Television is full of cheesy sitcoms, so why not unplug from 6 p.m to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 5, and make some real cheese of your own?

When it comes to food, "recooked" isn't generally a term met with much affection. The dairy world, however, gives us a fine exception in ricotta cheese.

Weeknight cooking generally is pretty utilitarian. It may not be very pretty or impressive, but it usually is tasty and gets the job done.

Weeknight cooking generally is pretty utilitarian. It may not be very pretty or impressive, but it usually is tasty and gets the job done.

Alessia’s Ristorante Italiano (5251 E. Brown Road, Mesa [480] 396-2888). Unassuming from the outside, this authentic Italian gem offers a cozy, romantic setting on the inside, and it recently expanded into the former insurance suite next door to create a new entrance, bar and waiting area. Owners Jonathan and Shari Carr prepare every dish from scratch, making the food the true star here. $$

Summer may be on the wane, but that does not mean the days cannot be hot and lazy.

Melissa d’Arabian is a home economist for a new era. Actually, she’s more CFO than home ec.

Plenty of people surely will disagree, but I firmly believe that underdressed hot dogs simply aren’t worth the calories.

If ever there was an old-school comestible with a fat chance at trendiness, lard would seem to be it. The name alone is enough to conjure up a frisson of dismay. Nonetheless, lard appears poised to make a comeback.

Plenty of people surely will disagree, but I firmly believe that underdressed hot dogs simply aren't worth the calories.

If ever there was an old-school comestible with a fat chance at trendiness, lard would seem to be it. The name alone is enough to conjure up a frisson of dismay. Nonetheless, lard appears poised to make a comeback.

Ever hear of “squeaky” cheese?

It’s easy to love basic bruschetta — thick slabs of toasted bread topped with a heap of chopped tomatoes and shredded basil, then drizzled with a mess of olive oil.

It’s easy to love basic bruschetta — thick slabs of toasted bread topped with a heap of chopped tomatoes and shredded basil, then drizzled with a mess of olive oil.

Papa Murphy’s will donate $1 to Phoenix Children’s Hospital for every Mini Murph Make ‘N’ Bake Pizza Kit sold through June 25.

A stromboli is kind of a cross between a grinder and a calzone. Bread dough is rolled out, filled with sliced meats, cheeses and vegetables, then rolled up into a tube and baked.

A stromboli is kind of a cross between a grinder and a calzone. Bread dough is rolled out, filled with sliced meats, cheeses and vegetables, then rolled up into a tube and baked.

On Saturday, The St. Patrick's Day Parade Committee and Arizona Colleen and Rose of Tralee Selection will present the 2nd annual Arizona Colleen Fashion Show and Fund-raiser at The Irish Cultural Center, 1106 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.

The thought of turning on the stove, and keeping it blazing for an hour or more, is almost too much to bear in hot weather. And stirring a pot of roiling anything? No, thanks.

La Bocca Urban Pizzeria & Wine Bar

How do we love the East Valley? Let us show you the ways. We’ve compiled a massive list of places and things that make us feel plugged into our little corner of the Phoenix metro area.