Mud House Year

Pop-Up!

I'm just back from Nashville and I had the most wonderful time at the Riffs/Smoke Et Al Pop-Up!   If you are from Nashville,  you probably know what I am talking about.  If not, well here it is... You may have read my previous posts about the Nashville food truck scene.  If not, check them out here and here.   Smoke Et Al is probably my favorite food truck and I've been really looking forward to trying Riffs, so I was very excited to hear they were joining forces to create a Pop-Up evening.    

The location and the menu were carefully guarded secrets until just two nights before the event. When we arrived, we were seated at a table and we quickly made some wonderful new friends!That's Alexandra and Jeremy.  Alexandra is studying the menu and I think Jeremy is seriously contemplating stealing a bite.  He was the only guy at our table and was served last for every course! Alexandra is a Nashville food blogger and she and Jeremy are very knowledgeable about the Nashville food scene.   They gave us some wonderful recommendations which I plan to try next time I am in Nashville.  Be sure to check out Alexandra's blog, Sweet Betweens, for scrumptious recipes and an insiders look at the delicious side of Nashville.The first course was a delicate Asian inspired pairing of mussels and shrimp.   The chefs introduced the course and told us that little green sprig is called sea beans and it is harvested along the Oregon coast.  I had never heard of them before and at first thought it was just garnish. They were delicate and crunchy and tasted just like the sea.   The shrimp and mussels were cooked to perfection and the broth was so delicious, I wanted to tip up the bowl and lick it clean.  However, this was the first course and I didn't want to embarrass myself so early in the evening...The second course presented catfish on a bed of smoked bacon grits.  On the side was a little disc of "mofongo" which is blend of spices and mashed plantains.  It was topped with a little cocoa powder.  My favorite part, though,  was the shallot marmalade at the top right of the plate.  I ate it all by itself and wanted more.The third course was Smoke Et Al's offering.  Beef Ribs, crispy pork skins, and a boidin blanc, or white chicken sausage.   All scrumptious, but the best part was the Bourbon pork jus - another plate licking temptation.And the grand finale was the dessert and a surprise guest.  Jeni from Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream attended the dinner and contributed some delicious rum raisin ice cream to the dessert.  Be sure to check out her website because you can actually order ice cream and they will ship it to you!!

All in all this was a wonderful adventure in eating and meeting new friends.  If you are in Nashville be sure to check out the food trucks.  Their websites will clue you in on any planned Pop-Ups.  Smoke Et Al is having a special Valentine's Pop-Up.

I am back at the Mud House so stayed tuned for some more posts from the currently cold desert!

 

Bang! The Night Before Christmas Hot Chocolate Party Favors

After visiting Bang Candy Company in Nashville, I knew I wanted to do something fun with their marshmallows for Christmas Eve.   I called Sarah and ordered three different flavors of marshmallows to be shipped to the Mud House. The marshmallows arrived as promised.  They were fresh and beautifully packaged. I ordered cellophane bags, hot chocolate, and candy canes from Amazon.  I packaged three marshmallows, one each of chile chocolate, orange ginger cinnamon, and rose cardamon in small cellophane bags.  I also packaged individual portions of hot chocolate.

I wrapped it all together with a candy cane in a larger cellophane and tied each little package with a pretty red bow.I added a tag explaining the hot chocolate was a gift to take home and enjoy with the cookies from our cookie exchange. It was yummy! Chef Amanda will be teaching me how to make my own marshmallows soon!  

And Then There is the Beaten Path

In my two previous "Favorite Nashville Things" posts I highlighted some of the lesser-known diversions I discovered in Nashville.  However, there are many, many well-known attractions that should not be missed.  I am listing some of them here with links to find out more. This is by no means a comprehensive list,  just a collection of a few things I have enjoyed.  

 

Downtown Nashville - This is where it's all happening.  Perhaps best known for the strip of Broadway between 5th Avenue and the river where the honky-tonks and boot shops abound.   

