Salsa Show-Down: Recipes and Results

We had a great time on Thursday, Aug. 19th at our 1st Annual Salsa Show-Down at the Kaysville Farmer's Market.  We hope to continue this fun, free event each year.  According to April Clark who is in charge of the market we had great attendance.  She said that, "the Showdown brought 102 more people into the market than our previous record.  We continue to break attendance records weekly.  This week brought our new high attendance to 884.  Our average weekly attendance is currently 682. "  Way to go everyone who came out and broke the attendance record!  We appreciate your support for the gardens and the market.

Avacado Salsa by Dede and Erin

Thanks to all those who competed at our Show-Down.  Our wonderful interns, Dede and Erin, for filling in last minute and making such a wonderful avocado salsa.  It truly was the "People's Choice."

Fresh Corn & Black Bean Salsa by the Curries

Thanks Linda, Shawn, and Heidi Currie for such a delicious, fresh salsa that won the judges hearts and votes.  Their "Golden Tomato" recipe will be coming on a later post.  Stay tuned!

Becky Low's Shrimp Salsa

 Thanks to Becky Low, the fastest salsa maker in the west!  Her original creation was delicious with shrimp.

Jim Hickman's Miracle Salsa

 Also, thanks to Jim Hickman and his many variations of his "Miracle Salsa."  I hope that you were all able to sample these mouth-watering salsa creations.  They were all masterpieces and were all eaten in less than an hour!

As promised here are 3 of the 4 salsa recipes.

Avocado Salsa Recipe

Dede Shupe

1/2 medium red onion

1 tsp. coarse salt

Cilantro to taste

Jalapeno pepper diced (optional)

2 avacados

2 roma tomatoes

Lime juice

Add salt, diced onions, cilantro, and the jalapeno into a small mixing bowl.  Mash into a paste. Add chopped tomatoes and avacados. Sprinkle with lime juice.

Shrimp Salsa Cheese Nachos

Becky Low

Dairy Council of Utah/Nevada

2              cups chopped tomatoes

1/2         cup chopped sweet peppers

1              jalapeno, seeded, finely chopped

1-2          cloves finely minced garlic

1/2         cup chopped red onion

1/4         cup finely chopped cilantro

1/2         pound cooked salad shrimp, peeled, deveined

1/4         cup fresh lime juice (2-3 small limes)

1/2         cup chopped cucumber

1              teaspoon salt

                Fresh ground black pepper to taste

1-2          avocados, peeled, pitted, sliced

1 1/2      cups shredded mozzarella cheese

                Crisp tortilla chips

Combine first eleven ingredients, mix.  Cover and refrigerate 1-2 hours to blend flavors. 

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Arrange chips on a large baking sheet, sprinkle with shredded cheese; bake until cheese is mostly melted.  Serve warm chips and cheese with salsa and slices of avocado.

Emily's Miracle Salsa--Black Bean & Corn Salsa

1 8oz. tomatillo or jalapeno avocado salsa
1 12oz. can of corn
1 12oz. can of black beans, rinsed
3 tomatoes, diced
1 small onion, chopped

Mix all ingredients together and serve.

Garden Fair Shopping Guide

Our plant sale will be Thursday, August 19th from noon-6pm in Ogden and at the Utah Botanical Center Saturday, August 21st from 8am-2pm.  Click here for a sneak peek to all the awesome plants that will be for sale along with their descriptions.  There will be some great perennials, trees, and shrubs available at great prices.  Want a even better deal--if you're a member of the gardens you can get an extra 20% off! If not, you'll want to get a membership now at an even greater deal.   Look at the last page of the shopping guide for more details.  

Mary & Marilyn's Dream Day

We were lucky to have two wonderful ladies choose our gardens as place they wanted to visit for their "Dream Day."

Mary Greenwood, who is originally from England, was excited to go on a tour throughout our beautiful gardens and she brought her friend, Marilyn Newton along.

They were such cute ladies and Susie had fun time showing them all the flowers. We are so glad that Crestwood Care Center had us to be a part of their "Dream Big" program.

Studio 5: Wildflower Hot Spots

Our favorite horticulturist, Jerry was on TV today. If you missed him, you can watch it now. Check out some great wildflower spots in our wonderful state.

Fresh Salsa Show-Down: Official Flier

Announcing a Genuine "Fresh Salsa Showdown" Thursday, August 19, 2010 6 p.m. - 8 p.m.  at the FREE Totally Tomato Taste Testing Event Utah Botanical Center Farmer's Market 700 South 50 West Kaysville (by the Kaysville ponds)

------------------------------------------------------------------------- August's Totally Tomato Taste Testing is a great opportunity to try more than 25 heirloom tomato varieties grown in research plots at the Utah Botanical Center.  Join us to discover a new favorite. To "heat up" the Totally Tomato Taste Testing, Teresa Hunsaker, Weber County USU Extension FCS Educator, Anita Raddatz, Sanpete County USU Extension FCS Educator, Becky Low, Studio 5 Home Economist, a mother/daughter team from Weber County, and other special guests have been invited to pit their salsa-making abilities in a competition with a tasty finish for everyone! Many heirloom tomato varieties will be provided to the contest participants to combine with their own "secret" ingredients.  The results are sure to delight your taste buds. As an added treat, Sterling Poulson, KUTV Channel 2 News will be broadcasting weather segments at 5 p.m. and 6 p.m. from this location. ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark this date on your calendar and join us for this free, fun, delicious evening.