Month: April 2017

Fresko Mediterranean Kitchen offers a Greek Salad recipe for lighter summer eating

Summer is rapidly approaching and lighter eating keeps your energy level high and your weight low. One of the ways to eat lighter is with the Mediterranean diet which is full of fish, vegetables and nuts. To bring attention to the Mediterranean diet, May is Mediterranean Diet Month and Fresko Mediterranean Kitchen offers a Greek Salad recipe for home preparation.

A Mediterranean diet has health benefits such as reduced incidents of cancer, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease and more. Plus you don’t have to turn on your oven as the summer heat starts to head over 100 degrees.

Kody Harris of Fresko Mediterranean Kitchen

Corporate chef turned restaurant owner Kody Harris grew up in a Greek family with both her mother and fathers family coming from the old country. When she was young Kody learned the ins and outs of Greek cooking and prepares food that is fresh and full of flavor from tried and true family recipes at Fresko.

The Greek Salad recipe

This delicious salad recipe yields 1 salad and is a good way to include olive oil, vegetables and spices in to your diet.

Ingredients:

2 oz. romaine lettuce, cut

5 oz. cucumbers, cut into ½ inch chunks

4 oz. Roma tomatoes, cut into ½ inch chunks

.5 oz. red onion, thinly sliced

.5 oz. green peppers, thinly sliced

2 oz. feta cheese, cut into ½ inch chunks

8 Kalamata olives

2 ½ tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

1 ½ tsp. red wine vinegar

¼ tsp. salt

¼ tsp. pepper

1 tsp. oregano

Pita chips for serving

Instructions: Place romaine in mixing bowl and add ½ tablespoon extra virgin olive oil and ½ teaspoon red wine vinegar. Mix to coat and place in center of a bowl. Place remaining ingredients in mixing bowl and toss to coat. Mound ingredients on top of romaine. Garnish with pita chips.

If you’d prefer to leave the cooking to Cody you can visit Fresko Mediterranean Kitchen at 5033 E. Elliot Rd. Phoenix (Ahwatukee) 85044 http://www.freskokitchen.com/

 

 

 

Ladera Taverna y Cocina to support Sunnyslope High School’s Vikingtown Program in May

Phoenix’s Sunnyslope neighborhood has become a hot bed for local restaurants in the last couple of years and one of the newest restaurants, Ladera Taverna y Cocina is supporting Sunnyslope High School’s Vikingtown program.

Throughout the month of May, Ladera will contribute 20% of your bill on full priced menu items to the Vikingtown program when you mention Sunnyslope High School or the Vikingtown program. Money raised will go towards upcoming leadership training program.

Vikingtown is a 3 day leadership retreat for students this Fall in Prescott for students age fourteen to eighteen to learn more about themselves and others while learning leadership and communication skills. The goals of the retreat are to get students out of school to learn about others and discuss the barriers that may affect learning about others.

While on the retreat students stay in cabins with other students of different backgrounds and ethnicities with staff members staying in each cabin as well.

Genuine Concepts, the owner of Ladera (The Vig, Little Woody & other restaurants) takes pride in giving back to the communities in which their restaurants and bar are located. After meeting with Vikingtown and school leaders Genuine Concepts knew the program would be a good fit for Ladera Taverna to give back to the Sunnyslope community.

Ladera is excited to support the cause and students and makes it easy as possible for their customers to contribute simply by showing up to eat and mentioning the program or the school.

Ladera Taverna y Cocina is at 8729 N. Central Ave. Phoenix 85020 http://www.laderaphx.com

 

 

 

 

 

FREE Barbecue sandwiches at Joe’s Real BBQ in exchange for food donations

To give is to receive they say and Joe’s Real BBQ in Gilbert is hoping to give away 5,000 FREE pulled pork or chicken sandwiches hoping to receive cans of food (hopefully fruit) or boxed cereal donations for the Open Arms Care Center.

It’s all part of Joe’s 17 year tradition of its annual Free Barbecue Day next Wed. May 3rd as owners Joe Johnson and Tim & Tad Peelen give back to the community and their loyal customers. The trio has given away over 77,000 meals since over the years as part of their Customer Appreciation Days which happen several times a year.

Joe’s Real BBQ rules for the day.

