Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 423

30 Minute Sweet Thai Chili Salmon Skewers.

Let’s talk about a flavor bomb explosion that isn’t peppermint bark cheesecake.

It has been a MINUTE since I’ve shared a salmon recipe here on the site. More like 15ish months, if we’re being all nitty and gritty. August of 2014 was the last time I shared a fresh and delicious salmon recipe – however, last February I did share a crispy crunchy tortilla crusted salmon slider. Which is fabulous and totally counts but I’m not counting it since it wasn’t necessarily classic, oh-hey-I-want-to-eat-a-plate-of-health salmon.

The first week of the new year calls for a plate-of-health salmon, if only to relish in the cliche universe we live in.

When I was busy baking a baby, I had an aversion to pretty much all food – barely had an appetite. Yes it was a travesty. Salmon was one of the last things I wanted to touch, even though everything I saw/read/watched/was told by super helpful, yes-please-give-me-all-your-advice ladies in the grocery store was that I needed to be eating salmon because it was the healthiest thing on earth for the babe. !!!!

Wasn’t feelin’ it though.

So here’s my thing. I like to buy fresh, wild caught salmon. The wild caught part comes from the internet telling me that’s what I need to do to reap all the health benefits and what not. I get it. I do it.

The fresh part comes from mother lovett convincing me that horrible, terrible, no-good, very bad things grow on meat, fish and vegetables that sit in cases. She used to ask for chipped ham that “wasn’t sitting under that light!” when we went to the grocery store. Aka, slice it, or in this case chip it, fresh, sir. That light in the deli or cheese case? Not a good thing.

No wonder it’s embedded in my brain that food sitting in the case UNDER THE LIGHT is filled with bacteria that will kill me.

Unless it comes from Whole Foods. I will buy anything under the light from Whole Foods because, you know it’s Whole Foods and when something is the most expensive version on earth it has to be the best.

Long story long, my local grocery store (which is NOT Whole Foods) often has a chili salmon that leaves a lot to be desired – just in appearance. Frankly, it looks like it has been sitting under the light, mother lovett style.

That’s where this came from. I haven’t been able to stop thinking of the combo! Plus, it also is similar to my most favorite salmon recipe – this toasted sesame salmon – and that is also your favorite salmon recipe! It’s one of my most popular recipes to date, even though it has set plenty of people’s ovens on fire.

(mother lovett would probably love that since she had a HUGE mental block against her broiler. My mom is still 150% convinced that I’m going to burn the house down when I turn mine on.)

If you love Thai flavors and enjoy salmon (I’m back on the wagon, FYI), these are calling your name, I promise. And they are simple! Especially if you have sweet chili sauce (my favorite is trader joes brand, but you can also use this one), which is a staple in my kitchen. We use it ALL the time. Coat your salmon in that delicious goodness, skewer chunks with scallions (grilled scallions give me life), grill them up and cover with toasted sesame oil, toasted sesame seeds and cilantro. (

They take even LESS than 30 minutes if you’re familiar with the kitchen, but for the sake of not being overly ambitious on this third day of the new year (whaaaat? It’s started MONDAY.), let’s go with the leisurely half hour. And you have time to make rice!

Or a salad. Whomp whomp.

Sweet Chili Salmon Skewers

Yield: serves 4

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

4 (4-ounce) salmon filets, cut into chunks
1 bunch of green onions, sliced into 1 to 2-inch pieces
1 cup sweet chili sauce, plus extra for topping
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
2 limes, sliced



Directions:

Place the salmon in a bowl and cover with the sweet chili sauce, tossing well to coat. Take the chunks and skewer them with about 3 or 4 pieces of scallion in between (I did 4 to 5 salmon chunks per skewer), beginning and ending with the salmon.

Heat a large skillet or grill pan over medium-high heat and add the coconut oil. Place the skewers in the skillet and cook until opaque and golden on all sides, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Remove the salmon and place it on a plate. Drizzle it with the toasted sesame oil and cover with the cilantro and sesame seeds. Finish with a spritz of lime. Serve with lime wedges and extra chili sauce.

 

Love you bigtime.

Tuesday Things.

1. I’m kind of sad to see no more twinkling Christmas lights but loving the lack of clutter decor. BUT. Now I want to decorate for Valentines Day. What is wrong with me? Have you SEEN all the adorable hearts out there? I’m still blaming Max for my desire to go all out with holidays.

