Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 390

2016 Holiday Gift Guide: For Her.

Welcome to the start of my 2016 gift guides! All week, I’m going to be sharing my favorite things (in fact, we’re doing six full days of gift guides!!) and while I’ve mentioned most of them throughout the year (and previous years) in my favorites posts, these are the 20 gems that I think are absolutely gift worthy.



I know that these picks are a bit more extravagant and pricey, but it’s truly the things I have loved all year. Later this week, I’ll be sharing a gift guide under $25!

J. Crew Chateau Parka. I have been dying for one of these coats for years and years now. It’s definitely a splurge, but I think it’s such a timeless classic.

Kendra Scott Bianca Cuff. Rose gold for life. I love everything sparkly and shiny and love this even more because it’s a cuff and not a full bracelet. I think they are so much more comfortable – and even more practical for me to wear with Max.

Clare V Foldover Clutch. One of my favorite bags ever. The Clare V clutches are so soft and wonderful and I love how they can be dressed up or down.

Nest Birchwood Pine Candle. If you read my site regularly then I probably sound like a broken record, but I LOVE this scent so much. I also rarely by luxury candles on my own, so getting them as a gift is extra special.

Kendra Scott Stone Stud Earrings. For years, I’ve been crazy over the Kate Spade studs, but these might be my new obsession. My brother and sister-in-law got me these for my birthday and they are so super gorgeous.

Rag and Bone Margot Booties. This is another splurgy item, but it’s Christmas! You know that most of the time I buy my boots and shoes at Target, but once a year or every other, I like to get a really NICE pair of boots. Considering we wear them for half the year here in Pennsylvania, I consider them an investment! Eddie would disagree. Regardless, these boots are super comfortable. Got them for my birthday and I love ’em to pieces!

Barefoot Dreams Throw Blanket. A few years ago I bought my mom a Barefoot Dreams wrap for Christmas, before I ever even knew about the brand. It was just SO soft. Ever since, I’ve been crazy over their stuff. I haven’t bought a sweater yet for myself, but I did buy one of these blankets a few weeks ago! Cold weather here we come.

Copper Pineapple Tumbler. I don’t think I will ever get sick of the adorable pineapple tumblers. So cute!

Kate Spade Knit Colorblock Scarf. I am a self-proclaimed scarf-a-holic. It’s true. It’s embarrassing. At Christmas, I really love giving heavier knit scarves because we are heading into the coldest part of winter.

Rebecca Minkoff Rachel Crossbody in blue hologram. I mean, must I even tell you something about this? It’s hologram (!!!!) and better than that… it’s teal hologram! AHHHH. The prettiest and I will never get over my love for Rebecca Minkoff bags.

Samsung nx300 Mirrorless Camera and the 30mm lens. This should come as no surprise since I talk about it every single month in my favorites posts, but this camera is the best. The quality is so super close to my DSLR camera, but this is small and light and wonderful. And it can fit in your purse! I recommend getting the 30mm pancake lens because it makes the camera more compact and small. It’s what I shoot most of my instagram photos with and what I take everywhere we go to get pics of Max. Occasionally, I even use it for a recipe photo or two – it’s that good.

Date Night In by Ashley Rodriguez. This remains one of my most favorite cookbooks to date. I think it’s perfect for a spouse or significant other, but also if you have a friend that’s a bride-to-be. Ashley’s recipes are so wonderful and the book is pretty enough to display in the kitchen or on your coffee table.

Jo Malone Cologne Collection. This collection houses my favorite scent by Jo Malone (Mimosa and Cardamom) with close seconds coming in with Pomegranate Noir and Wood Sage & Sea Salt. In fact, I love ALL the scents in here. If you have someone who enjoys switching up their scent often, this is the best gift ever.

Kate Spade Color Crush Necklace. I have my moments of wearing delicate gold necklaces but let’s be real: most of the time I want something bold, crazy, neon and/or full of color or jewels. I have two Kate Spade statement necklaces like this that are a few years old and I consider them to be timeless. They are so pretty! It’s terrible that I want this one too.

Day Designer Planner. My favorite planner! I’ve used this one for years and earlier in the year, considered just going the bullet journal route, but have since decided that won’t work for me right now. I still love bullet journaling, but use it more as a to-do list. And I need an actual paper planner BOOK where I can throw everything in my life. The Day Designer format is my favorite.

