Jersey Rock Artist of the Week: Ashley McKinley

Rocking The Bowery Electric in New York City on December 29!

Jersey Rock vet Ashley McKinley is a talented singer/song-writer who can seamlessly transition between music scenes.  Whether it's Nashville, New York City, or right here in New Jersey, Ashley is right at home behind the mic.  With her guitar in hand, she projects a gentle, elegant presence.  Her lyrics come from life experience and her melodies come from the heart.

Ashley McKinley spent much of the last several years honing her craft in Nashville, Tennessee, while attending Belmont University. Majoring in songwriting, she trained under world class musicians while regularly performing across one of America's biggest music towns.   We're excited to watch her grow as a performer and we're stoked she recently returned to the area.

To date, Ashley McKinley has released a number of great singles, along with her debut album "Wishful Thinking."  You can find all of her music at ashleymckinley.com.

While Ashley McKinley has released a lot of great music, a new single exists that has yet to be released.  We're excited to premiere it this week on Jersey Rock!  Speaking of the new tune Ashley said:

"Written Before" definitely showcases another side of Ashley McKinley's musicality.  We're confident it will prove an excellent addition to her live set.  Speaking of which, your next chance to see Ashley McKinley live will come just days ahead of New Years Eve.  Before we ring in 2024, Ashley will perform at the Bowery Electric in New York City on Friday December 29 .  Speaking of the show, Ashley said:

It's an all ages show. Doors are at 6:30 pm and tickets can be purchased at ashleymckinley.com, or directly from the Bowery Electric HERE.

Tune to Jersey Rock on 95.9 The RAT Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 11:30 pm to hear selections from across Ashley McKinley's catalog.  Ashley McKinley will call in to the show each night!

Check out the video for Ashley's latest holiday single "When I Get Home"!

For The the Tastiest Empanadas Try These Ocean County Places!

Empanadas have become incredibly popular. I remember I first heard about empanadas was when I was growing up in the suburbs of Long Island.

My friend Maggie and her family made them all the time and always shared them with us after school.

I don’t think I can truly pinpoint exactly where empanadas originated, although I’ve read that the earliest references are found in ancient Persia, long before Jesus was born. But I believe it was the Spanish who brought them to North America.

I love anything wrapped in dough that can be baked, boiled, or fried.

I have enjoyed many cultural variations of dough filled with meats, cheeses, vegetables, and seafood.

The Italians have calzones. The folks from India have samosas. Then there is the Jamaican beef patty, one of my favorites. The Eastern Europeans gave us knishes & pierogis. The Chinese created bao, and the Greeks created spanakopita. I can go on all day talking about all kinds of food surrounded by dough.

I’ve been making empanadas for the last few months using ready made Goya brand empanada discs  You can find them in the frozen section in just about any grocery store. I like to bake rather than fry them.

A Brief History Of Empanadas

I’ve made chicken sausage empanadas, pulled pork empanadas, and blueberry cheesecake empanadas in recent months.
I plan on making the dough from scratch in my next attempt.  It's really easy and a lot cheaper than buying the ready made discs.

An empanada dough recipe requires only a handful of ingredients, all purpose flour, salt, egg, cold water and butter, and it comes together in no time flat. We’re talking less than 15 minutes.

When I’m not making empanadas, I enjoy getting them from a few different places. I often ask others for their opinions on which place makes the best empanadas. I used to go to the Empanada Guy’s food truck whenever he popped up at a local event, but now I can find his empanadas in some of the local grocery stores.

Right now, I'm going to share some places in Ocean County that are known for making great empanadas. All of these places were suggested by the locals and people on my favorite food pages.

This Columbian-Mexican eatery is one of my favorite restaurants in town. When asked about the best empanadas in Toms River, the locals on my town's community page gave this place high marks. It's no surprise to me!

https://elfamiliar.com/

Margo came to the USA in 1989 from Medellin, Colombia. She began working at a restaurant and her new-found dream was to open up a family bistro where she could show her heart in her cuisine. This is when she really began to understand the power of food and how it connects us to one another in a more meaningful way. 

Margo knows exactly how to excite your tastebuds. The community boards rave about her food, especially the freshly made empanadas.

I first heard about Mendoza's when an acquaintance mentioned that she had some amazing chicken and cheese arepas with chicharron, along with a few other mouthwatering dishes. Empanadas were part of the conversation, and she said, "You'll fall in love."

If you're going for a meal, go hungry. This place serves hefty portions. Make sure part of your order includes their fabulous empanadas.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/la-jarochita-manahawkin

This family owned eatery would certainly qualify as a hidden gem! A great place for a hearty breakfast, lunch, and early dinner. The empanadas are freshly made and stuffed with love.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/mi-pueblito-eagleswood

Excellent food & service are the first things mentioned from folks who've had the pleasure of dining here.  Most people I've spoken to have given  a thumbs up to the empanadas.

https://www.yelp.com/biz/mexico-lindo-brick-2