Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 367

2017 Summer Reading List!

Behold my summer 2017 reading list!

I unapologetically love any sort of beachy, light, chick-lit read. Not trashy romance and not in the Fifty Shades genre, but contemporary books focused on friendship, coming of age, love, etc. I’m really not into historical fiction and you won’t find any huge literary works of art here. I occasionally enjoy some nonfiction, memoirs, and really love self-help books. I don’t like to read much about sickness, death – you know, real life things! But if you love some good chick-lit, I’m your girl.

Many of you ask in the comments HOW I find time to read. When I have any sort of downtime, I am more inclined to read than do anything else. Especially in the summer! And I always read at night before bed. Always.

Here’s the thing: I am the type of reader who LOVES to get lost in the story. If I am so lost in that story, I will stay up half the night reading the book, no matter what I have to do the next day. I’d rather suffer from exhaustion than put my book down. I love stories that give me an escape, which sounds funny since I really love my own life. But I’ve always been that way. You totally get me if you’ve felt like the characters in your favorite books are friends.

Yes, I do have a goodreads account but I’ve been horrible at updating it since I had Max! I usually include the book I’m reading here on the blog.

P.S. there are mostly amazon affiliate links below! Thanks so much for reading this corner of the interwebs.

 

My 2017 Summer Reading List:

1. The Identicals by Elin Hildebrand. Elin is probably my favorite author and my dreams came true last year when I got to develop recipes for her book! Also some of my other faves by Elin: The Blue Bistro, The Island, Silver Girl, The Beach Club.

2. The Sunshine Sisters by Jane Green.

3. Into the Water by Paula Hawkins. Super interested in reading this book by the author of Girl on the Train.

4. Secrets of Summer by Nancy Thayer. I love books by Nancy Thayer because they are perfect summer beach reads. Light and easy to read and easy to escape into as well.

5. Option B by Sheryl Sandberg. I have yet to read this, but always love Sheryl Sandberg’s words. So much.

6. The New Old Me by Meredith Maran. Sounds good to me.

7. Same Beach, Next Year by Dorothea Benton Frank. This sounds like exactly what I love to read. Some forbidden, old love!

8. Anything is Possible by Elizabeth Strout. I keep hearing amazing things about this book. I must read it.

9. Bear Town by Fredrik Backman. Not a book I’d normally choose, but growing up in a hockey family, this really intrigues me. Also, sort of gives me the original Friday Night Lights vibes from the synopsis.

10. The Animators by Kayla Rae Whitaker. I want to read this for the creativity of the storyline alone.

11. And We’re Off by by Dana Schwartz. I normally don’t go for Young Adult novels, but I am so excited about this mother-daughter storyline.

12. The Weekenders by Mary Kay Andrews. Hopeful for another fun easy beach read in this one. I really loved Save the Date by this author too!

13. The People We Hate at the Wedding by Grant Ginder. The title on this one sold me alone. I hope it’s a great one!

14. The Life She was Given by Ellen Marie Wiseman. This is a later summer release but one I’m really interested in reading. However, I always find that with books like these, I’m really just hoping for another Water for Elephants, one of my all-time faves.

15. The Light in Summer by Mary McNear. I haven’t read anything by this author yet, but I’m so easily sold by a cover like this.

16. One S’more Summer by Beth Merlin. This book just SOUNDS fun to me. I hope it is!

17. Forks, Knives and Spoons by Leah DeCesare. Very into the idea of reading this book for the 80s and 90s references alone, ha! The reviews are great so hoping it will be a win.

18. The Good Widow. This sounds captivating! Like I won’t be able to put it down.

 

Some authors + books I have loved & mentioned before:

Renée Carlino (Swear on This Life, Sweet Thing )

Taylor Jenkins Reid (Maybe in Another Life)

Bethany Chase (The One That Got Away, Results May Vary)

Colleen Hoover (It Ends With Us, November 9, Maybe Someday )

Liane Moriarty (The Husband’s Secret, Big Little Lies)

Kristin Hannah (Firefly Lane, True Colors)

Emily Giffin (Something Borrowed, Something Blue, Where We Belong)

Rainbow Rowell (Attachments, Fangirl)

Sarah Pekkanen (The Best of Us, Catching Air)

and I’m sure I will add the ones I forgot to this list as we go!

