Miller's Cafe, Cream Coffee

Until I moved to Tennessee, the only thing I knew about fried green tomatoes was that they made for a darn good movie...

and an even better book. Then I went to this place...

Miller's Grocery in Christiana, Tennessee. And I had these...

actual fried green tomatoes. Eating one is, to use a Southern colloquialism, a religious experience. They are crispy outside, soft inside, salty, sour, and piping hot. They are everything that is best about Southern fried food - they are unique and comforting at the same time. They are only available when green tomatoes are in season. Like today, for instance, when I met some friends for lunch at Miller's.

Everyone was excited to eat at Miller's because they all love it - and they know I love it. They were surprised when I - who have lost so much weight and try to eat so healthy - ordered the fried green tomato appetizer. You should have seen them when I ordered the Country Fried Steak with sawmill gravy, mashed potatoes, and fried okra. I told them I will bike the whole Greenway to work that off and it will be worth it. I wish so much that I had the presence of mind and self control to take a picture when my entree came out. Unfortunately, I was deeply involved in a conversation about Michael Cunningham and began inhaling my okra before I remembered to reach for my camera. I guess that means I have to go back for more pictures. Darn.

I did get a picture of my dessert. That is a mud bar. It is amazing. Brownie on the bottom topped with nut and marshmallow filled fudge frosting. Every year Miller's is voted best place to get dessert by the readers of Tennessee magazine. Can you see why?

After my amazing lunch, I came home to do a little cooking...

(two pans of bread and one pan of green beans not pictured) for the homeless shelter. My Sunday school class was providing Friday night dinner, and I offered to do the cooking while they helped with the funds. After all of that heavy food, I needed something light and creamy. So I used drinksmixer.com, and found this.

Cream Coffee from drinksmixer.com
Equal parts
coffee brandy
rum
milk
strong coffee


A good day over all. To end it...

"Goodbye" by Hootie and the Blowfish- the Friday song randomly chosen for you by my Zen DJ.

I hope you have a lovely Saturday. If you happen to be at the Murfreesboro Farmer's Market on the Square or the U2 concert and Vandy - we just may run into each other.

Spiced Coffee - 0 Points

Stone has been under the weather for over a week. He is suffering so much from allergies that the doctor gave him steroid shot. I thought that a bit of spiced coffee might help clear out his head and make him feel better. Despite the fact that I am not ailing, I did have a couple of cups myself and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Spiced Coffee
1 level scoop coffee grounds
1 tsp cinnamon
3/4 tsp cloves
1 tsp dried orange peel
pinch cayenne pepper

1. Fill coffee maker with water for 10 cups. Place spices in coffee filter and turn on machine.
2. Yields 10, 0 point servings

I had been on hold for what seemed like a thousand years for the last Steig Laarson book, The Girl Who Played with Fire. I have had mixed feelings about this series. Many people recommended the books to me, but not one of them warned me about the graphic scenes of sexual abuse and torture. If I had been warned, the books might have been less gut wrenching. At least, I would have been better prepared. This was my favorite of the series; I loved the courtroom drama, learning about the Swedish legal system, and delving into the minds of newspaper editors. I wish Mr. Laarson had lived long enough to know how much he is loved by readers worldwide and to share more of his talent with us.

You will not be hearing from me this Friday. Thanks to an FYI from the fabulous Rebecca, I will be participating in this amazing event. Please click this link to learn more.