Koo De Ker, a Salt Lake City fashion boutique

Congratulations Laura Kee and Amy Y, you both won a $50 gift certificate to Koo De Ker.  Happy Spring shopping!

If I could somehow will spring to be here by wearing cute Spring clothes even while its cold outside, I'd do it.  I'm thinking sunglasses and frilly summer dresses, with flip flops and wide brimmed straw hats. Maybe if I put on my spring-best and walk around the park the weather would just submit to my pitiful efforts. Or I could just browse around my favorite clothing shops around the Salt Lake area and dream of sunny days at the Farmers Market.

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Back to life in Salt Lake

The last couple of weeks I've been recounting my trip to China.  I still have a few recipes to post but I am switching back to my normal blogging and will be back to posting, Salt Lake restaurants, new recipes, and food news from around the area.  I wanted to catch you up on a few things going on around the Salt Lake City food scene.

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Recipe List

In efforts to get things more organized and efficient on Vintage Mixer I came up with this list of recipe posts for you. I hope you find it helpful! A link will be posted to this list on the left side of the main page under labels for you to refer back to. I hope you enjoy creating some new dishes!

Main Dishes

Moroccan Stew

Roasted Grape and Walnut Rice Pilaf with Chicken

Butternut Squash Enchiladas

Simple Chicken and Peach Curry

Wheat Berry Salad with Bacon, Cherries, and Pecans

Pan Seared Chicken over Israeli Couscous with Swiss Chard

Sicilian Fisherman Stew

Kun Pao Chicken

Butternut Squash Soup with Caramelized Pears and Hazelnut Cream

Slow Cooked Mexican Chicken for Tacos, Enchiladas, Soup etc

Beer Chicken and Biscuits

Fruit and Nut Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Moroccan Chicken with Chickpeas and Spicy Avocado

Garden Fresh Tomato Sauce

White Bean Chicken Chili

Slow Cooked Chicken with Roasted New Mexico Green Chilies

Fresh Corn Polenta with Sausage, Chard, and Mushrooms

Artisan Pasta with Italian Sausage and Zucchini

Greek Salad

Spicy Spaghetti

Wild Mushroom Lasagna

Chicken and Sauteed Spinach Crepes

Skinny Spicy Chicken Alfredo

Baked Salmon with Creamy Dill Sauce

Thai Chicken in Spicy Peanut Sauce

Chicken Spaghetti

Caesar Salad with Tortellini Croutons

Sautéed Mushrooms over warm Red Cabbage Salad

Grilled Peach and Prosciutto Salad

Gazpacho Bar

Coconut-Curry Chicken Salad

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Falafel with Homemade Tzatziki

