Seafood = Super-food.

It’s the last day of Seafood month here at Oregano (collective “aww” of disappointment.) But we couldn’t finish the month without reminding you all that not only is seafood tasty, it is also healthy as heck! 

Government and Health organisations currently recommend eating two seafood meals in a week (HOW CONVENIENT, you can get both with us! 2 birds, one stone. Or rather, two meals, one place!)

Fish and its other edible sea-dwelling friends are excellent sources of protein, vitamins, minerals, and – most importantly – omega-3 fatty acids. Eating more fish as part of a balanced diet will help your body out in all sorts of ways, just have a look at this list!

• -          Heart = Seafood is low in saturated fat and high in o-mazing omega-3. Research has suggested that one extra fish portion a week can lower your cholesterol and halve your risk of heart disease. That’s right, HALVE IT!
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• -          Circulation = Fatty acids EPA and DHA are abundant in fish and seafood and can help prevent the production of eicosanoids, a hormone-like substance which helps form blood clots.
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• -          Bones = Arthritis run in the family? Eating more fish can not only ease symptoms but has even been shown to prevent it!
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• -          Lungs = Asthma run in the family? Eating more fish and shellfish can not only ease symptoms but has even been shown to prevent it. SEE – fish is a super-food, I can literally repeat the same sentence with a different body part and it still works!)
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• -          Eyes = Kids won’t eat fish? Tell them it’ll help them see in the dark! You won’t exactly be lying. Like carrots, fish and shellfish are great sources of retinol – a form of Vitamin A which helps your night vision. Omega-3 can also help your eyesight if your eyes are getting worse as you get older.
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• -          Skin = Fish can help protect your skin from UV damage (is there nothing it can’t do?!) as well as helping with psoriasis or eczema. This is because protein is an essential ingredient in collagen, and goodness knows there is plenty of protein in fish!
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• -          Brain = Don't take this personally, but your brain is fat. Like 60% fat. Thankfully, lots of this is (drumroll please) omega-3 fat. Which we can work with. If you eat fish, you are reducing the risk of dementia and memory problems, feeding it to your kids will boost their concentration, behaviour, reading skills and help with ADHD. Research also indicates that there may be links between low omega-3 levels and higher risk of mental illness and mood disorders such as depression and SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder).

SO, there you have it. Want to live a happier, healthier lifestyle? Eat more seafood! Want to do that as affordably as possible? Head to Pizzeria Oregano! (Many of the dishes on our Seafood Set Menu will still be available on the à la carte menu after April 1^st. Panic not!)

Risotto Ai Frutti di Mare Recipe

Now, you might not know this but... IT'S SEAFOOD MONTH AT OREGANO. Ahem. So, we've decided to furnish you lovely people with a stunning seafood recipe that you can try at home! And it's a corker: Risotto Ai Frutti di Mare. Bursting with tasty seafood but truly simple to make, this refined dish will win you major points at your next dinner party/date night. 

Preparation and Cooking time - 60mins. 

Ingredients:

600ml              vegetable or fish stock

80ml                olive oil

45g                   unsalted butter

1                       small onion, chopped

250g                 Arborio rice

125ml              dry white wine

500g                 mixed seafood (preferably mussels, calamari and prawns)

65g                   chopped plum tomatoes

65g                   fresh parsley

2.5g                  chopped garlic

1 tablespoon  extra-virgin olive oil

70g                   freshly-grated Parmigiano-Reggiano (optional)

Method

1. In a small saucepan, warm the fish or vegetable stock.
2. Add the olive oil to a large saucepan, put on a low heat.
3. Add 35g of butter and the chopped onion. Sauté by stirring occasionally for about 5 minutes until onion is tender. There should be no colour or browning).
4. Add the rice and toast lightly for 1 minute without letting the rice or onion take on any colour.
5. Add the wine and cook until almost completely absorbed. 
6. Add enough stock so it's about 1cm above the rice and bring to a simmer. 
7. Cook the risotto for about 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the rice has absorbed some of the liquid.
8. Add the seafood and tomatoes to the pan and stir occasionally, until the seafood is cooked and the rice is al dente (firm to the bite) for a further 6 minutes. As the rice continues to absorb the liquid, add more as needed.
9. Remove the risotto from the heat and add the parsley, garlic, olive oil, Parmigiano-Reggiano (if you're using it) and the remaining butter. Stir well to release the starches and make the risotto creamy. Season with salt and pepper and serve.

And there you have it folks! A breathtakingly sophisticated dish, which requires nothing more strenuous than stirring! Got to love it... 

Seafood Month at Oregano!

This month at Oregano we are offering a fabulous seafood menu, just for you. 

Get any 2 courses and a glass of wine for £17.95

Starters

Bianchetti - Fried whitebait.

Calamari Fritti - Fresh squid, deep-fried

Gamberoni alla Diavola - Butterfly King Prawns grilled with garlic, white wine, tomato and chilli, served with fried parsnips and rocket salad.

Main

Spaghetti alle Vongole - Pasta cooked with clams, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, garlic, chilli and white wine.

Linguine al Cartoccio - Pasta cooked and served with a selection of seafood (including clams and mussels) white wine tomato and parsley. Sealed, cooked and served in tin foil.

Risotto Ai Frutti di Mare - Arborio rice with large prawns, mussels and calamari in a light tomato and white wine sauce

Salmone in salsa di Aragosta - Fresh salmon in a light brandy and lobster sauce with prawns and asparagus tips, on a bed of mash. (£2.50 supplement)

Merluzzo alla Marinara - Fillet of cod in a white wine and tomato sauce with calamari, clams, mussels and prawns (£1.50 supplement)

Pizza Puglia - Pizza topped with  tomato, fresh clams, mussels, squid, garlic, olives and olive oil.

And top it off with a glass of house wine. All for just £17.95!
Don't we spoil you.

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**This offer is based on a set menu. Seafood menu available for a limited time only. This cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Wine is the house wine. Customers must be 18 or over to enjoy free glass of wine. Soft drinks will be provided on request. Some dishes may incur a supplement. Includes VAT, excludes service. Please mention offer to your server upon booking or dining.