Tootsies, for example,  is the much storied bar where country music legends partied before and after performances at the Ryman Auditorium (the original Grand Ole Opry).  It is just one of many venues where the music never seems to stop. The shopping is a bit touristy but, what the heck,  I bought this for a special little someone who will be spending Christmas at the Mud House: So much to do and see in downtown and you can find out all about it here.

 

Country Music Hall of Fame - Located in downtown Nashville click here for their website.

 

The Grand Ole Opry - No longer located in the famed Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville, but still the venue for all of the country music greats.  Click here for more information.

 

Belle Meade Plantation - This may be my favorite place in Nashville.  A truly beautiful old home with a remarkable history.  It is well worth a tour to learn the history of the house and grounds.   I especially enjoyed the authentic furnishings and lovely old carriages in the carriage house.  However, the highlight of my entire visit was learning about this man, Bob Green.                                                                                                                               
For more information about Belle Meade Plantation and all who lived there, click here.    As a bonus, the tour includes a wine tasting from the Belle Meade Winery.  Read more about the winery here.

 

Loveless Cafe -  This cafe has been serving authentic and delicious southern food since 1951.  It is famous for their biscuits and peach jam.  It is well worth the short and scenic trip down Tennessee Highway 100.   More information here.        
                           
 

 

                                                                          The Civil War in Tennessee

                                           
Although this trip focused on the fun and frivolous (and the food), no visit to the southern United States is complete without acknowledging the somber subject of the American Civil War.  There are many historic sites in and around Nashville where battles were fought and many, many lives were lost. I visited the battleground of the 1864 Battle of Franklin and was struck by the solemnity and tragedy of the lives lost and families devastated.  It is haunting to walk the land and to enter the buildings and homes that still stand.  On my next visit, I plan to spend more time visiting these sites and to learn more about the history of Tennessee.  Here are some helpful links:

http://www.bonps.org/tour/tour.htm

http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/franklin.html 

I have absolutely loved my time in Nashville and I hope you have enjoyed hearing about my stay. Thank you for joining me on my brief trip away from the Mud House! I am on my way back and I am looking forward to spending Christmas in our little adobe house with all those I love. 

A Few of My Favorite Nashville Things - Part II

                                                                        Bang Candy Company Bang Candy Company specializes in artisan marshmallows, half-dipped in chocolate.  It's located in the old Marathon Car Factory building. Flavors include chocolate chile, rose cardamon, orange ginger cinnamon, espresso, and toasted coconut.  These are such yummy treats!  I am using them for favors on Christmas Eve.  Sarah was very helpful with my order!  For more information, check out their website.

 

                                                                         Vanderbilt UniversityOne must venture beyond the hustle and bustle of West End and 21st Avenues to appreciate the beauty of the Vanderbilt Campus. In fact, I hardly knew it was there.  Once I entered it's tree-lined perimeter, I discovered it is what I always imagined a southern university would be - all red bricks, green leafiness and white columns...oh, and magnolias, of course.  It's also an excellent institution of higher learning.   It's a lovely place to walk and contemplate - you'll feel smarter just being there!

 

                                                              Food Trucks
Alluring and elusive and so, so worth it.  See my post here.  Nashville has a bountiful bevy of food trucks.  I think my favorite, so far, is Smoke Et Al. 

  I ordered the smoked pork belly tacos and fried okra. Yummy doesn't begin to describe it - so good!

 

                                                            Hillsboro Village This is a funky four block area along 21st Avenue, just south of the Vanderbilt campus.  Davis Cookware is there along with other quaint shops and restaurants.  During my visit, several pop-up stores opened for the holidays including Cake Vintage, where I did a little Christmas shopping. You will also find the legendary Pancake Pantry in Hillsboro Village, but be prepared to wait in a line that winds down the sidewalk if you decide to eat there.  Also, McDougal's is just around the corner.

 

And, a final tip-of-the-hat to the original...           GiGi's!  Gigi's Cupcakes are just so photogenic I had to include one more picture!

I'm saying goodbye to Nashville tomorrow.  I will write one more Nashville post before I go.  

