Food for Thought

If you haven’t tried the new Orange Shrimp dish at Dara Thai Café, then run, don’t walk to the Safeway Plaza this week, and order this scrumptious dish! Large, fresh shrimp fried in a light batter with a side of their delicious orange sauce, which is light and flavorful and definitely stands out from the crowd. This dish is served on a bed of sweet potato fries. Pair this with a Thai Iced Tea and finish the meal with a serving of their sweet, creamy sticky rice, and you have one memorable meal! Thanks for your quality food and consistency, Dara Thai. We are lucky to have you in the community.  ... More

Ever since my daughter Sophia picked her own pumpkin with her Girl Scout troop this year, she has been begging to make toasted pumpkin seeds. Here are some recipes that you can try during gourd season with your clan!   Simple Toasted Pumpkin Seeds   Ingredients   Seeds from 1 large pumpkin, rinsed and dried 2 tablespoons olive oil Salt and freshly ground black pepper   Directions   Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.   Scatter pumpkin seeds onto a sheet pan in a single layer and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Bake for about 7 minutes, until light brown and crispy.       Brown Sugar & Spice Toasted Pumpkin Seeds   Ingredients:   1 cup pumpkin seeds 1 tablespoon melted butter or vegetable oil 1 tablespoon brown sugar, or more, to taste 1/2 to 1 teaspoon cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg 1/8 teaspoon allspice   Directions: Rinse seeds well and get as much of the pumpkin pulp off of them as possible. Some of the small pieces are going to... More

A wonderful time was had by all at Phoenix Cooks yesterday! Don’t be fooled by the martini glasses – the girls were eating Tuna Tartare prepared by Sushi Roku in Scottsdale. My favorite dish was lobster mashed potatoes, served by Mastro’s Steakhouse – big chunks of lobster tail embedded in creamy mashed potatoes and made-from-scratch gravy.   If you want a chance to spend an unforgettable day tasting the best of what the top restaurants in the Valley have to offer, put Phoenix Cooks on your calendar for next year! www.phoenixcooks.com... More

If you haven’t found your way over to the hidden gem in the middle of Carefree called “The Carefree Station Grill & Bar” you now have another spot to add to your list of places to check out. We went last weekend with good friends, and enjoyed every morsel of food that was served. Dishes were obviously put together with much forethought given to taste and pairings. Just when we thought that the parade of decadence was over, the Haleakala Pie was wheeled out. Named after the giant volcano on Maui, this tower of treats featured a macadamia nut-strewn chocolate volcano filled with molten chocolate. Covered with rich macadamia amaretto ice cream, toasted coconut, whipped cream, and erupting with flaming rum. What a treat after a long work week!   Carefree Station Grill & Bar: 7212 Ho Hum Road, Carefree, AZ 85377; 480-488-8182... More

  Watch the Food Network this weekend to hear ultimate foodie Alton Brown claim that the best thing HE ever ate is the ice cream at “Sweet Republic,” right here in the Valley! It is no wonder ...if you have not tasted the ice cream at Sweet Republic (9160 E. Shea Blvd., Scottsdale; www.sweetrepublic.com) than you have not yet tasted ice cream. The owners use all natural and local ingredients, toppings are hand-stirred, fresh baked, and made from scratch. There are no artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, or hydrogenated oils in any of their products. Imagine asking for marshmallow topping on your sundae, and getting a handmade marshmallow that is toasted with a blow torch in front of you! This place is a real find. Tune in to The Food Network this weekend – you might even catch some familiar faces from Anthem!   Show times: Friday, July 22nd @ 10:30PM Saturday, July 23rd @ 1:30AM Sunday, July 24th @ 6:30PM  ... More

We have been customers of Lee Lee Oriental Supermarket for years now, where we have enjoyed buying fresh meat, live seafood, exotic fruits, and imported specialty spices. We will go out of our way to get the delicious dinner rolls that they sell by the bag there. But imagine our surprise when my husband, who is a Bolivian native, discovered that they have many of the South American groceries that he misses from home! In fact, they regularly stock groceries from countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Columbia, Jamaica, and Holland, and they are categorized in the store by geographical area – sort of an “Epcot” experience for the grocery shopper! While you are there try the Chinese restaurant, Hope Kee, inside the market – a Hong Kong-style café that serves Cantonese favorites such as beef chow fun, shrimp dishes, noodles, and pork chops!   7575 W. Cactus Road, Peoria; 623-773-3345; www.leeleesupermarket.com  ... More

To Whole Foods on Raintree in Scottsdale on Thursday, May 19th to sample some of the best foodtruck fare that Phoenix has to offer! There will be eight foodtrucks present, including Sweet Republic (see my recent post on this Valley sweet spot) Short Leash Hot Dogs, The Phoenix Cheesesteak Company, Bella Strada, Beet StrEat, Carte Blanche Gourmet Tacos, Torched Goodness, and Jamburritos Cajun Grill Express. Take the opportunity to taste some truly unique food, and support local charities at the same time. The food court will be open from 11AM to 1:30PM. See you there!... More

The Food Network visited the Valley of the Sun once again last week and taped an episode of “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” with Alton Brown. The show includes a spot at the locally-owned Sweet Republic (www.sweetrepublic.com) Artisan Ice Cream at 92nd and Shea Blvd. in Scottsdale. The Sweet Republic is truly a Valley gem. Small, batches of handmade ice cream are made with organic and local ingredients, including flavors such as Real Mint Chocolate Chip, Honey Bleu Cheese, Strawberry Buttermilk, and Lime Basil Sorbet. A variety of toppings are available, including bacon brittle, handmade marshmallows that are hand-toasted in front of you with a blow torch, and sea salt flakes, just to name a few. We took the kids on Saturday night for a special treat, along with some special friends. Look for the episode on the Food Network sometime this summer – you will even spot some Anthem neighbors there! Summer is looking sweeter by the minute!... More

