Get the kids in on the St. Patrick’s Day action and whip up these delightfully green treats (pistachio! mint chocolate chip!), courtesy of Blue Bell Ice Cream.
Mint Chocolate Cupcakes
1 box of your favorite brownie mix
12 foil muffin cups
½ gallon Blue Bell Mint Chocolate Chip Ice Cream, slightly softened
1 container purchased chocolate cake icing
Place the muffin [...]

In anticipation of the 82nd Annual Academy Awards this Sunday, March 7, Trudy Thomas, beverage director at BLT Steak at Camelback Inn in Scottsdale, has created three special Oscar-themed cocktails that are worthy of their own awards. Each cocktail is $12 and available at BLT Steak starting today through Sunday. Here’s a peek at the [...]

For me, February is jam-packed with birthday celebrations. This week, alone, contains the birthday of three friends–thus, three birthday parties and three desserts that I’ll want to whip up for each party. Therefore, when I came across the new cookbook, Sweetness, by Chicago-based pastry chef Sarah Levy, I was very excited to try some of her [...]

With names like Chocolate Kiss and Raspberries and Roses and presentations that make our hearts–and taste buds–swell, we find it impossible to resist these tempting Valentine’s Day-inspired cocktails. If you can’t resist them either (or you don’t think your sweetheart will be able to come Sunday night), you can whip them up at home, following these instructions, [...]

This spring, SKYY Infusions is set to unveil their newest all-natural flavor, ginger. The brand new flavor is said to taste of spiced and juiced ginger, roasted oranges and mild notes of cinnamon, similar to ginger ale with a more complex aroma. Yum! To introduce this fresh flavor (to a tasty all-natural arsenal that includes flavors [...]

Though most out-of-towners find it laughable that we consider Arizona a bit cold during the winter time, I know I crave some soup this time of the year to warm me up. Thankfully, “The New Book of Soups” by The Culinary Institute of America just hit stands in December and provided some tasty recipes to [...]

I thought we could use just a few more Christmas-y cocktail ideas. Here are some delicious offerings from RA Sushi, Malee’s Thai Bistro, Texaz Grill and Arizona Biltmore Resort’s new Frank and Albert’s.

Christmas in Tokyo
From RA Sushi
1 oz. TYKU Soju
½ oz. Pama Pomegranate Liqueur
½ oz. Simple Syrup
¼ oz. ELIXIR G Ginger Puree
¼ oz. Soho Lychee Liqueur
Squeeze [...]

Here are a few more sips to get you into the yuletide spirit. And did I say to expect only two days of holiday cocktails? Well, I lied. Check back on Monday for more yummy, Christmas-y cocktails.

From Roaring Fork:

Pistachio Martini
1.5oz Stoli Vanil Vodka
.5 oz Triple Sec
.5 oz Monin Pistachio Syrup
1 oz Cream
Shake over ice and strain into [...]

As they say: eat, drink and be merry. Well, I’m happy to help you with the “drink” part of that phrase with two postings devoted entirely to holiday cocktails, both from local restaurants and some of our favorite beverage companies. Check back tomorrow for more divine holiday cocktails.

Pomegranate Martini
From Sassi
2 oz. Three Olives Pomegranate Vodka
5 [...]

Side dishes rarely get the spotlight. It’s all about the turkey on Thanksgiving. So we turned to chef and author Katie Lee, who just released her second book, “The Comfort Table: Recipes for Everyday Occasions,” for some tempting Turkey Day side dishes. (Check out Lee’s cookbook for more holiday recipes and entertaining ideas.)

Apple-Orange Cranberry Relish
3 [...]