Les Dames d’Escoffier teaches you to cook like a “Dame”

The Phoenix chapter of Les Dames d’Escoffier International is launching a monthly virtual cooking series during the next four months. The virtual chef led session’s start this Wednesday, May 24th with Chef Candy Lesher teaching you how to make “Enchiladas Verde Con Nopales”. Chef Lesher and Chef Tamara Stanger will teach each 50-60 session in alternating weeks and will be available for questions at the end. Recipes will be sent out five days in advance so participants can prepare ingredients and cook alongside. The chapter’s president in training Dame Debbie Elder will moderate each session.

The cost is $35 per class or $100 for all four classes and participants are encouraged to “share the screen” with friends and family. You can register for classes at their Eventbrite page.

Les Dames d’Escoffier session schedule

Enchiladas Verde Con Nopales- Chef Candy Lesher – Wednesday, May 24th 6:30 p.m.

A unique offering of garden-fresh enchiladas, this version is draped in a vibrant roasted chili and tomatillo sauce enriched with toasted pepitas. Stuffed with a savory medley of vegetables and cheese, the surprise ingredient tucked within is nopales from the prickly pear cactus! This delicious ingredient elevates enchiladas beyond the norm on every level — flavor, texture and nutrition too! Easy to assemble, they can be baking in less than an hour with their unique combination of readily available ingredients.

Pie Crust 101 Chef Tamara Stanger – Wednesday, June 21st 6:30 p.m.

As the name implies, this class will cover all things scratch-made pie crust including the history of pie crust, Chef Stanger’s favorite pie crust recipe and rolling crust (every novice baker’s dreaded moment), as well as different variations suitable for specific dietary needs and a range of flavor profiles. Chef Stanger will also discuss when blind baking pie crust is necessary, how to do it and the basic information for a variety of pie fillings.

Vegetarian Tortilla Soup Chef Candy Lesher – Wednesday, July 12th 6:30 p.m.

Tasty, rich and hearty, this soup is a breeze to create and will become every home cook’s satisfying go-to option for healthier Southwest cravings. Participants will learn how to make an inexpensive vegetarian-based broth that puts store-bought boxed versions to shame — and then discover the steps to extract the most impact from every ingredient for new levels of vibrant flavor. For ease and speed, directions will utilize an Instant Pot/pressure cooker; stovetop instructions will also be provided.

Southern Pies with a Southwest Desert Twist Chef Tamara Stanger – Wednesday, August 23rd 6:30 p.m.

In the world of desserts, Southern pie reigns supreme. Using the pie crust basics from her previous class session on June 21, Chef Stanger will show participants how to utilize indigenous Southwest desert ingredients to recreate classic Southern pies such as shoofly, vinegar and chess pies. This one-of-a-kind class is not to be missed!

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

Urban Agave continues making scratch made food in Glendale

West valley natives Parker and Emily Ganem opened their newest restaurant Urban Agave at 67th Ave. & Beardsley Rd. in Glendale in February. The new restaurant takes over for Urban Margarita and the couple plan to maintain the scratch made Mexican and American dishes similar to what the previous owners offered. The Ganem’s are co-owners of Sky Restaurant Concepts having opened Squid Ink Sushi Bar and Highball Cocktail Bar around the valley.

“Parker and I were both born and raised here in the west valley. This is our neighborhood. We want to bring a bigger foothold to the area and continue to give diners new, elevated experiences,” says Emily. “We intend to maintain much of what diners have come to love from Urban Margarita while showcasing a vibrant and playful new vibe, enticing menu additions, elevated bar program and extended weekend brunch.”

On the menu at Urban Agave

On the menu at Urban Agave guests can expect tacos, tostadas, flautas, enchiladas and more. Naturally, hand-crafted margaritas are on the menu along with a variety of craft cocktails for guests to enjoy. In May weekend brunch will be launched starting at 9 a.m. and will feature a Mimosa and Bloody Maria bar. A specialty cocktail menu will also be introduced in May. Taco Tuesday has been popular and the restaurant will soon serve both lunch and dinner.

Currently, Urban Agave is open at 3-9 p.m. Tuesday – Thursday and at 11:30 a.m. Friday & Saturday with an All Day menu. Brunch is served Sunday’s from 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. with the All Day menu is served until 8:30 p.m. Happy Hour is Tuesday – Sunday from 3-6 p.m. and the restaurant is closed on Monday’s. A private dining room is available for private parties and corporate events. For more information and to view the menus visit their website.

