenue, Astoria.  718.274.4925

Irish Rover - In addition to their already cheap drinks, they'll have live music starting at 8 p.m. as well as trays of complimentary Irish grub.  37-18 28th Avenue, Astoria.  718.278.9372

McCann's Pub - This Irish pub will certainly be celebrating tomorrow's holiday with various beer specials and typical Irish food such as corned beef and cabbage.  Drinks are already inexpensive so you won't have to lay out the big bucks.  36-15 Ditmars Blvd, Astoria.  718.278.2621

Mojave - St. Patty's day at a Mexican restaurant? The answer is a clear YES and as a matter of fact, their specials are pretty sweet, including $4 Guinness, $9 Irish car bombs, $5 baby Guiness, $5 appetizers and more. 22-36 31st Street Astoria. 718.545.4100

Sparrow - This darkly-lit speakeasy has a simple, no messing around St. Patty's Day special - $9 Guinness + Jameson shot.  Enjoy getting nice and toasty. 24-01 29th Street, Astoria.  718.606.2260

Studio Square Beer Garden - Prepare to sing your heart out at Studio Square's Wednesday night karaoke from 10 p.m. - 1 a.m. It's not necessarily St. Patty's Day related but there will be drinks specials all night. 35-33 36th Street, Astoria.  718.383.1001

Sunswick -While drinks specials will be announced tomorrow, there will be a special menu available featuring Irish food such as corned beef and cabbage.  And if you're not in the mood for that, Sunswick serves a mean turkey burger.  35-02 35th Street Astoria. 718.752.0620

Sweet Afton - An Irish bar by nature, St. Patty's Day festivities are certainly happening.  Classic drinks such as Guinness will be flowing, Irish music will be pumping and their delicious Irish breakfast rolls will be served all day long.  Prices will remain as usual. 30-09 34th Street, Astoria.  718.777.2570 

The Quays Pub - This neighborhood favorite will feature their already dirt cheap drinks such as $2 Coors Light drafts, PBRs and High Life. Cheers to that! 45-02 30th Avenue, Astoria.  718.204.8435

YOLO - A big party is in store for tomorrow with $5 whiskey shots, $6 pints of stout, festive Irish music and all your favorite Irish nibbles.  The celebration starts at 11 a.m. and goes on all night. 22-55 31st street, Astoria. 718.777.1177

Give a Warm Welcome to: WE HEART ASTORIA

Friends and fellow Astorians, I'd like to make a friendly introduction to a new and fabulous community blog that has just launched.  Its name, WE HEART ASTORIA  says it all, as the blog focuses on the wonderful things that this neighborhood we call home has to offer - shopping, food, community events, personal spotlights and other fun stuff.

Besides being involved personally as a writer, WE HEART ASTORIA is a collaboration with two wonderful individuals, Meg and Mackenzi, who absolutely live and breathe everything about Astoria.  I can't wait for you to check it out and let me know what you think.

See our premiere post here.  Friend us on Facebook here.

Big St. Patty's Day Party at YOLO

St. Paddy's Day is this Wednesday and there's never a shortage of fun things to do in Astoria.  While I'll share a complete round-up of St. Paddy's Day events soon, I wanted to spotlight one in particular today, YOLO. 

Some of you might be familiar with YOLO, but for those who aren't, it's a relatively new bar conveniently located outside the Ditmars Blvd subway station.  The decor is modern, the drinks are cheap and the staff is really hospitable.  I think it'd be a fun place to spend St. Paddy's day - or maybe just a great stop along your bar crawl.

YOLO's St. Paddy's Day Party - 11:00 a.m. - all night long
Food and drinks specials are featured all day.  $5 whiskey shots, $6 pints of stout and various beer specials.
Festive Irish music
Traditional Irish grub such as shepherd's pie, corned beef & cabbage, beef & stout casserole

Yolo - 22-55 31st street, Astoria NY 11106
718.777.1177
N/W Train to Ditmars Blvd (last stop)
www.yolothincrustpizza.com

Artichoke - Now the BEST PIZZA I Ever Ate

Artichoke - 328 East 14th Street, New York NY 10003

212.228.2004

L Train to 1st Avenue

www.artichokepizza.com

My co-workers told me about Artichoke Pizza, but I only half believed them.  "It's the best pizza you're EVER going to taste."  I didn't know if I'd completely agree, but my curiosity was piqued to the max, especially when my co-worker Meghan talked about their most coveted "artichoke" slice with a creamy cheese topping and soft artichokes.  "Mmmmm," I was  intrigued and ventured over there one day after work.

Atmosphere:

I was duly warned about Artichoke's famous (and painfully long) line.  "It's always like that," Meghan said but I thought to myself that there must be a good reason. This place must really be something special if there's always a line.

