Braised cabbage to feed a crowd

My children and I were able to take several family trips this summer, including one to Sampson County, N.C., where my father was raised. He grew up on a large family farm outside Autryville, N.C. We gathered with kin from Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Kentucky. It was a wonderful experience for me to share with my children.

My Aunt Peggy (remember her awesome hot crab dip recipe?) kept a steady stream of food flowing out of the kitchen. She is a fantastic cook and she made countless batches of cornbread, green beans, pork roast, biscuits – you name it and we had it. I really loved her braised cabbage. Most days she was feeding a dozen or more people, so recipes like this really stretch a dollar and feed a crowd!

Here is my own take:

One head of cabbage, cored and shredded

3-4 slices of bacon

Medium onion, diced

Salt and pepper

½ cup water

1 chicken bouillon cube

Cut the cabbage in half, remove the core and shred the cabbage.

 

I used a soup pot to make this dish – to the pot add your bacon and cook until crispy. Add the onion to the bacon fat and cook until translucent (about 5 minutes).

Add the cabbage to the pan and cook over medium heat for 15-20 minutes until wilted. I added about a half cup of water and a chicken bouillon cube for extra flavor.

Here’s the finished dish:

 

This makes about 8-10 servings, but my husband and my youngest won’t eat it. I gobbled it up over two days!

 

Terrific discovery in Bulls Gap

What a happy accident that I stumbled across Yoder's Country Market in Bulls Gap, TN, this week. I was way off my travel route, when I pulled into this parking lot and went in to ask directions. I was greeted by friendly staff, and a delight for the eyes (and stomach!)

The market is Cracker Barrel meets Trader Joe's -- country charm and quirkiness, with exceptional products you can't easily find at your "regular" grocer. The shelves were full of various jams, jellies, nuts and candy. And there was a line five deep at the deli, where customers considered various meats, cheeses, chicken salad, and more. I was amazed at the variety and selection of baked goodies/sweets, and the rows of fresh-baked breads.

The staff was gracious with directions, and a fellow shopper helped lead me back in the right direction. Truth is, the right direction is to beat a path back to this market's front door. I am already planning a return visit with my family, for some lunch and a fun shopping spree.

Quick trip to Charlottesville, Va.

My husband, youngest son, and I enjoyed a quick trip to Charlottesville, Va., last month. The trip was centered around a doctor's appointment, but we squeezed in some sightseeing and a couple of meals, too! Of course, Charlottesville is home to Thomas Jefferson's masterpiece, the University of Virginia. This also is the town where we had our mini-honeymoon in 2006, and has been a favorite travel spot for us for many years.

We dearly love Maharaja Indian Restaurant and made a stop there long enough to pick up some takeout for dinner. We love the entire menu, but we opted to split an order of vegetable korma, some pappadum (fried lentil wafers) and a couple of samosas (meat and vegetable filled pastries). The food was terrific, as always. Here’s a link to their menu, if you are inclined to visit. Vegetable korma is an easy, delicious recipe to make at home. Here is a version from AllRecipes.com.

We also made a quick stop to one of our favorite stores, Foods of All Nations. I picked up some Indian spice mixes, a box of super crispy rice crackers, and a jar of olive tapenade. Of course we wandered through the extensive coffee and tea offerings, fresh produce, overwhelming hot sauces, and the extensive seafood selections. I could spend a grand in that store every time I walk through the doors! Of course, on our budget, I usually drop about 20 bucks.

After the doctor's appointment, we enjoyed a casual lunch at Guadalajara’s, before heading back to Bristol. This restaurant has terrific Mexican offerings, full of fresh ingredients. Their refried beans are something special – a bit spicy and silky smooth. I enjoyed chicken tacos that were fresh and tasty. Robert enjoyed a lunch combo plate and Miles had his go-to favorite, beef enchiladas. All were terrific!

Seriously hot wings in Blacksburg

I had the greatest time last month visiting Blacksburg, Va., and the campus of Virginia Tech, my alma mater. Blacksburg is such a fun, vibrant town and it was a joy to give my husband and youngest son a quick tour of academic buildings, the Drillfield, my old dorm (shout to Slusher Wing), the Duck Pond, Lane Stadium and more.