Mackenzie Childs Check and Stripe Taper Candles. I’m obsessed with all things Mackenzie Childs, but I know that the bold prints can be overwhelming at times. I love how fun these taper candles are when added to a room – they give it so much personality and character!

Pottery Barn McKenna Large Jewelry Chest. I bought this for my mom a few years ago (in the aqua color) and she LOVES it. I love it too! I do have a “nicer” jewelry chest that almost looks like a piece of furniture, but I like that this one is pretty enough to sit out, or square enough to fit in a closet.

Honorable Mentions:
Polaroid Zip Mobile Printer. This allows you to print little pictures from your phone (and instagram) and it’s so cool!
Lululemon Align Crops. My favorite black leggings EVER. To wear with regular clothing or to work out! Obsessed.
Gap Puffer Vest. This is my current favorite puffer vest. I LOVE Gap vests and still have one from my freshman year of college. They are the best.

The post 2016 Holiday Gift Guide: For Her. appeared first on How Sweet It Is.

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole!

[This post is sponsored by French’s! I’m partnering with them again to create a delicious Thanksgiving dish with their brand new Crispy Fried Jalapeños (< omg!!!) and I can’t wait for you to taste them! #holidaywithfrenchs]

Do you SEE that?! It’s a savory sweet potato casserole!

My brain might be exploding.

So – I love love love sweet potato casserole. It’s a fairly recent love, like about four years ago when I first created this lightened up sweet potato casserole is exactly when I fell hard. Both of my grandmothers used to make a (very different) version of sweet potatoes for Thanksgiving and I totally wasn’t into it.

I WAS MISSING SO MUCH!

Even though I enjoy the classic dish, there are the very, very, very few times that it’s almost just a leeeettle too sweet for me. For instance, sometimes for Thanksgiving dinner I want it on a separate plate – or on my plate after I’ve finished the first plate – because it practically tastes like dessert.

You totally know what I mean. Right?

The other thing is that while Eddie adores sweet potatoes (we probably eat them two or three days a week), he has zero desire to eat them when topped with sugar and pecans. And even marshmallow. He doesn’t even like the marshmallow!

The first time he told me that, I almost fell over. Hello, who WOULDN’T want toasty,  melty marshmallows all over their sweet potatoes?

Anyhoo.

Here I am. Solving the problem!

I’m partnering with French’s today because there is such a thing as Crispy Fried Jalapeños.

OH

MY

GOSH.

Jalapeños! You know, like the crispy onions?!

I’ve died and gone to heaven, you guys. These are out of this world.  I thought that I loved the crispy onions but my life is forever changed right now.

It’s almost like these crispy jalapeños are ever so sliiiightly sweet too, but first you have the crunch and then you have the heat. And maybe just a touch of sweetness.

They are SO good. eeeeep!

I knew they’d just WORK in a savory sweet potato casserole. First, I swirled bacon grease into the potatoes. I’m sorry. I can’t. Don’t hate me. (< name it!)

Basically I’m never not doing that again.

Lots of garlic and salt and pepper too. The potatoes are still inherently sweet though, of course, so I knew I had to go all out on the toppings. Crunchy bacon, caramelized shallots, and big old handfuls of the Crispy Fried Jalapeños.

It has texture. Loads of flavor. The ever-so-perfect balance of the sweet and savory. It might not be the most photogenic dish, but t is your taste buds’ dream. I promise.

Savory Sweet Potato Casserole

Yield: serves 6 (is easily multiplied)

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

4 medium sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
6 slices bacon, chopped
1 large shallot, thinly sliced
4 garlic cloves, minced
½ cup half and half
2 tablespoons butter
¼ teaspoon salt
¼ teaspoon pepper
2/3 cup French’s® Crispy Fried Jalapeños



Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Place the sweet potatoes in a saucepan and cover with cold water. Bring the mixture to a boil and boil for 20 minutes, until the potatoes are fork tender. Drain the potatoes and place them in a large bowl.

While the potatoes are boiling, heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the bacon. Cook, stirring often, until the bacon is crispy and the fat is rendered. Once crispy, remove the bacon with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper-towel lined plate to drain excess grease. Reserve 2 tablespoons for the potatoes and leave the rest of the grease in the skillet.