Sure enough when I got there, I noticed the line forming out the door.  It seemed to be moving slowly but if you prepare yourself for this, you'll get through it.  In the midst of my wait, I got to scope out the scene and figure out where to eat my pizza, as there was no seating inside - the space is absolutely tiny.  Spotting some wooden benches outside (and it was a nice, mild night) as well as a wooden make-shift bar, I knew where I'd be scarfing down my artichoke slice.  While people sat on the benches, no one used the make-shift bar, so I'd highly suggest that if you want some "privacy."

Food:

Oh my holy god, once it was actually my turn and I got to order the signature artichoke--and get this, a spinach combo--slice I was ready for my experience to start.

First off, the slice was absolutely humongous and could've very well been the equivalent to a half loaf of bread.  I knew I had to pace myself and know when to stop or I'd get grossly, utterly full.  Putting my slice on the "bar" I could hardly wait for it to cool down.  Waiting for about 5 seconds, I couldn't take it anymore and took a big bite, burning the roof of my mouth in the process.  It didn't matter.

Oh sweet mother of pizza - the flavor was beautiful.  From ingredients to texture and apperance, this slice had it all.  Each bite produced the most luxurious sensation in your mouth - the soft (almost saucy) cheese melded together with the artichoke and the spinach, forming perfect harmony.  It tasted like you were eating the most delicious artichoke/spinach dip on the freshest pizza dough ever. 

Another fabulous component was the excellent quality olive oil that was used - you could taste the freshness and fruity flavor.  I don't know where they get this stuff, but it's for real.  I wouldn't be surprised if I found out it's imported from Italy.  Magnifico!

Service and Cost:
There are three guys in the shop and they are busy.  Two guys make the pizza and one guy tends to all customers.  That's right, one guy.  He's nice and jovial under the crazy circumstances and does a good job at managing the crowds.  He didn't seem stressed, which was admirable - I guess he's used to the hubbub.

Costs are very moderate for the quality of pizza you're getting and include the following:

Artichoke Slice: $4

Margarita Slice: $3.50

Crab Slice: $4

Sicilian Slice: $3.50

Stuffed Artichoke Slice: $6

32 oz beer (damn): $5.50

3 VERY effusive Mmmmms

The BEST Pancakes Moses Ever Ate

"Who's Moses?" you might be asking yourself.  No...I'm not referring to the biblical figure who parted the Red Sea.  I'm talking about our good friend, a fellow Astorian who we consider...well...family.  You know those close friends that one day your kids will call "uncle" or "aunt" even though they're technically not? Well...that's Moses. A real stand up guy.  Our great friend. Moses.

So back to my point here, which is about these stuffed pancakes.  Dan made them two weeks ago on our weekend trip to Vermont and they came out so great that Moses claimed them to be the best pancakes he ever ate in all his 30 years on this earth. I think those were his exact words.

What were they stuffed with? Well..that's up to you to decide.  We used three "stuffers" that were all big hits: mashed bananas, peanut butter & jelly, and nutella.  The bananas were my favorite because they made the pancakes taste like banana bread, but a lot people seemed to love the peanut butter & jelly combo. 

As you'll see from the pictures, we topped them with more stuff, thus making it even richer.  Some people used Nutella, some used jelly and some like me incorporated mashed bananas.  All I can say is you must try this for brunch one weekend.  And because the pancakes are semi-homemade, they won't take you forever to make.  Here's the recipe:

The Best Pancakes Moses Ever Ate (serves 6)

Ingredients:
1 box of pancake mix

Milk, eggs, oil (see proportions on the pancake box)
Butter
Stuffing:
2 bananas, mashed with a fork (1 tbs per pancake)

Peanut butter (1 tbs per pancake)

Strawberry preserves (1 tbs per pancake)
Nutella (1 tbs per pancake)

Directions:
Place a large skillet on medium-high heat and coat with a modest amount of butter.

Combine prepared pancake mix with your stuffing of choice.  When mixing in the stuffing, add it to a small bowl, separating it from the main batter and incorporate gently.  Be careful not to overmix. 

Cook pancakes for about 3 minutes on each side or until bubbles start to form on the surface.  You can make them as big or as little as you want.  We decided on the super-large pancakes and used about a 1/2 cup of batter per serving, but this is really up to you.

After the pancakes are cooked, dress them with your favorite topping such as more Nutella, peanut butter, jelly or mashed bananas.  You can also use traditional maple syrup, honey or even whipped cream - whatever you like.

For a side dish, we whipped up some crispy hash browns.  I'm not going to write out the recipe here, but you can use this helpful link that will give you similar results.

Hope you enjoy these breakfast treats as much as we did.  And if they are indeed the best pancakes you ever ate, be sure to tell Moses.  He'll appreciate it.