Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 65

Cucumber Prosecco Spritzer.

This cucumber prosecco spritzer is the cocktail of the summer! Refreshing cucumber syrup, chilled prosecco and extra bubbles over ice with lots of lime. Delicious and cooling!

Okay, it’s official!!

Cue all the exclamation points. I have our 2024 summer cocktail. And it is THIS!

This cucumber prosecco spritzer is made with cucumber syrup, a splash of seltzer and a light prosecco for the ultimate refreshing warm weather drink. 

Oh my heavens. 

I.L.O.V.E.T.H.I.S. 

There are no words.

Except that this is such a fresh, light drink that just tastes like summer. It tastes like hot sunny days and pool splashing and party snacks and marshmallow clouds. 

And the color!

The freaking color is beautiful. The pictures do not do the drink justice. It’s a lovely shade of light green that again, just appears to taste refreshing. Even before you take a sip! 

To make the cucumber syrup, I blend a few mini cucumbers until pureed and then mix them with sugar and water. It’s like a traditional simple syrup, but cucumber flavored! 

Once all that sugar is dissolved, I strain the cucumber syrup a few times to remove any bits that remain. 

This stays great in the fridge for close to a week! Later this month, I’ll share one more drink you can make with this syrup so it never goes to waste!

The rest is simple. Mix the cucumber syrup with some lime juice, prosecco and club soda. 

Stir it up and boom, it’s ready. 

It’s no secret that I like to make cucumber cocktails.

I like to garnish this drink with a cucumber spear or wedges. You can also use limes.

Grab one of these and sit out in the sun this weekend! (more…)

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Crispy Potato & Gruyere Pizza with Arugula.

It’s a new favorite! This crispy potato pizza is elevated and delicious. A cast iron skillet pizza is topped with melty gruyere cheese, thinly sliced potatoes and a lemony arugula salad. Throw on all the parmesan and you’re good to go!

New favorite pizza alert!

This cast iron skillet pizza is topped with thinly shaved potatoes, chives, lots of gruyere cheese and a tangy arugula salad. 

It sounds a little crazy and I love it! While it’s not like a traditional pizza, it tastes like everything I want to eat, all the time. 

And not just because it’s carbs on carbs. Potatoes on dough? Sure, I can get on board with that. Everyone else might look at me like I’m crazy, but trust me!

It WORKS. 

Sure, this combination is definitely not something I make on the regular. It’s not a weeknight staple and the kids would most likely turn their nose up at it if I tried to turn it into one.

But everyone was so pleasantly surprised by it.

The flavor! The texture. How incredibly satisfying it is and how perfect the flavors go together. 

This is how I make it!

First, any pizza dough works. Right now, I’m obsessed with sourdough pizza dough. I also use my classic pizza dough for this recipe. We’re going to make it in a cast iron skillet, which is a quick and simple way to make pizza. 

It also somewhat mimics a wood fired pizza, which is deeeeelish. 

So while the dough is rising or hanging out, I start with the potatoes. I like to use a mandolin so I can slice them as thin as possible. This is key!

Once the potatoes are sliced, I soak them in ice water. This removes some of the starch and allows them to get crispier in the hot oven. Back before I had kids, I did this with homemade fries all the time. 

I also just typed that “I did this with homemade friends,” so it’s safe to say that I’m a tired parent!! Hence why I don’t have time to soak my potatoes every week. But here, I make an exception! 

Then, when the potatoes have soaked, I pat them dry. Next comes a drizzle of olive oil, lots of salt and pepper and some chives. The key is layering the flavor, so it’s important to season the potatoes well.  (more…)

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Tuesday Things.

1. Cereal milk tiramisu is calling my name. Oh my gosh.

2. This week’s snack: olives, cheddar, raincoast crisps.

3. Also, cereal throwbacks. Remember oatmeal crisp? I loved that!

4. Oh my gosh – this wash the garbage method is something that Eddie and I live by. Always have!

5. TV things!! Palm Royale is getting wackier. Is it just me? Haha. I mean I love the cast so much and the setting and fashion but, like, what is going on?!

6. The Met Gala faves!! Oh my gosh – J Lo! Mindy Kaling. Zendaya! SJP! I loved them all.

7. An easy habit to bring peace. I want to get back into this!

8. Just FYI, I have a “weeknight meal list” in the notes on my phone and it saves my dinner life weekly.

9. 100% in the thick of Maycember over here. I love it but can also barely keep my eyeballs open!

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What I Read In April 2024.

The best time of the reading year is here!!!!

I started reading a few of my very favorite authors new books. I’m also trying to figure out if I can reread all of Elin’s books before her final novel this June! Might be quite the stretch, haha. Maybe I read a few and listen to the rest all day? We shall see!

Let me know what you’re reading below!

I do have a book of the month membership – I love it so much. That’s where I got a few books from this month. I get so many of my new releases and debut author books there. You can sign up for one here.