Add the shallots to the skillet with a sprinkle of salt and the brown sugar. Cooking over low heat, stirring often, until golden and caramel, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Take two tablespoons of the bacon grease and add it to the potatoes. Add the  butter, half and half, salt and pepper and blend using a hand mixer (or a stand mixer!) or mash with a potato masher until totally smooth.

Spoon the sweet potatoes into an 8x8 inch baking dish. Top with the caramelized shallots and crispy bacon. Place the dish in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove and sprinkle with the French’s® Crispy Fried Jalapeños. Place the dish back in the oven for 10 minutes.

Let cool slightly before serving!

Be sure to follow howsweeteats on instagram and tag your recipes with #howsweeteats! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the howsweeteats facebook page. I appreciate you so much!

Now this needs to go in a grilled cheese.

The post Savory Sweet Potato Casserole! appeared first on How Sweet It Is.

Currently Crushing On.

Happy weekend! I’m in full-on Thanksgiving planning mode and just way too excited for it! This week is going to consist of lots of errands and cleaning to get things ready. And a few last minute plans.

What are you guys up to?! If you’re shopping the Sephora VIB sale this weekend, don’t forget about all of my favorites.

I’m heavily resisting the urge to decorate for Christmas, but I am listening to Christmas music already. Can’t help it!

Videos this week! >>

Thai Butternut Squash Soup

How to make an Oatmeal Latte 

Caramelized Pear, Crispy Prosciutto and Blue Cheese Pizza

 

And things I love on the internets this week:

the most adorable pumpkin cookies with succulent roses. so cute!

love these easy tips for a Thanksgiving tablescape.

and this stunning tablescape too!

chai latte tiramisu. oh my heavens.

absolute perfection: this holiday bread basket.

battling your inner critic. it’s so good.

the cheesiest spinach and cheese lasagna is calling my name. (of course)

a pecan pie manhattan? no way!

craving: mac and kimcheese! obsessed with this idea.

very much obsessed with these christmas decorations.

really love the sound of these sichuan green beans with fried shallots.

this chili rubbed turkey is stunning.

a pumpkin spice margarita that i really want to try.

The post Currently Crushing On. appeared first on How Sweet It Is.

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Puff Pastry.

Hello hello! I have the EASIEST dessert ever for you today!

And it’s coated in cinnamon sugar. Um hi, can I please coat my entire life in cinnamon sugar? Please and thank you.

When I was a kid, my grandma made the most wonderful cinnamon sugar toast and the cinnamon sugar was housed in this little shaker that looked like a bear or a boy or something. I’m pretty sure we have discussed this before in the blog comments, but I used to get ridiculously giddy over that shaker.

I also used to think that cinnamon sugar was a special spice in itself. Didn’t realize it was sugar PLUS cinnamon, swirled together. I thought there was a special spiced sugar. The worst part is that I probably thought this was a legit thing until I was going to college. And couldn’t find cinnamon-flavored sugar.

Hmmmpf.

Cinnamon sugar toast still makes an appearance in this house, but it’s only when I’m desperately craving comfort food and I often use coconut oil so I feel better about consuming sugar-coated toast.

Does it taste like heaven? Of course. Does Eddie think it’s ridiculous? Obvious.

I wanted to mimic that feeling and flavor with the puff pastry and give the whole Thanksgiving apple pie a spin. This is SO super simple but still packed with flavor, so if you’re having a holiday party or cooking the entire Thanksgiving dinner by yourself, you can throw this together in a few minutes and have a delicious dessert.

I LOVE IT.

So here’s how this all goes down. Get some store-bought puff pastry! You can make your own if you have the patience of my mom or the time of forever on your hands. Brush it with egg wash and shower it with a cinnamon sugar rainfall. We are talking – a cinnamon sugar microburst. Lots of cinnamon sugar!

Throw some thinly slices apples on top and maybe, if you’re into it, dust them with cinnamon sugar too. It’s November! You’re allowed.

Bake that baby. Until it’s puffed and golden and crisp with cinnamon sugar. It’s delicately crunchy on the outside, flakey and sweet and almost reminiscent of a perfect cronut. The middle tastes like apple pie, all cinnamony and slightly syrupy and wonderful.

