Entertaining

From the Cellar: Smaller wine shops seem to vanish

August 12, 2008 - 5:35PM

Comments | Recommend

Where did all the small wine and spirits retailers - "bottle shops" - go? Quick scans of Santan Village, Crossroads Towne Center and Santan Gateway turn up nothing. Have all the "big box" stores gobbled up those, too? While at Gateway, I stroll through the SuperTarget and two gleaming rows of well-chosen and well-priced wines greet me. School supplies, socks for the kids, toothpaste, two bottles of cabernet ... I'm going to need a shopping cart.

Falling for figs

November 9, 2007 - 6:05PM

Even though it’s actually a summer fruit, there’s something about figs that say fall. Maybe it’s the color of the dark, chewy, sweet flesh, or the crispness of the seeds, like the crisp autumn air.

Gridiron goodies: Kick off football season with snacks

October 8, 2007 - 3:39PM

Football is back on TV, and that means many Saturday (college) and Sunday (professional) afternoons will be spent in front of the big screen watching with friends and family.

Successful party strategy puts presentation over prep time

May 31, 2007 - 3:21PM

Every year about this time, I’m hit with a raging case of spring fever. And one of the overarching symptoms is an incurable itch to fill my date book with parties. Whether it’s throwing a wedding shower, hosting a graduation reception or honoring Mom with a Mother’s Day luncheon, there are millions of excuses to gather with friends and celebrate life’s big events.

Rare tropical delicacies can grow in our climate – with work

May 31, 2007 - 3:02PM

Many fruits, particularly tropical varieties, are at the height of their season and it’s tempting to snatch up a bunch of them while they’re on sale at your favorite market or ripe on the trees in your garden.

Tradition, correct ingredients complete the setting for proper tea

May 4, 2007 - 10:54AM

Brunch is nice. So is dinner. But a leisurely afternoon tea is the perfect way to spend some time catching up with your mother this Mother’s Day, May 13.

Punch up summer dinner salads with fruit, protein

April 20, 2007 - 1:09PM

When it gets really hot in the East Valley, the last thing most people want to do is turn on the oven to create a great meal for guests. Cooking instructor Judy Toth of Simply Impressive in Mesa says you don’t have to.

Quality leaves, proper brewing make a perfect iced tea

April 13, 2007 - 12:41PM

Whether it’s raspberry infused or served with a wedge of lemon, the perfect pitcher of iced tea takes three things: quality water, proper brew time and the right water temperature.

Flavorful fondue is back in style for dinner parties

April 5, 2007 - 3:34PM

Gather around the table, pick your favorite color skewer and start dipping, because fondue is back in a big way. The popular tradition of the 1960s and '70s has been rediscovered as the latest trend in home entertaining.

Spare seasonal fruit finds a home in Southwestern recipes

March 29, 2007 - 3:40PM

Citrus smells great and tastes refreshing, but this year’s crop is so abundant even one tree often produces too much fruit for a single family. To use that citrus, Valley chef and culinary teacher Barbara Pool Fenzl suggests her light, somewhat unusual and very Southwestern Jicama, Orange and Nopalitos Salad.

Classic cocktails in sexy shakers will spice up any bar

March 23, 2007 - 12:54PM

Few drinks embody classic cocktails like the martini. Three ounces of stone-cold gin or vodka, a mere drop of dry vermouth, poured straight up with an olive in a martini-style glass. It’s one part simple goodness and another swank styling. Sammy, Dean and The Chairman seared the martini into pop culture, and we never let go.

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