Mountain Breeze - Cobbly Nob - Gatlinburg, Tennessee

12/05/2024

Happy Holidays from us at Mountain Breeze! Contact us for short term rental info!

12/05/2024

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving!💖

11/26/2024

Jerk Steak & Shrimp over Yellow Rice

Ingredients:
- 1 lb Angus Steak or Boneless Beef Tri-Tip, cut into cubes
- 1 lb Large Shrimp, peeled & deveined
- 1 cup Red & Green Bell Peppers, sliced
- 1 cup Chicken Broth or Water
- 2 tsp Jerk Seasoning
- 1 tsp Creole Seasoning
- 1 tsp Salt & Cracked Black Pepper
- 1/8 tsp Honey
- 1 tbsp Butter
- 1 tbsp Oil
- Yellow Rice (Recommended: Mahatma!)

Directions:
1. Heat the oil in a large pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the cubed steak to the pan and cook undisturbed for 3 minutes.
3. Gently flip the steak pieces and cook until browned on all sides, about 7-8 minutes. Once done, remove the steak from the pan and set aside.
4. In a bowl, season the shrimp with the Jerk and Creole seasonings. Mix well until the shrimp are evenly coated and starting to turn red.
5. Add the butter to the same pan and then add the seasoned shrimp. Cook for 1 minute on each side.
6. Drizzle the honey over the shrimp and cook for an additional 1 minute. Remove the shrimp from the pan; they will finish cooking later.
7. In the same pan, add the sliced bell peppers and cook for about 3 minutes or until they are softened. Stir frequently to prevent burning.
8. Return the cooked steak and shrimp to the pan, tossing everything together.
9. Pour in the chicken broth (or water) and add all the remaining seasonings.
10. Lower the heat to medium-low and let the mixture simmer to enhance the flavors.
11. Serve the jerk steak and shrimp over a bed of yellow rice. Garnish with green onions, cracked black pepper, and/or cilantro if desired.

Enjoy your flavorful Jerk Steak & Shrimp over Yellow Rice!

11/10/2024

Chicken and Sausage Gumbo

Trinty Is Required
Ingredients
1 Cup Vegetable Oil
1 Cup All Purpose Flour
1 Yellow Onion
1 Green Bell Pepper
3 Sticks of Celery
2 lbs Smoked Sausage
2 Whole Rotisserie Chickens deboned
2 32oz Containers of Chicken Stock
2 Cans Rotel
1 capful Savoie’s browning sauce
4 Cups of Water before simmering
1 Tablespoon of Cajun or Creole Seasoning
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
3 Bay Leaves
Alternate: 1 small jar premade roux
Alternate: 3 - seasoning blend in place of fresh veggies,

Steps
First prep all vegetables, sausage, and chicken. Put them in the fridge.
Roux was on a medium/high heat. Depends on your stove. You need to stir regularly for roughly an hour till it starts to look like melted milk chocolate. For a darker roux, cook longer.
Add the vegetables in and cook for another 10 minutes.
While the vegetable are cooking, sear your sausage in a separate pan. Just to brown them a little, if not, adding them roux at this point is fine.
If you sear the sausage, once they have browned a little, add some of the chicken stock to that pan to loosen up all the drippings from the sausage.
Next dump the sausage in with the roux and vegetables.
Add your Cajun/Creole seasoning, salt, garlic powder, bay leaves and rest of your stock, then let it cook for about 20 minutes.
Add the 4 cups of water, 1 capful Savoie’s browning sauce, & 2 cans Rotel.
At this point you can bring to a boil and skim the oil off the top. However, some call that flavor.
Add the chicken, and simmer for two hours

10/02/2024

Cocke County Mayor Rob Mathis

WATER!!!

NUB has just informed me that they are pulling water into their treatment plant and are testing their lines!

Water will likely go on and off as lines are tested and leakes are found & fixed.

If your water comes on, please conserve it as much a possible as this will help build pressure, fill tanks, and get more water to more people faster.

THE BOIL WATER NOTICE IS STILL IN EFFECT UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.

