Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 27

Get Your FREE(!!) Easy Everyday BONUS COOKBOOK!!

Woohoo!! We are one month out from Easy Everyday!

Today is the best day ever! Today, I’m launching the FREE bonus cookbook for Easy Everyday. This free bonus is available to you once you’ve preordered my next book, Easy Everyday which will be out on April 15!

This bonus cookbook is called MAKE IT IN A FLASH! It includes 15 brand new recipes that take 20 minutes each. Yes! 15 new 20-minute recipes that are SO DELISH. Think pan crisp tacos, caprese farro salad, creamy cacio e pepe gnocchi, honey garlic smoked sausage and more. SO many more.

All you have to do is preorder a copy of Easy Dinners and fill out this form to get your free bonus recipes. You will be sent an email with a link to download the bonus recipes!

Easy Everyday will be your new everyday recipe bible!!! 

It is packed with over 100 fantastic recipes, from breakfast to dinner to snacks to treats to mocktails and more. We have simple and flavorful dishes for every time time of day, some entertaining snacks, another one (!) of my signature sauces & dressings chapters (the fridge essentials that elevate everything!), so many tips for how I get meals prepped and ready for the week along with a lot of our family favorites. Along with so much more.

You can preorder a SIGNED COPY HERE from Penguin Bookshop!!! There are a limited number of signed copies, so if you’d like a signed book, grab one HERE!

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Bookshop.org

Books A Million

Target

Hudson Booksellers

Apple Ebook

Google Play Ebook 

If you’ve already preordered prior to today, just enter your info here.

It would mean everything to me if you preordered a copy. Preorders are the MOST important part of the book process. If you preorder, it will allow me to be able to write future books. It will let your favorite indie book stores know that Easy Everyday should be sold in stores. And it will allow me to do certain events for the book once it is released in April! I cannot thank you enough, because I only get to do this because of YOU.

Now run and get your free bonus book, so you can tell me which if your favorite new recipe!

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Artichoke Fritters with Whipped Goat Cheese.

These artichoke fritters are crispy little bits dipped in whipped goat cheese! They are wonderful – so tart and briney, mixed with parmesan cheese and pan-fried until crisp. So amazing with a hint of lemon and that whipped cheese!

Spring snack time!

These crispy artichoke fritters are the perfect fried bite to drag through whipped goat cheese with a hint of lemon. The combo of warm fritter to cool goat cheese is incredible. Not to mention, it tastes fantastic. 

When I think of artichokes, I just automatically think of spring! Sure, these used canned artichokes which we can obviously use at any point in the year. But they make me think of fresh artichokes and all their buttery goodness. 

I adore them! 

The texture of artichokes – dreamy. Even the canned and jarred versions that are briney and tangy? I live for them.

I love that they can be added to nearly everything – salads, grains, burgers, pizza and more. The options are endless and it’s a good option to have! 

And I also love a good fritter!

If you’ve ever made my apple fritters… or brussels fritters… or broccoli fritters in Everyday Dinners, then you know!

Fritters are fabulous. 

A few weeks ago, I had an artichoke goat cheese popper appetizer. OH MY GOSH. It was so good. Now it was a little deep fried cheesy bite. It wasn’t the same as a fritter. 

But since I can’t be bothered to legitimately fry anything these days, I knew I could make them just like this. Crispy fried artichoke fritters, or patties. Yes, they are essentially little artichoke patties!

And whipped goat cheese that is so creamy, it practically melts in your mouth. Warm, crisp artichokes in cold, silky goat cheese.

I think I will remember this combo forever! (more…)

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Tuesday Things.

1. Daylight savings gives me life because it’s just SO bright and light and wonderful! Having light in our kitchen so late has been life changing. Waking up from winter!

2. Sort of want to make lucky charms ice cream!

3. Definitely had a dream that there were tarantulas in my house which led me to wake up googling which states they live in.

4. What happens when we buy things we don’t need.

5. Give me an update on your favorite true crime podcasts!

6. TV things!! I started rewatching Dawson’s Creek and Eddie watched some episodes with me… it was hilarious. We’re also all caught up on 1923 and the White Lotus!

7. Slow decluttering is a thing.

8. I got an oura ring and I am obsessed. Never thought I would be.

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French Onion Chicken Meatloaf.

This french onion chicken meatloaf is a comfort food dream! Chicken meatloaf made with caramelized onions and topped with tons of melty gruyere cheese for the ultimate cozy meal. Serve with mashed potatoes to reach comfort food heaven!

Just look at this semi-fancy mess of a meal!! 

This french onion meatloaf is absolutely divine. Tender mini meatloaves blanketed with melted gruyere cheese and topped with piles of caramelized onions. They are best served over mashed potatoes, but let’s be real: you’ll be tempted to eat them straight out of the baking dish. 

