From my RV kitchen
The Great Smoky Mountains are part of the Appalachian Mountain range and are unique in their northeast to southwest orientation. This directional skew is thought to be the reason the Smokies are so diverse in plants and animals. The wide variation in elevation - from 6,643 feet at the mountain tops to 875 feet at the lowest level - makes for amazing and prolonged season changes.
In 2001 the park service reintroduced elk and added more to the herd a few years later. They monitor them with radio collars and thus far have felt it a successful operation. You might also see deer, black bears, wild turkeys, plenty of birds (over 240 species) and salamanders. Yes, the Great Smoky Mountains are known as the salamander capital of the world!
Fishing is big in the Smokies. You'll need either a Tennessee fishing license or a North Carolina fishing license to fish the park.
Buy your Tennessee fishing license online here.
Buy your North Carolina fishing license here.
2009 celebrates the Great Smoky Mountains National Park's 75th anniversary and they have several exciting things planned. Check out their special anniversary webpage here.
Get a little "city" life just outside the park boundaries in Gatlinburg, TN and Pigeon Forge, TN. Cherokee, NC - just outside the park on the North Carolina border - is truly a Cherokee Indian community. Learn about their culture at the Oconaluftee Indian Village and take in a live outdoor re-enactment of the story behind the Cherokee “Trail of Tears” - Unto These Hills Outdoor Drama - performed in June, July and August.
Ingredients
1 large egg
1 can (15 oz) whole kernel corn
1 can (15 oz) creamed corn
1 box Jiffy Corn Muffin mix
1/2 c reduced fat sour cream
1 stick (1/2 c) butter - melted (I use Smart Balance - better for you than butter)
How-to
Preheat electric skillet to 300 degrees.
Beat egg in large mixing bowl. Add all other ingredients and mix well to combine. Pour into skillet, cover and cook until edges pull away from side of pan and are slightly brown - 20 to 30 minutes.
Oven cooking instructions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan (preferably glass). Prepare as noted above.
Bake for 1 hour
Additional Tips
Southern as classic southern dishes get, this corn casserole recipe is a snap to make, fantastic served warm or cold, and is a perfect potluck dish. In my RV it's occasionally referred to as corn pudding! Give it a go and see what you think. And remember, if you have not done so yet subscribe so you don't miss a single delicious episode and drop me a line letting me know how you like the show.
Let's Connect
Direct from my RV kitchen - part cooking class on wheels, part RV travel guide - these RV videos cook! Discover more RV destinations and camping recipes on the RV Cooking Show website.
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