Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 50

60 of Our Favorite Fall Dinners!

These are my best fall dinner recipes! Lots of cozy, comforting dishes here, including hearty salads, soups, pasta and more. Make a list and enjoy them through this entire lovely season!

It’s my favorite dinner season!

So I know it’s a little bit early. And we’re still fully immersed in cobs of corn and juicy tomatoes over here. But! If you’re anything like me and love to plan your dinners ahead, I’ve got you covered. I wanted to share my favorite fall dinner recipes today so you can get that list going! I’m even considering planning out my meals for an entire MONTH so we get everything in.

I love doing this post every year because it gives me so much dinner inspiration. There are so many good flavors. I mean, yes, it’s definitely a squash appreciation post. But still! There is a ton of variety here.

You’ll find lots of my favorite pasta dishes, salads, sheet pan meals and soups. I already have everything on my list for the next few months and I can’t wait to get these going in my kitchen. Savory pumpkin, crispy sage, brown butter, maple, roasted squash – you name it, it’s here!

What’s your favorite fall dinner recipe?!

60 of Our Best Fall Dinner Recipes

(more…)

The post 60 of Our Favorite Fall Dinners! appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Game Day Pizza Pepper Poppers.

Pizza pepper poppers are the most delicious little treat for game day! Mini sweet peppers are filled with sauce, cheese and pepperoni and roasted until melty. Handheld and poppable, these are such a fun snack!

Hi – I have the easiest recipe on earth for you today!

Okay, maybe that’s an exaggeration, but we’re simply filling mini sweet peppers with sauce and cheese and pepperoni and roasting them. They get melty and cheesy and poppable! 

Cute cute cute. 

I almost didn’t share this because it’s one of those embarrassingly easy “not really a recipe” things. It’s more of an idea.

But it’s an idea that you need for the current football season!!

We love the mini sweet peppers so much. I have them on our grocery list every single week – I slice them for salads constantly, put them in soups, use them in sheet pan meals, everything. And of course, we love them with hummus or feta dip. 

For years, I’ve been making the mini pepper nachos. I’ll fill them with ground turkey taco meat, top with cheese and toss them in the oven until melty. Before serving, sometimes I crush tortilla chips on top. They are SO good. It’s a staple for us! 

The peppers are so incredibly sweet that the kids love them too. Especially Jordan. 

So, obviously you can customize these however you’d like! Take your favorite pizza toppings and go to town. It’s soooo easy. 

My best tip for making these is the way that I make any stuffed pepper: season and roast them ahead of time! It’s an extra step but it makes such a difference. The peppers get even sweeter – and since these are tiny ones, they only need a few minutes in the oven. 

Here’s how I make them most often for our family: 

I season and roast the peppers first, just a bit! 

Next, I fill them with a bit of marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese and tiny pepperoni. Some of the peppers are super tiny, so it’s only a few teaspoons of sauce and a tiny sprinkle of cheese. 

Throw them back in the oven and roast until cheesy and melty and bubbly. 

Top with some parmesan and serve!! These are easily handheld once they cool, but since they are delicious when super warm and cheesy, I suggest also serving with some plates and forks if you wish.  (more…)

The post Game Day Pizza Pepper Poppers. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Tuesday Things.

1. How did I not know that some of this perfect September weather is called princess Diana weather? I love it even more now.

2. I said it last week! September is a better reset month.

3. Sourdough scones?! Okay I think these are happening today!

4. Fall snack season = almond butter toast with a swirl of pumpkin butter. Can’t get enough.

5. TV things!! Oh my gosh, I absolutely LOVED The Perfect Couple. I thought that quality was excellent. I am also so excited for Tell Me Lies to be back! The characters are the worst but it’s so good.

6. Also loved this article on Elin Hilderbrand’s change of pace.

7. Fall reading list is coming soon!!

8. 15 items to declutter in 10 minutes. The mismatched socks are my fave.

The post Tuesday Things. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Weeknight Mediterranean Beef Bowls.

The best mediterranean beef bowls! These are a family favorite, made with jasmine rice and chickpeas, seasoned ground beef, tomatoes, cucumbers, hummus, feta and more. Delicious and easy to throw together for leftovers too!