All of these books are linked through bookshop (if available!) and I highly suggest shopping through there because it will support your local indie bookstore. You can choose the local bookstore to support! I support Penguin Books when I buy which is my fave here in Pittsburgh.

WHAT I READ IN APRIL 2024Just For The Summer – 5 stars

Oh my gosh, just loved this one. I love everything by Abby Jimenez that I read. The story follows a man and woman who try to break their “curse” – the curse of every person they break up with finding their soulmate right after their relationship. They figure if they date each other, it will break the curse. This is so fun and cute, I absolutely love Abby’s writing, how much depth her characters have and how her stories are light and easy but still have real meaning.

Funny Story – 4.75 stars

Another major fave!! Emily Henry could write anything and I’d automatically purchase it. This story follows a man and woman who have significant others that leave them for each other. There is forced proximity and fake dating, two tropes I love. It’s such a great read and classic Emily Henry – the writing and the banter is unmatched! Beach Read and Book Lovers are still my top two of hers, but this has moved right behind them.

A Fire So Wild – 2.5 stars

This was a book of the month pick for me. I wanted to love it but found myself struggling through it. The story is about a California community that is torn apart by wildfires. I’ve seen everywhere that people thought it was similar to Little Fires Everywhere – and it was! But almost in the way that I kept comparing it, and I loved Little Fires Everywhere so much.

A Long Time Coming – 3.5 stars

I love reading a Meghan Quinn book at night during the week to turn my brain off. I don’t mean that in a negative way – they are easy and light to read and the fun storyline, funny characters and inevitable conflict right before the end always suck me in. This one follows a man and woman who are best friends – he is essentially her man of honor once she is engaged. Of course, they may be falling in love too. It’s cute!

Those Three Little Words – 3 stars

This one took me a bit longer to get through. I actually liked the story and the characters but the main girl – oh man, she was a little nutty. The story follows a one night stand between a girl and her brother’s best friend. She gets pregnant and the story goes from there. Her outlandish pregnancy hormones were a little funny but also a little exaggerated. Still made for a quick, fun read.

Sylvia’s Second Act – 4 stars

I got this in my book of the month box too and it was super cute. The story follows a woman who finds her husband of almost 50 years having an affair with someone in their Florida retirement community. It jolts her into realizing she wants out, so she and her best friend move to NYC. It’s hilarious and adorable and endearing. So happy and light hearted.

(This is not sponsored but there are a few bookshop and/or affiliate links above! Thank you for reading!)

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My Favorite Easy Grilled Chicken Caprese Lunch Bowl.

I adore having this grilled chicken caprese bowl for lunch. It’s so easy to throw together and simple enough to mix with grains and greens. Prepare it ahead of time for a satisfying, healthy warm-weather lunch! 

Lunch time!!

This chopped grilled chicken caprese bowl is filled with fresh mozzarella, juicy tomatoes, bright basil and a balsamic vinaigrette. It’s tangy, satisfying and great to enjoy any time of day. 

How on earth do I still struggle with lunch ideas? I love having a bunch in my arsenal, and I get bored easily. So I must always have something exciting to eat for lunch. 

My secret is to compile a big list in the notes app on my phone. I categorize it by season too. On the weekends, I can peek at this list and see what I should make for lunch that week if I don’t have leftovers. 

Occasionally things work best if they are prepped ahead of time. Others take just a few minutes to throw together right before eating. 

This is one of my favorite things to prep for lunch because it’s SO EASY.

And it’s super versatile too. 

Remember my grilled chicken caprese pasta salad? I love to serve it layered in a clear glass bowl? 

This is a scaled down version of that. It’s kind of like that, without the pasta. I’m putting it in a separate post for you in order to throw it under my lunch category. 

And selfishly, because I look at my lunch ideas all the time here on the website to decide what to eat during the week! 

I also can’t express how easy it is. 

Once I have the caprese salad and the grilled chicken done, the options are endless. I can eat it just like that – chicken and caprese salad.

Or, I can add in a grain. Farro, couscous, etc. Maybe add some leftover pasta or rice or quinoa, whatever I have on hand.

Sometimes I bulk it up with greens. My favorite is arugula. I love how peppery it is and it adds such great flavor to the chicken and tomatoes and mozzarella.

Other times, I will have it just like this with some toasted (or grilled!) sourdough. Hello, my name is Jessica and I could live on sourdough. 

And the really great part is that this can just be inspiration! If you have leftover grilled chicken, regardless of the marinade, it will work. Combine it with some tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and basil and you have a fresh, satisfying lunch in minutes. (more…)

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A Week In The Life, Vol 19.

First week of May!!

Just a regular old week with lots of school and activities!

Jordan begged to try a lime while I was testing some recipes.

Both kids had baseball games! A few of them.

This is how we entertain ourselves.

I went on a field trip with Max’s class this week while Jordan had some water table fun.

Then we also hung out in the car during tennis for Emilia. Hello, we live in the car!

It was stormy off and on too.

Emilia and I made overnight sourdough pizza dough.

