Molding Megg

Homemade fudge was waiting for us on the table! Above the fudge is Megg during our first course with the amazing coconut, chicken, lemongrass Thai soup.
Lettuce wrap with chicken, cucumbers, rice, carrots with a savory peanut sauce.
These crisps were light and flavorful. Homemade with won ton wrappers.
This was the brie by the end of the night.
This applesauce cake had a thick layer of Carmel in the middle and the top was sweet and crunchy.

Last night I had a great opportunity to dine with some of my favorite ladies in the world. They all happen to be great actresses and guess what folks? They are nice and supportive and stable, loving people. And yes, I know them all well. Actresses get such a bad wrap. Anyway....

My dear friend Melissa, who I have known for a very long time and who I seriously learned more from about acting then she will probably ever know, invited me over to have dinner with her and her daughter, Megg. Also in tow were my talented friends Erin, Laine, and Jen. But there was a catch. We were invited to dine and then help Megg with some monologues and a song for upcoming auditions. I wasn't sure what to expect but I did know that if she was anything like her mother than she would probably be the one teaching us a thing or two.

After dinner we settled into a family room and were ready to be entertained.

I was so impressed with her poise, grace and talent that it blew me away. We all had good suggestions for her which we watched her take with gusto. It was easy to help her and fun for all of us.

Afterwards, over dessert and coffee we had fun girl talk. I laughed for so long my checks were hurting.

I have asked Melissa for the recipes from last nights meal and will edit this post to include them as soon I get them.

I wish Megg breaking of legs and all things you are supposed to say, although I don't think she needs it, she is already oozing with talent.

Thanks Melissa and Megg. What a great treat to be all together.

UPDATE:

As Promised - the recipes:

Chicken and Rice Lettuce Wraps

1 cup Jasmine rice or any flavored Thai brand rice (cook according to package directions)
2 grilled chicken breast halves, shredded
1 head Boston, Bibb or Iceberg lettuce, leaves separated
1/2 cucumber, halved lengthwise, cored, and cut into 1/8 inch thick matchsticks
2 carrots, peeled, halved, and cut into matchsticks
OR 1/2 bag matchstick carrots
3 scallions cut into 3-inch long thin strips
Torn fresh mint leaves, basil leaves, and cilantro

DRESSING:
1/2 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
6 tbls mayonnaise
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup finely chopped, peeled fresh ginger
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1/2 tsp sesame oil

Puree all dressing ingredients in a blender until smooth.

To Assemble: Put all ingredients in bowls on a platter with ginger dressing on the side. Start with rice and layer ingredients inside lettuce leaf. Sprinkle with herb leaves and drizzle with dressing.
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Sesame Wonton Crisps

1 tbl vegetable oil
2 tsp cornstarch
12 square wonton wrappers, thawed if frozen
2 tbl sesame seeds, toasted
1 tsp sea salt

Preheat oven to 375. Stack wonton wrappers and halve diagonally. Arrange in single layer on a large baking sheet and brush tops with oil mixture. Sprinkle evenly with sesame seeds and salt and bake in middle of oven until golden brown, about 5 to 6 minutes. Transfer crisps as browned to a rack to cool. Can be made 1 day ahead and keep in an airtight container at room temperature.
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Old-Fashioned Caramel Applesauce Spice Cake

Cake:
1 box spice cake mix
3/4 cup liquid egg substitute
1 1/4 cups applesauce
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 cup fat-free caramel dip for apples, heated slightly

Streusel:
1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 cup cold butter, slivered

Cake: Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease and flour a 9 x 13-inch baking pan. In a large mixer bowl on medium speed beat cake mix with egg substitute, applesauce and oil. Spread half of the batter in prepared pan. Bake until set, about 30 minutes.

Streusel: Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, stir together sugar, pecans, and cinnamon. Cut in butter until crumbly.

Finishing: Top partially baked cake evenly with heated apple dip and spoon remaining batter evenly over dip. Sprinkle streusel evenly over batter. Bake until set, about 15 minutes longer. Serve warm with frozen yogurt, ice cream or whipped cream.