Check out my podcast Pulling Corks & Forks: The Podcast with Sandy Wasserman to hear from those in our community. Please subscribe, like & comment.

“Pink Out” coming back to Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and the anniversary of the passing of Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants co-owner and former Chandler City Council member Stephanie Serrano. In Stephanie’s memory and to raise money for local non-profit Check for a Lump the family owned restaurant is hosting the 4th Annual “Pink Out” on Saturday, October 15th. All four locations will participate with the Chandler location hosting the non-profit’s RV for free mammograms.

“We all miss Stephanie and know that she would be proud of us aligning with a nonprofit like Check for a Lump to provide life-saving education and testing for breast cancer,” said Ric Serrano, CEO of Serrano’s Mexican Restaurants. “Anything we can do to help prevent other families from facing this battle is worthy of our support, so we’re especially encouraged to have the mobile mammography unit at our Chandler location this year.”

Pink out
Pink Out Margarita Sampler

“Pink Out” specials for October

If you wear pink on the 15th to any location you will get a free order of pink sprinkled buñuelos for dessert. If you can’t make it by on the for the “Pink Out” stop in all month long to enjoy any or all of the three monthly specials with a portion of the proceeds getting donated to Check for a Lump.

Pink Out Margarita Sampler- $9.99 Get your pink on with our house raspberry, strawberry, passionfruit strawberry, and watermelon margaritas!

Stephanie’s Stacked Enchiladas- $12.99 Stephanie’s favorite! This gluten-free friendly dish includes corn tortillas, black beans and shredded chicken stacked high and covered in tomatillo sauce and cheese. Served with a side of your choice.

Homemade Apple Crumble- $7.99 Our apple crumble à la mode with caramel sauce and cinnamon sugar.

“We are grateful to Serrano’s Mexican Food Restaurant for hosting another fundraising event this year benefiting Check for a Lump to honor the memory of family member Stephanie Serrano who bravely fought breast cancer. Her blessed memory and event will help assist women in our community with life-saving mammograms, wigs and support. We appreciate the Serrano family and are privileged to share in Stephanie’s legacy. Cheers to treasuring memories of her with every dish served,” said Holly Rose, founder and chief executive director of Check for a Lump.

To schedule a free mammogram on the 15th call 480-967-3767.

Serrano’s celebrates 100 years in business with weeks worth of specials

Chandler’s oldest continuously owned family business, Serrano’s Mexican Restaurant celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2019. The east valley staple for Mexican food started as Serrano Brothers Popular Store in 1919 and grew into clothing stores then restaurants in 1979. The 8 children of Ernie and Eva Serrano’s run the restaurants including the flagship restaurant in downtown Chandler. Several grandchildren also work in the restaurants seeing that it will continue in the family for years to come.

Serrano's
Mexican Flag Enchiladas

To celebrate they are serving up food and drink specials the week leading up to Cinco de Mayo since the holiday falls on a Sunday this year and Serrano’s is closed on Sunday’s. From April 29th – May 4th guests stopping into any of the 5 east valley locations can take advantage of the “May the Fourth Be with You” specials below.

Two Mexican Flag Enchiladas, $9.99 (your choice of shredded beef or chicken, red sauce, green sauce and fundido sauce)
Cinco Layer Dip, $6.99
Margarita Sampler Board, $8.99 (4 oz samples of orange, black raspberry, melon and pomegranate margaritas)
16 oz Blue Agave House Margarita, $5
16 oz Mexican Draft Beer, $4
Light saber churros, $2.99
For more information visit their website. The 5 Serrano’s locations are at…..
141 S. Arizona Ave., Chandler, AZ 85225   480.899.3318
6440 S. Rural Road, Tempe, AZ 85283   480.345.0044
1964 E. McKellips Road, Mesa, AZ 85203  480.649.3503
1021 S. Power Road, Mesa, AZ 85206    480.854.7455
22703 S. Ellsworth Road, Queen Creek, AZ 85242   480.987.0192

 

Check out the new lunch menu at Ghost Ranch in Tempe

One of the “Best New Restaurants” in 2018 was Ghost Ranch which recently introduced a new lunch menu. The south Tempe restaurant opened in August and it’s not un-common for a restaurant to make changes to their menu. Seasonal availability of ingredients is one of the biggest reasons restaurant mix it up on a regular basis.