2. These double chocolate sour cream cupcakes are off the charts. Look at that frosting?!

3. Books you have on tap for this month – or this year? I almost signed up for the goodreads challenge again (in 2014 I planned to read one book and week but failed once cookbook/baby stuff started) and am still debating.

4. Getting a bunch of questions about bullet journals, so you have to check out Kristen’s post + video! Mine looks nowhere near as pretty and is just chicken scratch in a notebook, btw. 

5. Last week I mentioned we were watching Making a Murderer. Oh..my..gosh. Well, we finished the next night. Which is HUGE, because Eddie never likes to stay up super late on work nights. Not only did we finish but then he was in bed reading articles on his phone until 2am. Have you watched?! It is insane. We’ve scoured the internets for articles and both find this one to describe our feelings the best. Also, these 29 thoughts have me laughing out loud. They are so true. Oh and we also watched Master of None (in one day, oops) and loved it. Aziz = my boyfriend.

6. Annnnnd on Saturday night we watched Jurassic World and then I had a terrifying dream about a killer monster dinosaur shark. Like actually woke up scared out of my mind. Hi, I’m 12 years old.

7. I know that I always say that I need massive MASSIVE help decorating because my interior/design brain is horrific. Like I would probably paint a wall with neon and glitter and think that it looks great. Soooo I’m thinking maybe I should show you some things and you can help me?

8. Something I’m super excited about now: awards season! Fun fun. And I have SNACKS for you. Just wait.

9. Reminders as we begin the new year. Spot on.

Crunchy Taco Kale Salad.

Hello and why don’t you do a salad bowl dive?

In what is perhaps the most shocking plot twist of this four-day old year so far is that I’m not just eating kale salad because the year is only four days old. For once, I’m not being a total cliché… well, at least not THAT much of a total cliché.

If you follow me on snapchat or instagram, then you know that we’ve been eating these huge kale salads at least once – and sometimes twice! – a week for a few months. (more…)

Menu Planning for the New Year: 154 Lightened Up Meal Ideas. (22 Weeks Worth!)

Happy New Year!

Are you champagned out? Ready for a spinach smoothie? Starting on Monday?

This is one of my favorite posts to put together, if even for selfish reasons. Easy meal planning is something I definitely need, especially now that we have a third eater in the house. And I’ve compiled lists like this in the past (with some repeats) that you can find right here:

2015 menu ideas

2014 menu ideas

…so there are TONS of options.

We have 22 weeks worth of menu ideas (154 dishes!) – mostly healthy, some slightly indulgent. But the best part is that you can easily make swaps if desired. Zoodles for noodles, greek yogurt for sour cream (I almost always do this), use only half the cheese (ugh, sad face), double up on the veg (whhhhy), more chicken, less chicken, . Most of my recipes are super adaptable and I say, use this as your guide.

This coming month I’m going to share some tips on how I do some meal prep on the weekends (only 1 hour worth so I don’t “lose” my weekend) and plan out some dishes for ease during the work week. And remember, whatever you make, show me on instagram with the hashtag #howsweeteats. Let’s do it. (more…)

later, 2015.

you’ve been:

1. dreamy

2. loveable

3. so fun

4. delicious

5. super cheesy

(more…)

On Resolutions.

I hope you love reading big blocks of text!

Oooh ooh ooh goals! One of my favorite things. I’ve never been stuck on resolutions, because I love setting goals all the time, any time. In the middle of a random month, on a Tuesday afternoon, or even January 22nd. You know, whenever.

Last year, I didn’t set any goals other than surviving life with a newborn. Max was only two weeks old come 2015 and I wanted to take the time to ease into our new life. I knew I was lucky enough to spend time at home with him and enjoy him and snuggle the heck out of him. And that I did. I had done enough work in the fall to simply do computer work until March 2015, which was fantastic and really allowed me to bond with him. Plus the snuggles. Oh the snuggles. (more…)

Slow Cooker Sweet and Spicy Pork Shoulder.

As luck would have it – I have the best pork dish for your New Year!

But really, all bad puns aside, this may be my best pork dish ever. Ever ever. And that is coming from a serious pork lover. You know it.

But first, just how superstitious are you?

(more…)

Tuesday Things.

