07 Oct Special of the Day: Sensational Dining in Sedona, Arizona
Elote Smoked Chicken Enchiladas
Our 11th annual college girls’ getaway trip sent the eight of us close friends and sorority sisters from the University of Washington to sunny Sedona, Arizona recently to hike, kayak, wine and dine our way through an exciting extended weekend.
Kayaking on the Verde River
Incredible adventures, including hiking to the top of Bell Rock, kayaking down the Verde River in individual inflatable kayaks, enjoying an open-air off-road Pink Jeep red rock climbing escapade, touring the Chapel of the Holy Cross and strolling through the historic mining town of Jerome, combined to make this excursion one of the best trips we have ever taken together, which is saying a lot considering the array of amazing destinations across America this group has visited over the last decade.
Creekside at L’Auberge
Of course, all the exploring in the hot sun definitely worked up an appetite. And so, we did our fare share of sampling the best of what Sedona has to offer in terms of food and wine, which was absolutely fabulous everywhere we went. There is certainly something for everyone to eat and drink in this desirable desert town, regardless of what you’re craving. (Good thing we did so much hiking while we were there!)
A few of my favorites from the trip follow, accompanied by irresistible recipes and how tos on replicating the deliciousness at home, as well as two cookbook recommendations from Sedona restaurants we thoroughly enjoyed.
Bringing you home a taste of Sedona in this week’s Special of the Day: Sensational Dining in Sedona, Arizona. Enjoy!
If you go:
Cucina Rustica
Fine Italian Dining and a wonderful wine list
Tequa Plaza
Village of Oak Creek
7000 State Route 179
Sedona, Arizona
928.284.3010
cucinaructica.com
Not to be missed- Filetto di Manzo finished in a delicate chipotle Gorgonzola mushroom cream sauce
Elote Café
771 State Route 179
Sedona, AZ
928.203.0105
Elotecafe.com
Delectable Southwestern cuisine and marvelous margaritas
Not to be missed: Smoked Chicken Enchiladas (recipe below) and Short Rib Tacos
Enchantment Resort
525 Boynton Canyon Road
Sedona, AZ
928.282.2900
Enchantmentresort.com
Spectacular sunset views of scenic Sedona landscapes, cocktails and appetizers at View 180 lounge
Not to be missed: Kobe Beef Slider (how tos below) and Warm Nuts (how tos below), among other terrific tapas-style menu items
Grapes Restaurant and Bar
111 Main Street
Jerome, AZ
928.639.8477
Charming outdoor seating and palatable wine and food pairings listed throughout their extensive menu
Not to be missed- Italian Chef Salad paired with Zenato Pinto Grigio
Indian Gardens Café and Market
3951 N. State Route 89A
Sedona, AZ
928.282.7702
Gourmet sandwiches, salads, coffee, beer and wine at Indian Gardens with patio dining out back
Not to be missed- The Bacon & Brie (recipe below)
L’Auberge de Sedona
301 Little Lane
855.905.5745
Not to be missed-Champagne Sunday Brunch served Creekside
…
Recipes and How-tos
The Bacon & Brie
Recipe by Indian Gardens Cafe
The Bacon & Brie, like all of our food, is a simple combination of quality ingredients. We start with clean bacon (nitrate, hormone, and antibiotic-free) from Beeler’s Bacon, add fresh-sliced Belle toile Triple-Cream French Brie, the delectable Dalmatia Fig Spread, and finish it off with organic baby arugula. We use a locally-baked 9-grain wheat bread, grilled with a dash of butter. Very simple, but the highest quality ingredients we can get our hands on.
Elote Smoked Chicken Enchiladas
Smoked Chicken Enchiladas
Recipe by Chef Jeff Smedstad
This is one of those things that sounds so simple but actually has the sophistication of any great dish in the world. I like the contrast of the smoked chicken and cheese with the contrast of tart tomatillo. These were inspired by the enchiladas suizas so loved in Mexico City. At the restaurant we make these to order one at a time but I find at home casserole style is better suited.
8 thick corn tortillas
2 cups shredded jack cheese
4 cups smoked chicken pulled or shredded not too fine
tomatillo sauce
4 cups tomatillos husked rinsed and chopped
1/2 cup chopped onion
3 cloves peeled roughly chopped garlic
2 cups chicken stock
1 poblano chile rough chopped
1 jalapeno chopped
olive oil as needed
1/2 cup chopped cilantro
In a sauce pan over medium high heat cook the onion, garlic, poblano and jalapeno until lightly browned then add remaining ingredients except cilantro and simmer until soft. Puree with cilantro and reserve.
warm tortillas in a large dry skillet and dip into the sauce, fill each one with about 1/2 cup of chicken and a tablespoon or so of cheese, roll them up and place them in a greased baking dish pour remaining sauce over the top and top with remaining cheese. Bake for 10 minutes @375 and serve.
Kobe Sliders
Recipe from Enchantment Resort
Kobe beef patties
Hawaiian rolls
American cheese
Caramelized onions
Build burgers/sliders as you would like.
Warm Nuts
Recipe from Enchantment Resort
Warm mixed nuts in oven and top with blue cheese. Drizzle with honey.
Buy the Books:
Elixir of Life Cookbook
by Lisa Dahl
Elote Café Cookbook
By Jeff Smedstad
Sydne George is a food journalist specializing in recipe development, food writing and food photography. She can be reached at sydnegeorge@hotmail.com . Sydne’s recipes from “Special of the Day” are archived at sydnegeorge.com.
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