And I wouldn’t complain if you wanted to drench the entire thing in bourbon chai caramel. That’s a thing, really.

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Puff Pastry

Yield: serves 4 appropriately, 2 obnoxiously

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg + 1 teaspoon water
1 large apple, very thinly sliced
caramel for serving, if desired



Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, stir together the sugar, cinnamon and salt.

Place the puff pastry on the parchment paper. Whisk together the egg and water and brush it all over the puff pastry. Sprinkling a few tablespoons of the cinnamon sugar all over the puff pastry. Place the apples on top, in whatever decoration you would like. I used the cuts in the pastry as a guide to layer really thin apple slices. Sprinkle a little more of the cinnamon sugar over the apples.

Bake the pastry for 25 minutes, or until golden and puffed. Remove it from the oven and cut into squares. Serve immediately. Serve with caramel sauce if you'd like!

Be sure to follow howsweeteats on instagram and tag your recipes with #howsweeteats! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the howsweeteats facebook page. I appreciate you so much!

Sugar crust!

The post Cinnamon Sugar Apple Puff Pastry. appeared first on How Sweet It Is.

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Puff Pasty.

Hello hello! I have the EASIEST dessert ever for you today!

And it’s coated in cinnamon sugar. Um hi, can I please coat my entire life in cinnamon sugar? Please and thank you.

When I was a kid, my grandma made the most wonderful cinnamon sugar toast and the cinnamon sugar was housed in this little shaker that looked like a bear or a boy or something. I’m pretty sure we have discussed this before in the blog comments, but I used to get ridiculously giddy over that shaker.

I also used to think that cinnamon sugar was a special spice in itself. Didn’t realize it was sugar PLUS cinnamon, swirled together. I thought there was a special spiced sugar. The worst part is that I probably thought this was a legit thing until I was going to college. And couldn’t find cinnamon-flavored sugar.

Hmmmpf.

Cinnamon sugar toast still makes an appearance in this house, but it’s only when I’m desperately craving comfort food and I often use coconut oil so I feel better about consuming sugar-coated toast.

Does it taste like heaven? Of course. Does Eddie think it’s ridiculous? Obvious.

I wanted to mimic that feeling and flavor with the puff pastry and give the whole Thanksgiving apple pie a spin. This is SO super simple but still packed with flavor, so if you’re having a holiday party or cooking the entire Thanksgiving dinner by yourself, you can throw this together in a few minutes and have a delicious dessert.

I LOVE IT.

So here’s how this all goes down. Get some store-bought puff pastry! You can make your own if you have the patience of my mom or the time of forever on your hands. Brush it with egg wash and shower it with a cinnamon sugar rainfall. We are talking – a cinnamon sugar microburst. Lots of cinnamon sugar!

Throw some thinly slices apples on top and maybe, if you’re into it, dust them with cinnamon sugar too. It’s November! You’re allowed.

Bake that baby. Until it’s puffed and golden and crisp with cinnamon sugar. It’s delicately crunchy on the outside, flakey and sweet and almost reminiscent of a perfect cronut. The middle tastes like apple pie, all cinnamony and slightly syrupy and wonderful.

And I wouldn’t complain if you wanted to drench the entire thing in bourbon chai caramel. That’s a thing, really.

Cinnamon Sugar Apple Puff Pastry

Yield: serves 4 appropriately, 2 obnoxiously

Total Time: 35 minutes

Ingredients:

1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
1/2 cup sugar
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 large egg + 1 teaspoon water
1 large apple, very thinly sliced
caramel for serving, if desired



Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. In a bowl, stir together the sugar, cinnamon and salt.

Place the puff pastry on the parchment paper. Whisk together the egg and water and brush it all over the puff pastry. Sprinkling a few tablespoons of the cinnamon sugar all over the puff pastry. Place the apples on top, in whatever decoration you would like. I used the cuts in the pastry as a guide to layer really thin apple slices. Sprinkle a little more of the cinnamon sugar over the apples.

Bake the pastry for 25 minutes, or until golden and puffed. Remove it from the oven and cut into squares. Serve immediately. Serve with caramel sauce if you'd like!

Be sure to follow howsweeteats on instagram and tag your recipes with #howsweeteats! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the howsweeteats facebook page. I appreciate you so much!

Sugar crust!

