Food & Drink

It’s no shock that Cat Cora didn’t really cook anything for her book-signing at Changing Hands Bookstore last night. One errant whiff of smoke from a cook top and the overhead sprinklers at Changing Hands would have brought down a deluge — ruining the Q&A not to mention an inventory…

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…

Cruising past the corner of 32nd Street and Thomas Road, I took an unexpected detour when I spotted a new Mexican supermarket the other day. El Super occupies the building that used to be a Home Depot Pro (3130 E. Thomas), before the housing market went kaput. I’m glad to…

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…

Something unique on the menu for World Cup was all Il Vinaio owner Cameron Selogie had in mind when he started serving burgers made from free-range, USDA-approved lion meat. Protests and a bomb threat probably weren’t. Selogies says that he did research before placing an order with a supplier that is approved…

 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…

When Starbucks comes to mind, the avalanche of associations is unavoidable. But whether you adore the behemoth company or foam at the mouth in a crazy fit of wrath whenever you hear its name, well, no one actually cares as much as you think. So put your hand down: it’s…

I don’t follow baseball that closely, but I know enough about the sorry state of the Diamondbacks to say that even something as simple as baseball cupcakes lightens my mood on that topic. How can you resist smiling when you see these Hostess Baseballs? They’re cute and tasty, with yellow…

Jamaican food isn’t easy to come by anywhere in the Valley, but if you’re willing to head to the west side of town, there’s a new-ish place called Starlight Cuisine in Avondale. Owner Trevor Brown says he opened his eatery back in December. Menu selections rotate from day to day;…

“Let’s go to Lee’s Sandwiches” a friend said to me a couple months ago. “What’s Lee’s Sandwiches?” I replied. “You have never had a Lee’s Sandwich? They are Vietnamese sandwiches for under $3. We’re going”What in the world is a Vietnamese sandwich? …