Want a taste of our Baja California spreads from the May/June issue's cover story? Mix up this "tasty and extremely potent" margarita from chef Iker Algorri of Iker's Colibris Café at Los Colibris Casitas.
Monthly dining reviews from all over the Valley.
Monthly dining reviews from all over the Valley.
Check out these new restaurants from Scottsdale to the East Valley.
RecipesRecipe Extra: Stratta Chop Chop
Craig OuthierNovember 28, 2020
No sauce-and-toss instant salad
Desert DigestRecipes#HatchatHome Dirty Rice Recipe
Leah LeMoineSeptember 11, 2020
It’s that special, spicy, fragrant, tortuously fleeting time of year again: Hatch chile season! Your local grocers are likely overflowing with Hatch, New Mexico’s iconic peppers, the earthy, deeply savory green chiles we all love turning into rellenos, enchiladas, burger toppers, mac and cheese mix-ins, cornbread boosters and more. This year, Bashas’ sent us a media packet and asked us to take part in its #HatchatHome challenge, which encourages Arizona home cooks to post their favorite Hatch chile dishes on their...
If you’re a fan of poke, but haven’t tackled raw fish at home, we’ve got a recipe from the folks at Ahipoki Bowl to share. According to managing partner Jason Jantzen, this tuna poke appetizer is a light, fresh-tasting dish that will “delight your guests.” When shopping for the tuna, look for a filet that’s firm to the touch, Jantzen says. “And don’t be afraid to give it the smell test. Fresh tuna should have...
Desert DigestRecipesRecipe Friday: The Mint Chip Smoothie from Kaleidoscope Juice
Marilyn HawkesMarch 27, 2020
For those who could use a little treat right now, we’ve rounded up a tasty and healthy smoothie for you to make at home courtesy of Alexandra Maw, co-owner of Kaleidoscope Juice. In addition to being downright tasty, the mint chip smoothie has many health benefits. “The avocado provides a heart-healthy fat, spirulina is one of nature’s superfoods and is full of B-vitamins, copper and iron and the almond milk and almond butter are great...
Desert DigestRecipesRecipe Friday: The Strozzapreti alla Salsiccia from Pomo Pizzeria
Marilyn HawkesMarch 20, 2020
This week’s Recipe Friday is courtesy of Christina Barrueta, author of the upcoming Phoenix Cooks cookbook, which will be published later this year. PHOENIX magazine is the first outlet to share a recipe from the book. Barrueta also pens Write On Rubee, a popular food, beverage and travel website and is the author of Arizona Wine: A History of Perseverance and Passion. The award-winning food writer offers a recipe from Pomo Pizzeria owner Stefano Fabbri,...
Desert DigestRecipesRecipe Friday: The Whiskey Barbecue Sauce from Ted’s Refreshments
Marilyn HawkesMarch 13, 2020
Looking for something to munch on while you’re catching up on Netflix this weekend? Chris Purcell of Ted’s Refreshments shares the Tempe restaurant’s whiskey barbecue wing sauce. At Ted’s they smoke their wings in an electric smoker with hickory wood chips. “If people are making them at home, they could bake, grill or fry them,” Purcell says. “Then, just toss in the sauce.” You can use any type of bourbon that you like, Purcell says....
Desert DigestRecipesRecipe Friday: The Shrimp and Grits from Voodoo Daddy’s Steam Kitchen
Marilyn HawkesFebruary 15, 2020
Mardi Gras is coming up on Tuesday, Feb. 25 and if you plan on celebrating at home, we’ve rustled up an easy shrimp and grits recipe courtesy of Voodoo Daddy’s Steam Kitchen in Tempe. Sometimes customers shy away from grits, says Voodoo Daddy’s owner, Ron Lynch. “People have a negative feeling about them because their only exposure was at a Waffle House. They just serve bland, white grits,” he says. To that end, Voodoo Daddy’s...
Desert DigestRecipesRecipe Friday: The Shrimp Spring Rolls from Tea Light Café
Marilyn HawkesFebruary 7, 2020
For the past 14 years, Tea Light Café has been turning out fresh and healthy Vietnamese food from its location a few doors down from The Cine Capri in Scottsdale. Owner Chris Price says he’s also been a vendor at the Scottsdale Arabian Horse Show for the same amount of time. “We started out as a mobile espresso van,” he says. The Prices still sell coffee and baked goods at the show, as well as...
Desert DigestRecipesRecipe Friday: The Mediterra Bread Pudding from Phoenix City Grille
Marilyn HawkesJanuary 31, 2020
Valentine’s Day sometimes presents a challenge for couples: Should we go out for a romantic dinner or make a cozy meal for two at home? For those of you staying in for Valentine’s Day and need a swoon-worthy dessert idea, Nick Ambeliotis of Mediterra Bakehouse offers a decadent bread pudding recipe that’s guaranteed to please. Ambeliotis devised the recipe for Phoenix City Grille. “I like to involve local chefs since I don’t have a café...
Desert DigestRecipesRecipe Friday: The Everything Bagel Spice Salmon from Nook Kitchen
Marilyn HawkesJanuary 17, 2020
When Nick LaRosa of Nook Kitchen put together his menu, he wanted to do a spinoff on bagels and lox. Then, he had a great idea: “Why not put everything bagel seasoning on salmon?” LaRosa tried different preparations and decided pan seared and finished in the oven would be the best way. Once you make up a batch of Everything Bagel Spice, you can use it for all sorts of dishes, LaRosa says. “You can...
Desert DigestRecipesRecipe Friday: The Truffle Squash Ragu from OEB Breakfast Co.
Marilyn HawkesJanuary 10, 2020
Squash lovers, this bountiful breakfast recipe is going to rock your world. Italian-Canadian chef Mauro Martina, who recently opened OEB Breakfast Co. in north Scottsdale, shares his popular Truffle Squash Ragu recipe and a couple of tips on how to make this savory breakfast dish. Martina likes the Truffle Squash Ragu because it’s delicious on its own or with poached eggs, toast or egg noodles. The dish is also easy to modify. “You don’t have...