The post Cinnamon Sugar Apple Puff Pasty. appeared first on How Sweet It Is.

Cranberry Chai Sangria.

What a doozy of a week! I’m virtually passing you a glass of cranberry chai sangria.

When my cousin Lacy and I were young (like younger than tweens), we used to try and “pass food through the phone” to each other. We are talking through a landline of course, and you know how phones have the little speaker holes on them? Yes, they’d be filled with crushed food. Not joking.

We were absolutely convinced that we could taste things through the phone. Things like french vanilla cereal (I wish I remembered the name because that stuff was freaking good), watermelon jolly ranchers and some flavors of snapple, which yes, is exactly what you are thinking: a nightmare.

Anyhoo, that’s why I’m trying to pass you a cocktail through the internet. Good stuff.

YES. Cranberry CHAI. Our thirsty Thursdays continue in the warmest, most tipsy way.

It’s embarrassingly obvious that chai has been the flavor that I’ve lost my mind over this season. In fact, for the last year. That’s neither here nor there since I constantly talk about it, but oh man was I ever so determined to put it in a boozy sangria and MAKE IT HAPPEN.

Spoiler alert! I made it happen.

It’s super simple too. I infused cranberry juice with chai tea bags as opposed to including my favorite spice mixture. I almost added a few pretty star anise pieces into the sangria too… but then I added one to my glass and accidentally bit down on it and almost lost a tooth. Not worth it pals. The tea bags are ideal.

Into a big pitcher goes some pinot noir, chai drenched cranberry juice, ginger brandy, citrus seltzer and a ton of fruit.

Side bar: why are the insides of cranberries so weird? Gives me flashbacks.

So what exactly is the difference between this cranberry chai sangria and the eerily similar looking pomegranate punch I shared last week? The fruit! Of course.

Super helpful, Jess. I KNOW.

But really.

The pomegranate punch is fruity based and tastes a bit sweet – more juice-like. Even though it’s made with a seasonal fruit, the flavor is so fantastic that it would work in the summer too.

Whereas this cranberry chai sangria is a bit spicier, a bit warmer. The chai tea flavors infused the sangria in the loveliest way. It totally depends on the mood you’re in. Are you a fruity drink person or a spicy drink person? This almost reminds me of mulled wine in a way.

Either way, it’s fall in a glass and I don’t hate it.

Cranberry Chai Sangria

Yield: serves 4

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups cranberry juice
2 chai tea bags
1 standard (750 mL) bottle of pinot noir
1 cup citrus flavored seltzer
1/2 cup ginger brandy
2 apples, thinly sliced
2 oranges, thinly sliced
1 pear, thinly sliced
1 cup fresh cranberries
1 cinnamon stick, plus extra for garnish



Directions:

Heat the cranberry juice in a sauce pan over low heat until it almost simmers. Remove from the heat and add the tea bags. Steep for 15 minutes, then taste and see if it's chai-spiced enough. You can always repeat the process with a new tea bag!

Add the apples, pears, cranberries and orange slices to the bottom of a pitcher with a cinnamon stick and pour all of the ingredients overtop - the juice, wine, seltzer and brandy. Stir well and if desired, let sit for 30 minutes before serving.

Fill a glass with ice and orange slices. Pour the sangria over top and garnish with some of the fruit and a couple of cinnamon sticks.

Be sure to follow howsweeteats on instagram and tag your recipes with #howsweeteats! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the howsweeteats facebook page. I appreciate you so much!

It’s the prettiest, right!

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Easy Bacon Butternut Squash Risotto.

Are we really here right now?!

I think we are. Let’s eat bacon butternut risotto and maybe take a bowl to all those friends we unfriended (or at least muted?) on social media until the election was over.

It’s insane how different our world is today. I remember having to BEG my mom to tell me who she voted for when I was a kid, and most times she wouldn’t even end up telling me. And I had absolutely no idea who she did vote for, or what it meant back then, but just the simple fact that she wouldn’t tell me? I mean, that was reason enough that I couldn’t handle NOT knowing. I would harass her endlessly.

I assume she didn’t tell me because I probably would have ran my 8-year-old mouth to someone while in the grocery store or I’d just randomly scream MOM WHY DID YOU VOTE FOR ROSS PEROT while we were shopping in Limited Too, but the thing was that she didn’t tell anyone. Not ANYONE.

