Wednesday Dinner 12/29/10

Hola!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well, well, WELL! This is my last blog for 2010 and this has been a wonderful year. Not everything has worked out the way I wanted it to however it worked out. Everything I prayed for I got and then some, I fell in love a few times (hahaha) got over it, gained some understanding, patched up some broken relationship and just LIVED my life! I don't really do resolutions, I do goals and so far my goals are to get closer to God, grow as a woman, get more money, secure my financial future, travel, spend more time with my family and friends, give back and just continue to live so with that being said I hope everyone has a SAFE, FUN & WONDERFUL New Years Eve!!!!! Now, let the "Wednesday Dinner" story begin, yesterday it was just me, myself & I again. I was just not in the mood to do anything other than go home yesterday, I thought I was going to be raining all day so I decided I would cook but this tricky California weather had me fooled! It stopped raining and the sun came out to play. So I decided I would try something I've been wanting to cook for a while. Years ago my Uncle Joey used to make fish and he would cook the fish with vinegar and onions (I know, sounds weird but its good). Then I got another idea to try and make succotash (minus the Lima Beans) for the first time, so the menu was Baked Red Snapper, Potatoes and Succotash and here is what I used to cook everything:

1 Red Snapper (Fillet)
2 Potatoes
2 Tablespoons of Vinegar
1/2 Stick of Butter
Seasoning Salt
Black Pepper
Rosemary
Mrs. Dash (Yellow)
1 Red Bell Pepper
2 Slices of Onion
1 1/2 Cups of Frozen Corn

First I had to peel the potatoes (so not fun) then cutting them up was a task. I steamed them with a pot steamer for about 20 minutes. Once the potatoes were done, I drained the water and put butter in the pot added the potatoes and mixed in the rosemary and Mr. Dash. I don't measure my seasoning I just have an eye for what looks and taste right (hahaha). Then it was time to try this succotash out, I love corn! It's one of my favorite veggies and red bell peppers are always yummy! I am just not a fan of lima beans, so in a small skillet I melted some butter and dropped in the bell peppers, covered it and let it simmer for about 5 minutes. Then I added the frozen corn, covered it back up and let the simmer for about 15 minutes. I had to drained all the access butter and water from the frozen corn then I added a little more butter and seasoning salt to taste. Now it was time to bake the fish, I season the fish with black pepper and seasoning salt on both sides. I cut the fish in half and put 1 tablespoon of vinegar on each piece of fish, topped it off with some sliced onions and a slice of butter for each piece. Covered the fish with foil and let it bake for about 25 minutes. Now all the smells were coming together and it was time to plate my food! It looked and smelled so good; I didn't have a glass of wine with this meal. I kept it PG and had water. I must say so myself that was one of my best meals "Ash you did your thang on that there" hahaha! I enjoyed my meal and just took a moment to reflect on my 2010, it’s been a good ride. So if you would like to get on the "Wednesday Dinner" 2011 movement drop me a line wednesdaydinnerwithash@yahoo.com and follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/wednesdaydinner. In closing I would like to leave you with this "Look back and thank God. Look forward and trust God". Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Love always, -Ashley

Wednesday Dinner 12/22/2010

Good morning my loves and whew what a week we've had in California with all this rain. I have enjoyed every minute of it; there is something about the rain that just makes me want to be quiet and still! And yesterday was no different, there was thunder, lightning, hail and then a rainbow and then more rain last night so I decided I was going straight home after work to make dinner and chill ALONE. This week I've been overly exhausted and haven't gotten much sleep, I knew that trying to have dinner out in this rain wasn't going to happen and I was totally fine with that. So let the "Wednesday Dinner" story begin. Years ago my Aunt made a dish and I fell in love with it, it’s called Chicken Parmesan. Yea I know every Italian restaurant serves it however I never knew before she made it how easy it was to make! I knew that the Chicken Parmesan would do the trick, it was raining out and I wanted something good to eat. I decided to pair the Chicken Parmesan up with a Caesar Salad and Garlic Toast. Here are the items I used:


Ragu Original Spaghetti Sauce
Spaghetti Noodles
2 Tyson Breaded Chicken Fillets
Mozzarella Cheese
Caesar Salad (In a Bag)