It had been about six months since I was last there, but the town keeps changing and growing. The Lyric Theatre looks like new. There’s a Moe's (Welcome to Moe's!) downtown. And new dorms and academic buildings keep springing up everywhere.

Some places you can count on when you visit town – Top of the Stairs, Mike’s Grill, Souvlaki, and The Cellar, which is where we ate lunch on our trip.

The Cellar is located along Main Street in Blacksburg, Va., just a couple blocks off the Virginia Tech campus. Locals know it without explanation, but anyone can find it with ease. From the student center, walk about three blocks toward downtown – you will smell baking cheese and often see a line out the door. This was a favorite late night spot when I was an undergraduate at Tech. It is a tradition in downtown Blacksburg, one that has been updated with a new interior and street level entrance for the main dining area. I missed the cellar entrance, but I was transported in time once I got inside. The Cellar is known for its extensive beer offerings, and for being a casual fun place to eat. I spent many nights there, socializing with friends over Killian’s Red and munching on pizza.

During our December trip, we enjoyed several menu items, but we sre still talking about how hot the wings were (and laughing at me over how many I ate!) The wings are the first thing on the menu, but be forewarned – I LOVE hot foods, but these will burn you up. They were so hot, they hurt, but I can’t stop thinking about them.

If you are familiar with Blacksburg, there is no need for me to explain my fondness for this charming town. If you have never been, consider visiting this friendly, energetic place. It’s full of activity from the university, and anchored by a committed group of locals.

There's a huge number of terrific restaurants and watering holes in Blacksburg -- too many to mention here. Go visit and find your own favorites.

Family home turned antiques shop

This is the house where my maternal grandmother was raised. It was built in 1896 and is located along Wears Valley Road in Pigeon Forge, Tenn. The house and the surrounding property were then known as Twin Bridges Farm.

Today it is an antiques shop: Yesterday's Antiques. It seems odd to visit what once was a family home and now is a store. But considering all the demolition and development in Pigeon Forge/Sevierville/Gatlinburg, Tenn., I am grateful the building still stands and that I have a chance to see it at all.

My grandmother, Grace Clabough Fakler (1903-1996), was one of six children raised here. Yes, six children were raised in a two bedroom house that did not have a bathroom at all. The bedrooms were upstairs and the three boys were in one; the three girls in another. The parents slept downstairs. My great-grandmother, Priscilla Roberts Clabough, lived here until her death in the 1950s and in her memory the two adjoining streets bear her name:

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit earlier this month. It was like stepping back in time to browse antiques and collectibles in a house that has such importance to my family. My mother and aunt spent summers there, visiting their grandmother.

Today, visitors can see beautiful linens and vintage clothes:

There are two rooms that are full of books:

And a room full of kitchen wares, gadgets, cutting boards, an old stove and everyday dishes:

I was particularly drawn to glassware on display, including milk glass and Depression glass in pink, beige and green.

It was a treat to visit this shop and share some of these memories with my husband. My parents, brother, neice and nephew will head to this part of the world later this summer. A stop to this shop is sure to be on their itenerary.

Something funny for a Friday

Had to post a link to the "off road" Red Robin burger ad in honor of my husband. He was similarly inclined when I pointed out the Mexican buffet sign at El Mesquite in Sevierville, Tenn. Read my post about that restaurant here.

Happy Friday, friends!

In love with El Mesquite

This is the real reason my husband wants to go back to Sevierville, Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tenn. He quickly fell in love with the food at El Mesquite, located on the Parkway in Sevierville, Tenn. Have you seen the new Red Robin commercial with the two guys driving/riding in a car? The passenger spies a Red Robin restaurant and the driver loses his mind, floors it like a maniac and basically crashes into the parking lot of the Red Robin.

That is nearly what my husband did last week, as we were following our noses and looking for a place to eat lunch. Me: “Hey, there is a Mexican place that says buffet.” My husband: “Seriously?!” (EEERrrrkk! Squealing tires and brake slamming.) My husband is a fiend for Mexican food and often asks why Mexican restaurants don’t offer buffet service (like Chinese, Indian and American restaurants often do.) Years ago, there was a Mexican place in Norfolk we loved that offered a lunch buffet on weekdays. It closed and was replaced by a Gold’s Gym (perhaps appropriate, considering how high in fat and calories Mexican food can be).