1. It might be okay if I never see another cookie again. Or at least for around 24ish hours?

2. Except maybe not, because I definitely am thinking of making these leftover cookies tonight. Look at those!

3. And I can’t believe I’m saying this, but also: Target. We need to take a big break, because I was Targeted out this last week.

4. Super excited to set up my new Day Designed for 2016, BUT I’ve also been really into bullet journaling! I had already bought the Day Designer months ago before I learned about bullet journaling… and I want to find a way that I can use both without spending an excessive and unnecessary time doing planning things. I don’t have time to do stuff with stickers or decorate a planner, but I love the journal and writing part of the bullet – so HOW do I make this work?!

5. How much is your time worth? This is crazy.

6. I’m still reeling over the ending of The Affair, but in the meantime, last night Eddie and I started Makings of a Murderer on Netflix. WHOA. It is so fascinating and addicting. We are super hooked! Also, kind of looking forward to GIRLS this season? Oddly enough. And Showtime has been re-airing episodes of Dexter, so I’ve been watching that too.

7. 22 things to stop doing in 2016 (and what to do instead!).

8. What are your New Years plans? Mine include the couch, like always. I’d rather do almost anything else than leave the house on NYE.

9. P.S. I created this spread of good luck foods for Crate and Barrel. Are you superstitious? I make my own rules and only am occasionally.

10. It is super DARK and gloomy here and this whole week just feels off. Lots of holidaying, I’m still full from Christmas dinner and can’t I just stay in bed until 9 and then watch movies all day?

December Favorites: Beauty.

Here we are, back again. Best time of the month!

Oh my word do I loooooove beauty products this time of year. The colors, the shades, the gift sets! I can’t get enough. That sephora aisle of doom just kills me. Doesn’t it keep getting better and better?

So. I don’t have a ton of favorites this month because I wore a bunch of the same stuff. Truly, with all the hustle and bustle and rush of the season, I had my routine down pat and wasn’t trying much of anything new or fancy. Quick and easy neutrals on my eyes, tons of mascara and bright or dark lips. I’ve used more dry shampoo than should be allowed. It’s been a little more on the “boring” side for me since I prefer to switch things up, but I don’t have the time at the moment and find the bright lip colors make me look SO much more awake.

Let’s talk faves.

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist. Repeat offender but oh so good! Like so good that I’ve even been using it on my bare skin. This is absolutely incredible and I love that it can give me a dewy glow in winter. It’s not cold here yet but I think this will be even better once it gets snowy.

Gwen Stefani Urban Decay palette. I totally caved. I *think* that this is the only palette I ended up buying in 2015, and I just couldn’t help it. Urban Decay makes my favorite eyeshadow formula (nothing is as smooth!) and I have a long love of Gwen. I watched a few tutorials and read a bunch of reviews, and I ended up REALLY loving this mix of colors. I’ve been wearing only this for the last few weeks and I really love it.

MAC Prep and Prime Lip Primer. A few of you mentioned that I should try this with some of my favorite matte (and more drying) lip colors and oh my gosh – it’s perfect!! It works so well my MAC and urban decay mattes, it takes away any dryness and makes the wear more comfortable. Probably the best thing I found in December!

MAC Relentlessly Red. I KNOW. I talk about this incessantly. I have deemed it my signature color.

Clinique Lip Pop in Punch Pop. Not only do I love this shade but this lipstick is so.freaking.comfortable. And it stays on super well.

MAC lip pencils in Cherry and Candy Yum Yum. These are long standing favorites of mine, but what I’m really loving is how both colors are so versatile UNDER bright pinks and reds. I’ve been wearing both under either shade (for instance, Candy Yum Yum under Relentlessly Red) and I love how it changes the tone slightly. These pencils also keep your color on forever. Like you can see the stain on my lips the next day if I don’t remove it with makeup remover.

Jo Malone Mimosa and Cardamom perfume. I realize that 2015 has been the year of perfume flakiness for me. I can’t stop trying a bunch of scents and switching it up. I got this for Christmas so while it’s rather new to be a favorite, I have been obsessed with this scent since early November when my friend Natalie bought me the candle for my birthday. It is SO good. I am currently out of my signature bond no. 9 west side and will probably wait a while before repurchasing just because my perfume stash is getting out of control. Right now I’m switching between this and Tom Ford Noir Pour Femme.