As you can imagine giving away 5,000 sandwiches is no small task so a few simple rules apply. Meals will be served from 11 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

  • Only one meal per person
  • Must be present to receive free meal
  • No take out
  • No other menu items will be offered

Free BBQ Day menu

Those attending this popular event will be served a delicious meal of

  • Choice of a pulled pork or chicken breast sandwich
  • Fresh homemade coleslaw, BBQ Pit Beans, and a drink.
  • There will be children’s sized sandwiches available for the little ones

Open Arms Care Center food drive

Food donations are not required to get a free meal  but they are encouraged as an opportunity to help the Open Arms Care Center which helps those in need. Open Arms is a Gilbert based non-profit and all volunteer center and neighbor of Joe’s Real BBQ that provides food and clothing to the homeless and less fortunate. For more information about Open Arms go to http://www.openarmscc.com/

The nationally acclaimed Joe’s Real BBQ is at 301 N. Gilbert Rd. Gilbert AZ. 85234 and has a location in Terminal 4 (before security) at Sky Harbor Airport. For more information check out http://www.joesrealbbq.com/

 

 

 

 

 

The 7th annual AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival moves to a bigger location

With 6 successful years under its belt HDE Agency and SanTan Brewing Company realized that their AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival was ready for expansion to the bigger and centrally located Margaret T. Hance Park in central Phoenix. Saturday May 13th is when over 100 local and national craft beer brewers will be pouring over 250 beers to beer enthusiasts from across the Phoenix area.

All photos courtesy of Landon Evans & Jen Pruett

The 6 hour event (12pm -6pm) will not only include canned beer tastings but live music, beer seminars, food, a beer science garden, beer Olympics and a rare beer garden. Included in 250 plus beers being poured will be beers previously not available in Arizona.

A week prior to the festival more than 40 certified beer judges will gather to taste and cast their vote for their favorite beers in 9 categories including IPA, American Pale Ale, English Pale Ale, Wheat Beers, Stouts and Porters, Ambers and Browns, Golds, Blondes, Pilsners and Light Lagers, Fruit, and Specialty Beer. Winners of gold, silver and bronze will be announced during a live streaming event on May 6th at  http://www.cannedcraftbeerfest.com/

This is a 21 and over festival and tickets can be purchased in advance for $35 General Admission(1pm entry, 4oz tasting can & 20 beer samples), $45 day of and VIP tickets(12 noon entry, 4 oz. tasting can, 20 beer samples, access to VIP beer garden, private restrooms and a meet and greet with brewers) are only available on-line while supplies last for $100 at the link above. Designated driver tickets are $20 online & day of with entry at 12 noon and include soft drinks, no beer.

Part of the proceeds AmeriCAN Canned Craft Beer Festival will be contributed the Arizona Society of Homebrewers (ASH) which works to promote and preserve the tradition of homebrewing through education, information and dedicated practices. For more information or to become a member go to http://www.azhomebrewers.org/

Margaret T.  Hance Park is at 67 W. Culver St. Phoenix 85003.

 

 

 

Firefighters pour drinks & serve Cornbread for a Cause at Z’Tejas

In less than 2 years, Z’Tejas Southwestern Grill has raised over $150,000 for local charities with its Cornbread for a Cause fundraising campaign. Its current cause is to give proceeds of  the popular cornbread to the United Phoenix Firefighter Charities through June 31st at all 5 Phoenix area locations.

The Cornbread for a Cause

To bring attention to this partnership firefighters will be pulling shifts serving the warm cornbread and pouring drinks to guests at 3 Z’Tejas locations around Phoenix in coming weeks. Thurs. April 27th at the Chandler location is the first of the 3  visits by the guest bartenders followed by Thurs. May 18th at the Shea & Tatum location in Phoenix and the final opportunity is on Wed. June 14th at the downtown Tempe location. All 3 shifts will be from 4:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

“Firefighters do extraordinary work as first responders and through the community support they provide,” said Gary Manley general partner at Z’Tejas Restaurants. “We at Z’Tejas are inspired by their commitment and the work they do. We are excited about this partnership and look forward to contributing to the charity’s work.”

