Tuesday, January 26, 2016

Good Friends, Food And Dancing

What could be better than good friends, food and dancing?  We had it all and brought the evening to an end with a few games of Mahjong.  
The wine was chilled and the music playing as it had been since early afternoon.  Stone and I pushed the furniture along the walls, our dance floor was ready.  I had the steaks set out, coming to room temperature as our friends arrived with their dancing shoes.  We were ready to get this party started.  Our dinner was simple.  Filets, broccoli salad, a side of mushrooms, yummy mashed potatoes, and lastly apple pie with whipping cream.   We chatted, devoured our dinner, and kicked up our heels until late into the night.  A perfect evening!

Dinner and Dancing
 Broccoli Salad With Bacon, Raisins, And Cheddar Cheese
Serves: 6
Ingredients:
1 head broccoli, with leaves trimmed off
6-8 slices cooked bacon, crumbled
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup cranberries
8 ounces sharp cheddar, cut into very small chunks
3/4 cup mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons white vinegar
1/4 cup sugar
salt and black pepper
Instructions:
1.  Wash broccoli.  Cut the broccoli into flowerets and small bite-size pieces.  Dry on paper towels.
2.  Add to mixing bowl.  Add crumbled bacon, chopped onions, raisins, cranberries and sliced cheddar cheese.
3.   In a separate small mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, white vinegar, and sugar and whisk until well-combined.  Add the desired amount of this salad dressing to the salad and toss to combine.  Recipe from http://juliasalbum.com/2014/03/broccoli-salad-with-bacon-raisins-and-cheddar-cheese/
4.  Great made the day before.

Dinner and Dancing
 Red Wine And Garlic Mushrooms
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
8 ounces cremini mushrooms
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 Tablespoon olive oil
1 Tablespoon butter
1/4 cup red wine
salt and pepper to taste
parsley for garnish
Instructions:
In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil together with the butter until the butter melts.  Add garlic and cook for a minute until garlic is starting to get golden.  Add red wine and bring to a simmer.
Throw in the mushrooms and toss so that each mushroom is fully coated in the wine sauce.  Season with salt and pepper.  Cook until mushrooms are golden, turn mushrooms and cook on the other side until golden.  
Garnish with parsley and serve.  Recipe from http://www.jocooks.com/healthy-eating/red-wine-and-garlic-mushrooms/
Great made ahead.

 Apple Pie


Sunday, January 17, 2016

The Secret Sisters Perform At Bluegrass Underground

Since 2008 music has been wafting throughout the Cumberland Caverns.  On this particular day, The Secret Sisters made their way from Muscle Shoals Alabama to perform for a cave chock-full of people and probably a few bats at Bluegrass Underground

Bluegrass Underground
 The Secret Sisters

Bluegrass Underground

Bluegrass Underground
Not only did Stone and I love to hear these girls sing, we liked all the bantering going on between the songs.  They had the crowd very engaged.

Bluegrass Underground

Bluegrass Underground
 Lydia and Laura



The Volcano Room
 The Volcano Room 

 Cumberland Caverns

 The entrance into the Cumberland Caverns.