“Cupcake smack down” is the prominent theme on the twitter account for Cupcake Love-In, posted this week in sync with the launch of a Valley culinary event celebrating sweet treats. Our Zach Fowle — Phoenix darling of eating contestants and author of our own Feast of Fury series — says game on!…
How do I make a really good cup of coffee? Our favorite coffee house slogan: “Drink Coffee, patriotic beverage since 1773.” That’s because the Continental Congress declared coffee our official national beverage when the original tea party, a revolt against the British tea tax, began in Boston’s Green Dragon Coffee…
Do you have any good tips for making sun tea? In 1904 at the summer St. Louis World’s Fair, the Commissioner of Tea for India could not interest the crowd in tasting his beverage. So he added ice to the glass and created a distinct way for Americans to take…
Yesterday we answered the question: Huitlacoche? Where can I find this stuff in Phoenix and what can I do with it? Follow the jump for a recipe shared by Azucena Tovar from Los Sombreros in Scottsdale…
A colleague recently asked: Where can I find this stuff in Phoenix and what can I do with it? Huitlacoche is an unattractive soil-borne organism that grows directly on the kernel of corn. The fungus begins inside the husk, infecting the kernels. Its growth enlarges, misshapes, and discolors them. When…
A few weeks back we wrote about the Lavender Festival at Red Rock Ranch and Farm in Concho, AZ. Planning for a last-minute houseguest for July 4th weekend, we decided on a road trip (shout it out), and a visit to northern Arizona and the lavender fields. The drive for…
The bumper sticker on our car should read “Caution, this vehicle stops suddenly for outdoor markets.” On a recent Sunday in Sunnyslope, we took a sharp right into the parking lot shared by Central Slope, a sustainable living store, Bomberos Cafe and Winebar, and Neilson Galleries. Carol Blonder Central…
What’s on your summer reading list? This week, Chow Bella contributors will answer that question with reviews of the food-related books we’ve read lately. If you have a recommendation for us, please leave it in the comment section. Today’s selection: Ratio by Michael Ruhlman. Part of simplifying my life has…
Forget the food-colored fantasies and stick with Apple Pie, the quintessential American dessert. Break down the baking by preparing your pie dough a day or two ahead, roll it out, fill and bake the morning of your celebration. It’s as easy as pie. (Whoever originated that quote had their tongue…
Yesterday we chatted with Tracy Dempsey about inspirations, her food attitude, and being a woman in professional kitchens, today Tracy tells us why ice cream, and shares a recipe. You have added ice cream to your line of Tracy Dempsey Originals, why ice cream?I have always done ice cream as…
When we heard about the 26-page Pentagon brownie recipe published recently, we couldn’t resist trying to bake them. Emphasis on trying. What better time for the next Chow Bella Showdown? We gathered the staff and got them baked — er, baking. So far, we’ve had the Pentagon brownies; “Joy of Baking”…
We recently caught up with Tracy Dempsey, pastry chef and business owner, scooping samples of Tracy Dempsey Originals ice cream at The Phoenix Urban Market and Wine Bar. We got the scoop from the scooper. Tracy Dempsey grew up traveling the world. Her geologist father did stints in Indonesia, Singapore…
Schezwan Stir Fry 1 lb shrimp, beef, pork or chicken-sliced 1 red bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 2 inch pieces 1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded and cut into 2 inch pieces 1/2 can water chestnuts, drained and sliced 1/2 can bamboo shoots, drained handful of tiger lily…
We were recently asked by a first time home owner: I received a wok from the Asian market as a gift, what do I do with my wok? Woks are most commonly known as the preferred cooking vessel in creating stir-fry. Those of us who dwell in the Western…
Field of Dreams — not the manicured, mowed and chalk lined kind — the kind that billows hues of green, grey and lavender. If you aren’t planting yourself in Provence this summer, take a ride to Red Rock Ranch and Farms 7th Annual Lavender Festival in Concho, Arizona. The festival runs…
Last week we reported on Valrhona’s exclusive demonstration for Valley pastry chefs and culinary professionals. Now you can try their chocolate truffle recipe at home. (recipe after the jump)…
A visit to the town of Tain L’Hermitage located in the Rhone Valley of France is on the bucket list of chocolatiers and professional pastry chefs from around the globe. Tain L’Hermitage is the home of Valrhona and the esteemed Ecole de Grand Chocolat. Valrhona and European Imports hosted a pastry…
Catherine Crowley’s DNA includes a green thumb. Her grandparents were farmers in the Garden State before she was born; her parents always had a vegetable garden. Both Mom and Dad were scratch cooks and she fondly reminisces about the “soul” of her grandmother’s kitchen. Catherine moved to Arizona thirty years…
Yesterday we met Samantha Dickerson, who tends bar at Cowboy Ciao and Kazimirez World Wine Bar in Scottsdale. Her’s her award-winning recipe for the Rough Draft cocktail. Yesterday, Dickerson explained her view of cocktail craft, differentiating bar tending and mixology. Her choice of words echoed the phrasing of a quality chef:…
Carol Blonder Samantha Dickerson Samantha Dickerson works the front of the house at Cowboy Ciao and Kazimierz, but we found her behind the bar at Kazimierz. Both popular downtown Scottsdale haunts feature well-reputed wine lists, as well as classic and craft cocktails. We heard Samantha had recently entered her first bar competition so we went…
Karen Tack and Alan Richardson may be the only two people outside a candy factory that know how many green candies a box of Dots yields. Karen, cooking teacher/food stylist, and Alan, photographer/cookbook author, have applied their talents and their love of candy to the art and craft of cupcake…
Yesterday, we chatted with Mark Barreto from True Food, about organic booze and the fine art of drinking your veggies. Today we bring you his recipe for the Sun Warrior…
