The Cracked Wooden Spoon: The Devil Went Down to Georgia....er, Tennessee

Yes, indeed, another trip down to Nashville was had for some good ol' DeArmond Clan fun. Don't worry, no soul stealing was part of the trip. Mrs. D had a big birthday and wanted nothing more than to be surrounded by her family and eat some of her favorite foods. How can you say no to that? She told me that some of her favorites include filet mignon (certainly a woman after my own heart), salmon and cheesecake. I got to planning the birthday celebratory meal pronto.

Menu:

Salmon with Lentils and Mustard-Herb Butter (#152, 153 & 154)

Porcini-Crusted Filet with Fresh Herb Butter (#155 & 156)

Asparagus with Baby Portabellas and Tarragon (#157)

Cheesecake with Blackberry Sauce (#158 & 159)

A great group of family was in town, which makes me feel instantly at home for reasons which I've shared (and bored) you with, I am sure. This time I made certain not to have any salt and sugar mix-ups, and more importantly, I made certain to bring more people into the kitchen for the cooking. You and I both know that is where all of the fun happens, anyway. David Ian, Schaeffer's cousin, was my right-hand man for the cheesecake. Which was especially nice so I could shoulder the blame with someone else if it turned out terribly. Ok, ok, maybe not. But, thankfully, it did no such thing, and the Meyer lemons we choose were just perfect for both flavor and mellowy yellowy color. We choose a shortbread crust in lieu of the graham cracker one, and frankly, I think it was an excellent choice.

David Ian gettin' his zest on.

Odd as it sounds, I have probably only eaten salmon four times or so in my life, so needless to say, I've never cooked it. My family, huge fans of seafood, always stayed to the white, flaky variety when I was going up, and, thus, so have I. Silly redhead I am, I know. For this gorgeous color alone, you should buy a big piece for supper. Isn't it beautiful?

Looks good, smells not so good.

The dried porcini mushrooms, with pink, black and white peppercorns, made a very well-flavored crust for the filets, although I must admit, those dried porcinis were smelly. I was quite relieved that didn't translate as flavor. Not one bit.

Leeks for the lentils. Tomatoes for the salad.

There was surf & turf, surf & surf and turf & turf. Yes, I think I've found quite the answer to a big group with different palate preferences and needs. Nothing like seeing everyone pleased, and hearing little talk around the table for the first few minutes, no?

Around that table there was such much laughter, and really, that is all Mrs. D wanted for her birthday. When I first went to Nashville earlier this summer, she took her three (adult) children and I out to Waffle House for breakfast, and I learned something very important about her. That booth in the Waffle House, covered in what seemed like dozens of plates with tons of food, with five people smushed into the seats, is all Mrs. D needs. Don't you love her already? I certainly do.