Sunday Riley Luna Oil. Still absolutely loving this and definitely think I can see a change in my skin. So glad I bought it! I am tempted to buy another Power Couple duo since it’s such a good deal for when I run out. But I’m also trying not to be a huge hoarder.

Benefit High Beam. And oldie but goodie. This combined with my tinter moisturizer and topped with the Tatcha mist – ooomph. So much glow and I’m loving it. I’m kind of anxious to try the new matte highlighter? But I want to use more of this first.

Annnd that’s all for now.

What did you get for the holidays? What is on your list? I’m wanting some of the Tarte Tartiest lip paints and I can’t wait to grab one. I also may be looking for a new cleanser – just finished up my Caudalie moisturizing wash. I always use a cleansing oil, but I like to use a cleanser after to remove everything. Best thing you found in December? Ready set go!

{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 a few amazon affiliate links above. thank you for being here!}

Gingersnap Breakfast Risotto.

With only a few days left in the year, I’m proposing a wild idea.

Cookies for breakfast. But not just any cookies for breakfast – cookies in your almost-oatmeal like breakfast parfait. Creamy vanilla, chewy and spiced, crunchy with cookies.

I know I know, this is nothing new, especially if you’re like me and for the last ten days have been sneaking a peanut butter blossom or chocolate crinkle first thing in the morning to act as an appetizer for your coffee. Okay, so maybe your energizing first meal of choice is thumbprint or gingerbread man, but still. It’s happening and we only have about 36 hours left before the universe tries to make us feel terrible about it. Savor this moment, friends.

In case you already deem that unacceptable, make this!

I have my major moments of wanting breakfast foods all the time. If you really think about it, nearly anything can be “turned into” breakfast with the mere addition of an egg or some kind of oatmeal. Tacos, rice bowls, pizza, pasta and now, even cookies. I swear it. Just you wait.

It was around one year ago when I become obsessed with this cookie topped oatmeal (which I now am craving and must make this week) – breakfast in a pretty glass? Breakfast with a cookie layer? Breakfast that tastes like dessert? Sign me up for everything and I’ll attend whatever I need. Oatmeal makes everything in life healthy, so there’s that.

As a super huge fan of chewy oats (my favorite being steel cut), I loved the idea of a SWEET breakfast risotto. You can find a baked breakfast risotto in Seriously Delish, but hello, it’s the holidays and I’m going to crumble cookies into my breakfast because I do what I want. We can pretend that rice is like oatmeal and just as good for us, shhhhh.

Plus, it’s also a texture masterpiece: chewy rice, a little bit creamy, crunchy crispy gingersnaps, bursting orange wedges and pomegranate arils that pop in your mouth a little bit. It’s so deliciously wonderful that it actually sounds wrong.

A chew lovers dream, if you will.

So what’s on tap for this week? Are you working? Did you take the week off? Are you stuck in a dent on the couch binging on old episodes of Entourage (not me, totally not me) and sneaking cookies for breakfast? Choosing THEE sparkly color to wear on your nails come New Years Eve? Writing down how you can take on the universe in 2016?

No WONDER we are friends!

Gingersnap Breakfast Risotto

Yield: serves 4 to 6

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1 cup arborio rice

1 knob fresh ginger

2 cup water

2 cups full fat coconut milk, plus extra for serving

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste

1/8 teaspoon salt

2/3 cup crushed gingersnap cookies

for serving: orange slices, pomegranate arils, extra coconut cream

Directions:

Heat a saucepan over medium-low heat and add the butter. Add the rice and stir to coat. Cook until the rice begins to toast, stirring often, for about 2 to 3 minutes. Pour in the water, knob of ginger and stir. Cook until the water is almost all absorbed by the rice, stirring often. Add in the coconut milk and repeat: stir continuously until the liquid is absorbed. Remove the ginger knob. Stir in the sugar, vanilla bean paste and salt. At this point, you can also stir in a handful of crushed gingersnap cookies!

Scoop the risotto into bowls and drizzle with a bit of milk. Cover with orange slices, pomegranate arils, extra coconut cream and more crushed cookies. I like to layer the toppings on! Finish off with a full gingersnap cookie. Serve immediately.

P.S. those little white pops are white chocolate crunchies. Because… I do what I want.