Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 28

Chili Lime Shrimp Tacos with Mango Salsa.

These chili lime shrimp tacos are the easiest dinner! They take just a few minutes to make and are topped with fresh mango salsa and creamy cotija cheese. Tons of flavor and comes together super easily! 

Time to taco! 

These chili lime shrimp tacos are a super easy 20 minute meal, made with skillet crisp shrimp, a juicy fresh mango salsa and crumbled cotija cheese. There is so much texture, flavor and all around ease when it comes to this dish. You could have it on the table tonight in no time. 

This is a go-to for us when I have no time and we want something delicious. When we are craving something super fresh and light, but savory and tasty all at the same time. These fit the bill! 

Plus, you can use this shrimp in all sorts of different ways. Throw it in a quesadilla, on a taco salad or even enjoy it alone with your favorite side dish. 

The star of the show here is tajin! Or any chili lime seasoning. Tajin is my absolute favorite. I LOVE it so much and it blows my mind how it has so much chili lime flavor without being too salty or too spicy. 

It’s fabulous. 

And it packs such a punch for one spice! You really don’t need anything else. 

P.S. if you’re a tajin freak like I am, you should get this tajin snack mix. It is so darn good. 

So let’s talk about how fast these come together.

It’s SUPER fast! 

First, I make the mango salsa. Quickly chop up a mango, jalapeno, cilantro and red onion. Easy as that! Salt and fresh lime juice too. 

Next, the shrimp. I use peeled and deveined shrimp and season it all over with the tajin. Then, I sear it in a hot skillet for just a few minutes. That’s all it needs! This will cook super quick. 

I like to use yellow corn tortillas. Sometimes I char them over my gas stovetop – super fancy! 

Finally, I assemble the tacos with the shrimp, spoonfuls of mango salsa and crumbled cotija cheese. You could even add another sprinkle of tajin if you wish. 

See? Embarrassingly easy!  (more…)

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Tuesday Things.

1. Yesterday I cooked with so much garlic that my house STILL smells like it. And that was with using all my little remedies of eliminating kitchen odors.

2. Eggless chocolate chip cookies!! Definitely trying these.

3. Like everyone else, I want to start a substack! Shocking.

4. Whatever you’re looking for, you will find it.

5. TV things!! We are watching the new season of 1923 and love it.

6. What to do when you can’t stop procrastinating.

7. The Oscars looks! Oh my gosh. I just about died over the Cynthia/Ariana looks for their performance. Incredible. And Ariana’s red carpet dress! And Demi Moore, Halle Berry, Selena Gomez… ah! All so good.

8. The rise and fall of honeycrisp apples. Ugh! My favorite apple of all time.

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Sheet Pan Chicken Meatballs with Tomatoes and Feta.

We love these sheet pan chicken meatballs! They are roasted with juicy tomatoes and sweet peppers, topped with feta and fresh herbs. There are so many ways to enjoy them – they are incredibly versatile and so flavorful!

I have something so delicious for you to make tonight! 

These chicken meatballs are roasted on a sheet pan with sweet peppers, tomatoes, herbs and feta cheese. They can be enjoyed in so many ways: with rice, hummus, on a pita and more. We love ‘em! 

This is such a great meal to make for a weeknight dinner. It’s fairly easy and the payoff and flavor are incredible. Tons of flavor, meatballs that can be served multiple ways and with flavors that everyone loves. 

Remember last year when I shared the roasted chickpeas with peppers and tomatoes?? Well this is just like that, but with chicken meatballs. 

And oh my gosh it is HEAVENLY.

The meatballs stay so juicy. The peppers and tomatoes become almost sauce-like and the feta is the best tangy, creamy pop. 

I could eat these right off the sheet pan. In fact, I do!

My two favorite ways to eat this are:

Over rice with a drizzle of hummus, tzatziki and extra feta. 

Or in one of my homemade pitas with lots of hummus. 

I am obsessed. 

This is how I make them!

I throw the tomatoes and peppers on a sheet pan with a good drizzle of olive oil.

The meatballs are mixed up – they are filled with some fresh herbs, feta, garlic, breadcrumbs and more. SO yummy. 

I place the meatballs on the sheet pan, nestled into the tomatoes and pepper. Then it’s time to roast! 

When everything is done, I sprinkle on lots of feta and more fresh herbs.

Then, it’s time to serve! I’ve already gone over a bunch of ways that you can eat these, so take your pick. In a bowl, in a wrap, in a bun. 

You can just see how incredibly tender and juicy these are!! (more…)

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A Week In The Life, Vol 9.

How the heck is it march already?!

Time is flying way too fast.

Still very into yogurt bowls.

School drop off!

My car right now is an utter nightmare. Sooo messy – the salt, snow, winter mess is the worst.

This is in my new book!

Lots of hockey this week!

His goal celebration kills me.

Happiest boy. He played with these for three hours straight!

Friday night we went to an event for my brother’s school – he’s a principal.

This dessert was unreal.

Celebrated our bff’s birthday!