Cutest baseball baby girl.

Sitting at Emilia’s games is new for him!!

We had a playdate with cousins!!

Bedtime is always an event here.

Emilia waters our herbs every night. We haven’t had a chance to plant them yet.

It’s so fun to watch Max now.

The big dig provides endless entertainment.

And Emilia finally got to make her salad!

So proud. They ate most of it straight from the bowl, haha. That was the week!

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What To Eat This Week: 5/5/24.

So many dishes to love coming up!

What’s on your menu this week?!

What To Eat This Week

Sheet pan gnocchi and vegetables

Honey chipotle shrimp tacos

Sesame ramen noodles with a fried egg

Shrimp bucatini with garlic sauce

Caprese pesto puff pastry pizza

Pimento cheese grilled chicken sandwich

Our favorite tortellini salad

Peanut butter overnight oats

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Currently Crushing On.

Hello weekend!

This week on the blog, I shared this strawberry cucumber salad with savory granola. I also shared this pimento cheese grilled chicken sandwich, a bunch of recipes for mother’s day weekend and these crispy cheesy breakfast tacos.

My april favorites are right here!

Plus, a new weekly menu and a peek at a week in our 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.

xoxoxo

WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK

Bananas foster cheesecake! Oh my gosh, yum.

Love these air fryer chicken fajitas.

Cilantro ranch dressing too! Wow.

These limoncello margaritas sound amazing.

Strawberry tiramisu. Delish.

This mixed berry fruit pizza is gorgeous.

Blueberry peach crumble for the win.

How refreshing is this snap pea strawberry salad!

Tres leches cake is a major favorite.

Need these blackened shrimp tacos.

Pineapple upside down cheesecake. Mind blown.

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Crispy Cheesy Breakfast Tacos.

These cheesy breakfast tacos are the perfect morning treat. They are also excellent if you enjoy breakfast for dinner! A crispy cheese jacket melts onto a flour tortilla, then it’s filled with scrambled eggs and pico de gallo. It’s wonderful!

HELLO lover.

These cheesy breakfast tacos are a serious dream. Crispy cheese covering a fluffy flour tortilla, filled with melty cheddar, scrambled eggs and an easy salsa. 

SO super delicious. I could eat something like this every single day! 

I mean, just look at that crispy cheese coat! Can’t even stand it.

I already have a breakfast taco recipe that I like to make in the summer. And I make it often.

But! This is similar, with a little elevation. One extra step of a crispy cheese exterior.

It feels life changing.

Words cannot explain how much we LOVE these crispy cheese breakfast tacos. And while I’m calling them “breakfast,” I’ll tell you that we eat these for dinner sometimes too. Or even lunch!

This is how they come together.

First, I make a batch of scrambled eggs. I keep things relatively simple because of the kids, but that is the beauty of this recipe. You can add anything you like into the scrambled egg portion! I usually throw in some sliced green onions. 

When the scrambled eggs are done, transfer them to a bowl. I use the same skillet to make the crispy cheese tacos! Easy easy. 

Next, while the skillet is still hot, I sprinkle some cheese in a somewhat circular shape. It doesn’t matter what shape, really. It just matters that the cheese sprinkle is roughly the same size as the tortilla you’re going to use. 

The cheese will start to sizzle and melt. As soon as it does, place the flour tortilla right on top! Let it cook for a few seconds. Then, add more cheese to the top! 

The scrambled eggs come next.  

Then, I add some salsa or pico de gallo or something fresh and delicious. I made a quick little pico with avocado for these photos. 

Finally, fold the taco over and press it together so it sticks. Since there is a good bit of cheese, it usually sticks together without popping open. And the outside is SO incredibly crispy and crunchy. 

As if tacos could be any better?! These are incredibly satisfying. I love having something super filling like this on a weekend morning. It will keep you full for hours! 

One thing to note is that because we make this cute little cheese jacket for the taco, these are best served right after eating. Sure, you can reheat them. But they are just the absolute best right after making – like anything with cheese is. 

Seriously cannot beat these! (more…)

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40 Recipes For Mother’s Day Weekend!

40 of my favorite mother’s day weekend recipes are here! Vibrant salads, fun cocktails, grilled entrees, breakfast, brunch, cake and more. So many delicious options for the moms in your life!

I’ve got a bunch of mother’s day weekend recipes for you!

There are SO many of my favorites here. Whether you’ll be celebrating Mother’s Day with friends or family this weekend, or if it’s a hard weekend for you to get through, there is something here to make. I promise you can find something extra good. Lots of snacks, salads, meals, treats and even cocktails. Perfect for a late spring meal when we’re all craving warm summer weather.

Cooking at home is my favorite on a weekend like this – or at least enjoying food at home if someone else cooks! Restaurant meals never taste quite as good and I love enjoying a meal at home with family. These are the best of the best that I picked out below. Let me know which sounds amazing to you!

35 MOTHER’S DAY WEEKEND RECIPES

(more…)

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