I have a new home!

 

 

Visit me over at www.ashleyandcharlie.net !

Lemongrass Asparagus Chicken

A couple of months ago, Charlie and I purchased a Williams and Sonoma “Weeknight” cook book with some of our gift card money from our wedding. I’m really starting to love that thing, everything we have tried has actually turned out to be pretty tasty.

Lemongrass Asparagus Chicken:

2 chicken breasts, cut into very thin pieces

2 T minced ginger

2 T minced garlic

~1/2 lb asparagus spears, cut into 1-2 inch pieces

3/4 C chicken broth

2 T fish sauce

1 stalk lemongrass, only the bulb

2 T sesame oil

S+P

Start by stir frying the chicken with salt and pepper (Of course I used Mortons Light Salt, but use what you want) over high heat with the oil, about 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a plate.

Add ginger, lemongrass, and garlic to the oil, stir fry for about 30 seconds. Add the asparagus and stir fry for 2-3 minutes.

Add the chicken broth (I used no sodium, fat free) and fish sauce to the pan and bring to a simmer. Return the chicken to the pan, reduce to medium-low, and simmer for 1 minute to heat. Serve over brown rice.

 

I loved this stir fry! It was super fragrant from all the garlic, ginger and lemongrass, and the brown rice was creamy and a little starchy..perfecto! The fish sauce totally made it even more enjoyable ;) I think Chelsea would have liked it..

We also tried a chicken cous cous with cinnamon and cumin that was actually a result of combining a couple of recipes. This one needs work, but we used plan ol 2 cups cous cous, juice of 1 lemon, drizzle of olive oil, 1 T garlic, 1/2 t cumin, 1/2 t cinnamon, 3 cups chicken broth,  diced mango, and some roasted chicken breasts.

We started by zesting the lemon and squeezing the juice into a sauce pan over high heat. Then we added a couple of tablespoons of olive oil, then the garlic—stir fried for 1-2 minutes.  Then we added the cumin and cinnamon, then broth and brought to a boil. Reduce to medium-low heat and simmer for 5 minutes to blend the flavors.

Then add the cous cous, re-cover the pan, and remove from heat.  Let stand until liquid is absorbed, about 5 minutes.  Fluff with fork, serve with diced mango and chicken..

It was good, but very cumin-y. I would add lots of dried fruit to it, as well as some cilantro and almonds. oh well :)

In Ozzy news, he loves going to the park!

 

 

Can't wait for Julies wedding this weekend! More to come later…

Butternut Squash Zoup

Since Fall is here I thought I would try some squash recipes.  The only “squash” I even like is Zucchini, so I went out on the limb here..

Our neighbors belong to a food co-op and get a plethora of goodies on a weekly basis that they can’t always get through, so we get the left overs :)

I was surprised at how much we got! All organic: Leeks, baby bok choy, garlic, shallots, apples, oranges, the best grapes I have ever had, butternut squash, delicata (peanut) squash, carrots..a whole bag of goodies!

I tried out a butternut squash recipe because the pictures of the soup always look soo good and vibrant. I started by halving the squash and scooping out the seeds..this was just a lil guy:

I chopped it into quarters and roasted them in the oven at 350* for about 35 minutes in a couple tablespoons of water to get them soft for soup makin’!

While that was cooking, I chopped 1/2 of a small white onion, a couple of carrots, including this two-fer-one:

and also two medium taters..

I lightly sauteed the onions in a bit of olive oil, then added the carrots and potatoes to warm. Then I added a cup or two of water, and a cup or two of chicken broth and let it simmer for about 30 minutes.  I also cooked 1/2 cup lentils to add to the soup at this point.

When the squash was done, I scooped out the soft flesh and put it in our brand spankin new food processor! I also added the potatoes, carrots, onions, a splash of chicken broth, and lentils. I had to do this in two batches because there was a lot.

I also added  about 1/2 T fresh grated ginger, 2 t minced garlic, salt, and pepper.

Whizzed for a minute or two, the ingredients were combined and made a nice thick “split pea soup” like texture. I reincorporated it back into the simmering broth on the stove to bring it more of a soup temperature ;)

The result:

I really liked it! I realized that after it was all said and done, I liked it a lot more watery, so from the 2nd bowl on, I added more hot water or chicken broth to thin it out. I also really liked it with a pinch of curry powder on top—yum! Charlie even had a bowl, and he hates squash ;)

Also, on Friday, Charlie had a man date with one of this friends, who was kind enough to bring along his dog, Bella. Ozzy developed a little crush on her in her little pink sweater, I think, and begged me to put his sweater on him so he could impress ;)

What a stud :)

We also played at the park a couple of days ago. Funniest pictures ever! 

And this is what a tired Ozzy looks like…

 

Happy Halloween to everyone, as well!

Charlie went as Matthew Lesko, the “get free money from the government” guy..Check out those shoes!

I went as Little Red Riding Hood, and Ozzy was the littlest witch..