This dish is so easy a cave man can make it (HAHAHAHA), no but it’s really easy. First I warmed the spaghetti sauce in a sauce pan, I added a little garlic salt and sugar to taste. I let that simmer for about 20 minutes, and then I moved on to the chicken breast. The chicken breasts were frozen, so I put them in the microwave for about 2 1/2 minutes. I lightly fried the chicken breast because I knew once the spaghetti sauce got on them they would get soggy and I didn't want that. Then it was time to boil the noodles and I must say I am really no good at noodles and rice (sad face) but anyway the noodles boiled for about 10-15 minutes. Then it was time to put it all together, 1st I took the noodles and mixed them with the spaghetti sauce and placed them in my casserole dish. Then I topped the noodles off with some mozzarella cheese, and then I dipped the chicken breast in the spaghetti sauce and placed them over the noodles, poured the remaining sauce of over the chicken and noodles and then put some mozzarella cheese over the chicken breast. I threw that in the oven for about 25 minutes, and then the salad was easy I mean its salad in a bag sheesh! The garlic toast baked for about 10 minutes. Now it was time to plate my food and grub! I ate half of one full chicken breast along with the salad and garlic toast and a nice glass of Stella Rosa! At sat my butt right in front of the T.V and enjoyed my dinner; I was watching Top Chef while I was eating. After I ate I was full, I got back on the couch and took about a 2 hour nap! My dinner came out great and I enjoyed myself! If you like to join the "Wednesday Dinner" club drop me a line wednesdaydinnerwithash@yahoo.com and follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/wednesdaydinner. In closing I would like to leave you with this "Look back and thank God, look forward and trust God" until next week Merry Christmas- Ashley

Wednesday Dinner 12/15/10

GOOD MORNING! and first let me start by saying I am sooooooo sorry I didn't post anything last week, I did do "Wednesday Dinner" it was in honor of my dad, it was his birthday so I made dinner and had my family over. I love my Dad and he had a wonderful birthday last week. So last nights dinner was with my good friend Maurice. Maurice and I went to high school together and we weren't close in high school, we knew each other and spoke but we didn't really hang out. As of about a year ago our friendship has blossomed and I really appreciate him as a friend. Maurice and I had dinner earlier this year and I had a wonderful time, so I figured we needed to do it again before the year is over. So let the "Wednesday Dinner" story begin. Maurice and I met last night at Tinga (http://www.tingabuena.com/), Tinga is located on LaBrea right between 1st & 2nd street, and I believe they haven't been open long but by the look of the crowd you couldn't tell. When Maurice and I got there it wasn't too crowded but by the time we left it was packed. Tinga is a small little place that puts a huge twist on your classic Mexican food. Serving different types of Tacos on home made taco shells, tamales, rice, beans, corn, etc. Tinga is a really cute place its not to fancy but it’s also not dull at all. A cute modern long table in the middle of the restaurant, a bar and a few tables on the side. They don't serve alcohol however you can bring your own if you desire. There isn't a waiter that comes and takes your order and there are no menus to place on the table. The menu is written on a few chalkboards in cute little colors. You have to order and pay in full at the front and then take your seat. The staff there was super cool; they offered their own recommendations and were attentive and helpful. I felt so bad because this time I was late and I had Maurice waiting. But he got over it, so it was time to order and here is what we got:

Pechuga- 2 Short Rib Tacos, Salsa Verde, Potatoes, and Quesco Fresco
Flat Iron Steak Tacos- Chipotle Tortillas, Tomato Avocado Relish, Dog Snout Salsa, Pickled Red Onions, Queso Fresco, Lime Chipotle Escabeche
Elote Especial- Grilled Sweet Corn, Creamy Lime, Chilli, Poblano Puree
Black Beans- Soaked in Dos Equis with veggies
Chicken Nachos- Thick Tortilla Chips, Chicken Tinga, Creama and Guacamole
2 Watermelon Lemonades
Dolce something or another for dessert