Need a weeknight meal to please just about anyone?!

Say hello to my family’s current favorite dinner. These mediterranean beef bowls are super satisfying and so delicious, complete with chickpeas and rice, seasoned ground beef, a tomato cucumber salad and all the hummus.

Oh and feta! Never never forget the feta. 

A rice and beef bowl is such a fantastic easy weeknight meal, but it’s one that even I forget about. When I take inventory of my dinner ingredients, I usually reserve the ground beef for things like meat sauce and tacos and burgers because they are meals the kids love. They enjoy this too, but it’s not as traditional in our family so it tends to slip my mind.

Not anymore!! 

This combination is so EASY. It’s flavorful and simple and very customizable depending on what your family likes. 

Here’s how I make it!

First up, jasmine rice + chickpeas. I make a pot of jasmine rice and right as it finishes, add in a can (or two!) of chickpeas. An easy way to boost the protein, fiber and satiety of this recipe. Plus, we just really love chickpeas. 

While the rice cooks, I brown the ground beef. The key is to use lots of seasoning and the meat masher! This masher turns the beef into the tiniest crumbs possible, which makes for a more pleasurable eating experience. Trust me.  (more…)

The post Weeknight Mediterranean Beef Bowls. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

A Week In The Life, Vol 37.

Another week!

It was such a good one too.

Loving school so much.

He tells me the most colorful and wild stories that “happen in school” – and I later learn they never happened. It’s hilarious.

Blooms.

Need major snugs after school.

Sports week! Cross country.

Entertainment at tennis.

Hockey.

More cross country. Going to his siblings activities are his activities.

Baby BFFs.

Kids request sourdough pizza.

Hello.

Emilia and I baked cookies at Eddie’s request.

We went to the James Taylor concert!!! So good.

Wild siblings at hockey.

Best big brother!!

Best big sister.

Emilia and Max are in different age groups – she runs first!

He runs second.

HERE FOR THE SNACKS.

I love her little running strides.

They crushed it!

Finished the day with a dress up movie and popcorn night. Perfection.

The post A Week In The Life, Vol 37. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

What To Eat This Week: 9/8/24.

September has the best meals ever!

What’s on your menu this week?!

What To Eat This Week

Garlicky burst tomato chickpea pasta

Smoked sausage sheet pan tortellini

Marinated tomato BLTs

Fuji apple chicken salad

Sweet potato corn chowder

Slow roasted tomato farro salad

Warm BBQ chickpea pitas

Avocado chicken salad

Pumpkin baked oatmeal cups

The post What To Eat This Week: 9/8/24. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Currently Crushing On.

Happy weekend!

This week on the blog, I shared a ton of our favorite game day recipes. I also shared this sheet pan smoked sausage tortellini, all the recipes you need once you go apple picking and chocolate glazed banana bread.

You can find all my favorites in my amazon store front and LTK shop!

Here’s everything I read in August.

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 WEEK

This mexican lime icebox cake is incredible.

Black velvet cake. Yum.

It’s time for fall snack mix!

Corn peach gazpacho sounds amazing.

Love this crispy rice salad.

Crumb cake! Looks divine.

Adore this caramel apple pound cake.

Hearty beef stew is what I’m craving.

Making salted caramel apple bars.

Pumpkin spice latte cookies too!

We all need a brownie skillet.

Overnight no knead bread. Need it in my life.

And banana oat cookies for the weekend.

The post Currently Crushing On. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Chocolate Glazed Banana Bread.

We love this chocolate glazed banana bread! Our favorite banana bread recipe made with plain greek yogurt, baked until tender and then drenched in a rich chocolate glaze. Tastes like a treat!

Your weekend treat is here!

This is our favorite banana bread made with plain greek yogurt or sour cream and drenched in a crackly chocolate glaze.

If you love chocolate chips IN your banana bread, now is the time to try this glaze! 

It’s rich and decadent and adds an extra layer of fun to the classic. 

Nothing quite screams “banana bread!” like the beginning of school does. It’s a snack I love to have on hand during these hectic times because it’s versatile. And it’s perfect in so many ways, whether it’s breakfast, eaten as a snack after school or when you want something sweet after dinner.