NUB apologizes for any issues this has caused anyone who had spigots turned on.

This is amazing news! We are making progress!

GREAT WORK, Newport Utilities!

10/01/2024

OMG, don’t lose this recipe for Mexican Shrimp Cocktail! 🍤✨🥰😋❤️

This refreshing, zesty dish is a perfect appetizer for your next gathering or a light meal on a hot day. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you!

Here’s what you’ll need:

2 lbs jumbo shrimp
2 celery stalks, sliced thin
1 jalapeno, seeded, finely chopped
1 cucumber, chopped
2 avocados, peeled, pitted, chopped
2 handfuls fresh cilantro, chopped
1/2 small white or yellow onion, finely chopped
2 limes, juice & zest
1 orange, juice & zest
11.5 ounce can tomato juice
1/2 cup tomato sauce
2 garlic cloves, grated
Favorite hot sauce, to taste
Salt/pepper, to taste

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add shrimp and boil until they curl into a loose C shape and are cooked through. Drain and transfer to ice or cool under water. Cut shrimp into bite-sized chunks.

2. In a large bowl, combine shrimp, celery, jalapeño, cucumber, avocado, cilantro, and onion.

3. In a separate bowl, combine lime juice, orange juice, tomato juice, tomato sauce, garlic, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Pour this mixture into the shrimp bowl and stir.

4. Chill for 1 hour, then serve.

Perfect for summer parties! ☀️🍹

09/24/2024

DON'T ARGUE WITH DONKEYS
The donkey said to the tiger:
- "The grass is blue".
The tiger replied:
- "No, the grass is green."
The discussion heated up, and the two decided to submit him to arbitration, and for this they went before the lion, the King of the Jungle.
Already before reaching the forest clearing, where the lion was sitting on his throne, the donkey began to shout:
- "His Highness, is it true that the grass is blue?".
The lion replied:
- "True, the grass is blue."
The donkey hurried and continued:
- "The tiger disagrees with me and contradicts and annoys me, please punish him."
The king then declared:
- "The tiger will be punished with 5 years of silence."
The donkey jumped cheerfully and went on his way, content and repeating:
- "The Grass Is Blue"...
The tiger accepted his punishment, but before he asked the lion:
- "Your Majesty, why have you punished me?, after all, the grass is green."
The lion replied:
- "In fact, the grass is green."
The tiger asked:
- "So why are you punishing me?".
The lion replied:
- "That has nothing to do with the question of whether the grass is blue or green.
The punishment is because it is ridiculous for a brave and intelligent creature like you to waste time arguing with a donkey, and then on top of that come and bother me with that question."
The worst waste of time is arguing with the fool and fanatic who does not care about truth or reality, but only the victory of his beliefs and illusions. Never waste time on arguments that don't make sense...
There are people who, no matter how much evidnce and evidence we present to them, are not in the capacity to understand, and others are blinded by ego, hatred and resentment, and all they want is to be right even if they are not.
When ignorance screams, intelligence is silent. Your peace and quietness are worth more.

*Proverbs 26:4* - "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you also be like him."
-
*Proverbs 26:5* - "Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes."
-
*Proverbs 29:9* - "If a wise man contends with a foolish man, whether the foolish man rails or laughs, there is no peace."

*Matthew 7:6* - "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces."
CP

-

09/23/2024

Homemade Reuben Bake 🥪🍞🧀

Ingredients:

1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough (8 oz)
1/2 lb sliced corned beef or pastrami
1/2 lb sliced Swiss cheese
1 cup sauerkraut, drained and squeezed dry
1/2 cup Russian or Thousand Island dressing
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
1 tablespoon butter, melted
1 teaspoon caraway seeds (optional)
Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Directions:

Preheat the Oven:

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
Prepare the Base:

Unroll half of the crescent roll dough and press it into the bottom of the prepared baking dish to create an even layer.
Layer the Ingredients:

Spread the Dijon mustard over the crescent dough base.
Layer the sliced corned beef or pastrami evenly over the dough.
Top with slices of Swiss cheese, covering the meat completely.
Evenly distribute the sauerkraut on top of the cheese.
Add Dressing:

