Main Dish Recipes

Yichao Wang, What Are You Eating?

Yichao Wang​Yichao Wang The artistic director of CloPet Theatr can be seen performing with Jester'Z improv this December and January What'd you eat for dinner last night? I ate at Hong Kong Gormet Buffet in Ahwatukee. Delicious though a bit pricey--but lots of yummy seafood, and great sushi as w ... More >>

Rico's Taco: Party in the Back

Tofurky: Tell Your Drunk Aunt to Step Aside, This Might Just Be Another Holiday Disaster

Kelly Green​ In the name of good health and a good read, each week we'll be bringing you a health product, complete with review. We're calling this feature Crunchy Granola -- even though we doubt much of this stuff tastes that good. Ah, yes. The infamous Tofurky. A product that has been a consis ... More >>

Pan Gravy Recipe: Turkey 101

​Nothing beats homemade gravy dripping over just carved turkey; a ladled puddle swirled on a mound of mashed potatoes, drizzled and mixed into bread stuffing. No need to rely on cans of goopy creamed soups or dehydrated over- salted packaged mixes. If you are using herbs and vegetables for a ... More >>

Turkey Tips: Brining and Roasting

TheKosher@wikimedia.org Oven roasted brined turkey ​Our Thanksgiving motto is brine baby, brine! After experimenting from year to year with methods and recommendations for a satisfying bird, brining consistently delivers us a bird that cooks faster, is moist, and flavorful. Brining takes so ... More >>

Jessica Seinfeld on Her New Book and Being First in Line at Pizzeria Bianco This Weekend

Image courtesy of Jessica Seinfeld​ Jessica Seinfeld is ready to turn over a new leaf -- or a page from a new book, rather. In April, a federal appeals court ruled in her favor after claims that the ideas behind her first cook book, Deceptively Delicious, had been copied from another author. ... More >>

Tempeh: Tofu's Funky, Fermented Cousin

Robin from Netherlands via Wikimedia commons​ In the name of good health and a good read, each week we'll be bringing you a health product, complete with review. We're calling this feature Crunchy Granola -- even though we doubt much of this stuff tastes that good. This week: Tempeh Tempeh, ... More >>

Gasper Manno of Gasper's Casual Italian Dining/Pizzeria, Part Two

Gasper Manno and his wife Maria grew up in towns 20 minutes apart on the Italian island of Sicily, but they didn't meet until they wound up at the same college in New York City. Halfway around the world decades later, now they work together at Gasper's Casual Italian Dining/Pizzeria.

Sara Oliver, What Are You Eating?

Sara Oliver​Sara Oliver The jeweler and artist has an art opening on Friday, November 5 at Sweets and Beats. Hanging on the walls will be about 120 drawings and mixed media pieces all under $20, plus there will be Tammie Coe cupcakes and a free show by Doctor Dinosaur from Tucson. Her jewelry lin ... More >>

Chef Christopher Gross' Kitchen Secrets

Jen Bruce, What Are You Eating?

Jen Bruce​Jen Bruce The singer, songwriter and piano and guitar player for Tempe band Honey Pistol plays with the band at Teakwoods in Phoenix December 18. What'd you eat for dinner last night? Airplane food: delicately rubberized chicken chewy/dry sandwich. Favorite food: Grandma's Fried Chicke ... More >>

Arby's New Limited-Time Menu Items: Steakhouse Onion Rings & Chocolate Turnover (Um, Do Not Eat Together)

What onion rings are supposed to taste like? We'll see about that.​Howdy, Arby's! Recently, the Wendy's sibling best known for roast beef sandwiches and curly fries introduced two limited-time items to its menu: Steakhouse Onion Rings and a Chocolate Turnover. Billed as, "Battered and fried to go ... More >>

Pasta with Roasted Vegetable and Arugula

​We went up to Northern Arizona this weekend where we went to a car show, a quilt show, and drove through Oak Creek Canyon. To eat we had chimichangas, cheeseburgers, tacos, and some big slices of chocolate cake. It was fun, but now it's time to take it easy and eat some vegetables. That's wh ... More >>

Guru Palace's Chicken Tikka Masala

We named Guru Palace's Chicken Tikka Masala one of our "100 Favorite Dishes," and today, Rana Singh Sodhi and Surinder Singh (no relation) share the mouthwatering Indian recipe.

Tommy Cannon, What Are You Eating?

​Tommy Cannon The improv performer with Robot Destroyers from Planet Earth, host of Dr. Zombie's Movie Lab of Terror, creator of Mr. Sock and Fred the Mustard Packet comics and puppeteer performs a puppet show called The Temptations: Not the Musical Act Friday, September 3 at eye lounge. The even ... More >>

Pot Roast and Summer Vacation

​We decide to make a pot roast mainly because our husband spent the vast majority of his childhood summer vacations sharing the backseat of a silver stationwagon with his two brothers, while the family made their way from Philadelphia to Pine Knoll Shores, North Carolina. They were on the ... More >>

Justin Garza, What Are You Eating?