I’d love to know all the books you are loving right now and what has caught your eye for this summer. Leave ’em below!

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Watermelon Frosé.

I made you freaking frosé!

AND I CAN’T EVEN DRINK IT.

Watermelon frosé to be exact. Watermelon frosé that I want to be my signature drink. An entire pitcher of watermelon frosé! 

Watermelon frosé that I wish was just a leeeeettle bit easier to make (read: no blender required) so during the time when I’m not pregnant? I can just grab one from the fridge. Let’s make that a thing! Otherwise though, it’s embarrassingly simple.

Okay, I took the tiniest sip and watched everyone else enjoy this like ice cream. I figured it was mostly watermelon juice anyway. Plus, when I was pregnant with Max, my grandpa was like “I mean you’re still drinking wine, right? Here’s a glass.” UM NO. Like I need something else to heighten my anxiety while pregnant. I just can’t do it. No can do.

So! I’ll be back to non-boozy drinks and mocktails and shakes next week, but in the meantime, we’re talking frosé.

Because, you know, I always come to trends at LEAST a year after the fact. At least.

The good news is though that I first made this recipe late last year, at the end of summer, when I decided that frosé season was probably over. That it could wait until this year, June 1st specifically because HELLO. It’s June! It’s summer! YES YES YES.

I’ve been making rosé ice cubes for a few years now, right after I saw them somewhere on Instagram in 2014 or 2015 and lost my mind. That is brilliance, I tell you. But what I might love just as much as rosé? And certainly when I’m pregnant?

All the watermelon. Just give me all the freaking watermelons.

I’m also the weirdo person who likes most FAKE watermelon things, like bubblegum and what not. In a moment of weakness at Target the other day (which, let’s be real, is basically the entire time spent at Target), I almost grabbed some watermelon mint things in the check-out aisle too.

I refrained. Thank goodness. Hopefully this means we can still be friends.

My watermelon drink fantasies go deep though. Homemade watermelon shandy, watermelon rosé margaritas, watermelon mint juleps and salted watermelon margarita popsicles. It’s obnoxious, really.

But oh-so good.

This is SUCH a fun cocktail to make for friends. You can serve it in SOLO cups because it’s just so darn good. It’s refreshing. It’s light. It’s a serving of fruit, so you can feel good about life.

And if you reeeeeally want to go crazy. Serve it in a mini watermelon.

Watermelon Frosé

Yield: serves 4

Prep Time: overnight

Ingredients:

1 (standard 750mL) bottle of rosé
1/2 cup fresh watermelon syrup (recipe below)
1/2 cup fresh watermelon juice
1/2 lime, juiced
watermelon slices for garnish

watermelon syrup 

1/2 cup fresh watermelon juice (from about 2 cups of fresh watermelon cubes)
1/3 cup sugar



Directions:

The night before, pour the rosé into two ice cube trays (you might need three trays depending on the size, but two should do it!) and freeze.

When it's time to make the frosé, place the ice cubes, watermelon syrup and juice, and juice from 1/2 a lime in the blender. Blend until it's a slushy-like consistency. I like to refrain from adding ice until I see the consistency. Some rosé's freeze different, so you might need a handful or 2 of ice to make it more slushy. If it's TOO icy and won't blend, add more watermelon juice (not syrup) or some rosé from another bottle if desired.

Scoop the frosé into your glasses and garnish with a watermelon wedge.

watermelon syrup 

To make the watermelon juice, blend the watermelon cubes in a blender until pureed and smooth. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh strainer to remove any pulp. Take 1/2 cup of the juice and place it a in a saucepan with the sugar, reserving the other juice for the frosé. Heat over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and let it come to room temperature, then seal it in a jar or container and place it in the fridge. You can do this ahead of time!

