ON THE TOWN
TORO PAELLA 2 tablespoons garlic, minced 1 cup Spanish onions, diced and sauteed in olive oil 1/2 cup scallions, white parts only, diced 1 cup sliced Spanish chorizo 1 cup red bell pepper, diced Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1 cup chicken breast or thigh meat 1/2 cup tomato paste 2 cups Calasparra or bomba rice 10 threads saffron 1 can conserva (optional) 1 1/2 cups lobster stock 1 1/2 cups chicken stock 1 1/2 cups vegetable stock 6 to 10 top neck or count neck clams 18 mussels 4 to 5 shrimp 1/2 cup English peas Olive oil, ¼ cup sliced scallion tops and lemon wedges for garnish
PHOTO BY EMILY HAGEN
Combine garlic, onions, white scallions, chorizo, red pepper, salt and black pepper to taste in a paella pan. Saute over high heat for 4 to 5 minutes. Add chicken, tomato paste, rice and saffron, and stir, making sure to evenly coat. Toast for 4 to 5 minutes. Add a can of conserva, if using. Evenly distribute and flatten out rice in pan. Add all stocks. Once boiling, add clams and cook 5 to 10 minutes, until they open up and rice grains
are clearly visible. Add mussels, and reduce heat to medium. Once the mussels open, add shrimp and peas. Cook over medium heat until shrimp and rice are cooked and have created a crispy bottom called socarrat. Add stock as necessary during cooking. Garnish with olive oil, scallion tops and lemon slices. HUNGRY FOR MORE? TO FIND CHEF JAMIE BISSONNETTE’S RECIPE FOR GALICIAN EMPANADAS, GO ONLINE TO OKMAG.COM/
BISSONNETTE
DRINKIN’ AND EATIN’ THE BLARNEY
Irish watering holes throughout the state know how to party on St. Patrick’s Day. Some make it a weekend-long celebration.
McNellie’s – OKC, Tulsa
The annual McNellie’s St. Patrick’s Day celebrations – loud and crowded – are ready to rock. The Oklahoma City and downtown Tulsa locations get a head start on festivities with Patio Parties at 6 p.m. March 16. Their rollicking block parties follow the next day at 10 a.m. on the actual St. Patrick’s Day. McNellie’s south Tulsa pub has its Patio Party from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. March 17. 409 E. First Street, Tulsa; 7031 S. Zurich Ave., Tulsa; 1100 Classen Drive, Oklahoma City.
Saints – OKC
The Saints Pub makes an entire weekend out of St. Patrick’s Day with music, fun, and food and drink specials running March 15-17. Get $5 Guinness pints and Car Bomb specials, as well as $12 bangers, $9 fish and chips, $8 cabbage and mash, and $6 bread pudding. Special hours are from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m. Friday and Saturday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 a.m. Sunday. 1715 N.W. 16th St.
Kilkenny’s – Tulsa
In the heart of Cherry Street and one of Tulsa’s top brunch spots, Kilkenny’s Irish Pub goes all-out for its signature holiday. Irish dancers kick off the festive block party at 11 a.m. St. Patrick’s Day, with live music beginning around noon. Beer tents and trucks are set up next to the restaurant, along with tents for merchandise sales and a number of Irish house favorite dishes. Even the kiddos are included, with
activities planned for them, too. The party continues until midnight. 1413 E. 15th St.
O’Connell’s – Norman
St. Patrick’s Day celebrations began at O’Connell’s 51 years ago … and they continue today. Many gallons of green beer are offered for public consumption, with collector beer mugs, T-shirts, beads and green derbies on sale. Karaoke, live music and other shenanigans go on all day. The fun starts at 7 a.m. March 17 with a bagpipe performance, followed by a breakfast of green eggs and ham. And if you don’t have anything green to wear, face painters are on hand to fix you up. The party continues until 2 a.m. 769 Asp Ave.
J. Farley’s Irish Pub – Claremore
Claremore’s relatively new Irish hangout, J. Farley’s, offers a weekend of St. Patrick’s Day events, kicking off March 15 with an Irish-themed karaoke party. Live music begins March 16 and continues through March 17. Drink specials run all weekend long. On St. Patrick’s Day, enjoy green beer and a limited Irish menu. 609 S. Brady St.
Arnie’s Bar – Tulsa
Since 1956, the celebration at Arnie’s Bar downtown has been a favorite St. Patrick’s Day tradition. Join in all of the fun, including Irish traditional music, starting at 6 p.m. March 17. 318 E. Second St.
MARCH 2019 | WWW.OKMAG.COM
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