Pasta Primavera

Black Bean Burgers

Cider Braised Chicken

Aunt Diane's Curry Chicken and Broccoli Casserole

Baked Parmesan Chicken

California Chicken Spaghetti

Roasted Veggie Pizza

Grandma's Cornbread Chicken

Tuscan Chicken and Potato Salad

Desserts

Vegan, Sugar-free Spiced Carrot Cake Cookies

Oatmeal Cookies with Dried Cherries and Pistachios

Chocolate Pumpkin Pie with Gingersnap Crust

Maple Buttermilk Pie with Meringue

Pear and Almond Cake

Pumpkin Apple Streusel Cake

Pumpkin Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies

Pumpkin Cake with Spiced Cream Cheese Frosting

Mint Chocolate Pudding Dessert Shots

Key Lime Pie with Pecan Gingersnap Crust

Jenn's Raspberry Ice Cream

Barbara's List of Pies

Frida's Mexican Chocolate Mole Cookies

Flour-less Gingersnap Chocolate Fudge Cake

Raw Chocolate Truffles

Ginger White Chocolate Blondies

Chocolate Almond Butter Vegan Cookies

Cranberry White Chocolate Blondies

Hazelnut Marzipan Jar Cakes

Cake Pops

Banana Pudding/ Cream Pie/ Chocolate Pudding/ Chocolate Cream Pie

Peach Crisp with Hazelnut Pecan Topping

Bacon and Cashew Caramel Corn

Rustic Fresh Fruit Tartlets

Salted Dessert List

Hazelnut Zucchini Bread

Wedding Cake

Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits

Lemon Curd Ice Cream

Lemon Ice Cream Sandwiches with Blueberry Swirl

Margarita Pie

Almond Torte with Fresh Berries

Classic Yellow Birthday Cake and Chocolate Butter Cream

Lemon Loaf

Lazy Grasshopper Dessert

Simple Gourmet Chocolate Souffles

NY Times Chocolate Chip Cookies

Marshmallows

Hot Cocoa

Bread Pudding

Martha Stewart Cut-Out Cookies

Ginger Cream Cookies

Southern Chess Pie

Pumpkin Crunch Cake

Blueberry Tartlets

Tres Leche Cake with Fresh Berries and Limoncello Cream

Lemon Icebox Cake

Lemon Butter Cookies

Baby Button Cookies

Layered Italian Cream Cake

Orange and Amaretto Shortbread Cookies

Macaroon Chocolate Tartlets

Spice Cake with Maple Icing

Tiger Cake

Maple Walnut Spice Cookies

Lemon Honey Drop Cookies

Hot Cocoa Cake

Jumbles

Chocolate Dipped Orange
Macaroons

Madeleines

Cake Truffles

Lana's Cherry Cheese Pie

Snow Balls

Breakfast

Steel Cut Oats in a Jar with Flax Seeds and Berries

Raw Oats with Almond Milk and Fruit

Almond Toast with Berry Cream and Mangoes

Quinoa with Fruit and Nuts

Baked Eggs in Puff Pastry Cups

Best Blueberry Muffin Recipe

Best Granola Recipe

Best Bran Muffin Recipe

Baked Eggs over Polenta, Sausage and Chard

Hazelnut Zucchini Bread

Fruit and Yogurt Parfaits

Lemon Loaf

Lemon Ricotta Pancakes

Dried Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

Spinach and Asparagus Fritatta

Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

Rosemary Breakfast Potatoes

Blueberry and Banana Baked Oatmeal

French Toast Casserole with Praline Sauce

Banana Blackberry and Flax Oats

Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Oatmeal

Spinach Frittata

Blueberry Crumb Cake

Banana Walnut Muffins

Oatmeal Brulee

Breads

Beer Biscuits

Hazelnut Zucchini Bread

Lemon Loaf

Hally's Garlic Pull-Apart Bread

Strawberry Bread

Bourbon Banana Bread

Buttermilk Fantails

Soups

Moroccan Stew

Sorrel and Yukon Gold Potato Soup

Sicilian Fisherman Stew

Butternut Squash Soup with Caramelized Pears and Hazelnut Cream

Gazpacho Bar

Split Pea Soup

Spicy Vegetable Soup

Green Minestrone

Curried Carrot Soup

Lemon Rice and Asparagus Soup

French Cream of Cauliflower Soup

Vegetarian & Side Dishes

Mashed Rutabaga with Ginger Roasted Pears

Roasted Grape and Walnut Rice Pilaf

Southern Cheese Grits

Butternut Squash Enchiladas

Sorrel and Yukon Gold Potato Soup

Berry and Goat Cheese Crostini

Roasted Vegetable Salad

Blueberry Corn and Feta Salad

Chinese Cucumber and Peanut Salad

Healthy Artichoke Dip

Fruit and Nut Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Peach Apple Sauce

Fresh Corn Polenta with Chard and Oyster Mushrooms

Baked Lemons

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus with Fig and Goat Cheese

Wild Mushroom Lasagna

Canadian Rainbow Rice

Eva's Brussels Sprouts

Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower

Pomegranate Stuffing

Asparagus and Brown Rice

Pan Browned Brussels Sprouts

Salads

Wheat Berry Salad with Bacon, Cherries, and Pecans

Roasted Vegetable Salad

Blueberry Corn and Feta Salad

Chinese Cucumber and Peanut Salad

Emily's Strawberry Walnut Salad with Poppyseed Dressing

Roasted Beet and Hazelnut Salad with Feta and Honey Balsamic

Greek Salad

Caesar Salad with Tortellini Croutons

Sautéed Mushrooms over warm Red Cabbage Salad

Grilled Peach and Prosciutto Salad

Coconut-Curry Chicken Salad

Mediterranean Orzo Salad

Asian Salad with Ginger Sesame Dressing

Christina's Celery, Hazelnut & Pecorino Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

Classic Potato Salad with fresh herbs

Small Plates

Berry and Goat Cheese Crostini

Chipotle Kale Chips

Tiffany's Cheese Ball

Baked Lemons

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus with Fig and Goat Cheese

Fresh Oysters

Eva's Brussels Sprouts

Vegan

Vegan, Sugar-free Spiced Carrot Cake Cookies

Roasted Grape and Walnut Rice Pilaf

Chipotle Kale Chips

Raw Chocolate Truffles

Healthy Artichoke Dip

Chocolate Almond Butter Cookies (Best Vegan Cookies)

Fruit and Nut Quinoa Stuffed Acorn Squash

Hazelnut Marzipan Jar Cakes

Peach Crisp with Hazelnut Pecan Topping

Other 

Strawberry Tomato Sauce

Berry and Goat Cheese Crostini

Chipotle Kale Chips

Blueberry Corn and Feta Salsa

Tiffany's Cheese Ball

Healthy Artichoke Dip

Peach Apple Sauce

Garden Fresh Tomato Sauce (and canning guide)