 

 

Pinterest Wednesday (This one's for Conner)

Quinoa Mac & Cheese
This will be the last Pinterst Wednesday from Nashville and I'm finally a little more comfortable cooking in my kitchenette.   I decided to try another reasonably healthy recipe to counterbalance all the pralines and pork bellies!  I adapted this recipe for Quinoa Mac & Cheese from Around the Table:  Loving Food in RI & Beyond. Serving Size: 4

Ingredients

• 1  cup quinoa (measured before cooking), cooked per package directions
• 2 tsp butter, divided
• 1/2 cup chicken broth. divided
• 1/2 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/2 cup chopped broccoli (you can use any vegtables you want or leave vegies out completely)
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• good dash of ground pepper
• dash of nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp garlic powder
• 1 large eggs
• 1/2 cup milk
• 3/4 cup grated cheddar cheese, more for sprinkling
• Toppings - more cheese, sprinkle of nutmeg (optional- salsa, hot sauce, sour cream, scallions)

Preheat oven to 350 F.
Coat 8x8 inch dish (or 4 individual ramekins) with cooking spray or butter.
Saute mushrooms and broccoli separately  - each in 1 tsp butter and 1/4 cup broth. Combine salt, spices, egg, milk, and cheese in large bowl and mix well. Add cooked quinoa, mushrooms, broccoli and any remaining liquid from cooked vegetables.  Mix well. Transfer to prepared baking dish.  Top with cheese and sprinkle with nutmeg.
Cook 25-30 minutes until bubbly and cheese is melted.  My Nashville friend who is a diehard mac & cheese purist really liked this dish.  I was shocked!  She actually ate two huge portions.  I thought it was pretty good and I will definitely make it again.  It isn't mac & cheese but it is so much healthier!

I'm giving it 4/5 Prickly Pear Margaritas because it's good and healthy, but it's not mac & cheese.
   

Next week I will be back in the Mud House kitchen getting ready for Christmas!

 

A Few of My Favorite Things - Part I

                                                  

I am so fortunate to have spent almost three wonderful weeks in Nashville!  As my visit comes to an end, I am thinking about a few of my favorite Nashville things.  Some I have already told you about, but I am including them again because I love them so much!

 

                                                             Vicki Sawyer                                                    
                                                    

First of all,  there is Vicky Sawyer and her amazing birds (and other animals).  If you haven't yet, please check out her website - so wonderful!

 

                                                                                     Davis Cookware "Well, Ma'am you can't sell from an empty cart."  Mr. Davis replied when I commented on how much there was to see in his store.  

Davis Cookware has been in Hillsboro Village for 43 years.  It is stuffed to the rafters with everything you could ever need for your kitchen.  It also carries over 50 types of coffee beans and I don't know how many types of loose tea.  They also sharpen knives and bill themselves as, "Home Of the Knife Whisperer."  Designed and staged - definitely not.  Original, charming, whimsical, complete, and reliable - yes.    If I lived in Nashville, this would be my "go-to" place for everything kitchen related and for the wisdom, history, and lore of Hillsboro Village. 

 

                                        Olive and Sinclair Chocolate Company 

Voted America's Best Chocolate by Southern Living Magazine, Olive and Sinclair make small batch, slow roasted, and stone ground chocolate right here in Nashville.  These lovely bars are already packed and ready for the trip home to the Mud House where they will find themselves snuggled into a few lucky stockings on Christmas Eve.  Here is their website:  Olive and Sinclair.  

 

                                                                  Midtown Wine and Spirits
I love little bottles of anything.  I think little bottles of liquor are especially enticing, for obvious reasons.  I  also love how their shapes exactly mimic much larger bottles.  My first few days in Nashville I popped into a couple of grocery stores looking for a bottle of wine.  I found beer, but no wine.  I soon learned that Tennessee liquor laws vary by county and are complicated - wet counties, dry counties and everything in-between.  You can read more about it here, if you are interested.  Anyway, I discovered that in Nashville, liquor and wine are sold only in liquor stores.  Beer may be purchased in grocery stores.  Midtown Wine and Spirits not only has an amazing selection of everything you can imagine containing alcohol, they also have a wonderful selection of mini-bottles.  I bought some for a few of the adult stockings I will be stuffing. For more info please click here. 

