Food Baby

This is the easiest recipe you will ever make! I love slow cooked greens but life can get in the way so this easy plan has everything ready for when you walk I the door! 1 bag shredded collards 1 smoked ham hock 1 small potato sliced 1  32oz. box vegetable stock 4-5 cups water 1 1/2 tablespoons red pepper flakes Salt and pepper to taste 1 teaspoons salt Pinch of sugar Line the bottom of the slow cooker with the potato slices. Add half the bag of greens and season with salt, pepper and 1 tbs. red pepper flakes. Nestel ham hock in the middle. Add remaking greens and seasoning. You may have to press down a bit but it will fit. Add vegetable broth and water. Cook on low for 7-8 hours. Hit with a splash of cider vinegar before serving. 

What can I say? I love good country cooking and GrandMother's House just went to the top of my list. It's located in Owens Crosss Roads in a little house that any Grandmother could call home. It's off the beaten path but easy to find. We were greeted by a kind, older gentleman and were sat in the front dining room. Our lovely waitress was welcoming and just what you would expect. Service here is nothing but down home friendly.  I had Country Fried Steak with Speckeled Butter Beans, Creamed Potatoes and Fried Okra. I couldn't smack my momma so I smacked my husband! The steak had a perfect scald on it and the creamed potatoes reminded me of my grandmother's cooking. The okra was breaded perfectly and the beans were delicious. Hubby had Chicken n' Dupplins with Fried Okra, Lima Beans and Cucumber Salad. He was in heaven. We hardly spoke during our meal except to tell each other how good the food was. I can't wait to go back!! You have to try this restaurant.  G

1892 is located in the historic Five Points area if Huntsville. Some of you may remember the location as "the Zesto". You won't find a dip dog here. We started with the fried green tomatoes and while they were good they were nothing to write home about. I'm Southern and I think tomatoes should only be coated with corn meal and fried in an iron skillet!! They did serve some delicious bread with butter and a tasty bean paste. I ordered the Louisianna drum fish with roasted fingerling potatoes and a chipotle vinagrette. It was very good. The fish was cooked perfectly and the vinagrette added the right amount of bite. I did decide on desert. I went for the Creme Brûlée. I fancy myself an expert when it comes to Creme Brûlée so I have a very high standard. I was disappointed. The base was not a custard it was heavy on the heavy whipping cream and didn't have any flavor at all. It had a good sugar crust but I didn't taste anything other than whipping cream. I plan o

If you are in the Nashville area this has to be one of your stops. It's completely off the beaten path in a neighborhood on the east side of the city. Locally sourced ingredients and meticulously hand crafted cocktails are the calling cards of this lovely restaurant and bar. A great place for cocktails with the girls or date night. My two favorite cocktails were the Vanilla Sky and the Tom Waites For No Man. The mixologist make all their ingredients from simple syrups to extacts in beautiful blue glass bottles and it's entertaining to watch them at their craft. I also enjoyed and double bone in "hog chop" stuffed with a bacon jam and served over white beans and roasted brussel sprouts. Delicious!!! I also sampled the braised short ribs and roasted goat pasta. It was all fantastic and who knew I liked goat!  Make sure to check them out.  Holland House Bar and Refuge 935 W. Eastland Avenue Nashville, Tn Hog Chop  Braised short ribs Roasted goat pasta