I mean how can you not be!

I’m sneaking in one more cozy recipe or two before spring officially hits and we’re into allllll the fresh goodness. I mean, I can’t wait for that. But first, you must know about these french onion meatloaves!

I say meatloaves because I like to make them into mini meatloaves, instead of one giant one. First, meatloaf is so much more appetizing to me this way. Second, it is so much easier and cooks much quicker. And third, I find that it’s easy to keep the meat tender and juicy this way. There is no drying out. It’s perfect! 

Oh, and fourth, when it specifically comes to this french onion meatloaf? Mini meatloaves mean that you get more caramelized onions and melty cheese in every single bite.

Sounds perfect to me! 

P.S. meatloaf is not the most beautiful thing to photograph. I wish it looked a little prettier but here we are. 

Meatloaf is not my favorite but it’s 100% Eddie’s favorite. He LOVES it. And he really loved when I french onion all the things, so I knew he’d absolutely flip over this.

Yes, at this point, I’ve turned french onion into a very because I’ve made so many darn recipes using the french onion twist. I can’t stop. Don’t make me! 

Here’s how I make this!

So, first things first, the caramelized onions. These are going to take at least an hour, even more for another recipe. But I usually cap it at an hour here because we’re going to roast them in the oven too! Since the onions will go in and ON top of the meatloaves, they don’t have to be as dark – unless you want them to be.

While the onions caramelize, I make my meatloaf mixture. This uses ground chicken, some breadcrumbs, a little bit of milk, garlic, herbs, gruyere cheese and some of the caramelized onions from above. 

Next, I shape the mixture into smaller loaves. I like to make four or six of these. Just make sure they are even in size! Divide the mixture into four equal portions, and form them into a mini loaf – sort of like a football shape. 

Then, I top with the remaining caramelized onions and some handfuls of gruyere cheese. Oh my YUM.  (more…)

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A Week In The Life, Vol 10.

Another week!

Oooh it was a week.

It was read across america week at school! First day was dress for an adventure… somewhere you want to go.

Tried the new iced cherry chai and I am obsessed. It is SO GOOD.

Lunch.

Little scooter walk.

And rock digging.

Dress like a decade day!

Every night she reads to me.

Rainbow.

This was the show we saw this week! Don’t even want to tell you that when I got home Max was hit with the stomach bug AGAIN. Twice in three weeks.

We recovered though… but our school was closed for the stomach bug!! We had well checks at the doctor…

Made it to basketball.

She loves it.

Had our last regular season hockey game!

I can’t believe it.

Went out for a friend’s bday.

Very excited for warm aperol spritz season.

Best ever.

Ending the season!

I can’t believe we’re almost half way through March. The rest of school is going to fly by!

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What To Eat This Week: 3/9/25.

So many delish dishes this week!

What’s on your menu this week?!

What To Eat This Week

Cheese tortellini minestrone

Chili lime shrimp tacos

Weeknight cheesy tortellini skillet

Chicken meatballs with tomatoes and feta

Blackened fish sandwiches

Spicy unstuffed shells

Smashed chickpea salad

Salted maple granola

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Currently Crushing On.

Happy weekend!

This week on the blog, I shared these amazing sheet pan meatballs with roasted tomatoes and feta. I also shared these chili lime shrimp tacos, 55 recipes for lent and this incredible parmesan broccoli roll!

Here is everything I read in February!

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

Pistachio bars!! Oh yum.

This BBQ pork polenta looks incredible.

Chicken enchilada skillet is the best.

Love this eggless chocolate cake!

Sour cream cinnamon rolls for the win.

A s’mores latte! I need it.

Honey bourbon chicken sounds so so good.

It’s definitely lemon bar season.

Guinness beef pot pie. Yum!

I love this deviled egg dip.

Nashville hot chicken is delish.

Craving this chicken stew for one more winter meal.

Savory oatmeal love.

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What I Read In February 2025.

I didn’t get to read as much as I like this month, but most of what I read was fabulous!

What was your favorite read of the month?!

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. That’s where I got a few books from this month. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

Most of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

Okay, keep me posted on what you’re reading below!

WHAT I READ IN FEBRUARY 2025First Time Caller – 5 stars

LOVED this one so much! Oh my gosh. This is inspired by sleepless in seattle – need I say more?! We follow Aiden who hosts a love hotline and receives a call from a young girl about her mom. She wants her mom to find love. It is SO cute. Loved the banter, how likeable the characters all were and how the story flowed. It is such a great one if you love a romance!

We Could Be Rats – 4 stars

This was a book of the month find for me. Oh my gosh – it is so multifaceted. Its quick and you can’t put it down, it’s heartbreaking but also funny at times. In this book we follow the relationship of two sisters – one who is basically the golden child and the other one who is fairly troubled and stuck in the past. Gah. The characters are so likable, I loved them both. This is a pretty short quick read too!

