Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 70
March 31, 2024
What To Eat This Week: 3/31/24.
Ringing in spring this week with many delicious dishes!
What’s on your menu this week?!
What To Eat This Week
Fire roasted tomato risotto with burrata
Lemon chicken artichoke pasta salad
The post What To Eat This Week: 3/31/24. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.
March 30, 2024
Currently Crushing On.
Happy easter weekend!
This week on the blog I shared this roasted asparagus with lemon vinaigrette. I also shared this smoked salmon farro bowl, my favorite spring cocktails and this fire roasted tomato risotto with burrata.
You can find my current amazon favorites right here.
There’s a new weekly menu up 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 WEEKPistachio pavlovas! These sound wonderful.
And carrot cake pound cake? Yum.
Golden beet hummus looks delish.
This deviled egg dip is the best.
Green chicken chili is my favorite.
I want this pink lemonade cake.
Chicken strawberry quinoa salad is beautiful.
Craving some everyday lemon cake.
Quiche lorraine is a lovely classic.
Old school broccoli salad!! Love it.
Oatmeal raisin bars for a snack.
And a mini carrot cake to round things out.
The post Currently Crushing On. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.
March 29, 2024
March Favorites.
A peek at everything I loved in March 2024!
FOODBubbly bellini bliss. This is amazing. Tastes SO summery and delicious. I am assuming it’s a limited edition summer flavor. Go find it!!
Sourdough pizza recipe. I make this once a week. It is the easiest sourdough pizza recipe I’ve found and incredibly delicious too!
Alton Brown’s chewy chocolate chip cookies. My new favorite chocolate chip cookie. This has replaced almost all others. At least for now.
HOMEBread Knife. I make so much sourdough these days that this knife is NECESSARY. It has become something I can’t live without.
Step 2 planters. Okay, we have tons of step 2 stuff for the kids – but I just learned that they have planters!! Now they aren’t rustic or warm looking (what I usually go for), but after having multiple raised garden beds rot away and fall apart, I got these ones for my deck. My herbs will go in here and I love that there are separate compartments. They also look SO sharp! They don’t look plastic-y from a distance.
Stoneware serving bowl. This is what I have on our counter for fruit, and I’ve also used it for salad too. It’s so pretty and simple!
BEAUTYOsea Body Balm. I’ve been using osea for years, but I never had tried the balm before. Oh my gosh. This is like a serum for your body. It feels unlike anything else I’ve ever tried. I adore it. I top it with the oil, which I’ve had forever.
Sol De Janiero Bom Dia Bright body scrub. This is my current fave scrub. The smell is incredible. And I love that even after a shower, when I was into the bathroom I’m hit with the most delicious scent! Even the kids are like… “what smells so good?!”
Kopari Golden Aura Body Oil. I also adore this for use after any moisturize. It smells divine. It’s a very light, warm and comforting scent. It doesn’t linger or give me a headache!
Gucci Blush in Silky Rose. I’ve used the gucci bronzer (it’s the best!) for a few years and just got a blush. WOW. The texture and formula is spot on. I’ve been using a very old blush palette and this is going to be in the rotation from now on.
FASHIONWide leg jumpsuit. Oh my gosh – last year I fell in love with the spanx air essentials jumpsuit and this is almost IDENTICAL!!! It’s nearly the same for a fraction of the price. The material is incredible. And the colors!
Sorel Impact sneakers. Obsessed with these. I love the shape, color, how the bottom is so detailed and most importantly – they are SO comfortable.
Cream top handle bag. I LOVE this bag. It feels so luxurious and I adore the nuetrals for spring. I never want to spend $$$ on a white bag because of color transfer and it getting destroyed. This is the perfect compromise.
Demellier santorini basket bag. On the other hand, this is a higher end basket tote but the mint sold me like crazy. I’ve wanted one of these for the last few years and it’s a lower price than so many of the higher end basket totes. The minute I saw this mint I actually preordered it and I can’t handle how gorgeous it is!
MEDIAApples Never Fall on Peacock. I loved this book and this series is SO GOOD. The cast is fabulous and I thought it was so well done.
Expiration Dates. It was my favorite book that I read this month. Super enjoyable!!
Anyone But You. I loved this movie. I watch is constantly. It’s such a good, funny, mind-numbing romcom!
