Nashville is Good for the Soul
by Christina Meyer-Jax, Tastemaker in Residence
Seriously what’s not to love about Nashville!? Music, food, and authentic hospitality. But what really capture my heart for Nashville is their full on embrace of ice hockey. As a Minnesota girl and mama of two youth players, this sealed the deal on my affection for Smashville! And I feel for y’all this past week. It was a tough loss in the Stanley Cup Finals. As we often say in Minnesota, “There is always next year.”
So what soothes the soul after a tough sports loss? Good music and good food or course. So in the spirit of sharing, I thought I’d highlight a traditional summer salad from Nashville and another one from Minnesota.
Nashville
Too many good choices to be sure, but as a nutrition nerd I have to go the route of highlighting the black eye pea. A southern staple that barely makes a restaurant menu let alone home cooking in northern states. The “peas” are technically legumes (beans) so it makes them nutrition superstars that are high in protein and fiber. Below is a spicy twist on solid Black Eye Pea Salad recipe. Based on the tough play of the Nashville Predators, I think the extra punch can be handled!
Smashville Black-Eyed Pea Salad
Minnesota
What‘s a North Star state recipe without some wild rice? This water growing grain is indigenous to the northern lake country of Minnesota and has been a staple of the traditional Ojibway diet for centuries. Wild rice is still carefully gathered by hand in parts of Minnesota and carries a nutty, earthy flavor that blends well into many comfort food dishes. Is this MN Wild Rice Salad a good one to bring to summer cookouts? You betcha it is!