Money raised will help UPFC continue to serve local communities by installing pool fences and smoke detectors, host food and coat drives and support children with neuromuscular disease by sending them to camp in the summer.  They also help with the cost of medical supplies and research for kids affected by neuromuscular disease. To find out more about UPFC go to http://phxffcharities.org/

For more information about Cornbread for a Cause go to http://ztejas.com/cornbread-for-a-cause/

 

Chef Stephen Jones Bite Box is full of local eats and treats.

What is chef Stephen Jones jonesin for when he’s not in the kitchen of his Larder + The Delta at Desoto Central Market or collaborating with other local chefs around town? Jones has been asked to pick his local favorites for the Summer 2017 Bite Box program from Bite Magazine. His collection of goodies looks as if he’s planning a picnic with a variety of foods and a candle.

What is a Bite Box?

The popular Bite Box program is a collection of Arizona produced foods and products picked by a locally notable person. 8-10 full size items are picked, packed and ready for pick-up shortly after the deadline to order. For this offering you can order until May 31st with pick up available in mid-June. Customers will be notified with details after their order has been placed.

“Our curators are on the forefront of Arizona’s makers community,” said Michelle Jacoby, publisher and editor-in-chief of Bite Magazine. “The Bite Box is a way for them to share their discoveries of amazing local products with us and our readers.”

What’s in Stephen’s box

Stephen’s Bite Box offers sweet & savory that combined can make for a small meal.

Tracy Dempsey Originals Fernet Branca Caramels

Crow’s Dairy Pepper Feta Cheese

McClendon’s Select Desert Blossom Honey

Radish “Beets Me” Cold Pressed Juice

Noble Bread Super Seed Loaf

Teaspressa Charles Grey Tea

Salted Serenity Sweets Salted Dark Chocolate Espresso Caramels

Burn Candle Company Candle

Past & future Bite Box’s

Aaron Chamberlin of St. Francis and Phoenix Public Market Cafe kicked off the 2017 program with Country Velador of Super Chunk Sweets & Treats and the soon to be opened New Wave Market (scroll down to see last week’s post) is planning her Bite Box for the Fall Edition and the Winter Edition will be the Editor’s Holiday Picks.

Bite Box’s are $65(plus tax) per box or you can get the 3 remaining 2017 Box’s for $185(plus tax) and can be purchased at https://biteboxaz.squarespace.com/

 

 

 

Proof Canteen celebrates Thirsty Thursday with a Pop-Up Tiki bar

Loopholes in life are meant to be taken advantage of and Proof Canteen at The Four Seasons Resort in Scottsdale is taking advantage of their “Libation Loophole” for a limited time on Thursdays. Proof is committed to sourcing all their ingredients for the menus from the United States but bends the rules for their tiki styled cocktails at their pop-up tiki bar.

“Spring in Scottsdale is the perfect time to enjoy tiki-style drinks,” says Proof General Manager Karma Tsepal. “We wanted to have a little fun with the cocktail menu, and decided to break our liquor embargo on imported spirits – if only for a limited run!”

Watch the sun set over the ocean desert from Proof’s patio and enjoy a refreshing rum cocktail like the Flaming Zombie Bite, Bitter Burro or Lava Flow and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported to the beaches of the south Pacific and may not want to return to reality. The specialty drinks range in price from $12-$16.

The Bacon Bun Bao with house made bacon, Thai bird chilis, jicama slaw and mint along with The Shrimp Bibimbap with prawns ancient grains and a sunny side up egg are part of the small bites menu to compliment your cocktails.

Reservations are recommended and can be made by calling Proof Canteen at 48-513-5088

A Decade of Delicious as Arizona Restaurant Week returns in May

What started out 10 years ago with 93 restaurants has blossomed in to a twice yearly foodie event that is Arizona Restaurant Week. Mark your calendars for the week of May 19th – 28th when the 2017 Spring Arizona Restaurant Week returns with over 150 planned to participate.

Nook Kitchen’s Lamb Shank

The Arizona Restaurant Association started sponsoring the state wide event in the Fall of 2008 to help promote the states restaurant industry and increasing awareness of Arizona restaurants. Diners will have the opportunity visit new restaurants along with favorites who will offer unique 3 course prix-fixe menus for $33 or $44 per person.

Arizona Restaurant Association president and CEO Steve Chucri said, “Arizona Restaurant Week has remained a strong culinary driver to many local chefs and restaurant owners as well as a treasured memory maker for diners. It’s hard to go wrong, and we are delighted to be celebrating ten years of making folks happy.”

