Kitchen Notes

Nikki Buchanan wrote in the January 2005 issue of Phoenix Magazine: "I wonder if Peter Kasperski had any idea what a treasure he was getting when he hired Tracy Dempsey as pastry chef for all three of his restaurants - Cowboy Ciao, Kazimierz Wine Bar and See Saw (the latter is co-owned with chef Nobuo Fukuda). This soft-spoken young woman has the skill, creativity and intuitive chops to create desserts that not only match each of the three vastly different operations, but also speak to the inner child in each of us."

Well golly, Nikki! Sweet Basil's owner Martie Sullivan knew. And all those who have taken Tracy's classes knew. (As did all those who dined at Gregory's World Bistro, Restaurant Hapa & Lon's at the Hermosa Inn.) And now it is time for the culinary denizens who are always on the prowl for tastebud treats like crazed truffle sniffers to be in the know. (Speaking of truffles: Tracy's chocolate varieties are divine!)

Bring Home The Bacon
So listen up, culinary denizens: Cowboy Ciao Bacon Pecan Brittle is now available at Sweet Basil.

• 8 oz. $12.95
• 16 oz. $24.95

Familiarity Breeds Confidence
According to a story in the January 2006 Tatum Sun Times, it was Tracy's husband Chuck who said that "if anyone could successfully incorporate bacon into a dessert, it would be his talented wife". So she did. (Originally, the Bacon Pecan Brittle was a garnish for another dessert.)

And don't forget to join Tracy at one of her Sweet Basil cooking classes. You'll be glad you did.