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Because that seems like an appropriate serving size.

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May Favorites: Lifestyle.

I have SO many repeat favorites this month, but it’s FINALLY a month where I am back in our kitchen and feeling like we are living a normal life after two months of renovations. Below are the things that I am lovvving for May!

Adidas Ultraboost X Sneaker. I KNOW. Third month in a row that I’m talking about these again but YOU GUYS. I have never had a more comfortable sneaker. It’s amazing. I did end up buying a pair in black because my lighter ones were getting filthy. On Memorial Day these were on my feet from 7AM until 8PM, walked for multiple hours and I didn’t even notice. They are SO light and cushiony. It’s like you’re walking on a cloud. I freaking loooove them.

The Forever Summer. This is the book I am currently reading and I’m loving it! Be on the lookout for my summer reading list tomorrow… eeep!

Also have to give it to my friend Kathryne’s book, Love Real Food. I mean, this is a vegetarian book and I am IN LOVE. I seriously want to make every single recipe! 

DeLallo Veggie Marinades. I talked about these last month too, but I don’t know if I can fully express our love. We are going through about FIVE of these a week! Eddie buys five or six each weekend, uses two when he makes his lunches for the week and I inevitably end up using two or three more while cooking dinner. HOLY COW. The flavor of these is unreal. I truly love every single flavor, but if I HAD to play favorites, I’d still give it to the Sweet Asian Chili. I use them on chicken too!

Raw Sugar Hand Soap. Such a weirdo thing to love, but when you don’t have a kitchen sink for a few months, you take hand soap for granted! I’ve mentioned this in the past and tried the other coconut mango scent. Both are SO good.

All of my TV love this month is going to Bloodline. I realize that it JUST started back up, but oh my gosh I freaking love this show! I’m sad this is the last season, but at the same time love when a show is good the ENTIRE time (cough cough, Homeland, cough cough) so I think it will be worth it. I also rewatched Felicity for the millionth time and it was great background noise. Thinking I will binge on The Americans next!

Rebecca Minkoff Julian Backpack. I am such a broken record this month, I know. But this backpack has been saving me. I’ve reached the point where I almost can’t use any other kind of bag if it’s just Max and me. I need both hands free! This holds so much – his water, my water, diapers, wipes, etc. The only issue is that stuff so easily gets lost in here because it’s just a big old bucket bag when open, so I’m considering this backpack for when the new baby comes, as opposed to any sort of diaper bag (which I never really took inside of places anyway). Any thoughts?

Something super weird that I have been craving in recent weeks of this pregnancy is my favorite house salad. CRAZY, considering how the first 15 weeks? I wanted nothing but a saltine. I can’t get enough of this salad and have made it every single day since Friday. Every day!

Copper Coconut Candle. As a crazy candle person, I have to say that recently I’ve strayed from purchasing at Bath and Body Works and have been going for more “clean” burning candles, ones where the prices aren’t raised every five minutes and ones that don’t burn down in a day. But this freaking scent. It sold me! It’s coconut and amber and smells like HEAVEN. Everyone has commented on it.

Tory Burch Miller Flip Flop. These are also an oldie but goodie of mine, but since it’s warm out, they’ve made their appearance again this year. SO comfortable. The shade “makeup” is my favorite. I just love them.

I’m in the midst of throwing together my summer ’17 playlist, but the last few weeks I’ve been enjoying my summer ’16 one! And I still can’t get enough of everything Bruno Mars, The Weeknd and still freaking love Slide by calvin Harris.

Zella Pure Energy Seamless Bralette. It might just be me, but I’m always looking for comfortable sports bras that I can wear almost daily. I grabbed two of these and they are super comfortable. Super supportive and great for working out!

On that same note, I’m also loving these unlined Micro Bralettes from Target. They don’t offer much support but if you don’t need it, no biggie! They are the most comfortable things in the universe. I bought multiples!