If you haven’t been to Café Aroma for their “German Swedes” make it a point to stop in soon for their “German Swedes” plate. These are light, tasty crepes filled with tapioca and dusted with powdered sugar – unbelievable! They also serve “Italian Swedes” which are served with chocolate chips. Diners can order their “Swedes” with loganberries, or a choice of fruit.   It served as a great place to enjoy great food with a great friend yesterday (I won’t tell you how long I stayed because it would be embarrassing. Let’s just put it this way ...I should have pitched a tent there, or just stayed for lunch!)   One more reason to love Anthem in the mornings!... More

The smoky scent of BBQ is in the air this Saturday ...       If you are a fan of BBQ (and who isn’t?) follow your nose this Saturday to two fiery festivals for some of the best BBQ in the state. Yes you read it ...TWO major BBQ festivals on the same day in the Valley! The Arizona BBQ Festival, a competition sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbecue Society will be in Scottsdale. Samples of the competing BBQ are available. Food and drink tickets are $2 each, and there is a $10 admission fee. If you are interested in some top shelf beverages to wash down the BBQ, pay an extra $10 for admission to the “Whiskey Row” tent that will offer dozens of bourbons, whiskeys, and single malts.     Haven’t had enough BBQ? Head south to Chandler where they will hold the Great America BBQ & Beer Festival, which isn’t a competition but rather a conglomeration of some of the state’s best barbecue restaurants and caterers, all in one place. A $10 ticket buys access to 25 barbecue... More

If you have been looking for a good excuse to indulge in cupcake calories, look no further! This Tuesday, March 22, Sprinkles is hosting a benefit for the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami relief efforts. “Red Cross Red Velvet” cupcakes will be on the menu and 100 percent of the proceeds will benefit the relief efforts! Run down to the Scottsdale location (4501 North Scottsdale Road at Camelback, across from Fashion Square) on Tuesday and purchase a box of cupcakes for a good cause. Now that’s what I call “sweet”!    ... More

Are you still looking for something special to do today? Head out to the www.phxart.org/devoured Devoured Culinary Classic at the Phoenix Art Museum (1625 N. Central Ave.) . One day ticket at the door is $69 and will be well worth the price. Gourmet fare from more than forty restaurants, along with a dessert hall and beer, wine, and an array of spirits will ensure that a wonderful time will be had by all! On schedule for today is Beckett’s Table, Citizen Public House, Cowboy Ciao, Hana Japanese Eatery, Petite Maison, and Prado. Also scheduled is Kai, which is known for its dazzling multicourse spectacle each year. While you are “devouring” some of the best dishes you will taste this year, you will have the opportunity to learn by observing the chef demo stage – the makings of a perfect Sunday afternoon!     www.phxart.org/devoured... More

Everyone is Irish on St. Patrick’s Day, so surprise your family with this traditional St. Patrick’s Day dinner this evening! Sláinte! (Cheers!)     Corned Beef and Cabbage   Ingredients   * 5 pounds corned beef * 10 peppercorns * 4 sprigs fresh thyme * 2 bay leaves * 12 ounces stout (recommended: Guinness) * Water, for simmering * 6 medium red potatoes, scrubbed * 1 medium head green cabbage, cut into quarters, core removed * 4 tablespoons butter   Directions   Rinse the corned beef and put it into a large Dutch oven or heavy soup pot. Make a bouquet garni with the garlic, peppercorns, thyme and bay leaves and add to the pot. Stir in the stout, stock and enough water to cover the beef by 2 inches. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then reduce the heat to a gentle simmer and cook for 4 hours, covered, stirring occasionally.   After 4 hours, add the potatoes and the cabbage wedges and continue cooking until the cabbage is tender, but not limp, about 20 minutes. Remove the... More

Are you still looking for something special to do today? Head out to the www.phxart.org/devoured Devoured Culinary Classic at the Phoenix Art Museum (1625 N. Central Ave.) . One day ticket at the door is $69 and will be well worth the price. Gourmet fare from more than forty restaurants, along with a dessert hall and beer, wine, and an array of spirits will ensure that a wonderful time will be had by all! On schedule for today is Beckett’s Table, Citizen Public House, Cowboy Ciao, Hana Japanese Eatery, Petite Maison, and Prado. Also scheduled is Kai, which is known for its dazzling multicourse spectacle each year. While you are “devouring” some of the best dishes you will taste this year, you will have the opportunity to learn by observing the chef demo stage – the makings of a perfect Sunday afternoon!  ... More

8th Annual Polish Festival: Saturday, March 5th and Sunday, March 6th.   If you find yourself pining for pierogis or if you go crazy for kielbasa, head over to the Polish Festival in Phoenix this weekend! What an opportunity to expose your family (no matter what your heritage) to rich culture and its many traditions ...right here in Phoenix!   All aspects of Polish culture will be enjoyed and celebrated at the Our Lady of Czestochowa Parish at 2828 W. Country Gables Drive in Phoenix. The festival will feature Polish song and dance, as well as an array of sumptuous Polish main dishes and desserts, as well as refreshing imported Polish beer.   There will be a raffle, a kid’s area, and a Polish souvenir boutique, so there will be something for everyone. Admission and parking are free!   www.polishfestivalaz.org Hours: Saturday: 10AM to 9PM; Sunday: 10AM to 6PM   Directions from North: Located at West Country Gables Drive and 29th Avenue. Travel I-17 to exit 211 (Greenway Road).... More