Match Cuisine’s Whole Roasted Sea Bream for Arizona Restaurant Week

Arizona Restaurant Week has helped local restaurants become a dining destination for foodies from around the country and the world. Since the 1st Arizona Restaurant Week it has expanded to a Spring foodie extravaganza in 2011 and a Arizona Breakfast Weekend was added a few years later. 2017 Fall Restaurant Week is planned for September 15th – 24th and Arizona Breakfast Weekend will take place from July 27th – 30th will more details to come about the 10 year anniversary celebration in September.

10 restaurants including Don and Charlie’s, Cowboy Ciao, Lon’s at The Hermosa Inn and Roaring Fork have participated in all 10 years.

With a variety of restaurants like Match Cuisine & Cocktails, Mancuso’s, Nook Kitchen, Salty Sow, White Chocolate Grill and all 4 Ajo Al’s Mexican Cafe’s to choose from foodies can expect reservations to fill up quickly so planning ahead is essential. Check http://arizonarestaurtweek.com for participating restaurants and updates of those being added to the growing list.

 

 

Super Chunk Sweets & Treats owners to open New Wave Market

With the success and national recognition of their Super Chunk Sweets & Treats store owners Sergio & Country Velador figured now would be the right time to take 1,100 square feet next door to open their mom & pop New Wave Market in May. Still under construction the new store front will offer breads and baked goods, a lunch menu, house made ice cream and locally roasted coffee.

The old town Scottsdale location will have room to sell unique & quirky retail items and space for classes where they will teach how to make baked goods and crafts. “We want to take back the tradition of making things,” said Country. “There’s a new wave of interest in craft – in the actual ‘how-to’ of creating something yourself. New Wave Market is our way of celebrating that.”

The Velador’s focus will be baked goods with savory breads, take away lunches, specialty ice cream cones and cup and an espresso bar. Unique retail items from small batch producers such as American Spoon, COOP’s Microcreamery, and Curio Spice Co. and items for around the house and gifts from Funko, Fishs Eddy & Imm Living.

“We want to show off businesses that focus on creating high quality products in small batches,” Country said. “The goal is to have a unique, food-centric selection that will appeal to kids and adults alike.”

New Wave Market will be at 7120 E. 6th Ave. #20 Scottsdale 85251 and an exact date of opening is not yet scheduled. You can follow the progress & get an opening by checking out their social media @NewWaveMarket or website https://www.newwavemarket.com/

 

 

Beer for Brains Foundation EPICURIAD returns Sat. April 29th

Food truck chefs get out of their comfort zone on Saturday April 29th for a good cause as the Beer for Brains Foundation raises money for brain cancer research and awareness with its EPICURIAD Spring 2017 Food, Craft Beers & Wine Pairings Event.

12 food truck chefs including Left Coast Burrito Co., Saffron Jak and Electric Sliders will leave their trucks for a full and modern kitchen experience at Allstate Appliances in north Scottsdale to compete against each other to create a new dish for the gourmet pairing competition.

The night begins at 6:30 p.m. with VIP attendees getting a chance to see a 2 chef face off between executive chef Jordan Murray of Rock A Belly, Food Network’s “Street Eats” Season 5 vs Chef Tim Cobb of United Lunchadores, Street Food Chef of the Year in 2015. The chefs will flip a coin to see if they will be cooking with beer or wine in addition to the ingredients provided with 35 minutes to create a dish before the main event.

At 7:30 p.m. main event begins where attendees will be able to sample gourmet food, craft beers and wine. They will have the chance to vote for “Best Pairing” to see if beer or wine is the preferred pairing and “Best Entree” based on taste and presentation. Gold, Silver & Bronze medals will be awarded to the Top 3 winning chefs who will the go head to head with restaurant chefs at the Fall 2017 EPICURIAD event.

The event is one of Beer for Brains Foundation multiple events around the country where the partner with breweries, medical facilities, and other partners to raise money and support ground breaking research at GBM Agile Tempe headquarters on the campus of Arizona State University.

Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.thebeerforbrainsfoundation.org/ for $95 per or $150 VIP with proceeds going to Brain Cancer Research with GBM Agile.

Allstate Appliances is at 15250 N. Hayden Rd in Scottsdale.

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