The Dyson Humidifier. Okay, this is a ridiculous item to love. However, I swear it saved me last month. I had the cold from the hell. It was horrible. I was without a voice for almost four weeks which is horrific when you having a chatty toddler all day. It all came down to a common cold and allergies (which I deal with every year), but since the cold medicine I could take was limited, we ran this humidifier every night. I actually bought this last Fall on Amazon after we went through two of the Crane humidifiers in two years (one cracked! one got filled with mold even though I replaced the filter and cleaned it constantly!) – and after reading a lot of reviews. But I hadn’t used it yet. I almost returned it. THANK GOD I DIDN’T! I still have this running in our room at night. It is wonderful. Also, I’m not a “white noise person” (have never needed it to sleep) but this gives off the loveliest white noise! Okay, rant over.

[none of this is sponsored, just like to talk about things that I discover and love over the month. i purchased everything myself unless it was a gift from a family member or friend. tell me your faves! there may be a few affiliate links above. love love.]

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30 Minute Blackened Salmon Caprese Skewers.

Otherwise known as, my new favorite meal.

Of course! It wouldn’t be a new week if I didn’t have a new favorite. And in this case? Four words.

Blackened. Salmon. Caprese. Skewers.

I’m in loooooove.

Since it’s almost June, I deem it completely appropriate to serve everyone you know (err, or yourself) all forms of caprese salad. Caprese is solely responsible for my liking of tomatoes.

And actually! Growing up, my mom would serve fresh homegrown tomatoes drizzled with balsamic dressing and crumbled blue cheese, which miiiight be even better. Just try it! I was half tempted to use that combination here, but wasn’t sure how we’d all feel about large chunks of blue cheese on our skewers.

Okay. How YOU would feel. I would always feel good about large chunks of blue cheese, but cheese rules my life.

My grocery store has these really thick salmon steaks in the seafood case occasionally, hence the fat squares. The steaks are great on the grill (my dad used to make them all the time!) but a lot of times they only have them around Lent. I’m guessing you could also totally ask someone behind the seafood counter to chop salmon into cubes for you. I’d do it.

Or! Just grab your salmon and slice it as usual. Who cares if they look like squares? I am by no means a perfectionist here.

Now here’s the thing. I actually cooked the salmon BEFORE skewering it. I skewered it after! Is that against the rules of skewering? Is it beside the point? Possibly, but hear me out.

I really wanted to make sure we got the fresh mozzarella here. And cherry tomatoes. I didn’t want the cheese melty or the tomatoes bursting – and I really didn’t want to torch my fresh basil! – because that would defeat the purpose of easily serving these.

You know the little caprese skewers that you see all over pinterest in the summer? I feel like they were the first recipe that ever blew up on pinterest years ago, because I remember going to parties where my friends (who didn’t even know food blogs existed) served those caprese skewers. Basically, I took that idea and added blackened salmon for a little more oomph.

OOPMH.

I broiled my salmon cubes, just for like, 1 to 2 minutes per side. And they were RIGHT under the flame. You’ve got to watch if you’re broiling them. But also! You could grill them for sure. Since we’re doing cubes, I would use a grill pan so you get that smokey flavor without overcooking and losing the fish.

You can serve these immediately after skewering. OR! Or or or.

You can serve them chilled. I don’t mind chilled salmon, probably because I love cold smoked salmon. So once these cool down from roasting and you make your skewers, you can toss them in the fridge for a few minutes until you’re ready to serve. I wouldn’t make them WAY ahead of time, but a bit ahead? Go for it. Then drizzle with balsamic glaze and make all the friends!

We have been enjoying these SO much for dinner. Max likes fish and salmon (I mean, it’s so flakey! Like butter!) so it’s a fun meal to throw together. And if you’re really not into getting fancy, skip the skewers. Broil your salmon and throw some chopped tomatoes, basil and mozzarella right on top. Like a salad over your salmon!

I love where this is going.