Drizzle the Russian or Thousand Island dressing evenly over the sauerkraut.
Top with Crescent Dough:

Unroll the remaining crescent roll dough and place it on top of the filling, pressing the edges to seal.
Bake:

Brush the top of the dough with melted butter and sprinkle with caraway seeds if using.
Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and fully cooked.
Serve:

Remove from the oven and let the Reuben bake cool for a few minutes.
Slice into squares, garnish with fresh parsley if desired, and serve warm.
Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cook Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes | Servings: 6-8 | Calories: 450 kcal per serving

This Homemade Reuben Bake is an easy twist on the classic Reuben sandwich, packed with savory layers of corned beef, Swiss cheese, and tangy sauerkraut, all wrapped in buttery crescent dough!

09/22/2024

New Orleans Creole Gumbo ☺️😋😋
Ingredients:
• 2 ounces Margarine
• 3 cups onion; small dice
• 1 1/2 cups celery; small dice
• 1 1/2 cups green bell pepper; small dice
• 1 pound chicken breast; medium dice
• 1 pound smoked sausage or andouille sausage; sliced
• 8 ounces shrimp pieces
• 2 qts Chicken broth
• 1 cup canned tomatoes; diced
• 1 each Bay leaf
• 1/2 teaspoon Thyme
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon Cayenne pepper
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire Sauce
• 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
• 6 ounces Butter
• 6 ounces Flour
• 9 ounces okra fresh or frozen; sliced
• Gumbo filet powder
• 1/2 cup Water
Instructions:
1. I melt 2 ounces of margarine in a large soup pot.
2. I add chicken and sauté until cooked halfway.
3. I add sausage and vegetables and cook until vegetables are tender.
4. I add chicken broth and seasonings and bring to a simmer.
5. I make a black roux in a separate pan. I heat butter very hot and add flour. Turn heat down to medium. Stir frequently until roux becomes very dark, almost black in color but not burnt. (This takes practice)
6. I slowly alternate soup into roux and roux into soup, whipping until thickened and smooth. I simmer for 30 minutes.
7. I add shrimp and okra, simmering until shrimp is cooked, about 2 minutes.
8. I remove from heat. Dissolve Gumbo file powder in water. Slowly stir into soup.
9. I serve plain or with white rice.

09/22/2024

Creamy Chicken Bacon Spinach Pasta

Ingredients 📝

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
6 slices bacon, chopped
2 cups penne pasta
2 tbsp olive oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups fresh spinach
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 ½ cups heavy cream
½ cup grated Parmesan cheese
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh basil or parsley (for garnish)

Directions 👩‍🍳

Cook the Bacon:
In a large skillet, cook chopped bacon over medium heat until crispy. Remove from the skillet and set aside, leaving some bacon grease in the pan.

Cook the Chicken:
Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper. In the same skillet, add 1 tablespoon of olive oil and cook the chicken over medium heat for 6-7 minutes per side until golden brown and fully cooked through. Remove from the skillet, slice, and set aside.

Cook the Pasta:
While the chicken cooks, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook penne pasta according to the package instructions. Drain and set aside.

Prepare the Sauce:
In the same skillet, add remaining olive oil and sauté minced garlic until fragrant (about 1 minute). Stir in heavy cream and Parmesan cheese, simmering until the sauce thickens. Add fresh spinach and cherry tomatoes, cooking until the spinach wilts.

Combine & Serve:
Toss the cooked pasta and crispy bacon into the creamy sauce. Top with sliced chicken, garnish with fresh basil or parsley, and serve hot.

Prep Time ⏲️ 10 minutes
Cook Time ⏲️ 25 minutes
Total Time ⏲️ 35 minutes
Servings 🍽️ 4 servings
Calories 🔥 620 kcal per serving

09/20/2024

So, I'm hearing how we're not worse off 4 years later. On a recent trip to our place in Tennessee, we stopped for lunch at Chick Fil-et in North Carolina. 2 spicy chicken sandwich meals, (iced tea & fries included) , not the deluxe with lettuce and tomatoes, &19.69 with tax. I only had a $20 bill in my wallet and was worried it wasn't enough!
The chart below is an example of Build Back Better. Courtesy of Nell.

