Week 8: Heritage

I'm sorry I skipped last week, but it was just a crazy week and I just didn't fit it in.

This week in Utah we are celebrating the pioneers and their entry into the Salt Lake valley in 1847 so it will be the perfect time to visit some of the museums in the area and learn more about the pioneers and the history of Utah.

Field Trips:

This is the Place Heritage Park is located close to Salt Lake City, just at the foot of Emigration Canyon (across the street from Hogle Zoo). Visitors can tour the period homes and building and experience pioneer life. It is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and admission costs $8 for adults and $6 for children (3-11).

Museum of Church History and Art is in downtown and has exhibits about the history of the Latter-day Saint pioneers. It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekends. Admission is free.

Admission to the Pioneer Memorial Museum is free. It is run by the Daughters of the Utah Pioneers and offers the world's largest collection of pioneer artifacts. The Daughters of the Utah Pioneers also has smaller museums in other communities around the state of Utah.

Learn more about the history of Utah at the Utah Museum of Natural History. It is open from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from noon to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. The adult rate is $6 and child (3-12) rate is $3.50.

Don't forget to enjoy your community celebrations on July 24th. The Days of 47 Parade in Salt Lake City is always fun. My hometown (Vernal) celebrates with a Scout Breakfast and a parade. Check with your community to find out what local celebrations are planned.

Zucchini

I picked the first zucchini from my garden today. In celebration of zucchini-season, I'm posting some of our favorite zucchini recipes. These are so good that you'll enjoy using up all the zucchini growing in your garden. If you don't have a garden, you probably have a neighbor with plenty of zucchini to share. In fact, if you are my neighbor and would like some zucchini, come on over. I've got too much already!

Fried Zucchini

Batter:

1 cup flour

1 cup milk (enough to make the batter the correct consistency)

1 egg

1-2 tbs. grated parmesan cheese

spices (I like them a bit spicy so I use Tony Chachere's Creole Seasoning, which if you don't already have you've just got to get! It is so good on almost everything!)

Peel and slice the zucchini into thin (1/8") rounds. Mix the batter so that it is thick and will stick to the zucchini slices. Drop into hot oil (not too hot, you want the zucchini in the middle to cook through) and turn to brown both sides.

Enjoy with your favorite dipping sauce. I like Ranch Dressing.

Chicken and Zucchini Pasta (inspired by a dish served at the Pizza Factory)

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (cut up)

1 zucchini (peeled and cut into bite-sized chunks)

1 can of atichoke hearts (cut up)

1 package for mushrooms (washed and sliced)

1 medium onion (cut into chunks)

Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing

1 package of linguini pasta (cook as directed on the box and drain)

Cook the chicken in 2 tablespoons of dressing until cooked through and browned. In another pan, sautee the zucchini, artichoke hearts, mushrooms and onion in 1 tablespoon dressing. Stir chicken, vegetables and pasta together. You may want to add a little more dressing.

Pete's Chili

1 1/2 pounds of ground meat (my brother-in-law uses turkey, I use beef)

1 cup diced onion

1 cup diced peppers (preferably yellow, orange or red)

1 cup diced zucchini

1 26 oz. can diced tomatoes

1 16 oz. can kidney beans

1 16 oz. can pinto beans

1 can of tomato sauce

1 tablespoon chili powder

2 tablespoons honey

1 teaspoon cumin

dash of red pepper

1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper

Brown meat (add a little olive oil if using turkey/drain fat if using beef) with chili powder. Put vegetables in a separate pan for several minutes. Then mix tomatoes, beans, honey, cumin and red pepper. Heat to bubbling and simmer for 20-30 minutes. Add cayenne pepper.

I also add zucchini to pasta salad and green salad. We eat it on sandwiches with a sliced tomato and mayo. My sister makes delicious zucchini bars. I'll try to get her to share her recipe. Enjoy your bountiful harvest.

Week 6: The Great Outdoors

One of the best things about living in Utah is the close proximity of great outdoor adventures. I love driving up one of the canyons to escape the heat in the valley (especially when I'm pregnant). It's going to be hot this week, so head up a canyon and enjoy the beauty. (As I write this, it is 61 degrees at Snowbird--compared to 89 degrees in Salt Lake.)

I don't ski, but I do enjoy the local ski resorts--in the summer. Many of the places we know for the great snow in the winter, offer a lot of fun activities in the summer.

Take the chair lift up and hike down or play a game of Frisbee golf at Solitude. Watch for moose, they are frequent visitors at this resort.

Enjoy an easy walk on the board walk around Silver Lake in Big Cottonwood Canyon. Or more experienced hikers can continue the 2 mile hike to Hidden Lake. Spend some quality time fishing or watching for moose, deer, ducks and beavers around the lake.

Snowbird has plenty of summer activities to enjoy. Ride the tram to the top and back or hike down the mountain. The views are incredible. Snowbird is definitely becoming a summer hot (cool) spot by offering an alpine slide, zip line, and other fun activities.

Ride the Alpine Slide or zip line at Park City.

Take a nice stroll with the kids around Cascade Springs--just off the Alpine Loop. Stop at Sundance and ride the ski lift. Hike or bike down.

A quick drive up Millcreek Canyon opens a lot of outdoor options such as hiking, biking, fishing or just have a picnic at one of the many picnic tables. My kids like to splash in the water when the river is low.

Later in the summer, the wildflowers will bloom and places like Albion Basin and Millcreek Canyon will be decorated in the colorful splendor of wildflowers. Several areas even off guided wildflower tours. Don't miss it.

Please post a comment with some of your favorite local "outdoor" spots to hike, fish and camp. We'd love to hear from you.

Week 6

I apologize for not getting the weekly activities posted to the blog yet. They're coming! Maybe tomorrow.