​Justin Garza The singer/songwriter for The Season Premiere plays with the band at the Desert Sound Music Festival in Yuma September 25. The band recently released a new single on i-Tunes, entitled "She Doesn't Know". What'd you eat for dinner last night? A 6-ounce sirloin steak with mashed p ... More >>

How Do I Use My Wok? Making Schezwan Stir Fry

Yesterday we explained how to prepare and maintain a carbon steel wok. Today, forget the take out menu, and try these recipes for basic Chinese marinade and a simple Schezwan stir-fry.Basic Chinese Marinade1/8 cup light Soy1/8 cup dark Soy1 teaspoon sugar1 tablespoon dry sherrypinch of sea salt ... More >>

Salmon Cakes

​It's funny how certain meals you dreaded as a kid, somehow turn into the ones you kind of really miss. So it is with Salmon Cakes, or salmon patties as they were known around our house. I never much cared for them except that my mom always served them with homemade macaroni and cheese that was s ... More >>

Glendale's Le Chalet Goes Better with Friends

Damon Brasch, What Are You Eating?

​ Damon Brasch The guitar player for Phoenix band MISR WAT (and chef and owner of Green Restaurant and That's a Wrap!) is busy writing new songs with his band. What'd you eat for dinner last night? Simple Broccoli and Pasta (recipe below) Favorite food: Probably fresh artichokes, we make them a ... More >>

Let's Have Our Own Top Chef Masters Office Pool!

Oh man, are there Top Chef Masters office pools out there? If not, there should be. Wait, what are we waiting for? We could totally make our own, kinda, through the world wide interweb -- whee! Sorry, still psyched up from last Wednesday's Top Chef Masters on Bravo. The classy reality show ... More >>

TLC Launches Best Food Ever (or Yabba-Dabba-Done-to-Death)

Napoleon Dynamite: This is pretty much the worst video ever made. Kip: Napoleon, like anyone can even know that. Let me go, I need to narrate. Wilma!​Kip's right. How can anyone know what's the worst (or the best) of anything? TLC's hoping we'll trust their judgment with its new show, Best Food ... More >>

Chicken Marsala with Sage and Cremini Mushrooms : Monday Night Martha

​We took a three-hour drive up to Northern Arizona for a few days of R&R and cool weather, looking forward to visiting with the family and seeing some snow. On days like these, sometimes it's nice to eat a big midday meal. Which is what we felt like doing today.  The meal need not be ... More >>

Fish and Chips, Rough Night at the Chippy: Monday Night Martha

​This week was, for whatever reason, a week of misconnections, a few failed experiments and crossed wires. One in which feelings were raw and the emotional landscape was brittle. So we decided to try this recipe for Battered Cod. The battered cod is part of a meal of homemade fi ... More >>

Chef Talk: Charles Stotts' Grilled Bass with a Roasted Vegetable Salad and Banyuls Vinaigrette

​ This week, we've heard from Charles Stotts on cooking with friends, what's missing in the Phoenix foodscape and why spoons are the best kitchen utensil. Today he shares his recipe for Grilled Bass with a Roasted Vegetable Salad and Banyuls Vinaigrette.

Women Call Bullshit on Dodge's "Man's Last Stand" Commercial, and Falling in Love with Marcela Valladolid, in "TV Dinner"

Looking for the latest in tasty television? Need to know the need-to-watch episodes of your favorite foodie shows? Chow Bella is here to help with reviews of the delectable and dreadful along with a handy, must-see schedule so you won't miss a thing. Wow, men sure have it tough with us masculinity- ... More >>

Chef Talk: Jamie Santoro's House Lasagna

That Italian Place's "famous" house-style lasagna. ​ Yesterday we talked with Chef Jamie Santoro of That Italian Place. Today she gives us the rundown on her lasagna. She says the recipe has been in the family for years and it's a popular dish with the Ahwatukee regulars. Here's the scoop:

Re-creating Pie Zanos' Pizza at Home

So you're in a restaurant, chowing down on the best tuna mac or pizza or boeuf Wellington you've ever had, when a crazy thought comes to mind: I can do this at home!! Without a pro chef's fancy appliances and gadgets, you might be challenged to create restaurant-worthy food. ... More >>

Monday Night Martha: Big House Fantasy Soup

​Before starting this week's Monday Night Martha we were standing around asking each other the eternal question, "So, what do you want to eat?" and bouncing a few ideas back and forth.Then the discussion turned into a fantasy of what we thought Martha might have eaten the night before heading to t ... More >>

Chef Talk: Andrew Ashmore's Maple Bacon Glazed Salmon

In yesterday's Chef Talk, we learned that Andrew Ashmore, executive chef of Scottsdale's Modern Steak, has an affinity for beef. For this recipe, though, he decided to share a non-steak favorite, Maple Bacon Glazed Salmon. The dish is a great fall/winter meal, with a mix of sweet and savory tastes-- ... More >>

Chef Talk: Eddie V's Crab Cake Maryland Style

Yesterday, we chatted him up. Today executive chef Brian Feirstein, from Eddie V's Prime Seafood, shares this recipe for Maryland-style crab cakes. The dish is super-simple and quick to make, but its beautifully plated presentation makes it seem way fancier. Nicki Escudero​Here's how to mak ... More >>

