Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 38
December 12, 2024
Sourdough Dinner Rolls.
I love making these sourdough dinner rolls! They are like fluffy little clouds that also work as slider buns or soup dippers. We adore them! Tangy, chewy and all around delicious.
These sourdough dinner rolls are the way to my heart.
Buttery soft rolls with that classic sourdough tang, the perfect amount of chew and a flaky sea salt sprinkle?
Hello! I am in love.
I want to tell you to make these and eat them alllllll the ways. Serve as dinner rolls. Slider buns. Meatball subs. Dippers for soup.
The options are endless!
Endless AND delicious.
But here’s the thing. They are so freaking good just with butter and flaky salt that they don’t even need something else.
One bite and I am SOLD.They are almost like little loaves of sourdough. So tangy with a crisp golden exterior. Super chewy! My most favorite ever.
Just look at the inside!
So for this recipe, I use an active starter. While I usually like to make things that use sourdough discard because it requires little work, occasionally I’ll make something we really love with an active starter.
I also have a big sourdough success secret: this proofing mat! I use this multiple times a week. Even for just pizza dough! Our house is pretty cold and having this warm mat speeds things up considerably.
It also ensures a foolproof dough for me. Every time! (more…)
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December 11, 2024
Roasted Cauliflower Winter Kale Salad.
We adore this roasted cauliflower kale salad! It’s the perfect cozy winter weeknight meal, filled with nourishing ingredients and lots of crunch toppings. The spiced shallot dressing is out of this world!
Easy weeknight meals are a must right now.
In this busy season, nothing tastes better than a simple nourishing dish that didn’t take a million years to make. This roasted cauliflower kale salad is just the ticket! It’s filled with pomegranate, goat cheese, walnuts and dates and is drizzled with the most delicious dressing.
This is totally my kind of meal. In my house, I think it’s a signature for me. A big bowl loaded with seasonal ingredients with no shortage of major crunch.
The crunch factor is what gets me everything.
I also love a great salad that works as a side salad, a party salad or a base salad. Nothing better!!
First, tuscan kale. I love it so much more than curly green kale. It’s always my first choice, it’s just not always available to me. Curly green works too!
Next, roasted cauliflower. For over 15 years I’ve told you how roasted cauliflower practically tastes like popcorn to me. It’s so toasty and golden and roasty.
Chopped dates come next! I love how sweet and chewy they are. They add the perfect bite!
Creamy goat cheese is sprinkled on the salad too. I love how the goat cheese turns creamy and disperses throughout the salad. It’s so tangy and creamy and fabulous.
Pops of pomegranate arils are another favorite. They burst when you bite into them and have the perfect flavor of tart fruit.
Toasted walnuts also make an appearance. Yes! Can you say texture? This salad is all about crunch, crispness, toasted cozy flavors and contrasts.
The whole thing is drizzled with a spiced shallot dressing. It’s DELISH. Again, super tangy. Vinegary and briney, with a hint of spice.
I like to dice the shallot and let it sit in the dressing for a few minutes. It basically becomes marinated and adds another excellent flavor punch to this bowl.
This is now in the rotation for winter weeknight dinners. It tastes amazing and is very satisfying to eat. It’s also super filling.
I love that it can be a main dish for me or a side dish for Eddie. He likes to add grilled chicken to this and it’s also incredible with steak. The versatility and ease of use when it comes to recipes is what’s most important in my life right now. Small kids, lots of crazy activity schedules and things must come together seamlessly.
Love it when I find such a good one that works! (more…)
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December 10, 2024
Tuesday Things.
1. These seven layer cookies are one of my favorite cookies ever. SO chewy.
2. I like the new pantone color of year! Have never cared for beige but mocha mousse just sounds delicious and cozy.
3. A guide to creating a beautiful winter.
4. My spotify wrapped is literally only the songs my kids love. I mean, sure, I like a lot of them too. But it’s seriously my kids’ wrapped. Not mine!
5. I love the reverse gift list idea.
6. TV things!! Yellowstone, Landman… umm the Lindsay Lohan christmas movie? Adorable.
7. Seven rules to live by.
8. Christmas bedding is one of my favorite little joys of the season. Look for it after the holidays on sale!
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December 9, 2024
Christmas Citrus Green Bean Salad.
I adore this christmas green bean salad! A chilled salad with crisp blanched green beans, it’s served with oranges, pomegranate, goat cheese and almonds. Top with a maple vinaigrette for the best flavor ever!
I have the best holiday salad for you today!
This will rank up there as one of my fave fresh winter dishes of all time. This crisp green bean salad is made with fresh oranges, pomegranate, almonds, arugula, goat cheese and an incredible maple vinaigrette.
