Starting Friday, May 15, the "Bite by Bite" blog will get a new look, as it switches to new blogging software. Of course, that means good and bad news.

The good: The URL won't change. It's still at http://blogs.sltrib.com/food (be sure your bookmark doesn't have the /index.htm on the end). You will still be able to access old posts and if you want to comment you can still use your same log-in and password.

The bad: If you subscribe to the RSS feed, you'll have to re-subscribe in order to get all my scrumptious food news.

See you on the other side.

The 24th annual Living Traditions Festival runs May 15-17 at the Salt Lake City & County Building, 450 S. 200 East. Besides music, dancing and art, 20 different non-profit groups will serve the foods of their native country.

Here are few things to try:

-- Chicken Sheia, a chicken stew spiced with cinnamon and served over rice. The Dinka Sudanese Community of Salt Lake City (pictured above) makes this traditional dish which can't be found anywhere else in Utah.

--- Empanadas Salchipapas. This unique Bolivian dish is made with fried hot dog slices and fried potatoes.

---Momos, Tibetan dumplings stuffed with seasoned beef or vegetables

-- Otai, a Tahitian drink made with fruit and coconut milk.

-- Hawaiian ice cream with macadamia nuts.

Food booths are open Friday, 5 to 10 p.m.; Saturday, noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, noon – 7:00 p.m. Here's the full list of what's available.

Labels: events

Wasatch Community Gardens needs volunteers on Saturday, May 16, to help build its new "People's Portable Garden" at 900 S. 200 West, property owned by the Salt Lake City Redevelopment Agency.

From 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. volunteers will help build raised garden beds, fill them with soil and prepare the garden for planting at the site. Bring a hat, sunscreen, water and work gloves. Lunch will be provided.

All across the nation temporary gardens are being built as a new way to grow food and build community in unused urban areas. The beds are designed so that they can be relocated once the land becomes ready for development. A "first planting" ceremony will be held at noon to celebrate the unique project.

To volunteer, call 801-359-2658 (extension 11) or email at community@wasatchgardens.org

Labels: gardening

There are more than 100 cooking classes and culinary demonstrations being offered now through the end of May. Here five (from this full list) that caught my eye.



*Dim Sum at Viking Cooking School, 2233 S. 300 East, Salt Lake City. Learn how to fold and roll these small, flavorful Cantonese morsels. May 15, 6 p.m.; $79.

*Mexican mole. This class is free and taught by a native cook at Bosch Kitchen Center, 8940 S. 700 East, Sandy. today at 4 p.m.

*Flavors of Spain. Steven Rosenberg, owner of Liberty Heights Fresh Market is conducting this outdoor cooking class at the Jewish Community Center. Paella, horchata and flan are on the menu. May 21, 7 p.m. $85 for dinner, wine pairings an additional $15.

*Japanese Bento Boxes at the Park City Cooking School, 6042 Fox Point Circle, Kimball Junction. Chef Jaxon Stallard shows you how to make these traditional on-the-go meals that are great for picnics and lunch on the go. May 29, 6 p.m.; $55.

*Recipes inspired by favorite tools at Sur La Table in the Gateway Mall. Learn a new way to use that immersion blender, fish spatula, mortar and pestle and other utensils sitting in your kitchen drawer. May 29, noon; $69.

Labels: classes

Diners can get a peak at Pago, one of Salt Lake City's new farm-to-table restaurants, next week.

Owner Scott Evans is holding open house events for the public on May 20 and 21 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the restaurant 878 S. 900 East.

Guests can see the environmentally-friendly remodel, sample small bites from the proposed menu and tell staff what they like or don't like before the scheduled opening on May 27 (That's if it gets its liquor license approved that day).

"It gives us a chance to introduce ourselves before we open," said Evans, who has spent the last decade working in Utah restaurants.

Labels: dining, Salt Lake City

Primo, a popular spot in Cottonwood Heights for reliable, reasonable-priced Italian dinners, now offers lunch at its new deli called Benvenuti.

Located at 2354 E. 7000 South -- next to Primo -- Benvenuti's menu includes typical lunch fare: soups, salads and sandwiches and a $11 gourmet burger topped with mozzarella, tomato and basil.