I’m sure my dad knew, but she didn’t discuss it with my aunt or my grandma or anyone. No one discussed it in such a weird taboo way! And now… well I know who my third grade best friend’s boyfriend’s sister’s mother-in-law voted for yesterday thanks to social media.

What a crazy world we live in. This is nuts.

Thank goodness we can go back to watching Matthew McConaughey looking all hot even while he talks to himself and drives down a deserted highway on commercial breaks from This Is Us. (OMG. This Is Us. Are you watching? Dying over it. And this never happens this early.)

So, risotto? Peace offering risotto?

This bowl has everything I want to eat on a chilly fall night. Soft, bacon-toasted, wine soaked rice with caramely butternut squash cubes, crispy bacon, fresh sage and parmesan out the wazoo.

It’s the most perfect friendsgiving side dish OR just a side dish for your dinner tonight. It’s even more perfect as a full meal and pair it with a little spring greens salad and I’m good to go. I mean, great to go.

I feel like this is such a classic, simple meal, but I couldn’t go without sharing because the flavors are so spot on. Isn’t it funny how sometimes a simple dish sounds SO delicious, but you didn’t even THINK about it until someone mentions it? That happens to me all the time.

Thanks to instagram, I constantly see things like new little toppings for avocado toast or a certain way to cook chicken and I’m all WHY HAVEN’T I BEEN DOING THAT before immediately grabbing exactly what I need and making said recipe.

So while this risotto is pretty fantastic… what I did with the leftovers is even more fantastic. You’ll see that soon enough but let’s just say it involved LOTS of cheese (shocking) and a dipping sauce. Mmmm.

Don’t spoil the secret!

Bacon Butternut Squash Risotto

Yield: serves 4

Total Time: 1 hour

Ingredients:

6 slices bacon, chopped
1 1/2 cups butternut squash cubes
salt and pepper
1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1 1/2 cups arborio rice
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 cup dry white wine
4 to 5 cups low-sodium chicken or veggie stock, warmed
1/3 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
fresh sage for topping
fresh parmesan shavings for topping



Directions:

Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add the bacon. Cook until the fat is rendered and the bacon is crispy. Once crispy, remove it with a slotted spoon and place it on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess grease.

Remove about 2 tablespoons of the bacon grease from the skillet and reserve it for the risotto. Add the butternut squash cubes to the skillet with a sprinkle of salt and pepper and the nutmeg. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the squash is just fork tender (you don't want it to be mushy!).

Heat a saucepan or pot over medium-low heat and add the reserved bacon grease. Add the arborio rice and stir. Toast the rice until the pieces are translucent and fragrant. Stir in the garlic and cook for another minute. Stir in the white wine, constantly stirring or at least stirring every minute or so, until the rice absorbs the wine. Once the wine is absorbed, add in 1 1/2 cups of the stock, stirring until the rice absorbs the liquid like it did with the wine. Repeat this 2 to 3 more times, until all stock has been added and the rice is al dente. You want it to appear "hydrated" - and want there to be some liquid left when serving. This process should take about 15 to 20 minutes.

Once the rice is cooked, stir in the butternut squash cubes, parmesan cheese and almost all over the bacon, leaving some for the topping. Top with a bunch of fresh sage (you can stir some in if you want, it will get incorporated once you serve the risotto) and parmesan shavings. Serve immediately.

Be sure to follow howsweeteats on instagram and tag your recipes with #howsweeteats! You can also post a photo of your recipe to the howsweeteats facebook page. I appreciate you so much!

That color and flavor. WHOA.

The post Easy Bacon Butternut Squash Risotto. appeared first on How Sweet It Is.

Tuesday Things.

1. I am SO in the Christmas spirit already that I’m actually dying to put up our tree. I haven’t felt like this in a few years and I hope the excitement carries on for two more months. I went to Target just to walk through the Christmas decor on Sunday. Living the wild dream life over here.

2. WHAT on earth is social media going to be filled with after today? I’m just going to miss SNL.

3. I love seeing this process of how Adrianna’s Cozy Coloring Book came together. The food in this book looks so delicious that I want to color and devour every single page!

4. Last week I asked whyyyy about the sock booties but do you want to know something horrifying? I kind of want a pair of platform oxfords. I mean, NO, I’m not going to do it. I don’t think so. No no no. Get out of my head.