All the food is served on what appears to be recyclable plates with utensils as well. I felt like we ordered so much food and boy was I right. So the food came out and it was time to grub, Maurice and I agreed that everything was on point and good. Maurice’s fav's which I picked up on where the black beans, and the tacos. My favs were the nachos, lemonade and the dessert. The food came out it was hot and fresh, and I knew that I was going to be so full once it was all said and done. Over dinner Maurice and I talked about everything! I had to share with him a recent message I received from someone we both know and it surprised me that Maurice knew exactly who I was talking about before I even said the persons name, crazy right? RIGHT! But nonetheless Maurice schooled me and told me how to handle the situation. Maurice also filled me in on his love life and he is hilarious! He has the funniest laugh and wonderful spirit! I am so glad that we are closer now! Dinner came up to about $50 which isn't bad because we had hella food. I enjoyed dinner and I look for to many more dinners and hangouts with Maurice! Thanks for dinner and coming out Mo! It was fun as usual! I highly recommend you get familiar with Tinga. If you would like to get on the "Wednesday Dinner" frontline drop me a line wednesdaydinnerwithash@yahoo.com also follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/wednesdaydinner. In closing I would like to leave you with this "Play your role as only you can" until next week MUAH!-Ashley

Wednesday Dinner 12/1/10

GOOD MORNING!!!!!!!!!!!! My bad for not blogging but I was on a 24 hour food fast do to Turkey day, however I am back, well rested and happy to report I did not gain and extra turkey day weight (hahaha). So let this weeks "Wednesday Dinner" story begin. As I mentioned previously I would be switching up by cooking and dinning out, so yesterday I was in the kitchen getting my cook on (HA). I had decided to make an agent Chinese dish that’s been around for centuries, the well known "Fried Rice" (hahaha) along with some chicken egg rolls. I had never made fried rice before but I figured this can go 1 of 2 ways, it can turn out good or it can turn out bad. So I thought what the hell, here goes nothing. I decided to use chicken and shrimp for the fried rice and the egg rolls were store bought so that wasn't going to take much time. Below are the ingredients that were needed for the fried rice:


2 Cups of cooked rice
2 Eggs
3 Green onions
1/2 Cup of shredded carrots
1 Cup of diced chicken
1 Cup of chopped shrimp
1/2 Teaspoon of soy sauce
1 Packet of Fried Rice Mix
2 Tablespoons of oil
1 Box of Market Fresh Mini Chicken Egg Rolls

The 1st thing I did was make my minute rice, and surprisingly it came out perfect. I am not the best rice cooker but can you really mess up minute rice? Once the rice was cooked it was time to do my chicken and carrots. In a skillet I used extra virgin olive oil and butter to sauté the chicken, I seasoned the chicken with seasoning salt, pepper and garlic salt. In a smaller skillet I sautéed the carrots with a little bit of butter. The carrots were fresh and needed to be cooked per the instructions on the rice packet. Next it was time to cook the shrimp; I seasoned the shrimp with the same salts as the chicken. After all that chopping and cooking I was getting a little tired but dinner had to get made, after all the meat and carrots were done it was time to put it all together. I had to put the oil in a skillet add the green onions and the rice, mix that and then it was time to add the rice mix and soy sauce. That’s when the rice started to look like what fried rice should, all the flavors were coming together and it smelled good. Next I added the chicken and shrimp, and then it got tricky......I had to push all that to the side and add the egg, so I did that. I put the top on the skillet and let the egg along with everything else cook for about 15 minutes. During the wait time I put the egg rolls in the oven for about 15 minutes, after the egg rolls were done everything was made and it was time to plate my food. Now it was time to see if it all came together as expected AND................ IT DID!!!! The rice was so YUMMY the only thing I could have done different was fried the egg rolls rather than bake them but now I know for next time. There was enough rice left over for me to have lunch today, which is always a plus. Over dinner I had a little time to think and I am starting to get that "I want a boyfriend" itch (yea I know, I'm sure it will pass). Am I ready to try love and a relationship all over again? Am I just feeling this way because it’s the Holiday season? Or do I really want a MAN? Who knows, I'll take it for what it is and see what happens. I suggest you log on and stay tuned (HA). If you would like to get in the "Wednesday Dinner" kitchen drop me a line wednesdaydinnerwithash@yahoo.com , follow me on Twitter www.twitter.com/wednesdaydinner. In closing I would like to leave you with this "Tell me and I forget. Show me and I remember. Involve me and I understand. Until next week stay true to you- Ashley.