Along with many of you, I've made a few goals for this new year. One of them involves looking for and supporting more local business. I'm lucky to live in a place where there is a plethora of wonderful farms, ranches, orchards and great business to support- some of which I just need to go on a walk to enjoy. Not only do I prefer eating local food because it keeps the money in my community, but it is fresher, often organic (whether certified or not) and hopefully by making this effort now-- my grandkids will have something safe to serve their kids fifty years from now. To see a list of some of the places and business I'm talking about click here.
There is one business here in Utah that is world famous, Redmond REAL SALT. Real Salt is an all-natural, kosher-certified sea salt extracted from deep within the Mother earth. It has flecks of color from the result of more than 50 trace minerals essential to our good health. Better than that- it tastes good- not processed, because it isn't! And I get to give some away- $35 worth of their wonderful product. All you have to do is comment on my blog about YOUR favorite local business or food. Where do you like to shop? Do you have a local business you support? I want to hear about it and why! The contest is open to all my blogging friends and I will do a random drawing. A winner will be announced the beginning of February one month from when I started blogging.Now to the recipe: I used Real Salt of course in this wonderful salad that we ate as a main course. I found the recipe at Basil and Ginger and went on to make my own changes. The dressing is wonderful and compliments the other ingredients nicely. My son thought it went well with his tortilla chips . . .
Hi Cristie,
ReplyDeleteFirst your quinoa black bean salad looks so fresh and wonderful.
Second, I adore Redmond Sea Salt!! I had no idea they are in Utah! That makes me happy. :)
My favorite local business is Cow Girl Chocolates, although they are no longer only local. A little group of friends began making spicy chocolate in their basement years ago and now ship all over the world.
They even make habanero caramels. My favorite!
I hope I win. Crossing all my fingers and toes lol!!
Laura
ooooh! I hope I win! It's hard to nail down a favorite local product, but there is nothing like Aggie Ice Cream!! I wish it was easier to get in SLC, but it's worth the drive to Logan every time!
ReplyDeleteGreat quinoa dish - I do love cooking with that grain!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite local business is a tiny farmstand in Draper, run by a family at the edge of their property. In the summer and fall, I find the most beautiful produce there. They operate by the honor system. If they're not there, you just drop your money in the jar, taking change as needed. Love them!
oh wow what a wonderful and healthy salad, oh I love The Fresh Market you know it started in Greensboro NC
ReplyDeleteBeautiful salad!!! Delicious! Well, there used to be this darling little local gourmet shop that i really adored but they closed down (a-hem!) so... I think I'll go with Beehive Cheese as a favorite product and Caputo's/The Downtown Farmer's Market for shops. My uncle works for Redmond salt in Salina! Love the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteChristie, I love your quinoa black bean salad! A huge fan of Quinoa, I am so excited to try this dish!
ReplyDeleteHope you're well! :)
I'm a Harmons shopper. Love that they have local in season produce too. But the first thing that came to mind when I read favorite local business or food was Dunford Donut. They are right down the street and so hard to resist! I really need to try quinoa. Your salad looks great!
ReplyDeleteYummy salad! I'll serve it warm in the winter and cold in the summer!
ReplyDeleteI love the creamy honey from the Abbey in Huntsville. It's the BEST! (Goes great on artisan bread too).
I have quinoa but have not made anything with it yet, but your salad sure looks good!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite market is Caputo and Sons. Truly enjoy shopping there. Wonderful produce and I love their fresh fish. They also treat their customers with respect and help as much as they can.
I really need to use quinoa more. It's so tasty - and your salad looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteWe've got a few places around that I love to support, but by far my favorite is Allred Orchards. Their peaches are the best quality, best tasting, and of course, the best price every year at canning season. Until my own little trees are bigger, Allred Orchards can expect my business every year.
What a lovely idea....my favourite local shops all come together at the Farmer's Market...there is a wee cake shop to die for and fresh fruit from the Apple Bin. Plus many more unique local stalls.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting me...your comments are so so sweet. xoxo
The salad looks fabulous! Sweet potatoes, black beans and lime go together like milk and cookies. At least in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I go to Whole Foods, I try to only buy local produce although sometimes it isn't possible. Farmer markets are also one of my favorite places to shop!
What wonderful places each of you have described- how will I ever chose? I'll be putting all the names in a hat and someone else will have at draw the name out. Thanks so much for sharing.
ReplyDeleteJust found your blog - love finding other great food blogs! I am a huge fan of quinoa so this sounds delish. My favorite local food is fruit from a local farm. It is so delish!
ReplyDeleteLove the salad. I have a lot of favorites-the farmer's market downtown SLC is my favorite place in the summer. SO many great local vendors!
ReplyDeleteThat quinoa looks delicious!
ReplyDeleteI am a huge sucker from Crumb Brothers! Yum! I worked there in college and lived off it- so I guess I might be biased, but I never got sick of it. It's the best bread I've ever tasted! Every time I find it in a local shop I am so excited!