Blackened Salmon Caprese Skewers

Yield: serves 2 to 4

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

2 pounds fresh salmon filet, cut into pieces
2 tablespoons grapeseed oil
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon dried italian seasoning
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon onion powder
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

for skewers

1 pint cherry/grape tomatoes
6 balls fresh mozzarella, cut into pieces (I used bocconcini!)
15 fresh basil leaves
balsamic glaze for drizzling



Directions:

Preheat the broiler in your oven to high. If you don't want to broil these, you can cook them on the stovetop over medium-high heat or use a grill pan for a few minutes until cooked!

Place the salmon pieces on a baking sheet. Drizzle with the grapeseed oil. In a bowl, stir together the paprika, italian seasoning, salt, pepper, garlic, onion powder and pepper flakes. Sprinkle it generously over the salmon pieces, covering all sides. Broil the salmon on the highest oven rack, directly until the flame,  for 1 to 2 minutes, then toss the pieces and broil one more time.

Once the salmon is cooked, gently skewers it on bamboo or stainless skewers - there is no real method! Just alternate pieces of salmon with 2 tomatoes, a chunk of mozzarella and few basil leaves. Once everything is skewered, drizzle it with balsamic glaze. Serve!

(If desired, you can stick these in the fridge in a baking dish before drizzling with the glaze. They will be fine for 30-60 minutes. Drizzle with the glaze and then serve!)

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Reeeeeally good with some cold pinot grigio too!

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May Favorites: Beauty.

Happy almost June! I seriously can’t even believe it. Cue the cliche.

I am so insanely excited that it’s almost SUMMER! My makeup and skincare routine have changed just a leeeettle bit recently since I am pregnant, but not by much. Most of the things I have been loving are things I’ve had for awhile with some new ones sprinkled in. Last month I mentioned the things I grabbed at the sephora VIB sale and some of them made the cut here. I’m also loading on up on the SPF like a crazy person as usual.

AND One thing I forgot to mention that I’ve had on my toes constantly this month is Orly fancy fuschia! It’s an oldie but goodie and I love how cool toned of a pink it is.

So now, on to this month! My favorites so far… 

Briogeo Scalp Revival Shampoo. AHHH! So I mentioned this last month BUT hadn’t told anyone I was pregnant yet. One of the weird symptoms I get while pregnant is dry skin on my scalp. I remember it happening while I was pregnant with Max because it was a morning I was headed to go shoot a video for my book and it looked like I had serious dandruff, which had never happened before. When it crept back up with this pregnancy, I nipped it in the bud immediately with new brushes (that I mentioned last month and am still loving) and then I found this shampoo. I use it once a week and absolutely love it. I’ve had no dry scalp issues since implementing that routine!

Hourglass Ambient Strobe Lighting Blush in Iridescent Flash. I bought this at the VIB sale and am loving it. I rarely get new blushes because I love my Tarte ones as well as the Clinique Cheek Pops, but this called to me. It is so pigmented and such a pretty color. A little shimmery, but nothing too harsh.

Supergoop Everyday Sunscreen in SPF 50. I used this last year too and it works great under my makeup. It goes on my face every single morning!

Supergoop Forever Young Hand Cream. Speaking of sunscreen! I’ve had one of these since last year and it sits near my kitchen sink. I always use it if I’m heading outside (or at least I ALWAYS try) since one of those things I’d love to do daily is wear sunscreen on my hands. After a minute, it’s not greasy at all.

Sunday Riley Good Genes. Another longtime favorite, but I’ve been so regimented and back in gear with my skincare routine recently and just love the magic this makes happen on my face. I only can use it two or three times a week because my skin is dry and I absolutely loathe the scent of it, but it’s incredible. It helps SO much with texture on the skin. Amazing. Since I can’t use anything with retinol while pregnant, I use the Flora oil after applying this. And then either Tidal or my FAB Ultra Repair Cream.

Mac Lipstensity lipsticks in Medium Rare and Driftwood. I’ve mentioned these lipsticks a few times because they are soooo comfortable, but this one in Medium Rare that I picked up this month is the perfect “your lips but better” shade. So pretty. The driftwood shade is SO cool, almost between purple and gray – and surprisingly works on my skin!