El Mesquite was casual, had friendly staff and plenty of parking. The buffet featured all kinds of Mexican selections -- tacos, burritos, nachos, salsa and more. Even the locals love it. We are already talking about making a trip there on our next visit to that part of the world.

A few days of fun in Gatlinburg, Tenn.

We spent a few days last week in Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, Tenn. It was a great opportunity to reconnect with some family members and to have plenty of vacation fun. I needed a reminder that Gatlinburg is less than two hours from Bristol. We had so much fun we are already looking forward to our next extended trip, or even a day excursion.

It had been more than 10 years since I had been to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg, so plenty of offerings were new to me. But here are some things we did during our visit and truly enjoyed.

SPACE NEEDLE: The Gatlinburg Space Needle is located just off the Parkway and about a block from the Gatlinburg Convention Center. It is an all steel observation tower that is more than 400 feet tall. Visitors ride a glass elevator to the observation deck, which offers 360-degree views of the city (what a great photo my husband took of the city!). I must admit I had a bit of vertigo on the observation deck. As in, I did not come within about 10 feet of the railing and was more than happy when the others wanted to go down. There is a large, printed history of Gatlinburg on the tower and I entertained myself reading it, while glimpsing at the spectacular views from a safe distance away from the edge. The cost for this event is $8 per person, but you can go a second time for free, within 24 hours. The Space Needle is housed in a massive arcade (warning to cash-strapped parents!) and you must walk through it upon exiting the elevator to depart. This attraction is open 365 days per year.

RIPLEYS AQUARIUM OF THE SMOKIES: The aquarium is a must-see attraction that features a clear tunnel where visitors can view various types of fish, sharks, sea turtles and other marine life. It also features a stingray exhibit where visitors can don wet suits and swim with the rays, and an elaborate penguin habitat (sure to be even more popular with the summer release of the movie Mr. Popper’s Penguins.) This was a spectacular family outing and there is an enormous city parking lot behind the aquarium. Visitors can park, tour the museum, then hit Gatlinburg on foot or by trolley. (Cash only to pay for parking in the lot.)

BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP CO.: Yes, this is one of a chain of restaurants themed around the 1994 movie Forrest Gump, and his friendship with Bubba, who loved to eat shrimp prepared every imaginable way. The gift shop is full of movie-themed items (T-shirts and stickers that say: Run Forrest Run; Stop Forrest Stop; Bubba is my good best friend, etc.) It was a fun place to stop for lunch and we enjoyed excellent seating and a charming, funny waiter.

My youngest son dug in to the Shrimper’s Heaven – a combination on coconut shrimp, chilled shrimp, fried shrimp and Japanese-style tempura shrimp. One of the funniest elements? The food is served on fake newspaper pages from Greenbow, Ala., with stories based on scenes from the movie. We all raved over the “hush pups” – which are hushpuppies with added fish, shrimp and corn, and served with a spicy remoulade sauce. Super delicious! See the menu here.

I ordered the shrimp and grits – it was spicy, creamy and downright delicious. If you want to try this dish at home, here is a very similar version from the Food Network. Yum!

CHILLIN’ BY THE POOL: Most days, we visited some attraction in the morning, then spent the afternoon and evening at the pool. We stayed in a cabin at Clabough’s Campground, which is owned by my mother’s cousin. It was relaxing and quiet and located on Wears Valley Road, about a half mile from all the action in Pigeon Forge.

One of the favorite things I saw during our stay was a mother duck and her seven ducklings. She herded them around the camp, warning anyone who got too close. I looked for them every day, thinking of this wonderful book from childhood: Make Way for Ducklings.

We ventured briefly into the Great Smoky Mountains Park, visited a variety of restaurants and tourist traps and played plenty of rounds of mini-golf. And we have a list started for the attractions we want to see on our next trip. If you live near Bristol or Knoxville, Tenn., going to Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg could easily be a day trip.