It is so packed with flavor and refreshing, satisfying and tastes fabulous.
There couldn’t be a better option for your holiday plate!
It’s no secret that I love fresh green bean salads. The simple crisp and pop of the beans – ooooh I just love it. This summer version is a dish I make constantly in the warmer months. While it’s nothing overly special, the change from straight lettuce to green beans is welcome and, dare I say, exciting!
That’s how I feel about this one too.
It’s almost an unexpected way to enjoy green beans in the winter. But the dish is still packed with seasonal ingredients and a spiced dressing, making it perfectly complimentary to your holiday dishes and comfort foods.
These are some of my favorite things!Fresh citrus, especially cara cara oranges. You could also use blood oranges!
Pomegranate arils.
Chopped almonds. I like to take whole almonds and chop them up for a bigger crunch.
Baby arugula. It’s a little peppery with the perfect bite.
Crumbled goat cheese.
Spiced maple vinaigrette.
The tangy, creamy goat cheese is also such a welcome pairing with green beans. The whole salad is served chilled, and all the different textures, savory flavors and pops of fruit really make the dish stand out. (more…)
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December 8, 2024
A Week In The Life, Vol 50.
Another week!
It.was.a.packed.one.
Our elf is back!
This girl had a 4+ hour theater dress rehearsal on Monday and was a champ!
School boy.
I went to trader joe’s and they had peonies!
I grabbed this for our busy week ahead… we had it with chicken. It was… eh. okay.
Emilia’s basketball started!
Where’s Jordy?!
So much hockey.
Look at that little skate stance.
I am not in charge, FYI.
Haircut time for this one.
And St Nicholas day!
They were so excited.
Especially Jordan!
Hello christmas fashion season.
Refusing naps and so.freaking.tired.
Time to decorate cookies!
This is the most fun.
How cute are these grinch skewers?!
Extra extra.
Decorate one and take a bite.
Fancy.
Look at these baby BFFs.
I can’t!
These cutest besties.
Max had a hockey tournament all weekend!
Breakfast with St Nick.
I’d like her closet.
Very cute and fun.
And Emilia had both of her theater shows this weekend!!
She did amazing.
They did the grinch and frosty and it was SO cute.
Max had so many games this weekend – his tournament was supposed to be out of town but got changed at the last minute.
So we tag teamed the games and shows.
I don’t even know how she had the energy for her second show! We all passed out late last night.
This thing.
We got to go to Max’s championship game today!
Came in second, but it was still fun.
After that, Max, Emilia and I went to the mall to run errands. A big kid day!
They were so cute and had so much fun together. Emilia got a gift card for Claire’s for her birthday – she had never been in the store – and oh my gosh she was in heaven. Even Max went in and enjoyed it, haha.
Then we came home to this wild baby and cuddly sunday! xo
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What To Eat This Week: 12/8/24.
Loving all the cozy eats this time of year!
What’s on your menu this week?
What To Eat This Week
Spaghetti squash and meatballs
Cozy cauliflower chicken curry
Short ribs with scallion risotto
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December 7, 2024
Currently Crushing On.
Happy happy weekend!
This week on the blog I shared this incredible holiday sheet pan lasagna. I also shared a giant holiday recipe guide, a winter caesar salad, 30 festive drinks (cocktails and mocktails!) and chocolate peppermint pie!
Here’s everything I read in recent months. And it’s gift guide season!
You can find all my favorites in my amazon store front and LTK shop! I have gift guides here and some more here too!
There’s a new menu for the week and a new peek inside our everyday life.
You can join The Everyday Dinners cookbook club right here! If you have a copy of the book, request to join the group. If not, get one here! Ready to start on fall! It is such a wonderful community and an amazing place for recipe ideas.
xoxoxox
WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEKGingerbread cream pies! These are fabulous.
And extra chewy molasses cookies. Oh yum.
Chicken alfredo lasagna looks amazing!
I want poblano cream sauce on everything.
Cherry spritz cocktail is everything.
Making this chipotle pomegranate pork tenderloin.
Lemon pie is stunning.
These pound cake beignets are incredible.
Chocolate peppermint marble cookies. WOW.
Very interested by cottage cheese mashed potatoes.
Caramelized roasted carrots look stunning.
Love a snowball cookie!
Hazelnut linzer cookies are also gorgeous.
Def trying white chocolate peppermint puppy chow!
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December 6, 2024
Chocolate Fudge Pie with a Peppermint Marshmallow Cloud.
