Recently, a friend from Argentina stopped by and set about to make us a full Argentinian meal that included plenty of chimichurri.
Home and Hearth
While meat lovers look forward to summer barbecues, many people might be looking for a vegetarian option.
Has the phrase, “I wish I would have …” ever crossed your mind? Well, I call it the “woulda, shoulda, coulda syndrome!” Most commonly, we face this reality when we don’t prepare.
Pizza, whether it’s topped with pepperoni and extra cheese or mushroom and spinach, ranks pretty high on my list of favorite things to eat.
One of the pillars of great cooking is ensuring that each dish features ample textural contrast, an element as important as flavor. Once you strike the balance of sweet, salty, acidic, bitter and savory, it’s crucial to consider creamy, crispy, chewy and more.
Reverse osmosis water purifying systems are prevalent in Arizona. To help us with all the facts about RO systems, we spoke with Jon Owens from Kinetico Water Systems.
In 2010, Frank Reyes had an idea, a vision. He wanted to honor Pinal County veterans who died in combat. It was personal, in part.
Maybe you are thinking it is time for your pool to get a face lift. Michael Sandoval with Above and Beyond Pools has some suggestions. There are many aspects of your pool’s environment that should be examined with an eye to either upgrade or repair.
CASA GRANDE — Light and creamy, cottage cheese ice cream is a nice change from the regular, full-fat, sugary frozen treat.
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve heard about the #NoMowMay movement that’s been gaining steam on social media and in eco-conscious circles these past few years.
If there is a steady, reliable workhorse of the breakfast world, it has to be oatmeal. Love it or hate it, oatmeal is nutritious, filling and versatile, making it adaptable to any taste.
The small things often escape my attention. Unless it’s something like the spider hanging upside-down from the bathroom ceiling.
CASA GRANDE — The mini fried egg trend — creating three or four mini fried eggs from one egg — is slimy and messy, but fun.
Belinda and Neil Eerdmans pedaled north up the Spine Trail. They started out from the Arica Road Trailhead at Casa Grande Mountain Park.
CASA GRANDE — When he’s in the kitchen, Chef Carlos “Jared” Cornejo’s culinary training and expert technique blends with his childhood love of traditional Mexican flavor and ingredients to create classic French and Italian dishes with a south of the border twist.
Many of us in this great state of Arizona have some semblance of a water feature at our home and/or our place of work. In our vast desert-like environment, the sound and sight of water typically elicits a soothing response. This can be achieved by adding a fountain or pond to your property.
Phoenix Children’s Hospital reports that the typical medical costs for a child injured in a non-fatal drowning can cost as much as $250,000 per year for long-term care. A barrier, such as a pool fence, costs roughly $2,000 and can reduce drowning risk when properly used.
It’s always nice to have a snack on hand that’s perfect for nibbling and when it’s low calorie and packed with nutrients, life doesn’t get much better.
The dermatologist gave me the once over.
I’ll admit, there have been times I’ve gone to the store to buy a box of corn muffin mix and I’ve been known to keep some in the pantry. The little box mixes are inexpensive, easy to store and super versatile.
CASA GRANDE — Neil and Belinda Eerdmans unloaded the mountain bikes from their van at Casa Grande Mountain’s Arica Trailhead. They’re from Champlin, Minnesota. Neil teaches third grade. Belinda teaches math at a middle school.
Sometimes, nothing hits the spot like pancakes. As well as being delicious, pancakes are also one of the easiest breakfast foods to prepare.
What’s happening in the world of landscaping?
CASA GRANDE — As a huge butter fan, I rarely use margarine, unless a recipe specifically calls for it, so it’s something I don’t often buy at the store.
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CASA GRANDE — If there’s one comfort food that hits the spot every time without fail, it’s the classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich. And when that sandwich is made with homemade peanut butter, as well as homemade jam and homemade bread, it’s a treat that can’t be compared to any other.
Sometimes as I walk our dog Maggie around the block, I think: If you don’t like diversity, this isn’t the neighborhood for you.
CASA GRANDE — One of the handiest and most versatile kitchen tools doesn’t cost any money and it saves waste from the landfill.
Every home should have a well-stocked toolbox. But what does a well-stocked toolbox consist of? Considering that most homeowners are not construction professionals, we have assembled a list of the tools each homeowner should have in their toolbox.
CASA GRANDE — Often, when I’m in the kitchen baking or cooking, my dog, Fetty, is nearby watching and waiting for bits of food to fall. So it’s nice to bake up a batch of treats just for him.
I revisited the sausage factory last Wednesday. The Arizona Legislature was more than a month into its 2023 session. I expected to see a food fight, Republicans and Democrats hurling sausages at each other over abortion, schools, cancel culture and drag shows.
CASA GRANDE — Many of us have a box of dry onion soup mix in our pantry. We pull it out for making things like pot roast, meatballs or of course, the classic sour cream and onion dip.
Arizona boasts a bounty bird species, some that can been seen year-round and other that visit in the winter as they migrate from colder areas of the country.
CASA GRANDE — Those who love to bake know just how important eggs are in making cookies, breads, cakes and other desserts. And while they are important to the structure of many baked goods, it’s possible to leave them out, and no one will ever know the difference.
My brother, Jim, is the athlete of the family. I was the guy chosen last in any pickup games.
Is your pantry stuffed with half-empty cereal boxes and duplicates of items because you couldn’t see what you already had before you went grocery shopping? Are your spices falling all over each other? Having trouble finding what you need when you need it?
CASA GRANDE — When it seems like the price of everything is going up and up, it’s nice to return to basics and make from scratch some of the things we usually buy in the grocery store.
CASA GRANDE — With the price of eggs soaring, it’s nice to be able to whip up a sweet decadent treat that doesn’t require the addition of the oval-shaped poultry product.
One of the most common questions I am asked is, “How much will my project cost?”
This is a tale of two Black preachers. I sat across from one of them last Thursday. The Rev. Grady Whatley lives in Coolidge. His simple manufactured home is surrounded by fruit trees. A summer garden sits maybe 30 feet from the front door.
Simple or Not Kitchen: A jar and a bit of milk are all that's needed to upgrade basic tea to a latte
CASA GRANDE — Since I gave up coffee a while back, tea is my new indulgence and in the afternoon, I love making a sweet and creamy chai latte.
A chipped tile can be a safety hazard. You can cut your foot on the sharp edges or trip over. Chipped and broken tiles must be repaired.
CASA GRANDE — Is there anything better than a loaf of bread fresh out of the oven?
CASA GRANDE — After the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, January is a great time to slow down and settle in with some comfort foods. It’s also a great time to focus on food-friendly New Year’s resolutions.
New Year’s resolutions are forward looking. Promises made for the coming year.
Now that Christmas is over, it’s time to put away the decorations and take down the tree. If you have a live tree, consider recycling it or using it in other ways. Before we talk options, let’s talk about how a tree should not be disposed.
CASA GRANDE — With the holidays mostly over and a new year set to begin, many of us are looking for ways to cut a few calories from our favorite foods.
Peralta Regional Park fronts Peralta Road.
CASA GRANDE — Often considered a hallmark of fine dining, beef Wellington is one of those dishes that conjures up images of spending hours in the kitchen working with fussy dough, expensive beef and other ingredients to create a culinary masterpiece that will delight the senses.
As Christmas Day approaches, you probably have plenty to do and not much time. Getting and staying organized is key to crossing everything off your to-do list in time for the holiday festivities. No need to add replacing a dried-out Christmas tree or vacuuming countless dropped needles multi…