Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 26

Currently Crushing On.

Happy weekend!

First up, I started a new substack called curated cravings! It’s a little bit more personal than here, so subscribe if you’d like! Nothing is changing here, it’s just extra content that is new and exciting. Plus some sneak peeks from the book!

HUGE news! I released the bonus cookbook if you preorder a copy of Easy Everyday.

This week on the blog I shared this pretzel crusted chicken with honey mustard arugula. I also shared this shaved asparagus salad with brioche croutons, a lot of my favorite spring recipes and this crispy fish sandwich with chopped slaw!

I also shared my easter faves, kids’ easter basket items and spring favorites too!

And I shared a bunch of my favorite home items since moving last year!

You can find all my favorites in my amazon store front and LTK shop!

There’s a new menu for the week and a new peek inside our everyday life.

You can finally order a copy of my next book, Easy Everyday. I would be so thrilled if you ordered today! And be sure to join the Facebook group for the super fun community!

xo

WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK

Love tres leches cake. Yum.

Roasted strawberry smoothie bowls. Delish.

I need these turkey falafel meatballs.

This chocolate mousse pie is unreal.

Southwest chicken bowls sounds really good!

Always making best ever deviled eggs.

Lemon lime bundt cake! How fun!

Craving these lemon meringue bars.

Lemon meringue cookies are also stunning.

I love these quesadilla dippers!

Root beer smash burgers for the win!

Definitely trying this beef and broccoli recipe.

Sesame beef lettuce cups also look fab.

I love a fresh farro salad!

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Crispy Fish Sandwiches with Chopped Banana Pepper Slaw.

We love a good fish sandwich!  These crispy fish sandwiches with slaw are crunchy and light. The fish is served with lots of banana pepper slaw on top. The slaw is simple and super crunchy and packs a flavorful punch. Perfect dish to make when you’re craving a fish sandwich!

It’s fish fry season over here!

We love a good fish sandwich. This fish is pan-fried until light and crispy, thrown on a baguette with tons of tangy chopped slaw to enjoy. It is so satisfying and tastes just as good as a fish fry sandwich you can get anywhere on a Friday during lent! 

I always forget how much I love a fish sandwich until this time of year. The crispy fish… the creamy sauces, some have slaw, some don’t, the brioche or rustic bun… it’s all so delish. I’ve made fish sandwiches with kale slaw and even air fryer beer battered fish!  

Also, I’m not embarrassed to say that I’ve made many of the crispy fish filets from costco at home. They come frozen in a box. And they are fine! They are even good at times. But making it at home like this is superior. 

It’s really very simple and tastes amazing! 

I like to use cod filets for this recipe. I use a simple mixture of seasoned breadcrumbs and panko for extra crunch. Then I just do an easy dredge and pan fry. 

Dip in egg.

Dip in breadcrumbs.

Pan-fry until crispy and golden. 

The fish doesn’t take long at all and it’s why I love it so much. It’s practically foolproof and so much easier than chicken. It cooks quicker, so the outsides get crisp and golden brown and the inside remains buttery and flaky.

Texture heaven!! 

I make fish like this all the time – whether it’s homemade fish sticks, filets like this that can be eaten on a sandwich or in tacos or even added to a salad. It’s SO good and we all love it. 

The cod is also mild enough for my kids to enjoy. It’s just easy and delicious all around! (more…)

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28 Of My Favorite Spring Recipes!

These 28 recipes for spring will get you super excited for the season! Refreshing and bright flavors with a few spring soups, salads, pizza and more. Bountiful dishes that make you excited to cook again and create vibrant plates. 

Spring is here and I am all over these delicious meals.

Today I have 28 of my favorite spring dishes for you and oh man do I love them so much.

I am all about these delish spring recipes. The first three months of the year are always rough here when it comes to produce – it feels like so little is fresh. Finally, I’m getting my hands on some good asparagus and that’s just the start. The recipes below highlight some of my favorite ingredients in the spring season and are perfect to make this weekend!

Everything is so bright and fresh and full of vibrance and flavor. I love a mix of refreshing dishes and cozy meals in the spring, when it’s warm in the sunshine but cooler at night.

28 Favorite Recipes For Spring

(more…)

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Shaved Asparagus Salad with Brioche Croutons.

