An Annual Celebration Each fall, Saffron Valley celebrates Indian cuisine from the north and south of India with its annual Biryani & Kebab Festival. It’s a terrific opportunity to sample some dishes that might not appear on the regular Saffron Valley restaurant menus. The festival features, as you might have guessed, kebabs and biryani. Biryani Biryani is one of my f … [Read more...]
Braised Chicken Quarters with Herbs
This braised chicken is a terrific fall dish, full of hearty, robust flavor. If you prefer to use individual chicken thighs and legs as opposed to chicken thigh-leg quarters, go for it! The chicken and sauce is excellent with rice, noodles or mashed potatoes alongside. Ingredients: 3 Tbs. olive oil 4 bone-in chicken thigh and drumstick quarters (or separate thighs & … [Read more...]
Crawfish & Andouille Fettuccine
This recipe is a Cajun-Creole slant on popular fettuccine Alfredo, with the creaminess of a cheesy Alfredo sauce combined with andouille sausage and crawfish from Louisiana. Based on an original recipe from Louisiana Chef John Folse, this is a very rich and delicious dish that your family will love. Ingredients: 12 ounces fettuccine, cooked al dente 1 pound crawfish … [Read more...]
Red Curry Tofu
Here is a vibrant tasting vegetarian dish with very robust flavors. Although there are a fair number of ingredients, don’t let that deter you. It’s actually a pretty simple recipe in terms of technique and time. Once you have everything prepped, the cooking is pretty rapid. My version is an adaptation of a recipe that first appeared in the New York Times. Ingredients: 14 oun … [Read more...]
Vessel Kitchen: Decor Whets the Appetite for Dining
Nestled in Kimball Junction, Vessel Kitchen is a Utah gem you do not want to miss. From the moment you walk in the door, you will find a restaurant filled with beautiful artwork and photography from local artists, a stunning décor, and a level of refinement more reminiscent of fine dining than fast casual. When you’re there, it feels like you’re home. We tried Vessel Kitchen … [Read more...]
Service with a Smile: Best Food Service in the Valley
It takes more than great grub to keep you coming back to a bar or restaurant. What really makes or breaks an experience is the type of service you receive. Case in point: Recently, my beau and I went to Trestle hoping for a nice night out. We’d been there a few times before, and we love their menu and the quaint environment. The minute we walked up to the hostess, we felt l … [Read more...]
Thai Archer: Flavorful Gem in the Heart of Sugar House
I always love trying a new Thai restaurant. Having lived an hour outside NYC for almost 10 years, my palate was fairly spoiled with ethnic cuisine, and I’m always wanting more options here in Utah. When Utah Stories reached out to me to guest-write an article on Thai Archer, I was excited to check it out. I was impressed with the large patio area when I first drove up to T … [Read more...]
Curry Pizza: Indian Food + Pizza = Love at First Bite
When I first visited Curry Pizza, I wasn’t sure what to expect. The setup is much like the thin crust pizza shops around town, however, a quick look at the sauces and you will know you are no longer in Kansas, Dorothy. Honey Curry, Mango Korma, Tikka Masala, Green Mango Curry, and of course, Makhani; aka butter chicken! We all know this is everyone’s favorite starter Indian c … [Read more...]
Grilled Mexican-Spiced Chicken Thighs
This tasty dish is based on a recipe originally from Mark Bittman, author of How to Cook Everything. Chicken thighs are so full of flavor to begin with, but when combined with Mexican spices and citrus, these chicken thighs are irresistible. Ingredients: 1 small onion, peeled and quartered 4 garlic cloves, peeled 1 Tbs. cooking oil such as peanut or canola 2 … [Read more...]
Fillings and Emulsions: Baked Goods to Satisfy a Sweet Tooth
“Everyone has that restaurant they frequent often—the place they take all their out-of-town friends to show off the local food scene—a place that creates good feelings and strong emotions. Mine is Fillings and Emulsions Bakery. Every single item at this bakery has been crafted to be excellent. You’ll find treats such as Red Velvet Croissants, Mushroom Béchamel E … [Read more...]