Six Great Recipes from Top Chefs You Can Make at Home

Enchantment Resort’s Roasted Cauliflower

Northern Arizona is home to top-notch restaurants. And in honor of this being our food issue, we asked six local chefs to share some of their easier recipes that you can make in the comfort of your own kitchen. From Enchantment Resort’s signature Roasted Cauliflower to a decadent Flourless Chocolate Cake, enjoy creating these six dishes.

Enchantment Resort’s Roasted Cauliflower

Enchantment Resort’s Roasted Cauliflower by Executive Chef José Martinez

Enchantment Resort’s culinary team focuses on preparing traditional Native American cuisine. The team has relationships with local purveyors such as Ramona Farms on the Gila River Indian Community to bring authentic foraged flavors to the dishes served at the resort’s on-site fine-dining restaurant, Che Ah Chi. One of the vegetables the culinary team forages is cauliflower, which Executive Chef Jose Martinez has turned into a signature dish.



Whole Roasted Oak Creek Rainbow Trout

Whole Roasted Oak Creek Rainbow Trout by Chef Brandon Park of Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock

The Hilton Sedona Resort at Bell Rock has a new executive chef. Meet Brandon Park. Like many, his love of cooking originated at home. Brandon was inspired by his grandmother to become a chef. His use of herbs and truly local food – simply allowing the food source to take center stage with some help from local herbs and spices is his way of paying respect to Sonoran style.

“Working with local farmers and natives will help the community return and business to flourish. I am excited to allow the flavors of Sedona to resonate at Hilton Sedona,” says Brandon. “Supporting the farmers and food suppliers in the area is important to help our business rebound but also nourish the community and guests who come to visit. I look forward to breaking bread with our guests.”



Strawberry, Peach and Tomato Gazpacho

Strawberry, Peach and Tomato Gazpacho by Executive Chef Lindsey Dale of SaltRock Southwest Kitchen at Amara Resort and Spa

When SaltRock Southwest Kitchen Executive Chef Lindsey Dale was dreaming up her summer menu, she tried to envision guests dining on SaltRock’s patio on a hot summer day. She wanted to created something light, sweet and savory. And she came up with this gazpacho as a way to highlight local produce. SaltRock is serving this as a one-off menu item for the summer.



Elote

Elote by Chef Jeff Smedstad of Elote Café

Chef Jeff Smedstad of Elote Café is having quite the year. Back in February, he was nominated for a James Beard Award. In case you’re not familiar, the James Beard awards are considered by many to be the Oscar’s of the food world. On top of that, he’s in the process of relocating his noteworthy Elote Café. The new location on Jordan Road is currently under construction. Read more about his signature appetizer, elote, below.

“What could bring to life the flavor of Mexico more than corn roasting and caramelizing over a grill?” says Jeff. “For that matter, these flavors would be at home in any backyard where there
is barbeque happening. Typically in Mexico, this would be made with starchier corn, but I prefer the flavor of sweet corn. Silver Queen is my favorite. This dish always tastes better in the summer.”



French Toast

French Toast Mercer By Chef Mercer Mohr of Creekside American Bistro and Mesa Grill Sedona

Chef Mercer Mohr of Creekside American Bistro and Mesa Grill Sedona has a special twist on traditional French Toast. “French Toast recipe comes from traditional Italian holiday gift of Panettone bread in a box. Chef Gerardo Moceri of Gerardo’s Kitchen in Sedona is a longtime friend. And every year, he would give me this huge loaf of Panettone bread as a Christmas gift. One year, I diced it up and made bread pudding. To heat it up, I would slice and brown the slice in butter. Add a little maple syrup, and the French Toast idea was born,” says Mercer.



Flourless Chocolate Cake

Flourless Chocolate Cake by Michelle Jurisin of The Haunted Group

Michelle Jurisin first spotted Flourless Chocolate Cake years ago in Capri, Italy. The dish was supposedly invented on the Italian island and can be called Caprese Cake or Torta Caprese. She started making it years ago. She kept making this dessert not only because it was delicious, but also because it turned out to be gluten-free.



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