5. TV TV! Masters of Sex made me so freaking happy even though it was sort of weird. Still kind of meh on the Walking Dead but I understand why the last two weeks were sort of mild. Kind of reminds me of when they sliced someone’s head off. I cannot get over how freaking funny Divorce is. I mean, it’s also horrible but the husband is hilarious. And finally, the icing on the cake: did you watch Snoop Dog and Martha Stewart’s new show on VH1 last night? Eeeeep.

6. My favorite video of every year: Jimmy Kimmel’s I Told My Kid I Ate Their Halloween Candy. When Max went trick or treating this year, he gave every house candy from HIS own bag. Hehehehe.

7. Guys, where do you brine a huge turkey? No way it will fit in my fridge. We have the (horrific!) side by side fridge and freezer that fits absolutely nothing and 35 things fall out of it any given day when the door is opened. But I don’t know if a cooler with ice is safe enough. HALP.

8. P.S. did you see that I’m giving away four pieces of the stunning Mackenzie Childs cookware over on instagram?!

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Mustard Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon.

I hereby declare this combination the trio of love.

All of my favorite flavors, meshed into one VEGGIE dish. What is happening!

Maybe I’m finally growing up. A little. Or not. I mean, I can’t keep up my tired “ugh veggies” mindset forever. Even if it really is my mindset. Almost 100% of the time. BUT. I play a pretend adult in my real life and make myself eat them and sometimes even enjoy them.

The world really might be ending.

Today I turn the ripe old age of 34 and I’m all sorts of WHAT THE HECK because I seriously, absolutely feel 17 years old inside. I 100% do. Sometimes I might feel 22. Or 24. But I never even feel 30.

In fact, sometimes I think that I AM 30 and then I’m like… uh, no, you’re four years past 30. Whyyyyyy.

Not that I’d rather have the alternative. No thank you.

Just last week I was wondering if I would ever feel my age. I actually think that something might be wrong with me at times because I don’t feel like a grown up at all. That doesn’t mean that I don’t ACT like a grownup (though ask my husband… parents… brothers… this may be debatable), but I just don’t feel like one inside. Whatsoever.

I used to think that once I was married, I’d feel like a grown up. NOPE.

Once I owned a home, I’d really feel like a grown up. NOPE again. Just lots of crap to clean and buy.

Once I had a child, I’d surely feel like a grown up. NO WAY. Just putting on an act so my kid thinks I’m in charge all the time.

Maybe when I’m 75? Probably still no. But that scares me! Is this good or bad? Naturally, I turn to the internet for guidance.

I’m also really not into the idea of giving up my sparkles or sprinkles or neon or denim and anytime I even consider it I just think of Gwen Stefani who is 47 and sure as heck doesn’t look her age and then I say a few prayers that can’t I just pretty, pretty please get some of her hipness and coolness?

I should also probably stop writing run-on sentences at this age but NOPE AGAIN. No thanks.

It’s no secret that I’m an absolute brussels freeeeeak. And you know what? YOU witnessed the transformation. Yes, it’s pretty crazy that I first tried brussels ages ago right here on the blog when I made them for dinner and then… fell in love.

My favorite recipe with the sprouts would have to be bacon brussels pizza but that’s neither here nor there. Today we’re just talking side dishes.

In fact, we’re combining THREE of my most favorite things. THREE!! The brussels, of course. And then the bacon, duh. And I’m sure you already know it, but the mustard. Gosh, the mustard. Please raise your hand if you’re weird and could eat mustard off of a spoon. Or if you collect mustard. Or if you dip your pretzels in it. Or do something else wacky.

It’s my birthday and I can eat mustard off a spoon if I want to. Right?

I like to roast my brussels within an inch of their life. Lots of char and caramelization and lots of crispy bacon. Maybe so it masks the actual flavor, who knows. Tangy and salty with a little sweetness. And then! You can top the entire thing off with roasted pepitas if you wish.

Your Thanksgiving table thinks it sounds excellent.

Mustard Roasted Brussels Sprouts with Bacon

Yield: serves 2 to 4

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

1 pound brussels sprouts, stems removed and sliced in half
4 slices bacon, diced
1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon grainy mustard
2 teaspoons dijon mustard
2 teaspoons honey
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
a handful of roasted pepitas for topping, if desired



Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Place the sliced brussels sprouts and diced bacon in a bowl.