 

                                                             Pralines by LeonNo visit to this part of the world is complete without sampling some pralines and Leon's is the place to try them.  Pralines by Leon is located in downtown Nashville on 2nd Avenue.  It has been in it's current location since 1994 but its history can be traced back to 1888 when Leon's Greek grandfather Constantine moved to New Orleans and began making candy.   You can read much more about Pralines by Leon and the other wonderful candy they make by checking out their website.  You can also order on-line.  If you are in Nashville it is absolutely worth a visit.

 

 ... Stay tuned for Part II of a Few of my Favorite Things...

 

 

Food Trucks, Finally!

The very thing that makes food trucks so charming also makes them somewhat elusive.  They are trucks, or they are pulled by trucks, and they move around, a lot.  I've been hearing about Nashville food trucks for some time now, especially the Grilled Cheeserie, which happens to be my Nashville friend's absolute favorite! Everyday I've checked the Grilled Cheeserie's website for their location. Everyday, they've been far away. However, on Thursdays, food trucks gather in Centennial Park, the Grilled Cheeserie among them!
Yay!
I patiently waited in line then ordered the "B & B of Tennessee".  It was a tough decision because my friend seriously recommends the "Pimento Mac & Cheese," which is an actual grilled mac and cheese sandwich. I also ordered the tomato soup and the tater-tots because I wanted to try the "tot sauce."
I usually find tater-tots disappointing but these were crispy and hot, with a touch of spice.  The tot sauce was a blend of ketchup and "something smokey."  It tastes almost like cocktail sauce with smokey undertones - very nice.
The" B&B of Tennessee" is Sweetwater Valley Buttermilk Cheddar, Benton's bacon, house-made caramelized onion, and apple jam on multigrain bread.  It was simply delicious.  The bread was perfectly grilled with a caramelized crust.  I think my favorite, though, was the tomato soup.  It was warm and steamy and offered a little something extra - tarragon I think. 

Not only is the Grilled Cheeserie my friend's favorite food truck, it is a favorite of all of Nashville!

However, to mix things up a bit, my friend ordered from Yayos OMG which offers original Mexican gourmet food by Chef B "Yayo" Jimenez.
We sampled the Albondigas soup.
It was full of fresh vegetables, mini meatballs, and noodles in a nice tomato base.  Fresh cilantro is added at the last minute.  We also tried the Legend tacos which offers brisket, chorizo, and chicharron.
Very tasty!  I requested the hot sauce which was flavorful with a nice kick of crushed pepper.  

If you visit Nashville I highly recommend the food truck scene.  It's a bit of an adventure to find them but that's part of the fun.  Most trucks post their locations on twitter and many have websites that list their weekly schedules.  On Thursdays, many trucks gather in Centennial Park on West End Avenue, behind the train.

Pinterest Wednesday

Now, I know y'all are thinking that I am living in a hotel and eating nothing but fried chicken and cupcakes.   And, I know y'all are probably worried about how many seats I will need on the airplane ride home.  So, to put your minds at ease (and because cooking in my little kitchenette has its own set of challenges) I have selected a delicious caprese salad for this week's Pinterest Wednesday.
This recipe comes to use from The Party Dress and it is pretty self-explanatory.  I splurged and bought heirloom tomatoes, a little basil plant, and some really good mozzarella at Whole Foods.
I also bought some olive oil and balsamic vinegar and decided to make a balsamic reduction on my portable induction cook-top.
I combined some vinegar and some sugar, which fortunately I found next to the mini-coffee pot in my room because I didn't buy any.   I know, resourceful. 
I simmered the vinegar and sugar for about five minutes and then allowed it to come to room temperature. 
It was thick and syrupy and delicious.

