ROGER NAYLOR 2023-10-19 03:49:16
HERITAGE INGREDIENTS: SONORAN DESERT DISHES The desert may not resemble a farm, garden or pantry, yet it is all those things. For thousands of years, American Indian cultures have harvested a bounty of wild plants. Visit a number of restaurants for a delicious and innovative sampling of the rich terroir of Arizona. Take a culinary journey like no other at renowned Kai Restaurant, part of the Gila River Indian Community. Locally farmed and foraged ingredients from the Pima and Maricopa tribes like wolfberries, wild sumac and saguaro blossoms help redefine the very best of fine dining. In 2022, Don Guerra, owner of Tucson’s Barrio Bread and a leader in the local grain movement won the James Beard Award for Outstanding Baker. The recognition highlighted his mission to revitalize heritage grains, such as white Sonora wheat, that were brought to Arizona by Spanish missionaries. Tito & Pep is a neighborhood bistro that reflects Tucson as the wide-ranging multicultural neighborhood it is today. Fresh fish, poultry and beef mixed with seasonal vegetables all receive the distinctive kiss of their mesquite-fired grill. Many of the ingredients incorporated into recipes at Tonto Bar & Grill were gathered on their Cave Creek property. Cholla buds, jojoba beans and ocotillo flowers are among the symphony of flavors that help tell a delicious Arizona story with every meal. Part of Enchantment Resort, Che Ah Chi is the Apache name for Boynton Canyon. In this gorgeous setting, they keep Southwestern food traditions alive with a menu highlighted by Arizona meat and produce from local ranchers and farmers. Courtyard Café at the Heard Museum serves Southwestern-inspired fare that resonates with Indigenous influences. The museum is dedicated to the advancement of American Indian art while the airy cafe celebrates Native cuisine through fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
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