In a bowl, whisk together the mustards, honey, garlic, paprika and pepper. Pour it over the sprouts and bacon and toss well until they are all completely saturated. Spread the brussels on a baking sheet. Roast for 25 to 30 minutes, tossing once or twice during cook time.

Remove the sprouts and if desired, top them with roasted pepitas for more crunch.

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Don’t worry, I ate cake for breakfast.

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October Favorites: Lifestyle.

Um, hi! I know I’m ridiculously late on what I was loving in October, but I loved so many things that I had to share.

Let me know you’re current faves below! And have you grabbed anything yet at the Sephora sale?! I’m absolutely going crazy over…

Winter Storms by Elin Hilderbrand. I have been waiting for this book in her winter series to come out since putting the second one down last year. I LOVE this family and this story. If you love to read the same sort of books that I do (general women’s fiction, borderline chick-lit, beach reads), you’ll adore this since it’s set around Christmas time!

The Vandal. Gosh, the brunch is out.of.this.world. I’m still thinking of it a few weeks later. Craving. There is a reason that bon appetit said they have one of the best chicken sandwiches in America.

the Nest Pumpkin Chai Candle. AH! This scent is so fantastic. My all-time favorite fall scents that are super nostalgic are Autumn Wreath from Yankee Candle and Leaves from Bath and Body Works. But this is giving both of those a run for their money. It’s my second year burning this candle and everyone asks what the scent is. Also, I’m stocking up now because you can get them 20% off at the Sephora sale!

Williams Sonoma pumpkin pancake mix. I freak out over this mix every single year. I mean, sure, I could definitely make my own but there is something I love about this so much. It’s delicious, it’s simple, and it just tastes like HOME. Like fall seasons gone by.

I grabbed this plaid blanket wrap and while it’s not usually something I’d go for, I’ve been wearing it constantly. It’s been perfect for our current temperatures and was light enough to wear on a plane. It’s so easy, I’ve even just been throwing it over tanks or workout clothes to run to the store really quick!

this might sound ridiculous, but I’ve been going nuts over the apple cider scented products from Mrs. Meyers. I found mine at Target (they are all gone now, but still online!) and have the hand soap, dish soap and all-purpose cleaning spray. I love Mrs. Meyers products to begin with, but with my apple cider cider infatuation?! GAH. Obsessed. Makes your kitchen smell incredible.

these copper glass pumpkins from Pier 1. These are super pretty and I just love what they’ve done to our living room as fall as fall decor goes! I’m planning on using one in a centerpiece too. So beautiful. I love pumpkins like this because I can bring them out in September and keep them through Thanksgiving.

the Nespresso pumpkin spice cake coffee pods. I realize that this post has been super pumpkin heavy, but hey! It’s where I’m at right now. I was flipping out over these seasonal coffees, because I’m basic and always wish that Nespresso had more in the vertuoline other than just vanilla, caramel and hazelnut. Really loving it. The gingerbread is good too. The banana is okay, but I’m still on the fence as to if I want banana in my coffee.

Still obsessed with: my Canon Mark 5D Mark IV. AHHHHH you guys! This camera has changed so much for me. I actually find myself ENJOYING some photography these days (not much, but a heck of a lot more than I was) and it’s just so user friendly for me. Really happy with it and yes I know that I owe you a post on it.

I brought out my huge blanket scarf a few weeks ago so I could take it with me while traveling, but we’ve also had a few days around here where it was chilly enough to use it. This is heavier than the plaid wrap above. I will never not have one of these with me when it’s cold out. Legit blanket. Hi my name is Jessica and I have a scarf problem.

Finally, this bourbon chai caramel. Holy cow. I am absolutely obsessed with this. I have never even been a caramel person. If you need a treat, want to gift someone a dessert condiment or need caramel sauce for a party, you HAVE to try this! It’s basically fall caramel in a jar. Dreamy.

[none of this is sponsored, just like to talk about things that I discover and love over the month. i purchased everything myself aside from the mackenzie childs pumpkins that they sent me in preparation for a press trip. tell me your faves! there may be a few affiliate links above. love love.]

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