KIDSCrayola pip tiles. Love these tiny little magnatiles! I can throw them in my bag and Jordan loves playing with them at the kids’ activities.
all in motion tennis skort. I got a few of these for Emilia (there are more colors in store!) for tennis and general running around this spring and summer. Super comfortably and cute.
Hurry up chicken butt game. This is ridiculous but my kids LOVE it. The name of the game alone makes them howl with laughter. It’s like hot potato but funnier.
[none of this is sponsored, i just love to tell you what i love every month! there are a few general affiliate links above! xo]
The post March Favorites. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.
Fire Roasted Tomato Risotto with Burrata.
This tomato risotto with burrata cheese is made with fire roasted tomatoes, tons of garlic and fresh basil. It’s finished with a ball of burrata cheese which melts perfectly into the cozy bowl. Such a dreamy meal!
This here is a hug in a bowl.
This risotto is made with fire roasted tomatoes, lots of garlic and parmesan, tons of fresh basil and is finished off with burrata right at the end.
Yes yes, right at the end so the burrata gets all melty and creamy and delicious stirred right into the creamy rice.
If it sounds like a dream meal, you’re dreaming right. My kind of dreamer!
I’ve got one more cozy recipe for you this season before we move full blown into spring! We all know how much I love fire roasted tomatoes and I also love risotto, so why not combine the two?
See also: how the heck have I never done this before?!
This is classic-ish risotto with a big bowl of fire roasted tomatoes dumped in. It totally works because those tomatoes have lots of liquid with them, which plumps up the rice perfectly. The flavor is also wonderful with white wine and parmesan!
I stir in lots of fresh basil and right before serving the risotto, I pull apart a ball of fresh burrata and plop it right down in the center.
The creamy mozzarella melts and is so incredibly perfect. It’s such a lovely flavor combination!
This can be a main dish with some roasted vegetables and a big greens salad. Or it could even be a side dish (Eddie’s preference, of course).
The best part is that the kids really love this too! Thanks to the tomatoes it tastes more like risotto with marinara and Emilia even said it tasted like pizza.
Not going to argue with that! (more…)
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March 28, 2024
18 of My Favorite Drinks For Spring.
My favorite spring cocktails and mocktails are filled with aperol spritzes, kombucha smashes, grapefruit margaritas and more. Perfect way to wind down just as the weather gets warm and springy.
It’s officially spring!
I mean, spring is definitely in the air over here.
We get one small tastes of it and I am here for all the warm weather beverages.
There is just nothing like when the weather first warms up and drags you out of the winter gloom. Since things are ever-so-slighty looking up, there is a great reason to enjoy a cocktail (or mocktail) on the patio in the lovely spring weather. The days are longer, spring is so close we can taste it and it’s the perfect reason to make a fun drink. I’m very partial to a spritz these days or even a smash with some fresh fruit. Something very light and refreshing and simple.
There are a few of my favorite mocktails sprinkled in here, along with some of the best spring cocktails I’ve made over the years. They are so delish! Which one is calling your name?
18 Spring Cocktails and MocktailsThe post 18 of My Favorite Drinks For Spring. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.
March 27, 2024
Smoked Salmon Farro Bowls.
This smoked salmon farro salad is made with peppery arugula, refreshing cucumbers, pickled onions and crisp fresh radish slices. Drizzled in a red wine vinaigrette, it’s full of flavor and will leave you satisfied!
I’ve got spring in a salad for you today.
The colors! This smoked salmon salad is made with farro, arugula, cucumbers, pickled onions, feta cheese and thinly sliced radish.
It’s an excellent simple dinner or the perfect work lunch! And it is SO satisfying. Anytime I have a meal with smoked salmon for lunch, I’m thrilled. Because it fills me up in a great way that isn’t heavy and doesn’t leave me tired.
Is it a bowl or a salad? That is the question.
I consider anything that has a base of a grain to be a BOWL. This is just how my brain works though. There aren’t any real hard and fast rules. It can be a salad or a bowl! Or a salad bowl.
Riddle me that.
There are so many ways that I love to enjoy smoked salmon. Of course, on bagels and toast. In things like frittatas and even on tarts or pizza.
I also love to throw it in a salad.
The best part about the salmon is that it’s so incredibly easy to grab for a meal. It’s such a simple way to get a bunch of protein and fat into a meal in a delicious way.
And that’s always a win!!
I love to use cooked farro here, and it’s even better if it’s leftover farro. Or farro that I prepared at the start of the week. This allows the meal to come together very quickly and easily.