I sliced the tomatoes and sprinkled them generously with sea salt.  Then I assembled the caprese salads with the cheese and basil.  Lastly, I drizzled them with olive oil and the balsamic reduction and gave them another sprinkle of salt.  These are so pretty and I think the color makes them especially nice for the holidays.

These salads are easy, beautiful, delicious, reasonably healthy, and not fried or frosted.  Aaaand, you can make them in a hotel kitchenette!  I think we have a winner.  This one gets 5/5 Prickly Pear Margaritas.
    

No worries, I'll be back to my Nashville food adventure tomorrow.  I think we may stake out some food trucks!!  Stay tuned!

Cupcakes, Seriously.

Ok, so we all know cupcakes have been around for a while, and, believe me, no one knows that better than I do.  I've sampled them from Pasadena to Portland, Maine and I can say with no hesitation that I've found the best.  You know you are in trouble when you keep the cupcake daily menu next to your bed and the last thing you do at night is check the next day's baking schedule.  Seriously.
Gigi's Cupcakes can now be found around the country (unfortunately not near the Mud House) but the original, the very first one, opened in Nashville in 2008 and it is two blocks away from my hotel. 
I love Gigi's story as much as I love her cupcakes and you can read about it here.  It's tough to pick my favorite, but I think it might be the Caramel Turtle Cupcake pictured at the top of this post.  But, they are all absolutely delicious...Gigi also makes yummy mini-cheesecakes.  The pumpkin cheesecake is at the bottom left above.

If you would like to find out more about Gigi's cupcakes check out her website, gigiscupcakesusa.com/home.

 

Anything Whimsical, Anything Colorful, Nashville Edition

                                                 

Oh my goodness, oh my gracious.  I've found a new artist to love.  Anyone who knows me, knows I love birds.  And you know how much I love colorful, whimsical art.  I walked into this funky little place called Cake Vintage around the corner from my hotel and there, on a shelf above the register, were several mini portraits of the most fanciful, wise, and whimsical birds I have ever seen.  My jaw dropped and I just stared.  The gal behind the register told me that the artist firmly believes that if birds can make their own nests, well, then, they can certainly make their own hats. Sounds completely reasonable to me.  In fact, I can't think of anything more logical.  The longer I stared, the more I fell in love with these birds.  Each had its own hat, its own personality, and the expressions on their faces told me everything I needed to know. 


 The artist is Vicki Sawyer and she paints things other than birds.   

                

But the birds are my favorite.

Here are some of her comments, copied from her website:

"When I was a little girl, my grandfather taught me how to identify the plants on our walks in the woods. My mother’s childlike joy in even the simplest things taught me to be visually aware. From my dad I received my love for birds."

"Shortly after moving to Tennessee, I went for a walk and thought, 'If birds could build nests, then they could make hats.'  This whimsical notion has been the inspiration for many bird and animal portraits."

"I want my work to evoke feelings of peace, joy, and often humor." 

I was struck by how much Vicki's philosophy regarding art mirrors my own.  In my original "Anything Whimiscal, Anything Colorful" post I said this,  "I am inspired by art that supports a lighthearted, energetic, and carefree atmosphere... Their color and energy touch something deep inside of me, sparking joy and peace-of-mind."  I also said this about Chris Bubany, one of the local Arizona artists whose work I love, " Her designs are charming, colorful, and quaintly humorous. " 

Vicky Sawyer creates whimsical, colorful, joyful, peaceful, humorous, dignified, wondrous birds.  I love her birds. She is having a showing of her original work this weekend in Brentwood, TN.  I'm going.  

                                                                                       

                                           This one is called Armando.  Of course, I love his prickly pear hat.

I emailed Vicki and asked her if I could write about her and use some of her pictures.  She wrote back right away and gave me permission to use her art on this post.  Thank you, Vicki!  To learn more about Vicki and to see more of her remarkable art, please visit her website by clicking here.   You may also order many delightful items showcasing her art at zazzle.com/vickisawyer.

I've said it before but I will say it again.  I stand in awe of gifted artists who have the ability and talent to create such lovely images.  What an incredible gift to bring such joy, beauty, and humor to this world.