Sol De Janiero Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. I raved about this ALLLLL last summer and my oh my, is my love back strong. I love this so freaking much! It smells perfect. Also, it’s already a nostalgic scent for me because we had such a great summer with Max last year, that it makes me think of all the great times. I also love the body wash and the body mist!

Jo Malone Wood Sage and Sea Salt. Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve definitely been using some Bronze Goddess already this year, but I’m loving the sample of this Jo Malone scent I got. It’s SO fresh, but not too “cologne-y” if that makes sense. Really nice!

Annnd that is it for this month. I sort of have my eye on the newer palette from Jouer (I don’t have anything from that brand!) and the NARS liquid blushes, but we shall see. What are you loving this month?

{as usual, none of this is sponsored and all of these products were purchased by me. i am not affiliated with any of the companies above, nor do i accept free products. just love to talk about what i like, makeup junkie to makeup junkie. there are some amazon and general reward style affiliate links above. thank you for being here!}

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Tuesday Things.

1. Seriously wondering whyyyy do shorter weeks always feel like they last the longest?

2. I can’t even get over this giant lilac strawberry shortcake. It’s so pretty.

3. My obsession with strawberries is OVER the top. I ate so many on Saturday that my mouth actually hurt. Ooomph.

4. I realize that I’m irrationally emotional at this stage in my life, but these elephants running to greet a rescued baby elephant? I just cannot. This might be the most embarrassing thing I’ve cried at in the last four months.

5. TV! House of Cards starting today means I’ll probably get no sleep, but much MORE importantly, Bloodline! We have only watched three episodes so far, and I felt like the first was somewhat slow (but necessary), but episodes two and three got me. These characters are just SO good and I’m hoping Danny makes another ghostly appearance. Also, let’s be real: can Kyle Chandler BE any hotter?!

6. It’s okay if I’m up all night though, because every year at this time we live in a house where hockey rules our lives and the games are on SO late. Eddie survives on less sleep than me and isn’t even mad about it.

7. Finding a minute of mindfulness anywhere. Gosh, I wish I could do this but it seems completely impossible to me.

8. We’re heading on our usual family vacation later this month, but in the meantime I’m trying to find a fun little getaway (read: a babymoon + Max) for later this summer. Like three or four days. Give me your recs!

9. Guess what’s coming later this week?! Perhaps my most requested post of the month: my summer reading list! Eeep. So excited to share.

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Memorial Day Weekend.

We’ve had such a wonderful long weekend! Scroll down for the onslaught of pics.

Hope you’ve had a great one! xoxo

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Memorial Day.

Remembering all those today who gave their lives for our country and those who continue to protect and serve. XO

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Currently Crushing On. (+ 10 Recipes for the Long Weekend!)

HI! Happy Saturday! I hope you guys are living up this long holiday weekend. We kicked it off yesterday with an impromptu zoo trip and had such a blast. I just love living these weekends with our little family.

Last night I went through and updated a bunch of things in my SHOP – some of my favorites are on sale, what I’m loving for Max, and beauty products galore. Stay tuned for my beauty faves later this weekend!

Also! Below, I’m sharing 10 of my favorite recipes for this special weekend. Woohoo!

What are you guys up to? Any fun plans? I hope you have a great one!

 

What I’m loving this week:

these honey pork loaded fries sound amazzzzing.

lilac syrup is divine.

this might be the most epic chicken burger

craving some poblano skillet enchiladas!

is this real life? piña colada pool pop tarts.

how perfect is this cocktail inspired by mackenzie-childs?!

also, pineapple punch with ginger beer. wowza.

copycat in-and-out burger!

loving on this greek yogurt cheesecake.

and this blooming strawberry cheesecake!

chicken satay with light almond dipping sauce sounds perfect for dinner.

who needs creamy broccoli salad for their picnic this weekend?

totally trying this DIY ginger brew.

cherry frosé! say it with me.