But it is the pastas that look the most intriguing. Guests can choose either spaghetti, linguine, tortellini or penne and have it topped one of 10 different sauces from carbonara and primavera to meatball and marinara. Pasta entrees range from $6 to $8.50.

Benvenuti also has it priorities straight. On the website, the menu it lists desserts -- tiramisu, cheesecake and crepes --- first.

Open Monday-Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.; 801-944-2466.

Labels: dining, restaurants

For years now, we've heard that colorful fruits and vegetables like blueberries and spinach contain powerful antioxidants that can help improve our health.

But certain spices and herbs -- which add flavor and not fat to foods -- are rich in antioxidants, too, according to research conducted by the USDA. For example:

-- 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon has as many antioxidants as 1/2 cup blueberries;
--- 1/2 teaspoon oregano is equal to the antioxidant power of 3 cups spinach;
----and 1 teaspoon yellow curry powder, is as rich as 1/2 cup red grapes.

Ginger, red pepper, rosemary and thyme have similar health benefits.

So spice up your foods for good taste and health.

Labels: cooking, spices

Mother's Circus Animal Cookies are marching into a store near you.

Last week, the pink and white speckled treats started showing up on grocery store shelves after a short hiatus.

Late last year, after more than 90 years in business, the iconic Mother's brand closed its doors. The Kellogg Company acquired the trademark and recipes and recently reintroduced the cookie line.

The hands-down favorite are the Circus Animals, but all the other Mother's favorites are available too, including the English Tea cookies and the Ice Oatmeal.

The 14-ounce packages retail for about $3.80.

Here are a few food-related options for May 9 and 10.

• The annual Utah letter carriers’ “Help Stamp Out Hunger” food drive is Saturday. Utahns can place non-perishable food items in a bag near their mailbox and letter carriers will pick up the donation and distribute it to Utah food banks. Donations such canned soup, tuna, pasta, rice or peanut butter should be in the plastic or other non-breakable containers.

• Help TreeUtah and the Kamas Valley Lions Club plant 100 large trees. Volunteers should meet Saturday at 9 a.m. at the Oakley Rodeo Grounds, 4300 N State Road 32. Bring a spade shovel, and work gloves. Wear sturdy shoes and clothes that can get dirty. Don't forget sunscreen and drinking water.

• Wasatch Community Garden's annual Plant Sale runs Saturday (May 9) from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Rowland Hall Lower School, 720 S Guardsman. A wide variety of heirloom, organic vegetable and fruit plants, ready for the garden will be available. Also this year, there will be drought-tolerant and hard-to-find perennials.

• Lorken Food Finery, a specialty food and kitchen store in Gardner Village, 1100 W. 7800 South, West Jordan, will kick off its "Dining Around The World" series on May 9 with a taste of Italy. The dinner begins at 7 p.m. and costs $50. Reservations required, 801-938-1982.

• On Sunday, Mom's get a free cup or cone at TCBY stores.

Labels: dining, gardening

Learn how to spot fabulous bargains on food, clothes and household items during the Utah State University Extension Service "Bargain Bonanza" class.

Labels: bargains, classes

You've heard of American Idol. Well, now there is a competition to find the next "Organic" Idol.

Labels: contest, organic

It's a long shot.

Labels: Martha Stewart, video

For over 40 years, we've known her simply as Mrs. Butterworth.

Labels: contest, syrup

Cheers to Tony Caputo's Market and Deli, named one of the country's "Outstanding Specialty Food Retailers" for 2009.

The Salt Lake City Market was one of five retailers from around the country to win the award, given by The National Association for the Specialty Food Trade, Inc., (NASFT) and Specialty Food Magazine. The other winners are located in St. Louis, Mo.; Virginia Beach, Va.; Casper, Wyo.; and Woodstock, Vt.

Owner Tony Caputo and son Matt, will pick up the gold chef statue, during the Summer Fancy Food Show in New York, June 29.

Here's what the judges said about the Utah culinary gem:

"Tony Caputo's Market & Deli is known for its distinctive regional Italian and Southern European foods. Owner Tony Caputo and his son Matt work together and introduce specialty foods from Italy, Spain, France and Greece, including olive oils, pasta, vinegars, antipasti, olives, and more. The store's high-tech cheese cave allows the Caputos to offer more than 200 fresh cheeses. The market's signature sandwich, "The Caputo," has won several awards."

Labels: awards