Bonnee Klein Gilligan is a foodie who loves eating, cooking, and going to new and different restaurants in the Sedona-Verde Valley.

Bonnee's Food Corner: Rock Cafe

Great places to eat and buy food in the Sedona-Verde Valley...and new recipes

Sedona- Verde Valley, AZ - Rock Cafe...a Mediterranean delight.

Rock Cafe
206 S. Main St
Cottonwood, AZ
Phone: (928) 649-2811
http://www.rockcafeoasis.com/

A little rock house, sweet décor and by far the most delicious Greek, Lebanese and Mediterranean food in the area.

Dinner began with pureed lentil soup, fresh and delicate with a smooth, creamy texture. My beverage was adventurous, something new to me, RetSina the Greek wine of the Gods… amber color, a bit rough and dry, with a mild taste of pine resin. Unique and interesting!

The Greek Vegetarian Combo Plate was huge and included a tasty sampling of dishes. Baba Ghanough dip… smoky and silky; Hummus dip… a bit nutty and creamy with over tones of lemon and garlic; Taboule salad… chewy, with a fresh green, lemony taste; Tzotziki sauce… bright, cooling and complex; Dolmades warm stuffed grape leaves… delicate, green and bright dipped in Tzotziki simply delicious; Menazaly hot sautéed eggplant, tomatoes, onion and spices… complex and full flavored, mmmm; also tucked into nooks and crannies were Greek olives and pickled vegetables.

For desert, Baklava topped the meal with sweetness… a crispy, flaky, honey soaked, pistachio (or walnut) delight.

Dinner entrées range from $13.95 to $19.95. I whole-heartedly recommend the Vegetarian Combo Plate, and Baklava…. delicious!

Hours: Tuesday - Saturday, Lunch 11:30am - 2:30pm, Dinner 4:30pm - 8:30pm

Just opened at Rock Café is the newly completed banquet room Hanna’s Oasis, offering family style meals and belly dancers for special occasions.

A Yummy Cheesy Recipe…

Onion and Mushroom Quiche

This is an easy and delicious quiche which changes character depending on the cheese used. I happen to love the flavor of Jarlsberg Swiss so recommend it here, but any good quality cheese can be substituted (see below for recommendations).

1 - 9” pie crust
1½ cups grated Jarlsberg Swiss cheese
1 medium onion chopped
¼ lb. mushrooms sliced
1 tbs. butter
salt, pepper and dash of thyme to season sauté

Custard:
4 eggs
1½ cups milk
3 tbs. flour
¼ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. dry mustard

Line a 9” pie pan with a crust. Make your own crust or use store bought; refrigerated rolled crusts are quite flakey and a good alternative to homemade for saving time. Cover the bottom of the crust with all the grated cheese.

Melt butter in frying pan, sauté onions until translucent; add mushrooms, season with salt, pepper and a dash of thyme to taste. Sauté another minute or two. Cover cheese layer with sautéed onions and mushrooms.

In a medium bowl, whisk together until well mixed eggs, milk, flour, salt and dry mustard. Pour custard over mushroom/onion layer. Sprinkle with paprika for added color.

Bake 375º 40-50 minutes or until solid in the center.

Makes 1 - 9” pie. Serve a slice with fresh mixed greens lightly dressed with balsamic vinegar and olive oil, lemon juice or your favorite dressing.

Vary the recipe if you like – substitute grated Dubliner Irish Cheddar or other cheeses like crumbled feta or Gorgonzola (use about ¾ cup of Gorgonzola it is very strongly flavored) for the Swiss. Use fresh tomatoes and basil instead of mushrooms and thyme (lay slices on top of the sautéed onion or use fresh scallions instead). Perhaps lightly steamed chopped broccoli or fresh uncooked spinach instead of mushrooms. Good combinations include cheddar and broccoli, feta and spinach with a dash of nutmeg, tomatoes and Gorgonzola.

A Great Find… Cheese wonderful cheese

If you enjoy cheeses from around the world, Sedona now has a great source with a terrific selection. New Frontiers Natural Marketplace has expanded and now includes a wonderful new cheese counter. You can sample any cheese before you buy it. I’ve bought 5 or 6 different kinds that I particularly enjoyed. Then arranged them (with name tags on toothpicks) on a platter with various crackers and a selection of wine for an instant tasting party. New Frontiers Natural Marketplace is located in the Old Marketplace, 1420 W. Hwy 89A, Sedona. Phone: 928-282-6311.

Check out past editions of Bonnee's Food Corner!


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