And now…  for some of my favorite summer kick-off recipes!

BLT Chopped Salad with Corn, Feta and Avocado

Tomato, Avocado and Burrata Grilled Garlic Toast

White Pizza Dip

Slow Cooker BBQ Beer Chicken

Copycat Smoke Shack Cheeseburgers

Roasted Tomato Caprese Grilled Cheese

Smoky Sweet Potato Burgers

S’mores Stuffed Strawberries

Black Raspberry Pie Milkshakes with Black Raspberry Fudge

5 Ingredient Strawberry Rose Tart

Have a great weekend!

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Cherry Peach Crisp with Oatmeal Cookie Crumble.

I’m taking a chance and going all in with the cherries.

And the peaches too! Our first crispity crumbly dessert just in time to kick off summer this weekend! Not with just any crumble… but my favorite oatmeal cookie crumble. YES. 

Gosh, I freaking love cherry season. They might be my favorite fruit. Just so good. I realize that I say that about EVERYTHING but I mean… are you surprised? No. Will I ever grow out of this “everything is my favorite, omg!” phase? Probably not.

But! I will say that last night I did an instantaneous huuuuge purge of my makeup/cosmetics closet and it felt so.freaking.good. I was ruthless in my choices to toss things. I mean, this has nothing to do with cherries and peaches but everything to do with maybe my thoughts of “favorite everythings, yay!” sliiiiightly changing. I’m becoming a bit more discriminating in my beauty product choices, if you will.

When it comes to fruit though, I love it alllll.

It might be a leeeeettle early for peach season where you are, I know it. It definitely is here. Our grocery store is stocked with peaches but they resemble orange rocks. I ended up with a bunch of them leftover from one of the final book shoots I did and I just didn’t want to toss them. But eating them raw could NOT happen at the moment.

Ick. Uck. No.

For ages, I’ve said that if you have some fruit that just isn’t oh-so great yet, ROAST THE HECK OUT OF IT. Add some sugar and roast it until caramely and delicious. That’s what we are doing here!

Plus. This is topped with my favorite oat-y crumble topping that is tastes JUST LIKE A COOKIE! In the best way possible, I swear. I use this topping on nearly every crisp and crumble I make. It’s crunchy but caramely and overall the most perfect topping for ANY roasted fruit.

Speaking of loving all sorts of fruit, my mom has had some black raspberries frozen since late last summer in her freezer, and this morning I told her to remove those babies and defrost them so I can make this exact topping for blackberries. AHHHH I can’t wait. That is the start of my weekend plans.

So what delicious things are you cooking up this weekend? If you need some burger or appetizer inspo, I am here for you! I think I might be making this old-school fruit pizza this weekend too. Just to realllly soak up my fruit obsession. And probably s’mores. And maybe a milkshake? And definitely pizza.

Talk to me about your plans!

Cherry Peach Crisp with Oatmeal Cookie Crumble

Yield: serves 6 to 8

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

2 cups bing cherries, pitted
4 peaches, thinly sliced
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
pinch of cinnamon
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
vanilla ice cream for serving
fresh mint for garnish

oatmeal cookie crumble

1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
3/4 cups loosely packed brown sugar
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
8 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened



Directions:

Place the cherries and peaches in a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a bowl, toss together the sugar, flour, salt and cinnamon. Add it to the fruit and toss well to coat. Sprinkle the butter pieces on to the fruit.

To make the oatmeal crumble, stir together the oats, sugar, flour, cinnamon and salt. Add the softened butter and use your hands to crumble it up and toss it in the mixture - I combine it for a full 5 minutes until it is really incorporated and crumbly - almost the whole mixture is like wet oat-y sand.. Sprinkle it evenly over the fruit.

Bake for 35 to 45 minutes, until the fruit is caramely and the crumble on top is golden. Let it cool slightly before serving with ice cream. Garnish with fresh mint!

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Lots of ice cream required, obviously.

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