Family Flavor New Concept Cherokee NC

After much trial and error, and a good look at what we really love, we are re-vamping Family Flavor. You will still get awesome recipes that are easy to make at home but you will get so much more. You will discover great restaurants. You will travel. You will visit excellent hotels. You will find the hottest deals. All oriented toward you and your family!

A Great Vacation in the Mountains: Cherokee NC
Mandy and her family are just back from Cherokee, NC. What a great place to visit in the summer. Cherokee is high in the Smokey Mountains and the temps are always cooler than those in the valley surrounding the area. The nights can even become chilly!

Every day was packed full of outdoor fun - exactly what Mandy looks for when vacationing with her family. Start your vacation with a raft or tubing experience through town on the lazy and winding river. There is a large park in the center of town, Island Park, you can visit anytime to wade in the water and fish.

Next, buy tickets for Unto These Hills. This is a one of a kind outdoor drama that has been in production for years. Unto These Hills tells the story of the Cherokee. Click the link to read about the drama and find out ticket prices.

The Oconaluftee Indian Village is a big hit with kids and adults. Mandy said it was really great because her kids studied the Cherokee in school. The Indian village is a reenactment of an actual Indian compound before The Trail of Tears. You will see and interact with Native Americans in full period dress. They demonstrate native crafts, foods, weapons, games, myths, rituals, and more.


The Museum of the Cherokee and the Qualla Arts Center are another must see. The museum offers a short introductory film and then you are off on a self guided tour. Your kids will love all the different relics on display. The Qualla Arts Center gives you the chance to purchase native crafts.

There are many places to stay. Cherokee is famous for its 1950s style motels. You know the kind...you drive up to the front door, they have ACs in the window. However, these are usually kept in great condition. Everything on the reservation must be owned by a Native American. They have a vested interest in keeping you happy. The River's Edge Motel is one of these inns. It does not have the amenities you may be used to. However, it is in the middle of town, right on the river. You can get a room with a balcony over the river.

Modern hotels are available as well. Hampton Inn, Holiday Inn, and other big names have hotels in Cherokee, just off the reservation.

Finally, plan some adult time to spend at the casino! Harrah's Casino and Hotel offers great rooms, excellent food, and fun. There are game rooms for older children.

French Dip with You Won't Believe It's Not Homemade Mushroom Soup

Tonight's supper is one of my all time favorites. It is quick and easy and leaves little mess. The French Dip needs little introduction. Somewhere along the line I discovered a recipe for a mushroom soup that used canned soups and real mushrooms. Mixed together it tasted great. Here is my take on the recipe.
French Dip and You Won't Believe It's Not Homemade Mushroom Soup
1 Package Sub Rolls
1 lb thinly sliced roast beef
1 package sandwich sliced swiss cheese
1 can beef consomme
1 can beef stock
1 carton fresh mushrooms
2 tbsp butter
1 tsp sherry
salt and pepper to taste
To prepare:
1. Set oven to 350. Layer roast beef and swiss cheese on sub rolls. Toast in oven for @ 10 minutes or until cheese melts.
2. In a large stock pot saute mushrooms in butter. Simmer for 1 minute. Add sherry and simmer for another minute. Add canned soups and heat to boiling. Turn down heat and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Taste the soup and add salt and pepper depending on your taste.
To serve:
Place the French Dips on individual plates. Place the soup in  small bowls for dipping or a large bowl for eating. My family loves to dip their French Dips in the soup.

Let's Get It Started...Mesquite Stir Fry

Okay, here we go. The first meal of the year long Family Flavor endeavor. This is an easy one. I cheated by starting today using leftovers.
Last night we ate a delicious birthday dinner at my parents home. The main dish was beef kabobs with veggies and pineapple. Yummy. However, there was so much left over that was never put on the grill. I stopped by mom's hoouse this morning and raided her fridge - taking all the leftovers!
Here's what my family is eating for dinner tonight. You can easily run by the store and pick up the same meat and make the dish in a snap.
Mesquite Stir Fry
1 package Mesquite marinade (I used Kroger) mixed to package directions
1 pound of steak (see note below) sliced in chunks
Fresh pineapple chunks
1 red pepper sliced in large pieces
1 orange pepper sliced in large pieces
Large mushrooms, sliced
2 cups Jasmine rice
1 tbsp butter
To Prepare:
1. Prepare the Jasmine rice by placing the rice and 3 cups of water in a large pot. Add 1 tbsp of butter. bring rice mixture to a boil. Lower temperature, cover, and let simmer while you prepare stire fry.
2. Marinate steak in Mesquite marinade for 15 to 30 minutes. Heat 2 tbsp of oil in wok. Add steak. Stir fry until brown, about 2 minutes. Add peppers and mushrooms. Continue to stir fry for 2 minutes. Add pineapple and tomatoes. Cover wok with lid and steam for 2 minutes. remove wok from heat.
To serve place 1/2 cup of Jasmine rice on plate and top with Mesquite stir fry. Enjoy!
Note: What type of steak? There are several routes to go depending on time and preference. Expensive cuts are tender - filets and rib eyes. I like flank steaks for almost anything. They are less expensive but have an amzing taste. To get a tender texture let the steak marinate as long as possible - even overnight.

Welcome to Family Flavor

What is the real flavor of your family?
Do you feel rushed to prepare a great meal for your family every night?
Do you feel like you prepare a banquet every night because everyone prefers 'something different'?
Are you fed up?

I am too! That is the reason for Family Flavor. The flavor of my family is all over the place, just like our lives. I want to spend the next year bringing us all back together. We may eat dinner together every night but I almost kill myself getting it on the table. I know it does not have to be that way. I am determined to find a new way to enjoy great dinners with my family.

For the next year it is my mission to create great dinners that everyone will enjoy every night of the year. Okay, we will eat out once in a while and order pizza so I should say almost every night of the year.

These will not be gourmet meals. However, I do have some training as a gourmet chef and do enjoy gourmet meals. Family Flavor meals will include all sorts of fun and easy shortcuts - don't be a food snob - the goal is to enjoy meals with your family. We will use fresh veggies whenever available and canned or frozen when they are not. We will even use (sshhhh!)canned soups and sauces! And all meals will be FAST and EASY!

Come along for the journey. Help out by suggesting recipes for me to try. Any comments and support will be appreciated! Looking forward to hearing from you!