This chocolate peppermint pie is an indulgent pretty dessert for the holiday season! A crunchy oreo crust, a fudgy chocolate ganache filling all topped with a peppermint marshmallow meringue cloud – it’s dreamy!
Time for chocolate pie topped with a peppermint pillow!
Just look at that fudgy chocolate ganache sitting on top of a chocolate cookie crust. This chocolate fudge pie is topped with peppermint meringue and has the crunchiest crust on the bottom – making it a chocolate lover’s dream.
In lieu of this year’s christmas cake, we’re making christmas pie!
Which is hilarious, since you know I still don’t love pie.
Well, that’s a lie. I do like pie. It’s never my first choice. I just hate MAKING said pie.
Truth!!
However, when it comes to an oreo or graham crust and a chocolate filling… I’m game. Here I am, ready for you, christmas pie.
Yessss.
How could I say no?!
This is such an easy pie and it’s a fabulous, decadent rich one which is a fun thing to share when you’re used to cookies during the holiday season!
Oreo crust
Chocolate ganache filling
Vanilla peppermint meringue on top.
That’s it!
Oh and you can add some festive sprinkles too. Whatever you like!
I’m all about a festive dessert and in the past, I’ve shared many christmas cakes. My most popular is this white christmas sparkle cake – it is SO good. We also love the pink peppermint cake which looks like it came straight out of the grinch life, my hot cocoa cake with whipped marshmallow, white chocolate mocha cake and my spiced orange snowball cake.
Oh oh, and who could forget my pink peppermint ice cream cake?! That one really… takes the cake.
SORRY. (more…)
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December 5, 2024
30 Festive Holiday Drinks! Every Cocktail, Mocktail & Coffee You Need For The Holiday Season.
The best holiday cocktails! Festive cocktails, mocktails, punches, coffees, hot chocolate and more are here for your holiday season to enjoy.
I have the list of all my favorite holiday drinks for you!
We have festive cocktails and mocktails, punches and more. Coffees, hot chocolates, spritzes and smashes! There is something here for everyone to enjoy. Make a pitcher for a party or just make a drink to enjoy by the sparkly lights.
30 Best Holiday Cocktails, Mocktails & CoffeesThe post 30 Festive Holiday Drinks! Every Cocktail, Mocktail & Coffee You Need For The Holiday Season. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.
December 4, 2024
Winter Caesar Salad with Dijon Breadcrumbs.
This winter caesar salad is perfect for the chilly season. A base of kale and brussels sprouts with greek yogurt caesar dressing, roasted squash, parmesan cheese and dijon croutons for crunch. So satisfying and delicious!
This is a salad I serve when I want to feel COZY.
Yes, a super cozy salad! That’s what we’ve got. I take my greek yogurt caesar dressing and make a winter caesar salad with tuscan kale, brussels sprouts, smoky butternut squash and the best part… mustardy bread crumbs.
Oh heavens yes. This is everything I want to eat all the time!
I’m pretty sure that Eddie and I love caesar salads made with kale and brussels sprouts even more than the traditional romaine lettuce. I’ve been making them like this for years and even combining the two – in Everyday Dinners I have one of my all-time favorite kale and brussels caesars with buffalo chickpeas!
Because both of these veggies are so hardy, they work super well in a caesar. First, they have so much crunch and texture. That’s a requirement in a good salad.
Second, they hold up with the caesar dressing so well. If the salad has a light coating of dressing, I can even successfully keep the leftovers in the fridge for the next day.
And finally, toppings work fabulously with the brussels and kale. I like some winter squash, shaved parmesan and super crunchy garlicky croutons or breadcrumbs. You can also add in nuts or seeds of your choice!
The salad has a few moving parts but it is totally worth it.
I make the dressing first, sometimes even the night before. It stays great in the fridge for a few days and tastes better after resting.
Next, I roast the squash. I love using smoked paprika and oregano, some garlic and even something with a little bit of heat, like chipotle chili powder.
While the squash roasts, I chop the brussels and kale. I also massage them with a drop of olive oil and let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes.
And then it’s time for the croutons. I alternate between calling them bread crumbs and croutons because here’s what I like to do: I technically make croutons, but then I crush them into tiny pieces once they are crispy and roasted, so there are lots of crunchy crumbs all over the salad. Either way, we’re drizzling them with a dijon olive oil combo and getting them all toasty and golden.
The key with making a good caesar is to toss a few tablespoons of the dressing into the brussels and kale mixture. I mean, really mix it and toss for a few minutes so every piece is coated.
Roasted squash, shaved parmesan cheese, crunchy crumbs, more dressing as needed – and done!
You can see why this is one of my favorites… it’s so satisfying. And soul warming. Cozy and filling! (more…)
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