I love a good asparagus salad! This one is filled with shaved asparagus, chickpeas, sliced almonds and feta cheese. Topped with light and crunchy brioche croutons, the texture is amazing! Finish it off with honey mustard vinaigrette for the best flavor ever.

Spring salads are here!

This asparagus salad is full of so many crunchy toppings, is super satisfying and drizzled in my favorite dressing of all time. 

It’s the perfect dish for spring or even your Easter brunch! 

On one hand it feels like spring has taken forever to arrive – and on the other it has come quickly! I am super excited to usher it in with a lot of my favorite produce.

Including asparagus, of course!

These crisp little spears are so versatile and we all really love them in my house. Sure, the kids may need them roasted and showered in parmesan but they do love it! And that makes everything better.

Every few years I get the urge to shave the asparagus spears and make a salad with them. It’s not the easiest thing in the world, but once you get started, it goes pretty quickly. I LOVE how tender the asparagus ribbons become, especially when tossed in a dressing. 

And they are crisp themselves, plus then we have lots of toppings of course!

Chickpeas.

Sliced almonds. 

Feta cheese! 

Oh and croutons of course. 

Croutons made with brioche bread, which are amazing. 

The brioche croutons are so light and crisp. The pillowy bread gets so crunchy in the oven and it makes the perfect croutons. And while I love the big crunch, crushing the brioche croutons over the salad is my favorite thing to do.

In fact, I do it with most croutons! It always gives more overall texture to a salad than regular crouton chunks. It’s just like having crunchy bread crumbs all over the salad.

Finally, a big drizzle of honey mustard vinaigrette all over the salad finishes things off. Yes, I use this dressing all the time! It’s so tangy and savory with a hint of sweetness. Definitely a major love here. 

It’s also a great base to add in some leftover chicken or even something like shrimp! Or serve it on the side with some salmon too. (more…)

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Tuesday Things.

1. New substack loading!! Today we’re 4 weeks out from my next book and I’m launching my substack to celebrate! A sneak peek recipe too!

2. I must must must make this lemon pie. Best I’ve ever seen.

3. Might be the best thing one of my kids has ever said. Jordan told me there was a bug on his “upside down wall.” The ceiling!! Now I can’t stop calling it the upside down wall.

4. What do you want more of in life?

5. I still can’t get enough of this iced cherry chai. I think I need to give it up for lent.

6. I’m in major spring clean mode! Here are the best spring cleaning tips.

7. TV things! White Lotus… what! Also 1923 telling us where the train station started!

8. Things to never keep on your kitchen island. I can’t stand when there is anything on my island – I wish I could use it for decor but I prefer it completely clean!

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Pretzel Crusted Chicken with Honey Mustard Arugula.

We’re obsessed with this pretzel crusted chicken! It’s super crunchy and savory, topped with an arugula salad drizzled with honey mustard vinaigrette. Plus, lots of shaved parmesan! Delish.

Just when we thought chicken cutlets couldn’t get any better!

This pretzel crusted chicken is super crunchy and savory, topped with an arugula salad dressed with honey mustard vinaigrette. It’s flavorful, filling and such an easy meal! A lovely little dish to make for dinner.

Like just look at that crunch!

This is one of those dinners I like to make when we want something simple but not too heavy. Or maybe it’s just me at home for dinner. Girl dinner for one.

Or maybe we had a late lunch and just want something light.

This fits the bill!

So, I’ve shared a few pretzel crusted chicken recipes before. Pretzel crusted chicken fingers: a major fave. And the starter to howsweeteats house sauce. 

I’ve also made some pretzel chicken salads and what not. Also with honey mustard!

And just recently: pretzel crusted buffalo chicken bites.

My method on breading the chicken has changed a little bit and oh my, these are good. I freaking LOVE the savory flavor of the chicken. It’s so crunchy and crispy.

I make the chicken just like I do my regular chicken cutlets. Right in the pan. Super crispy, thin and crunchy. Delish! 

For years I’ve been making baked parmesan chicken with arugula salad and this is just like that. 

But different! Just a little twist.

Pan-fried, pretzel crusted and topped with super tangy honey mustard arugula.

It just sounds better. And it IS a little better. More flavor, or rather… different flavor.

Yes, my honey mustard vinaigrette, the one that is straight up drinkable. It is DREAMY. It’s not a creamy honey mustard dressing (I don’t love this) or thick. It’s vinegary and briney but also sweet and mustardy. 

