I just came back from a short  trip to Tennessee and in spite of the beautiful nature and great inexpensive american shopping, the food is what I would like to remember! The state is known for its BBQ ribs:

I was surprised to see how “light” this meal can be and how delicious it can taste…

After the day’s work, I was left to myself to indulge in a few un-french dinners like the great dish of american cuisine, the unassuming simple red steak that comes to your table looking like this:

but it changes quickly to this— I like my red meat, rare…

It was of course preceded by the house salad with ranch dressing:

I was so happy to have free wi-fi everywhere I went in this trip, from airports to hotels and restaurants; I was chatting with friends and family on my phone during dinner and sending them pictures of my food especially the “pièce de resistance”, the strawberry shortcake…I don’t even like strawberries but this was too big a temptation to resist:

Everything was so clean/cheap/abundant in the U.S. that even the mediocre  P.F. Chang looked and tasted good! I couldn’t resist having their shrimp,

and garlic noodles:

After living in California and Europe, I can’t imagine living in the humid/hot/cold state with two N’s, two S’ and four E’s but I have to admit that the beauty and hospitality of Tennessee surprised me. Just look at these gorgeous red azaleas (nothing photoshopped here):

Knoxville was floating in a sea of white and pink dogwoods:

I fell in love with these dogwood trees:

Whatever wasn’t pink or white, was green…lots of green…

And more green.

America had a heart attack  a few years ago. Excess of everything: food, gas, cars, homes, etc…This trip to Tennessee gives me hope that this country is on its way to recovery…