GreekFoodie's Profile
Anniversary Celebration on a Sunday? (PHX)
Help! I am celebrating my anniversary on a Sunday this year, and all of our first choice spots (e.g., Binkley's, Quiessence) are closed. Does anyone have any suggestions?
Fresh mozarella (PHX)
I make my own when I want really fresh mozarella. I mail order the ingredients (excl. milk) from New England Cheesemaking Supply. I buy a gallon of Shamrock Farms organic whole milk (Pasteurized, not Ultra-Pasteurized) and follow the directions. Thirty minutes later, I have fresh mozarella. It's a blast to make, very easy, and absolutely delicious! You can keep it in some brine in the fridge if you don't eat it all at once.
Santa Fe for 5 action Packed Days
We love Santa Fe! On every trip, we have to stop at two favorites: Tia Sophia's (close to the plaza) for lunch and Maria's (a short car drive from the center of town) for dinner. Tia Sophia's is always packed, it is wonderfully welcoming to children (supplying a bookshelf of favorites to keep them entertained), and it has great lunch specials. You just can't go wrong with a stuffed sopapilla (my favorite). Maria's is another great and very popular destination. You can watch tortillas being made in the corner of the restaurant and the margaritas are the best I've every had... in fact, that's the recipe that we use at home now. Can you tell that I have children? These are both kid-friendly places that are a treat for the adults in the crowd. Load up on sopapillas while you are in Santa Fe - just squirt a little honey in them and eat them before your meal to "coat your throat" for the hot chile that will inevitably follow.
Pasqual's is more expensive but innovative in a delicious way. Although we usually save our calories for lunch and dinner, they have a reputation for serving great breakfasts and are on my "to do" list.
Having come from New England originally, I'll warn you about the altitude - it may make you feel light-headed; you will definitely burn faster in the sun; and alcohol will affect you more than usual. So, take it easy and enjoy!
Lamb butcher in Phoenix-Mesa area?
Nice to hear that you are using the whole lamb!
Was it an American lamb and where did you order it? We paid $5 per pound for boxed weight (about 40lb).
Lamb butcher in Phoenix-Mesa area?
I will check in with them on our next trip to The Pork Shop (cooler in trunk). We don't get our next lamb until September, so I have a little time to check around.
Lamb butcher in Phoenix-Mesa area?
I hear that the Pork Shop (Queen Creek) will sell half pigs... maybe your wife would agree to that!
Lamb butcher in Phoenix-Mesa area?
It's A Bar H Farm (www.abarhfarm.com)... they have great lamb and fresh farm eggs. We also get some beef and chickens, but not as often.
They deliver to the Phoenix area every 6 weeks or so.
Lamb butcher in Phoenix-Mesa area?
I love the lamb that we get from an Arizona farmer, but their butcher stinks. I suspect that it may be because he is unfamiliar with lamb anatomy (I expect more than 4 ribs per side) or specialty cuts (e.g., saddle). My own butchering skills are no better, so I am looking around for an area butcher who can properly break down a lamb carcass for me. Does anyone have any suggestions?