Rustic Peach Jam

Bacon and Cashew Caramel Corn

Slow Roasted Tomatos and Pesto

Salted Dessert List

Baked Lemons

Prosciutto Wrapped Asparagus with Fig and Goat Cheese

Sauces for Fresh Oysters

Dried Fruit and Nut Granola Bars

Kahlua

Creamy Cinnamon Fruit Dip

Lemon Basil Vinaigrette

Cinnamon Toast Pecans

Lemon Curd

Fresh Pesto

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Easter Feast

photos courtesy of Michael Friberg

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Dali, China

In describing the city of Dali, my sister said, this is what you hope all of China to be like. It's a smaller Chinese city, population of only about 600,000. What used to be the ancient capital city of its province, flourishing in the 8th century, is now a peaceful and charming spot. The old town part of Dali was built during the Ming Dynasty (1368–1398) and is now been transformed to a historic destination for backbackers, showcasing some of the most beautiful architecture, interesting shops, and high quality Chinese food.

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Chinese Cucumber Salad

My sweet sister hooked me up royally when I visited.  She had a good friend/chef who graciously came to her home and to teach us a few authentic Chinese dishes from their province (Yunnan).  We loved every bite of them- some spicy, some sweet, all fresh and delicious!  I'll be sharing the recipes with you through the next few weeks. Please let me know if you have any questions regarding Asian or Chinese cooking and I will try and get some answers from my friend who gave us our cooking lesson.

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China's Spring City, Kunming

Kunming is where my lovely sister, her husband, and their two-year-old daughter have lived for the last 7 years.  If you ask any Chinese person they would tell you Kunming is one of the most beautiful cities of China.  Around 6 million people live in this city, yet most Americans have never heard of it. With one of the mildest climates of China, this capital city of the Yunnan Province is known for its perpetual spring-like weather.

Located in the heart of the city is a beautiful park most commonly called Green Lake Park (pictured above).  If you were to stroll around the park in the morning time you would most definitely find older folks getting their exercise, Chinese-style of course, young kids with their parents overlooking the ponds of enormous gold fish, and the occasional gathering of men enjoying a game of checkers.

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The Great Wall of China

Of course we couldn't go to Beijing without visiting the Great Wall.  We hired a driver to take us one and a half hours outside of the city to this mysterious ancient wonder.  We hiked along its crooked path and viewed the hills and countryside of China.  We were greeted by vendors along the way selling 'cold waterbeer' and 'sneekers candy'.  We chuckled a little over the infusion of the english words they used to sell us their offerings.  Not being able to resist their efforts we bought more than one water from the men and women lining the walls.

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Beijing, China

 I close my eyes and press the back of my head against the head rest of the airplane seat as the plane excels and lifts off into the air.  Thrilled by the unknown of what lies ahead in our travels and excited to see my friends and family, my head swarmed with excitement. Thirteen hours later we landed in Beijing and began our journey around China.

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Local Utah Blog: Delightful Delicacies

Hello lovely readers! I want to thank Becky for letting me share a bit of text and taste with you in preparation for another much anticipated weekend (aren't they all?). My name is Jen Johnson and I blog over at delightful delicacies, a little food blog where I share recipes, thoughts, ideas, and non essentials about whole, seasonal, real food. I love food in it's purest form, with all the sustenance and nutrition of life.

I anticipate spring because it is a breath of new life for the year. Plants, and even people, begin awakening to what is around them, coming out of their earthen shell of hibernation. Life is renewed and it is crisp, young, and optimistic for new growth. I love the rich and bitter tastes that bid farewell for another season, being replaced by cool, fresh, sweet flavors in the form of early berries and so many different green things. Plus, the sun visits more often and for longer periods of time, and we can't seem to get enough of him.

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Local Utah Blog: Is This Really My Life?

When I think of springtime recipes I think of salads: pasta salads, Caesar salads, fruit salads, dessert salads—even the occasional Jell-O salad. (This is Utah after all!) One of my newest favorites is a green salad with spinach leaves, spring mix greens, sugar-glazed walnuts, sliced strawberries, feta cheese, red onion (if I'm feeling a little crazy) and a delicious homemade poppy seed dressing. Once you try this salad there's a pretty good chance it will become your newest favorite too.

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Local Salt Lake City Blog: Food Finery

I have the extreme honor of guest posting on The Vintage Mixer this week. It's owner and my dear friend, Becky, is traveling the globe and has invited me to post a recipe for all of you.  I usually blog at Food Finery and tweet from @foodfinery.

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Local Salt Lake City Blog: Barbara Bakes

When Becky asked me to do a guest post and share a favorite recipe with her readers, I knew it would be a dessert recipe. I have a huge sweet tooth and dessert is always my favorite part of any meal. Narrowing it down to my favorite dessert is much harder. Sort of like picking my favorite kid.

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