Music City is experiencing rapid growth and development in categories beyond the town’s homegrown country music—its booming food and lifestyle scene is hosting imports from Brooklyn to New Orleans, mixing and matching raw Southern roots with contemporary and refined finesse. The Southern empire is making waves—ride along the three-hour drive from Memphis and take advantage of the capital city’s trends and classics.
Challah bread is the coveted tradition of my Jewish upbringing; it's the sweet and unifying symbol of our Shabbas meal together every Friday evening, whether spent with family or friends or during Jewish Summer Camp meals where I met my husband. It's also the greatest french toast foundation out there.
Believe it or not, this past month marked my first slow cooker experience. I'm so acclimated to "throwing together" the ingredients in my kitchen for Chopped TV-style method of making dinner. This beautiful, bright and rich recipe, in contrast, exemplified ease -- plus, it's the perfect entrance to fall.
I especially love when a particular season or state of mind is told through salad topping choices. A salad's dependence on produce is primary, and the colors of fall produce are particularly wonderful on a salad like this one! An almost-shaved apple, fresh figs and chewy yet decadent pistachios stud the layers of this salad. Tossed in a simple vinaigrette, the rustic textures of autumn take center stage.