This boy loves to bowl.

So fun!

Also got a haircut this week.

I’d love to hear this convo.

Irish cream cold brew.

Emilia’s hot chocolate.

She asked to wear lipgloss today and I couldn’t say no.

Lots more hockey this weekend.

Also had an end of year family hockey party!

Third child.

So proud!

Annnd that’s another weekend in the books!

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What To Eat This Week: 3/2/25.

Welcome March!!!

What’s on your menu this week?!

What To Eat This Week

Fuji apple chicken salad

Roasted cauliflower pitas

Maple chipotle salmon bites

Sheet pan gnocchi and vegetables

Black bean burger salads

Irish beef stew with herb dumplings 

Marinated white beans 

Blueberry muffin baked oatmeal

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Currently Crushing On.

Happy weekend!

This week on the blog, I shared these maple chipotle salmon bites. I also shared these black bean burger bowls, 20 recipes to make in March and this creamy lemon gnocchi!

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

I also 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

This triple chocolate cake! OMG.

Peanut chicken noodle salad is delish.

Making these enchilada stuffed peppers ASAP.

Banana scones sound amazing.

Also want to make this authentic birria!

Kale potato salad for March.

Loving this spring asparagus salad.

Nutella chocolate cupcakes as perfect.

These ginger beef lettuce wraps look great.

Homemade chocolate syrup! How fun.

The prettiest lemon sugar cookies.

Chocolate bunny cocktail. It’s time!

These raspberry cookies are stunning.

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One Pot Creamy Lemon Gnocchi.

This one pot creamy lemon gnocchi is such a dream! Super easy, made with parmesan, cream and lots of lemon zest, it comes together in less than 20 minutes. So cozy and comforting!

We’re still in cozy dinner season!

This creamy lemon gnocchi is made in one pot, is ridiculously easy, tastes like heaven and is a lovely little side dish or simple dinner to get through the last few winter weeks.

Yes, I love a savory lemon dish anytime of year. But now, when spring is soclose we can almost feel it, is when I appreciate lemon dishes the most.

Lemony pasta that is so bright, super refreshing and makes it taste like sunshine is closer than we think! 

This gnocchi is a bridge between those gloomy dark winter days and the bright sunny spring ones to come. It’s still major comfort food – cozy, creamy, easy to enjoy. But it tastes fresh! Lemony! Bright and fun. 

Sunshine in a dish.

Cozy sunshine in a dish. 

If gnocchi risotto was a thing, it would be like this. One pan, stirring until the gnocchi is cooked, a seriously creamy parmesan sauce blanketing each little potato dumpling. DREAMS!

This is how easy it comes together:

I saute some shallots and garlic. Then add a splash of white wine!

Next, chicken stock, lemon juice and cream. 

Throw in some uncooked gnocchi and stir stir stir. The sauce thickens and the pasta cooks!

Add in tons of fresh lemon zest for that zingy bright flavor.

Finally, stir in all the parmesan until it melts. Oh my word. 

Serve it up with some fresh basil, more parm, crushed red pepper… yum yum yum. 

This is so delicious and super easy. It’s a lovely little side dish but I would also gladly eat it for dinner. An embarrassingly easy solo dinner – it’s perfect for that. Maybe add some toasted sourdough!  (more…)

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February Favorites.

A peek at everything I loved in February 2025!

FOOD

Purely Elizabeth peanut butter cookie granola. We are all loving this right now – especially Jordan. And myself! I have always bought the chocolate chip version but if you’re a PB fan, this is a must try. It’s so good.

Good and Gather olive pouches. This is a perfect snack if you’re crazy for olives like me. These don’t have to be refrigerated and I live for an olive snacl!

Good and Gather roasted poblano cremosa. Another Target find! Oh my gosh – this is SO good. Drizzled on nachos, tacos, used as dip, even on salads. I am loving it so much. The fire roasted flavor is incredible.

HOME

MOFT magnetic phone tripod. Obsessed with this little tripod. It’s SO easy to use. It’s great if you just need to have your phone propped up. And it’s magnetic! Easiest ever.

Wood & marble lazy susan. I just got this for my olive oil/salt situation on my counter. I’ve had two others break, but this seems much sturdier than what I’ve had in the past. It’s also super pretty.

Our Place titanium always pan. LOVE this pan so much right now. It’s all I’ve been using. I want to get (at least) one more!

BEAUTY

Lake & Sky 11:11 Vanilla. I love the OG 11:11. I’ve had a travel one in my car for a few years now – I’ve probably gone through 3 or 4 travel sprays. It’s SO fresh and clean. This smells exactly the same, with some vanilla! That’s my weakness, so I instantly loved it.

Tower 28 confetti cake lip balm. I was super excited about this shade – I love a cool toned lavender. And this formula is incredible.

YSL Make Me Blush Blush. As a blush freak, I’d like to say that this is my new favorite. Lasts forever and the formula is super silky and pigmented.