Happy Halloween!

Happy 3 months!

Not that I will be doing a really obnoxious countdown as every month of marriage passes..but Charlie and I actually did a little celebrating over the weekend, so there!

We had wanted to stay at a bed and breakfast a couple of weekends ago, but nearly every room in Stillwater, MN was booked..so on a whim I actually had this past Saturday off from my job (which never, ever happens) and the fact that my day off landed on our anniversary weekend, we thought we had better take advantage of it!

We dropped Ozzy off at grammie and grampies for the night (first he needed a bath..)

and drove about 45 minutes to Stillwater.  We got there a couple of hours before check-in, so we parked and walked down to the main drag to find some lunch. I knew right away where I wanted to go! Leo’s!

I love everything about diners. The food, the atmosphere, the hustle and bustle.

 

I was really, really happy with the menu, too! Lots of variety. I knew I was going to be having some naughty foods over the weekend, so I stuck to a small bowl of delish chili and a grilled chicken salad..which had field greens instead of bagged iceberg! The chicken was yum, and dressing on the side.

Oh! Here comes my chili!

Yum!

Charlie tried a pumpkin malt..

It passed my test, considering I dislike pumpkin ;)

Charlie got his usual BLT and it passed his test, too.

After walking around a bit, we headed up to our Bed and Breakfast, The Ann Bean Mansion. We loved the pictures we saw online, and booked the tower room, which was the only room with two levels. While waiting for our inn keepers, we snapped a few pics in the parlor..

Loved the house. It was so cool inside, lots of old woodwork and lots of detail. I could do without the Victorian furnishings, but would love to live in a house like this.

I didn’t manage to get a picture from the outside, but this is a picture from the Ann Bean website:

Our two rooms were the two levels above the roofline of the tower and the section on the right. So fun!

We finally checked in and climbed up to our room—lots and lots of stairs! It had a nice little nook for the bed, and an awesome gas fireplace..

We also had more of a “suite” so we got an attached bathroom that had wonderful lighting for make up application. I know my mom would appreciate that ;)

And off to the left, we had a separate room with a jacuzzi tub. I love this room; it was so bright and airy..

And finally..the whole reason why we picked this room..the secret little stair case!

   How cool is this! A little nook at the top of the tower!

Clearly my favorite part of the place :)

After we got settled in, it was back down to main street for some shoppin and scenery…

   I think I even spotted Amelia! Amelia Earhart!

 

A giant pumpkin just waiting for pictures!

Oh my! An Olde Thyme Candy Shoppe!

Inside a paper store, was its very own man room. I made Charlie go in for the picture :)

       We even spotted some Stillwater cowboys and their horsies!

Inside some shop..

A nice little rock cliff we saw..

  

Charlie’s Pub..which we didn't even eat at!

We had planned on going to a nice restaurant, and there were really only two to choose from. We got all dolled up to hit the town.

Only to find out that the only two really nice restaurants had 2 hour waits! I suppose that's what you get when there is only two :( So we decided to go to Whitey’s Saloon, which had really good food! I don’t need no hoity toity white napkin service in the end anyways :)

After dinner we went and had some gelato and went on a haunted cave tour which I was convinced wasn’t a real cave. I guess Charlie did some research and it was indeed a real cave..but the tour was really lame. Shh, don’t tell Charlie..

Then it was back the the Bean!

In the morning we had the choice to either go down to the dining room and have breakfast with the other guests, or have it brought up to our room. Can you guess which one we chose? Breakfast in bed, of course! The spread was wonderful and really surpassed my expectations. It came nicely on a tray, which Charlie wonderfully and cautiously brought up to our nook at the top of the tower. That tiny staircase really required some maneuvering, too..

Charlie tuned the radio to some soothing Beethoven as we dined..

We had an egg crepe like bowl with chives that encased two poached eggs, bacon, and tomato sitting atop a balsamic drizzle which was divine. I only had a few bites because it was very rich, but so interesting.

We also each got a mini crème brule which I don’t like, but had a little nibble then gave the rest to Charles. We also had fresh berry muffins which were very good, and a “drunken” fig which was a fig in a red wine sauce on top of some yogurt and a sprinkle of granola. If I liked wine, I would have enjoyed it more..but it was tasty nonetheless!

Complete with some cute s+p shakers! You know I love anything miniature :]

And some hot coffee in a gen-you-wine Ann Bean mug!

So we got all packed up and ready to go, with some final shots with Ann..

It was a nice stay :)

And our finds from Stillwater, MN:

1 Sock Monkey ornament

1 traditional pickle ornament from the Katie Wolfhart (lololol) shop

  1 antique cuckoo clock spoon

1 antique spoon with donkey :)

I have been looking and looking for a couple of unique small spoons for stirring my coffee and such, and I found not one but two very unique ones! I am so excited :) 

Now I’m off to bring Ozzy for a nice long walk, then its cleanin time!