With then popularity of the local restaurant scene to keep people coming back you need to offer new and exciting dishes on a regular basis. New restaurants open daily around the Phoenix area and people can easily be distracted with the latest and greatest restaurant.

New lunch menu

The new lunch menu offers a variety of delicious meals for everybody and includes….

Torta—Chile Colorado braised pork, avocado, tomato, cabbage slaw, aioli, Noble Telera Bread and served with choice of Rancho Papas or side salad.

Tacos—Choice of protein (pork, steak or chicken), homemade tortillas, cabbage slaw, pico de gallo, red and green salsas. Served with rice and beans.

EnchiladasChoice of pork, chicken or veggie with red or green sauce. Served with rice and beans.

Rice Bowl—Choice of pork, chicken or veggies, rice, beans, guacamole, pico de gallo and cotija.

Soup and Salad—Cup of Pumpkin Soup and ½ salad.

Ghost Ranch also mixed it up with their Happy Hour menu. Everyday from 3 – 6p.m. guests can enjoy selected $3 appetizers, $5 selected wines by the glass, cocktails and well drinks or $1 off beer.

Ghost Ranch is at 1006 E. Warner Rd. Tempe 85284.

Much anticipated Ghost Ranch to open August 27th

One of the most highly anticipated restaurant openings of 2018 is happening as August ends when Aaron Chamblerin’s Ghost Ranch opens on the 27th. It’s been a busy year for Chamberlin having opened Taco Chelo in downtown Phoenix and Ghost Ranch’s neighbor Tempe Public Market. He also sold his central Phoenix restaurant St. Francis to focus on opening Ghost Ranch.

All photos courtesy of Ghost Ranch

Eat at Ghost Ranch

The modern Southwestern restaurant located is on the same corner as TPM at the northeast corner of Rural & Warner. The restaurant will serve lunch and dinner on weekdays and brunch and dinner on weekends.

The menu will focus on cuisine from northern Mexico, Arizona, Texas and New Mexico combining the culinary talents of Chamberlin and chefs Rene Andrade  & Roberto Centeno. Both chefs come to Chamberlin Hospitality from other Phoenix area restaurants and will offer dishes from their upbringing in Nogales.

Ghost Ranch
Chile Relleno

“One of my favorite things in the world is the smell of roasting chiles, and it was that smell that made me want to open up a restaurant that embodied the bold flavors of the Southwest,” said Chamberlin. “Rene and Roberto have such a deep understanding of the history, culture and flavors of the region — they are the perfect talents to help make my dream a reality.”

The menu includes red and green chile smothered enchiladas, cowboy steaks, seasonal vegetables from local farmers and grilled trout from the wood smoking grill. Seasonal soups and salads will be on the menu as well.

A beer and wine list has been carefully created as are signature cocktails made with regional ingredients and spirits.

Follow my Instagram @SandyWass as I will be headed to preview Ghost Ranch next week and will be posting from there.

Ghost Ranch is in the Landis Crossing shopping center at 1006 E. Warner Rd Tempe 85254. http://GhostRanchAZ.com.

Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen celebrates Cinco de Mayo all week with 70 years of tradition

Enchilads Bandito
Enchilads Bandito
70 years is a long time and that’s how long ago it was when Woody and Victoria Johnson opened their 1st Macayo’s Mexican Kitchen in Phoenix. In conjunction with Cinco de Mayo(May 5th) Macayo’s is celebrating for 5 days starting Sunday May 1st- Thursday May 5th at all 12 of their Phoenix area locations.

Whether you prefer Margarita de Macayo ($5), a Patron Margarita ($8), a cold Dos XX Amber or Lager ($4) or a shot of Patron tequila ($4) you can enjoy them along with a plate Enchiladas Bandito, a 3 Enchilada sampler representing the colors of the Mexican flag with a red chile enchilada, a green chile pork stew enchilada and fresh spinach enchilada all for $9.99.

Each location with be celebrating with entertainment that includes live music, pinatas, face painters and more for this special occasion.

To find a Macayo’s near you visit www.macayo.com or visit their Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/macayosrestaurants