Arugula is my favorite green to use, thanks to its peppery bite. It complements the salmon super well – in fact I will often grab a peppered smoked salmon at whole foods if I can find it.
A few crunchy, fresh ingredients that scream spring come next. I like to use cucumbers, pickled onions, radish and some fresh herbs.
First, I like to use these because they remind me of the delicious smoked salmon bagel combination!
And second, the flavor pairs great with the salmon and allows for there to be some refreshing, crisp texture in the bowl.
Some crumbled feta goes a long way. The creamy texture is ideal and lends itself to a huge flavor boost. The tang can’t be beat. (more…)
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March 26, 2024
Tuesday Things.
1. This lemon meringue pie cheesecake is incredible.
2. Emilia puts together the cutest outfits (dresses, boots, sweaters, etc) and dare I say it… my six year old is making me want to dress up more.
3. How to cook for a better cook than you.
4. TV things!! Finished Apples Never Fall (adored it) and now I’m watching Palm Royale. Oh my gosh. I love it so much. So many of my favorites in the cast.
5. Spring is the best time for organizing!
6. Pretty sure the thing I’m looking forward to the most with warmer weather is that all of my favorite authors have books releasing soon! Summer reading list is already in the works. Too soon?!
7. Why are we all so obsessed with Nancy Meyers films?
8. I mean, to be real, I’ve wanted the black prada backpack since watching The Parent Trap in 1998. So there’s that.
The post Tuesday Things. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.
March 25, 2024
Roasted Asparagus with Lemon Vinaigrette.
This roasted asparagus is the perfect easy side dish for a holiday meal or a simple weeknight dinner. Drizzled with lemon vinaigrette and topped with crumbled feta, it’s full of flavor and comes together super fast!
We all need a super simple asparagus recipe!
This roasted asparagus is drizzled with a lemon vinaigrette and topped with creamy feta while warm, so it melts into each bite. I also throw some scallions on top and lots of fresh cracked black pepper.
It’s simple, easy and complements just about any meal.
And it’s great for a holiday side dish or an easy weeknight dinner side dish. It’s just… “regular.”
That’s what my family loves to ask for when I make too many new recipes or I’m testing out a bunch of different things.
“Can’t we just have a regular meal?”
Well I’m happy to tell you that this is regular.
It’s not exactly plain, but it’s plain enough. I love roasted asparagus with salt and pepper – that’s it. So adding just a few extra elements, a tangy vinaigrette and a crumbly feta cheese, is one way to elevate it and make it feel extra special.
I even serve this over a bed of lettuce or with other vegetables sometimes. It’s flavorful but neutral enough to work with just about anything.
Lately I’ve shared quite a few recipes with a lemon vinaigrette. I make variations on it all the time and once you know how to make it, it is incredibly versatile! It goes great on many salads, side dishes and even grilled meats.
Plus, it’s another neutral flavor that is pleasing for most people. A little bit tangy, a little bit sweeter and generally easy on the palette. Not offensive, not too tart and makes vegetables taste better!
I just love the roasty bits with the melty cheese. Right off the baking sheet, they are hard to resist.
Embarrassingly easy and ridiculously delish! The best kind of recipe. (more…)
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March 24, 2024
A Week In The Life, Vol 13.
We had such a fun week!
Ending with a championship hockey win for Max!
Started this week in the freezing cold!
Jordan loves his little toddler class.
This salad is something I make about 3-4 times a week.
Max had his first big school project!!
Later in the week, Jordy ended up with an ear infection. Whomp whomp.
Discovered a new favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe!
Lavender haze.
Birthday celebrations with our BFF!
Had the cutest easter weekend with cousins.
I made that viral tiktok grinder sub among other things.
Max had a hockey tournament and the girls got all dressed up to go!
Cousins!!
We got to snuggle baby Lucy too!!
She is so edible.
I can’t handle her!
A few games yesterday, and few today, all wins which led to the championship game!
Best cheering fans.
Emilia wanted a snow cone at the tournament all weekend and finally got her wish tonight.
Tournament champs!
Max!!
Came home and played dress up a little more.
On to a new week!
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What To Eat This Week: 3/24/24.
First official week of spring!
What’s on your menu this week?!
What To Eat This Week
Sheet pan cashew chicken and peppers
Potato chip frittata with caramelized onions
The post What To Eat This Week: 3/24/24. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.
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