day trippin: mazzaro's italian market

They boast quite the collection of small Italian automobiles.. I took a liking to this psychedelic Fiat.

 He had about enough of the pictures, and was dying to get his hands on some Italian goodies.

Sausage

Lots o' cheese.

Italian pastries galore.

I went for the pistachio gelato, and Dan chose a massive Éclair Mmmm.

[vintage dress and belt, Boutique 9 sandals, Ray-Ban Sunglasses]

If you live in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area, you must take a day and wander around Mazzaro Italian Market.  It's full of all sorts of delicious meats, cheeses, herbs, olives, and other Italian delicacies to take home.  Also, if you want to eat in (which I highly recommend), there's a little counter where you can order all sorts of pastas, salads, and sandwiches.  I love the tomato, basil and mozzarella tower, and Dan swears by their signature balsamic and caramelized onion burger.  My favorite part of Mazzaros, however, is the wine tasting room (they have a HUGE selection), and, of course, their pastry case.  They have gelato in all the classic flavors like chocolate and tiramasu, but also have seasonal choices.  Their pistachio flavor was to die for.  And if you still have some time to kill, there's also loads of vintage shopping, thrifting, used bookstores and art galleries all around if you want to check those out after lunch - it certainly makes for a lovely day.  Ciao bella!

xx

A

food truck madness

If you haven't heard by now, food trucks are the new craze in the restaurant industry.  They're similar to an old school street vendor, however, they carry everything from cupcakes, to Korean tacos, to soul food, and communicate their ever-changing locations via Twitter or Facebook.  A few late-night food trucks have popped up in little ol' Tallahassee, Florida, so my boyfriend, roommate and I made our way over to one as soon as we could.  Since we knew the guys who owned MoBi, we were lucky enough to try everything on the menu and then some.  It was quite the feast - especially after a few cocktails.
Speaking of drunk food, since today is ST. PADDY'S DAY (Wooo Irish Car Bombs!) look out for MoBi around Proof, Potbelly's or the Tennessee Strip if you're in Tallahassee and in need of some yumminess.

If you'd like to try out some food truck fair in your area, here are some websites that will help you locate the various businesses:

Roaming Hunger

Serious Eats

Some of the Top Food Trucks Taking Over the U.S.

xx

A

pinky's diner

After a long day of shopping, my mom and I wanted to grab a late lunch, and I knew just the place I wanted to try.  I've heard so many great things about Pinky's food, but I had no idea how cute and cozy the actual restaurant was.  It's one of those places that makes you feel instantly at home as soon as you set foot in the door.  Everything from the bottomless coffee bar with it's thrifted assortment of mugs to the incredibly friendly people who work there made Pinky's a place that I'd want to visit again and again - and I haven't even gotten to the food yet!  My mom ordered the savory Mexican fritatta, and I opted for comfort food and had the grilled cheese (complete with prosciutto, tomato, and basil) and tomato bisque soup.  Everything was absolutely delicious!  If you're in the Tampa area, definitely give it a try sometime - you won't be disappointed.

xx

A

a fresh fall dinner

When I'm in the mood for comfort food, a great risotto is always a welcomed dish.  I tried out this unlikely combination of butternut squash risotto and panko fried shrimp, and it turned out to be amazing - especially paired with a fresh, light salad.

Butternut Squash Risotto with Panko Fried Shrimp

Preheat oven to 400°F, and use a fork to put several ventilating holes in the uncut butternut squash.  Place squash on a baking sheet covered in tin foil, and bake for about an hour. Let cool (this can be done ahead of time).  Cut the squash in half length-wise, scoop out the insides, puree them and set them aside.

Marinate shrimp (around 1 lb. for 4 people) a few hours beforehand in a good olive oil, a few chopped cloves of garlic, salt, pepper, and thyme.

Meanwhile, begin the risotto (here is a classic recipe you can use, or you could just use the recipe listed on the container of most arborio rice).  Remember that the key to amazing risotto is to continually stir the rice and broth mixture until your arm wants to fall off!

While you're busy with the risotto, enlist the help of a friend to toss those marinated shrimp into a mixture of 1 cup panko breadcrumbs and a few pinches of salt and pepper.  You can either use a deep fryer, or just put about 1/4 an inch of vegetable oil in a skillet on high heat to fry the shrimp.  You'll probably have to fry the shrimp in batches to prevent them from sticking together.

After the risotto is done, I always recommend adding about 2 tablespoons of butter to enhance the creaminess - plus, with this recipe, it really brings out the flavor of the butternut squash.  Warm the reserved butternut squash in the microwave, then add it with about a cup of freshly grated Parmesan to the risotto and mix it together.  Plate the dish with a few shrimp on top of the risotto, some extra Parmesan if you like, and some thyme for color.

Walnut, Parmesan, and Fresh Greens Salad with Balsamic Dijon Dressing

I kind of eye-ball all of my salad dressings, but here's the general idea:

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

3 tbsp balsamic vinegar

1 tbsp whole grain dijon mustard (I use Maille)

2 tsp red wine vinegar

2 tsp honey

Juice from 1 lemon

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp pepper

Toss this dressing with a spring mix salad, 1 cup walnuts, and 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese.

Now Dig in and enjoy!

xx

A

gameday brunch

As a recent alumnus of Florida State University, I consider it my duty to make the most of every gameday - whether I'm tailgating in front of Doak Campbell Stadium or cheering on the Noles at home with friends and family.  This Saturday, FSU plays the Miami Hurricanes, and it's bound to be a  great match-up.  Since we're watching the game from the comfort of our home, a delicious brunch is crucial for keeping the energy up during a long gameday filled with good drinks and great company.


Stuffed Breakfast Potatoes & Grainy Dijon Mustard Hash-browns:
Bake salted potatoes the night before (500 degrees for about an hour).  Cut off the top of the potatoes, and scoop out the insides (set aside) to create a hollow shell.  Meanwhile, fry 4 strips of bacon (or more if you'd like) in a medium frying pan. Keep approximately 4 tablespoons of bacon grease in the pan for hash-browns when you're done.  Place a layer or aged white cheddar in the bottom, then carefully crack an egg on top.  Season with salt and pepper. Add a few spinach leaves, crumbled bacon, and a mix of grated parmesan & panko bread crumbs.
Set oven to 375 degrees, and bake for 20 minutes.  Once the potatoes are done, Top them off with creme fraiche (if unavailable, use sour cream) and chives.


Mix the potatoes you have set aside with a tablespoon of grainy dijon mustard (I recommend Maille), fresh rosemary, and salt & pepper. Sauté in remaining bacon grease with 2 tablespoons of butter until brown.


Everyone knows that no brunch (or FSU gameday) is complete without a delicious mimosa, so pop some bubbly and enjoy!


Bon Appétit!


xx
A