In less than five years, Matt's Big Breakfast has become a downtown Phoenix institution. Every day but Sunday, the diner cooks up dozens of pieces of thick peppered bacon and pounds of olive-oil crisped potatoes in a kitchen smaller than an ASU dorm room. The teeny restaurant's signature day-glow citrus counters are matched only by the warm-hearted goodness of Erenia Pool, Mrs. Matt herself. Her terminal cheerfulness can overcome even the most ardent anti-morning doldrums. Sure, her big-hearte
My friend Pamela Hamilton, editor of Edible Phoenix, just sent an invitation to Chow Bella readers to vote online for this year's Local Hero Awards, the annual accolades given to hard-working people in the culinary community. Friday's the last day.
If you're familiar with the mag, then you'll recognize the past winners as people who are key players in the local Slow Food scene. I already have some folks in mind for my write-in votes, but check out the below list to get the gears
Julie Peterson
The wily romanesco, lurking in the McClendon's Select stall at Town and Country farmers' market.The curious little kid in us really comes out when we see a funky new fruit or vegetable. (It makes fixing dinner a bit more interesting, too.) One of the loveliest oddities available right now is romanesco, a mysterious relative of cauliflower, broccoli, and cabbage.
Did you know that all those veggies can be bred with each other? (Math geeks, check out that link for all the gl
