Places to Eat in Knoxville, Tennessee ↠ Apple Tea Cake Room.

While we were in Knoxville, TN visiting Dave's family over Christmas, there was one place I wanted to try that I'd come across online. Apple Cake Tea Room sounded like my kinda place when I read the reviews and saw a few pictures...and I wasn't disappointed. We took Dave's little sister with us for an afternoon of shopping and ended up here. It's this adorable restaurant inside a log cabin looking building, decorated like an adorable antique shop with quilts on the walls and dim lighting.

The tea was delicioussss...and that's an understatement. Dave and I had the Friendship Tea, we probably should have shared one, but we didn't know it came out in a kettle for each person! I wish I could have taken some of the tea home and brew some on a daily basis. It was this wonderful apple tea with cinnamon and a bit of sweetness. Perfection.

We split the Apple Cake between the three of us, it was so much better than I was expecting. I guess because I was imagining more of an apple pie type dessert, which isn't my thing, but it was soooo good. Dave's not even a big dessert person and he went on and on about how good it was...

I can't comment on the lunch menu, since we just went for tea and dessert, but if you're looking for a fun spot to have an afternoon out with some girlfriends or even a tea party for older little girls, this is the place. I wish we had one here!

If you live in Knoxville (or travel there)...have you been? I had no idea East Tennessee had such little treasures as this place. Where should I go next time we're in town visiting family? Let me know in the comments!

♡ MALLORIE

Vegetarian Taco Ring Recipe.

Taco Ring is one of Dave's special recipes he's been making since we started dating (well, he made it long before that, but you know what I mean). If you know me, you know I love Mexican food the most...it's always my first choice when eating out! Taco Ring always been one of my favorite dinners...really simple and very filling. If it's just the two of you, like it is us, it lasts for days! If you have a whole family, this should be the perfect size for everyone.

It's evolved a tiny bit over the years, once I became a pescatarian we switched from beef to crumbles, but we don't miss the real thing one bit! The beauty of this recipe is once you have tried it a few times, you can always mix up the spices if you'd like or make it spicier than the time before. Or if you prefer beef over the substitute, that's fine too. It's totally up to you! The ingredients listed below are the ones we use 99% of the time, with a few extras, in case you're feeling adventurous. ;)

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Ingredients ≫≫
Chili Powder
Cayenne
Garlic Salt
½ Large Onion
1 Bag of Quorn Crumbles (or 1lb organic grass fed beef if you're not vegetarian)
Grated Cheese (optional)
2 Cans of Immaculate Crescent Rolls (they have the best ingredients we’ve found)
Kalamata Olives (optional)

Serve with ≫≫
Lettuce
Tomato
Avocado
Salsa

Directions ≫≫
While your pan is heating up, dice your onion, but leave a little bit to top the taco ring, if you’d like. Cook quorn crumbles (or beef) on the stove with the diced onion. Add in chili powder, cayenne, and garlic salt to taste as it’s cooking. Mix in cheese, as much as you'd like (it doesn't need much) and let it melt as the crumbles/beef finish cooking.

Once the crumbles are finished, on a round baking sheet, lay each crescent flat and make a circle with them, overlapping as you go. Add crumbles/beef in a ring in the center. Roll the crescent edges around and pinch to close.

We don’t always do this, but to make it a bit prettier, we added grated cheese, kalamata olives (which I thought was weird with taco ingredients, but it was sooo good!), and a few onion slices. Bake as your crescent package states, sometimes it takes a bit longer, just keep an eye on it and once it’s a bit golden brown on top it should be finished.

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Enjoy! If you try this recipe, I want to see your creations! Tag me and use the #mallorieowensrecipe hashtag, Dave and I would love to see one of our favorite recipes being enjoyed by others.

For my complete recipe index, go here.

♡ MALLORIE