I do need to try your bread and learn how to make it too! :)
Yum, another new great salad to try.
ReplyDeleteI love Rowley's South Mountain orchards in Santaquin. Fresh juice, THE BEST fresh and dried cherries, jams, and apples. Right on our doorstep.
One of my favorite places is the Market Street Grill in Cottonwood. I buy their clam chowder and bread. They also have a nice fish selection...
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteI like the Mennonite Meat Shop here in my town. All organic and local. The dried sausage is to die for.
One of my favorite local foods spots is Johnny Kolaches in SLC on 900 South between 2nd and 3rd West. Tasty homemade bread filled with tasty fillings! Yummy!
ReplyDeleteAh! My post was eaten :( It was long, so I'll make this a brief one...
ReplyDeleteThe quinoa looks awesome!
I shop local markets here in Tulsa for meat, eggs, and produce. Love it!
Sounds delicious!!
ReplyDeleteThis looks hearty, healthy, and delicious!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite local(central coast of CA) food product is Suzy Q seasonings...I use it on all kinds of meat, prepared in any fashion. So good! I have to ship it to out-of-state family members!
What a nice give-away. I'm not familiar with the salt and hope I'm a winner.
ReplyDeleteWe go to our local farmer's organic market each Saturday that they're open (closed in winter because it's too cold). I've written about the growers in my food column for the newspaper and they were thrilled with a little press. We also patronize the local restaurants that purchase from the local growers. Our favorite is The Chop House in downtown Murphy. Chef Reaux goes out of his way to buy local.
Sam
Hello my dear Aunt!
ReplyDeleteI'm actually commenting, not to get the salt, but to ask what is quinoa? I've never heard of it because I'm not as experienced as the other people commenting. Your salad looks amazing and I can't wait to make it! I love learning about new things to cook with! Thanks love!
Connie
I am passing along a happy 101 award, because it makes me happy every time you blog.
ReplyDeletehttp://createdbydiane.blogspot.com/2010/01/happy-101-award.html
The King's English!
ReplyDeleteI've never tried quinoa but I know it has a lot of health benefits. This looks like a lovely and colourful dish.
ReplyDeleteQuinoa is a great grain. I just told my husband the other night that I think it's going to "save the world." If you haven't given it a shot yet, step out of your box and just buy a tiny bit and see if you like it . . .
ReplyDeleteI am a Johnny's Dock Salt fan. I would love to try your salt! I have grown up on the Northwest Season Salt. Have you ever tasted it before?
ReplyDeleteFavorite place to shop is H & L Produce. Great produce all year round.
The Store and The Store Too are my favorite local food places. At both places they carry Schmidt's Bakery items, Meier's Meat specialities and frozen rolls that are the best. If I ever need help with a fast, wonderful meal, I go here. I have a question about Redmond Sea Salt. Could you use it in place of the kosher salt in your Artisan bread recipes?
ReplyDeleteJust remembered another wonderful place--Snider's Brothers Meat Market. We love to eat lunch there, not to mention purchasing fabulous ready-marinated bar-b-que meats. If I keep thinking of new places, will you enter me in the salt drawing each time? :)
ReplyDeleteHey, how about the pastries at Normandie in Holladay! Nothing beats them! They also have the greatest breakfast ever! Here's to Cristie's FIRST givaway! Yea! I hope that there is many more to come.
ReplyDeleteLocal shops are the best! I love sea salt ~ I use it in so much of my cooking..and even baking sometimes ;) There are so many local shops around, but there is one in particular called The Market Place in Flanders, NJ. It has all sorts of fresh food and specialty cooking items. So fun to browse and then have lunch ;)
ReplyDeleteAlso, thanks for stopping by my site...so glad it led me back to yours!
What a salad! I'll have to make it this week. My favorite store is Lee's Market in North Ogden. It started in Smithfield and also has a store in Logan.
ReplyDeleteCyndi Hampton
I just thought of another local store that I use all the time - Kitchen Kneads. You can even buy Quinoa and Real Salt in bulk there. I go to the store in Ogden, but I know there is one in Salt Lake as well and they are run by two brothers. It's a great store!
ReplyDeletePlus they have dipping chocolate in bulk and free samples, which is the determining factor of a good store for my kids.
my favorite place to eat for local food is without a doubt the farmer's market in the summer because it is only open in the summer! i love the sunbridge stand. they have the best homemade organic crackers and homemade raw pestos and all kinds of sprouts and marinated vegetables. you feel instantly heathy after eating one of their beautiful plates of food. my second favorite place to eat is my daughter's. she makes the best homemade chocolate mousse and homemade marzipan and yummy salads to name a few of her specialties!
ReplyDeleteI love our little local Moore's Flour Mill. They have all kinds of flour and seeds and nuts. They carry tea and spices. A small place but I know they will always have what I need when It comes to baking bread. Very helpful being in the HBin5 club!
ReplyDeleteHey I finally made this! We had it last night and we loved it. I especially liked the sweet potato in it.
ReplyDelete