09/18/2024

𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗙𝗘𝗖𝗧 𝗠𝘂𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗮 Italian 𝗦𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗵

Ingredients:
For the olive salad:
1 cup green olives, pitted and chopped
1 cup black olives, pitted and chopped
½ cup roasted red peppers, chopped
¼ cup pickled giardiniera, chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
¼ cup olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp dried basil
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the sandwich:
1 large round loaf of Italian or French bread (preferably a 9-10 inch muffaletta loaf)
¼ lb sliced Genoa salami
¼ lb sliced mortadella
¼ lb sliced chicken ham
¼ lb sliced provolone cheese
¼ lb sliced mozzarella cheese

Instructions:
Make the Olive Salad: In a medium bowl, combine the chopped green olives, black olives, roasted red peppers, pickled giardiniera, and minced garlic. Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, and basil, and stir until everything is well mixed. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, preferably overnight, to allow the flavors to meld.

Prepare the Bread: Slice the loaf of bread horizontally in half. If the bread is very thick, you can hollow out some of the interior to make room for the fillings.
Assemble the Sandwich: Spread half of the olive salad generously on the bottom half of the bread. Layer the sliced Genoa salami, mortadella, chicken ham, provolone, and mozzarella on top of the olive salad. Spread the remaining olive salad on the top half of the bread.

Press the Sandwich: Place the top half of the bread onto the sandwich. Wrap the entire sandwich tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. For the best results, press the sandwich by placing a heavy skillet or a few cans on top, and let it sit for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This helps to compress the flavors and make the sandwich easier to eat.

Serve: When ready to serve, unwrap the sandwich and slice it into wedges. Enjoy at room temperature.

09/18/2024

🍲 Cabbage Soup 🍲
Ingredients:

1 large cabbage, chopped
2 small onions, diced
2 cans of stewed tomatoes
1 pouch of Lipton Onion Soup Mix (any flavor)
1 large celery stalk, chopped finely
Ground beef (1-2 pounds)
Instructions:

Fill a large saucepan halfway with water and bring it to a boil.
Add the chopped cabbage, diced onions, and finely chopped celery to the boiling water, then reduce to a simmer.
In a separate pan, cook the ground beef over medium heat until browned. Make sure to drain any excess fat.
Stir in your favorite spices along with the Lipton Onion Soup Mix into the beef.
Add the seasoned beef and stewed tomatoes to the simmering vegetables.
Continue to simmer the mixture for a few more minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
Prep Time: 15 mins | Total Time: 45 mins | Servings: 6

09/16/2024

*A donkey was tied to a tree. One night a ghost cut the rope and released the donkey free*.

*The donkey went and destroyed the crops in an adjacent farmer's land. Infuriated, the farmer's wife shot the donkey and killed it.*

*The donkey's owner was devastated at the loss. In reply, he shot dead the farmer's wife*.

*Angered by his wife's death, the farmer took a sickle and killed the donkey's owner*.

*The wife of the donkey's owner got so angry that she and her sons set the farmer's house on fire.*

*The farmer, looking at his house turned into ashes, killed the wife and children of the donkey's owner.*

*Finally, when the farmer was full of regret, he asked the ghost as to why did it kill them all?*

*The ghost replied, "I killed nobody. I just released a donkey that was tied to a rope. It is all of you who released the devils within you which resulted into everything bad that occurred thereafter."*

*Today's media is like that ghost. It keeps releasing donkeys on a daily basis. And people react and argue with each other, hurt each other, without having a second thought.*

*In the end, the media dodges all responsibilities. So, it's our responsibility to not react on every donkey released by the media and preserve our relationship with our friends, relatives and community* 🙏

09/14/2024

Greenbrier and Mt. LeConte from our friend's Colleen and Fred's yesterday, Cobbly Nob, Gatlinburg TN 🌞