It’s also satisfying and a little snack that will stick for a bit! 

My family loves this banana bread so much that I always make two loaves at a time. It’s a must! If I make one loaf, it will disappear within the hour. And it’s everyone’s fault. We just can’t get enough.

This banana bread is superb because of one special ingredient: sour cream. Or plain greek yogurt! I use both interchangeably and they add a level of moisture and tenderness that you can’t get otherwise. 

They also up the satiety factor of the bread and that is key! 

I also love this recipe because it only uses two bananas. No need for a whole bushel. 

This is nothing new – I’ve shared our favorite recipe before. But it’s the glaze that takes everything OVER THE TOP.

There is something wonderful about this glaze. It reminds me of my grandma’s texas sheet cake glaze – the classic rich chocolate glaze that crackles and remains creamy with just a slight hint of texture. 

It’s super delicious.

I wait until the banana bread is fully cooled, then I pour on the glaze. It needs about 20 minutes or so to set, and once that is done, it’s all yours. 

The glaze makes the bread feel extra special and more like a treat. Which is this house, is always welcome!  (more…)

The post Chocolate Glazed Banana Bread. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

What To Make If You Go Apple Picking This Weekend!

Here you’ll find the best apple picking recipes! ‘Tis the season for so many delicious ways to use this fruit. Savory salads, tarts, desserts, cocktails and more. You’ll find all my favorites and way to use up those gorgeous gems you picked.

I have the best of the best apple recipes for you!

Apples are one of our favorite foods in this house. I live for apple season.

In fact, I might even love apple season more than pumpkin season. I definitely love apple cider flavors more than pumpkin flavors. So I’m here with all of the best apple recipes because the minute they come into season, I’m on it.

If you haven’t been apple picking yet, ooooh now is the time! The honeycrisps are ripe and perfect and tart and ready for all the delicious recipes. We will probably go once or twice in the next few weeks. My kids eat two or three apples right in the field, they love them so much. And there is no better excitement than when we get home and have tons of apples to cook and bake!

Below you’ll find a mix of savory and sweet options – the top faves in our house. If I have to choose a favorite it may be the apple fritters… or the homemade apple cider! Which would you choose?

20 OF THE BEST APPLE PICKING RECIPES

(more…)

The post What To Make If You Go Apple Picking This Weekend! appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Sheet Pan Smoked Sausage Tortellini.

This sheet pan smoked sausage tortellini is the perfect easy weeknight dish. Smoked turkey sausage, sweet peppers, onions and cheese tortellini come together for a simple but delicious dinner that takes 30 minutes. Yum!

Dinner is here!

It wouldn’t be September without a smoked sausage sheet pan meal! This smoked sausage tortellini is super easy, delicious and satisfying. It’s the ideal busy weeknight dinner when you aren’t sure what else to make. 

If you’re been around for a while, you might know that Eddie and I say that my smoked sausage sheet pan meals are what I make when I don’t feel like making dinner. My easy-way-out meals. The dish I make when I want to throw everything on a pan and go!

It’s not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, it’s a good thing! I can throw together a meal that we really like in minutes. 

So this is like that, but with cheese tortellini. And it is DIVINE.

Let me tell you how much my family absolutely FREAKED OUT over this recipe. The first time I made it, I almost had to make a second sheet pan. It is that good.

And simple.

Embarrassingly easy!

Now here’s the thing. It is slightly high maintenance, because while the sausage and vegetables are in the oven, I’m going to make you cook the tortellini.

Sure, you could throw it right on the sheet pan. I have tried that many times. Sometimes it works great. Other times it’s dried out and not ideal. In my testing, I’ve determined that the best thing you can do is boil the tortellini for those few minutes (less than five!) and THEN toss them right on the pan.

Sure, it requires an extra pot to boil. But it’s done quickly.

And it makes the meal that much better!

Anytime I cook with smoked sausage, I think… wow, that is not pretty. This dish doesn’t look like much, but it tastes like everything. If you want to add even more color, then try the tricolor cheese tortellini. 

The best part is that you can also add in any other vegetables you may love. Make it a clean out of the fridge meal; change things up based on the seasons.  (more…)

The post Sheet Pan Smoked Sausage Tortellini. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.