Dyson air straight. I didn’t want to love this!! I have the airwrap and love it. But I wear my hair straight a lot… and after watching tiktok, I finally caved. OMG. This now saves me an entire step of using a straighter. Also, it’s at a lower temp and probably so much better for my hair. I am super impressed!! I also have used it on Emilia’s hair and it’s so easy.

FASHION

Spanx Air Essentials crewneck. Years later, still the best throw-on-and-go crewneck ever. It drapes so nicely. It looks brand new, years later. Super light and comfortable too. I always want every new shade they come out with.

Nike Air Max 90 LV8. New fave alert. I LIVE for a platform. These are insanely high and I love them. They are borderline ridiculous and wonderful. I got the red/pink/iridescent version!

All in Motion drawstring jacket. Speaking of air essentials, this jacket feels almost exactly like it!! I didn’t love the crewneck from this line, but this jacket is adorable and so lightweight and nice for spring.

Striped t-shirt maxi dress. I grabbed this while at Target a few weeks ago, it’s the perfect spring uniform. This, a little jacket, slides or sneakers… done!

MEDIA

First Time Caller. While I’m still in a reading rut after The Favorites, I loved this book this month! Definitely my fave of the month.

Call Her Daddy podcast with Monica Lewinsky. This episode is SO GOOD. I am very very excited about Monica’s new podcast.

KIDS

Lite Brite Touch. This has been saving us at activities. Jordan loves it! I always pack a bag with fun things to do and this has been a winner.

Sundae body wash. My inner tween LOVES this – as does Emilia. Haha. I got it for her for Valentine’s day. It smells incredible. She loves using it! I would have flipped over this as a kid.

Shashibo shape shifting cube. Max’s current obsession. He will sit and play with it forever.

[none of this is sponsored, i just love to tell you what i love every month! there are a few general affiliate links above! xo]

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20 Recipes For March & Saint Patrick’s Day.

These are the best of the best St Patrick’s Day recipes from soda bread with honey butter to guinness pot pie and dark chocolate stout cake! Lots of my favorites here to give you a way to make March 17th extra fun and special.

I’ve got lots of fun St Patrick’s Day recipes for you today!

Even though my family is Irish, we never really celebrated St Patrick’s Day with a special meal when I was growing up. It wasn’t until I started developing recipes consistently that I made something “special” every March – and then when the kids came along, I really started to celebrate the day. It’s so fun to celebrate any micro holiday with them and they love it!

This year I’m considering going as far as dying the milk green and leaving some leprechaun footprints around the house.

Below you’ll find lots of my favorite snack, dinner and dessert ideas for March 17th! I love making something festive for dinner and maybe a treat that is extra fun. The kids love it too! It’s a little sliver of joy in the month of March.

Are you going to make anything? Irish cream tiramisu my guinness short ribs are on the list!

20 St Patrick’s Day Recipes

Milk Chocolate Soda Bread with Salted Honey Butter (more…)

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Black Bean Burger Bowls.

These black bean burger bowls are so delish! A crispy smashed black bean burger with cheddar cheese on top of crisp romaine, tomatoes, red onion and a dill pickle vinaigrette. Yum!

Now this is how I like my dinner to look!

These black bean burger bowls have a simple base of lettuce, tomato and pickled onions, only to be topped with cheesy black bean burgers, your favorite condiments and pickle dressing!

Yep yep yep. Give me alllll the pickle dressing. 

I LOVE a good burger bowl or burger salad. There is something so refreshing about the burger on top of crisp lettuce with lots of toppings. And while I normally make these with beef burgers, lately I’ve been doing a black bean version.

And it’s fabulous! 

This burger recipe comes from my black bean smashburgers and oh my gosh, it’s excellent. I love how it has a bit of texture and really comes across as quite similar to a beef burger. 

The ingredients are also really simple and there is some grated cheese in there – so it holds together nicely in the pan. I like to smash them down into the pan a bit to get those crispy crunchy edges. Nothing better than that! 

Once the burgers are cooked, I throw some more cheese on top. Since I have cheese IN the burger and ON the burger, I don’t add cheese to the salad bowl.

I realize this is shocking since cheese is my entire personality. So add it if you wish! I find that it doesn’t really need more. 

Of course, any of your other favorite burger toppings can find their way into this bowl. Or condiments. I like a drizzle of mustard. I like mustard just as much as I like pickles – in fact, I’d like to drizzle about three kinds of mustard on this bowl!

You can always use ketchup. Even BBQ sauce or honey mustard. Or a good burger sauce, like my howsweeteats house sauce. Sometimes I’ll use that as an extra drizzle of dressing and it’s really good.

But speaking of the dressing! 

Pickles are my love language. 

Yes, I live for pickles. I’ve loved them since I first started eating!

This pickle vinaigrette is one of my go-tos and has been for YEARS. It’s so tangy and pickle-y and briney and is perfect if you’re a huge pickle lover like I am. 

Not only do I love the flavors in this bowl, but I adore the texture. There is so much crisp, refreshing texture, crunchy bites too, and paired with the zippy dressing?

Dreamy! (more…)

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