Food & Wine Sides
In October, style editor Marsha Fottler reviewed several new Sarasota restaurants. Two have shared some of their culinary secrets with us. Read on for their sumptuous recipes. Please note, some measurements are not exact, but then, culinary greatness is seldom measured in tablespoons!
Tortellini Special, from Filippo's Pizzeria
Ingredients:
1 whole portobello mushroom, diced
1 tblspn diced red onion
Two large handfuls of fresh baby spinach
1 tblspn butter
Salt and pepper to taste
1 cup heavy whipping cream
2 tblspns grated parmesan cheese
Enough tortellini to feed two people
2 tblspns olive oil
In a sauté pan, sauté the red onion in the olive oil for a couple of minutes. Add the diced portobello mushroom and sauté another five minutes. Add the spinach and sauté until it wilts. Add the salt and pepper to taste. Add heavy cream. Bring to a boil, being careful not allow it to burn or stick to the pan. Reduce heat and simmer 2-3 minutes. Add the cooked tortellini, butter and parmesan cheese. Cook until it reaches a creamy consistency. Serve immediately.
Filippo's Pizzeria
6360 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota
(941) 360-8065
Tuna "Lucy" Style, from Chef Rolf at the Saltwater Café
Ingredients:
6 ounce Ahi tuna
Season tuna with salt and pepper, sear in a hot skillet with 1 tspn of olive oil and coo to medium rare or to your liking.
Quesadilla:
24-inch quesadilla
4 oz mozzarella cheese (grated)
1 oz chopped tomato
1 oz finely chopped scallions
Place quesadilla on a grill or skillet, top with cheese, tomato and scallions. Fold in half, cook until cheese is melted.
Salad:
1 oz mixed greens
1 oz artichokes
1 oz fresh mushrooms
1 oz chopped onions
1 oz tomato
1 oz Julienne carrots
Toss lettuce, artichokes, mushrooms, onions, tomato and carrots.
Salad dressing:
1 oz olive oil
1 oz balsamic vinegar
1 oz fresh raspberries
1 tblspn yellow mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
In a food processor or blender, blend olive oil, vinegar, salt, pepper, raspberries and mustard.
Salsa sauce:
1 fresh tomato
3 cloves pressed garlic
1 oz fine chopped onion
Dash of hot sauce
Fresh cilantro to taste
Salt and pepper to taste
In a food processor or blender, blend tomato, garlic, chopped onion, hot sauce and cilantro.
Layer all ingredients on a plate in the following order:
1) Salsa sauce
2) Quesadilla
3) Salad
4) Tuna
5) 1 tblspn sour cream
Garnish all with fresh seasonal vegetables.