The Rules of Fortune – 4 stars

I have followed Danielle Prescod forever so I was super excited to read this! I got it as my amazon first reads. If you love books packed with family drama, you will eat this up. We follow a super rich family dealing with the death of their patriarch and tonnnnsss of family secrets are revealed. We jump back in time and learn all about what made the family as they are today. The characters are sooo good in this. Really liked it and it’s a must read.

I Might Be In Trouble – 3.5 stars

I got this in my book of the month box too! This was a good one – def quirky and funny at times but also quite dark. The story follows a writer who has a one night stand and wakes up to find the date dead. He calls his literary agent and that whole aspect just had me howling because I love my agent dearly and have been with her for a long time. So in that sense in was funny and relatable but it also digs deep into his past.

Deep End – 4 stars

ahh I have so many thoughts on this book! I love Ali’s books so much – she writes incredible characters who are so smart and realistic. This story follows two collegiate swimmers (one olympian!!) who enter into a BDSM relationship consensually. I don’t love the whole 50 shades of gray aspect and really had no desire to read that, but it ended up being different than I thought. I LOVED the story and the swimming storyline. I sort of thought the main male character was a bit detached. It’s very high spice level. But so good! I couldn’t put it down.

Dream Girl Drama – 2.5 stars

I was not the hugest fan of this one. I loved the hockey storyline of course, but the main female character drove me crazy at times. The story follows Chloe and Sig who have an intense meeting which is full of major first lust. Only to learn that their parents are engaged to be married. The whole Chloe moves storyline and he pays for everything was a little unrealistic to me. I did like the characters and there was definitely growth at the end, but it still was not my fave. I also saw the twist at the end coming, but it was a nice one.

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Parmesan Broccoli Roll.

This parmesan broccoli roll is such an amazing snack. Layers of flaky, buttery puff pastry are wrapped around melty mozzarella, garlicky broccoli and parmesan cheese. It is incredible and so easy to make!

Meet your new favorite snack!

This broccoli roll is packed with melty mozzarella, sharp parmesan cheese, tons of sauteed broccoli and a ridiculous amount of garlic.

It tastes absolutely amazing. We all adore it! 

Alternative title: how to get everyone in your life to eat broccoli. 

And like it! 

It’s easy too. Super simple. It’s almost like a stromboli or a calzone, so the kids love it. 

I use the same method for this that I do for my breakfast danishes. They all use puff pastry and well, we know my obsession with that. It’s also really easy to double the recipe up! 

It’s amazing to me how much flavor this has when it uses just a few ingredients. Broccoli, an obscene amount of garlic, parmesan and mozzarella. Those are the main players and whoa, do they make an incredible impact. 

I could eat this every day!

First, I saute a ton of garlic. Then I add in lots of chopped broccoli with some crushed red pepper flakes. The key is to chop the broccoli into fairly small pieces. This just makes it more enjoyable to eat inside the puff pastry.

Next, I slice my puff pastry in half lengthwise. Again, I like to use full sheets of refrigerated puff pastry, like the brand Wewalka or Jus Rol. 

Once sliced in half, I add a layer of shredded cheese down first. Next comes the sauteed broccoli and garlic. Then I top that with parmesan! 

I lay the other piece of puff pastry on top and brush it with egg wash. Make a few slits to let the steam escape and bake that baby up!

It only takes about 20 minutes. When it comes out, a big sprinkle of parmesan is great on top. 

I can’t even handle how much I love this. I mean, my kids like it. But this sort of dish is my dream. It’s flaky and buttery and filled with the most garlicky broccoli bits and melted cheese. It’s phenomenal. 

And It’s the perfect little snacky treat, an amazing appetizer or even a great dinner with a big greens salad. My favorite! (more…)

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55 Of My Favorite Seafood Recipes For Lent!

30 incredible seafood recipes that are perfect for the lenten season. These lent recipes include salmon, shrimp, fish sandwiches, tacos, pizza, chowder, grits and more!

Today I’m sharing a bunch of my favorite seafood recipes for lent!

I’ve compiled some of my favorite seafood dishes here for those of you who observe the lenten season.

While these days, I almost always will opt for a meatless meal itself over fish specifically, I have to say that man oh man and I looking forward to a great fish sandwich this weekend. We hit up many local places that have incredible fish frys and it’s a highlight of the season.

In case you are cooking at home on Fridays, here are a ton of my favorites – the best of the best.

This list is fairly salmon and shrimp heavy because those are the most frequent forms of seafood that we eat. However, many of the dishes can also be prepared with a white fish like cod or even halibut. Love them all!

And if you’d simply prefer a meatless dish, here are some of my favorites.

45 Lent Recipes

(more…)

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