Chef Talk: BJ Hernandez's Pollo Cubano

When BJ Hernandez, chef and owner of the three Havana Cafe locations in the Valley, started making this recipe, it was only because it was a special she created for her guests. Now, it's her most popular dish at the restaurants and has found a permanent home on the menu. ​Part of its appeal i ... More >>

Chef Talk: Payton Curry's Fall Panzanella Salad and Spezzatini of Pork

At Caffe Boa, executive chef Payton Curry (whom we profiled yesterday in Chef Talk) uses farm-fresh, local ingredients in his dishes, and these two recipes are no exception. The Fall Panzanella Salad features products that are in season right now, so if you want the freshest dish available, hea ... More >>

Stuffing Showdown: Italian Family Recipe

​From now 'til Thanksgiving, we'll be sharing various stuffing recipes -- all tested and taste-tested first-hand by Chow Bella contributors. On Thanksgiving Day, our "celebrity judge," New Times food critic Michele Laudig, will weigh in with her favorite of the lot. Today's is the last installment ... More >>

Forking: White Bean Chili

​Facebook may be the saddest place on Earth (at least according to this week's Forking column) but a little white bean chili goes a long way toward making you forget about those hook-ups initiated by a friend request. White Bean Chili Ingredients: 1 lb White beans ; small, dried 6 cup Chic ... More >>

Stuffing Showdown: Hot Italian Sausage Stuffing With Thyme

Jonathan McNamara Where is my fork!?​From now 'til Thanksgiving, we'll be sharing various stuffing recipes -- all tested and taste-tested first-hand by Chow Bella contributors. On Thanksgiving Day, our "celebrity judge," New Times food critic Michele Laudig, will weigh in with her favorite ... More >>

Recipe: Red Wine Braised Beef with Winter Squash "Mash" and Apple Gremolata from Quiessence

You're lucky, readers--this recipe was crafted just for you by Chef Greg LaPrad of Quiessence Restaurant & Wine Bar. Nicki Escudero Red Wine Braised Beef with Winter Squash "Mash" and Apple Gremolata​LaPrad made this dish using ingredients currently available at Quiessence, which rotat ... More >>

Recipe: Tomato Caper Braised Halibut from Tommy V's

Nicki Escudero Tomato Caper Braised Halibut​When head chef Matt Alleshouse of Tommy V's Osteria Pizzeria created this recipe, he was looking to put a new twist on an old meal--the hunters-style dish. Typical hunters' dishes are made in one pot, cooked with the meat the hunter cau ... More >>

Recipe: Apricot Glazed Chicken from Liberty Market

Heather Hoch This tasty dish is a dinner menu-only item, so here's the recipe to try it anytime.​Running a restaurant is a lot like entertaining guests at home for chef David Traina, our Chef Talk subject for this week. He keeps the dishes on the menu simple with ingredients he knows and lo ... More >>

Monday Night Martha: Casserole Time

​Maybe it's because the first cold snap struck the Valley of the Sun this past week, or because the World Series is playing on TV, but our minds and stomachs suddenly want something warm and gooey and familiar. And really, nothing says Monday night like ... casserole. Ah, casserole the humble ... More >>

Recipe: Smoked Salmon with a Tater Tot from Atlas Bistro

Heather Hoch Don't be intimidated by the Smoked Salmon with a Tater Tot.​Joshua Riesner and fellow Atlas Bistro chef Keenan Bosworth like to switch up their menu day by day, while goofing around in the kitchen together and bugging their intern. Riesner is an avid foodie and says he could co ... More >>

Monday Night Martha: Spicy Cucumbers

​This week's recipe comes from a friend who has a knack for going into the kitchen and whipping up quick little dishes that she seems to pull out of thin air. This is the same pal who was kind enough to share her recipe for cranberry sorbet. Spicy cucumber salad is a great side to bring to a late ... More >>

Recipe: Vietnamese Pepper Pot from Mosaic

Lauren GilgerChef Deborah Knight in the kitchen of Mosaic.The travels of Deborah Knight are documented in her recipes. She's visited almost every continent (Australia and Antarctica seem to be the only two left off her list) and she's getting ready to head off again, when her restaurant, Mosaic cl ... More >>

Recipe: Enchiladas del Mar from Barrio Cafe

Lauren GilgerEnchiladas del mar from Chef Silvana Salcido Esparza at Barrio Cafe.Don't go serving Silvana Salcido Esparza some over-worked, over-wrought, over-thought dish that sits in a nice little design in the very center of the plate. "I don't like my food to be puréed, recongealed, molded and ... More >>

Monday Night Martha: Lesbian Folk Chili

I've long been a fan of Cris Williamson and Tret Fure. They are folksingers who produced several albums together. They also dated, and merged their musical identities into one onstage presence which they called "Cris and Tret." You said it quickly, as though it were one word: Crisentret. They s ... More >>

Veggie Boy: Vegetarian House

Eddie Recommends: Cinnamon

El Farol Adds a Dash of Peruvian Flair to Arcadia’s Restaurant Selection