I also love it for dipping! (more…)

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A Week In The Life, Vol 11.

We had a week!

It was a full one.

Made some perfect pita.

Dentist appointments for all!

They actually love the dentist.

Still obsessed.

Lots of crafts around here!

Kind of want to frame this.

The weather was gorgeous!

This is what we call the nugget room.

Scoot scoot.

And!!! The last weekend of the hockey season.

Tryouts for next year are in 5 minutes, but we’re still so sad it’s over!

Fish fry season.

Cousin time!

Jordan could live outside.

Top golf for some hockey fun.

Cousin snuggles at grandmas.

And birthday party fun!

Last game of the season today!

It’s been the best season ever with a great team!

Birthday party circuit.

And now off to dye the milk green.

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What To Eat This Week: 3/16/25.

Spring is coming!!

What’s on your menu this week?!

What To Eat This Week

Guinness pot pie with beef bread biscuits

Blackened chicken chopped salad

White pizza frittata

French onion meatloaf

Crab cake caesar 

Chickpea crunch salad

Pickle lovers egg salad

Brown butter pistachio granola

The post What To Eat This Week: 3/16/25. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Currently Crushing On.

Hey hey weekend!

HUGE news! I released the bonus cookbook if you preorder a copy of Easy Everyday.

This week on the blog, I shared this french onion chicken meatloaf. I also shared these artichoke fritters with goat cheese and a crab cake caesar salad.

I also shared my easter faves, kids’ easter basket items and spring favorites too!

And I shared a bunch of my favorite home items since moving last year!

You can find all my favorites in my amazon store front and LTK shop!

There’s a new menu for the week and a new peek inside our everyday life.

You can finally order a copy of my next book, Easy Everyday. I would be so thrilled if you ordered today! And be sure to join the Facebook group for the super fun community!

xo

WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK

Funfetti dip. My kids would flip.

Craving this chipotle chicken corn chowder.

Strawberry shortcake sheet cake. Love.

Obsessed with these carrot cake cookies.

No knead sandwich bread! Making this for sure.

The best ground beef tacos.

Focaccia bread pizza!! This is incredible.

Make a corned beef panzanella for the weekend!

Banana pudding is my fave.

Cutest surprise easter bundt cakes.

Pull apart meatball sliders look SO good.

‘Tis the season for asparagus soup!

Classic lemon bars are my lifeline.

The post Currently Crushing On. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Crab Cake Caesar with Old Bay Croutons.

My favorite crab cake caesar salad! This recipe is dreamy – a classic, fresh caesar salad made with my homemade greek yogurt dressing, buttery crab cakes, old bay croutons and lots of parmesan cheese. So refreshing and delicious!

OH how I love this meal! 

This crab cake caesar salad is amazing, made with buttery lump crab cakes, old bay croutons, my homemade greek yogurt caesar dressing and crisp romaine lettuce.

Add in some lime seltzer or prosecco and this is a dream meal.

Light and easy. Almost refreshing. Kind of even tastes like summer. 

Exactly what I want to eat right now. 

You may recall that I had a crab cake caesar in my 2024 recipe disasters!! I have made a version of this for years, but every time I would try to get it together for the blog, it was so…blah.

Which is wild because I…

Adore my crab cake recipeAdore my greek yogurt caesar recipeFlip over caesar salad itself

So it just didn’t make sense!

But, alas, I figured it out for you so we can have the best crab cake caesar at home.

It’s a texture lovers’ dream!

First up, I put ritz crackers instead of saltines in my crab cakes. Hello, huge win! So buttery and perfect. 

Next, I made super seasoned old bay croutons. I used a multigrain sourdough bread, olive oil and old bay then toasted those babies until golden brown. Delish. 

Add in my caesar dressing, crisp romaine and some shaved parmesan and this is IT.

It’s just it.

The crab cake caesar we all need to make this season! 

Delicious, feels a little fancy, tastes amazing, is super satisfying and crunchy.

This checks all the boxes for me and I LOVE IT. 

These crab cakes were my grandma’s recipe with just a few tweaks. They have very little filler. It’s important to get GOOD jumbo lump crab meat. That will make sure these taste like restaurant quality crab cakes.  (more…)

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