Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 8

Summer Fridays, Vol 12.

Here’s all the fun summer friday things!

EATING

These easy tortilla pizzas with pepperoni chickpeas. And summer salmon tacos! And my melted zucchini baked ziti.

DRINKING

A brown sugar fig bubbly. It’s fig season!

MAKING

My chewy oatmeal zucchini cookies. I Have lots of zucchini.

BAKING

My blueberry peach coffee cake. And my chocolate zucchini cake!

CRAVING

My grilled corn peach pizza always. And these little peach hand pies!

SNACKING

On the most delicious goat cheese stuffed figs.

GRILLING

My summer crostini! A definite oldie but goodie. And my grilled halloumi peach salad too.

LISTENING

To the best of T Swift in honor of the album announcement!!

READING

Just started For The Record and loving it!

WRITING

My substack each week + more! You can subscribe for free and paid content. It’s like old school blogging in the best way.

LOVING

I’ve never met a platform sneaker I didn’t love so I’m sorry in advance but this dark green suede! Also if you haven’t tried the prequel half and half moisturizer… run and grab it!

SHARING

Two fabulous lists: 85 back-to-school dinner recipes and 15 recipes you can’t miss before summer ends!

SHOPPING

I love this long sleeve shrug. And this smocked jumpsuit! It is so cute. Really want this denim shirt jacket for fall!

WEARING

This handkerchief hem midi dress! I love it so much. Also my diet coke sweatshirt. Get asked about it constantly.

RECOMMENDING

Why millennials won’t stop dressing how they want to!

The post Summer Fridays, Vol 12. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

15 Recipes To Make Before Summer Ends.

Sharing 15 recipes to make before the official end of the summer season! From grilling favorites to salads and sides, to the best dinners and all the treats, these deserve a spot on your table in the next few weeks!

It’s still summertime!

Even though we’re knee deep in back-to-school life over here, I wanted to share some of my absolute summer faves. I am also selfishly sharing this so I remember what I want to make in the next month before we dive head first into all things pumpkin, squash and cider. These are the most delicious dinners, salads, sides and treats that I want to make (and want you to make!) before the official end of the season. Love them!

15 Recipes To Make Before Summer Ends

Marinated tomato BLTs

Pesto, prosciutto & peach pizza

The best tortellini salad

Grilled peaches with pistachios and burrata (more…)

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Grilled Steak Tacos with Chimichurri.

These grilled steak tacos with chimichurri are light, fresh and delicious! Topped with sweet corn, pickled onions and feta cheese, they are fabulous and satisfying dinner!

Everybody loves a taco. 

These grilled steak tacos are a huge crowd pleaser. Serve them with sweet corn, chimichurri, pickled onions and some crumbly feta cheese. They are light and satisfying and a perfect taco to round out the summer. 

Also, if anyone else is in this stage of kid life that I am, any photo of tacos might bring out a huge chorus of ‘it’s raining tacos!” in your house. That would be us. And now it’s in my head. Forever! 

It’s no secret that I will put just about anything in a taco. I will taco-fy all flavors, popular foods, combos, you name it. Things just taste better in a tortilla and that’s a fact. 

Surprisingly, this is one of the more “normal” combinations that I make! Easy, tastes amazing and everyone loves them.

This chimichurri is one of the best condiments I make. It is so incredibly versatile. Eddie loves it on just about everything – steak, fish, chicken, potatoes, vegetables – and the options are endless! 

The tacos are quite simple: 

Corn tortillas

Grilled filet mignon

Sweet corn

Feta cheese

Chimichurri 

Pickled onions

That’s it! 

Both the chimichurri and the pickled onions can be made ahead of time. They make the tacos taste so incredibly fresh and tangy. You don’t really need both – the chimichurri is vinegar based already. But the pickled onions always live in my fridge and are just one of our favorite toppings.

We really don’t have tacos without them! 

If you prefer another cut of steak or have one on hand, use it! I also like to make these with flank steak. The filet is so simple and easy for us – and I don’t love getting any bites of fat in my steak. I can usually make these for our whole family by grilling just two filet mignon steaks. Once they rest a bit, I slice them and throw them right on the tortillas!  (more…)

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Tuesday Things.

1. Tomato cheddar sourdough toast season! If you’re not making this now, drop everything.

2. Majorly craving this incredible banana pudding.

3. I’ve been knee deep in fall and winter recipes and let’s just say I am very very excited,.

4. Maybe I was finally ahead of the trend by developing a blueberry latte for Easy Everyday in 2022/23!

5. This weekend I decluttered so.many.rooms in anticipation for the start of school and it felt amazing. Why is that the best feeling ever?!

6. TV things! I watched Materialists. Ugh. I did not love it. Especially the ending. Still watching TSITP too!

7. Speaking of… should probably limit some of these everyday distractions!

8. And I loved this interview with Lola Tung. I don’t want the series to end even though I’m old enough to be their mothers.

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

Grilled Chicken Penne alla Vodka.

Our whole family adores this grilled chicken vodka pasta! Juicy grilled chicken is tossed with penne that is coated in a super silky vodka sauce. Served with lots of shaved parmesan and fresh basil! This is delicious.

If you need a crowd pleasing dinner, this is it! 

My grilled chicken over penne blanketed in silky vodka sauce is dreamy! Topped with lots of shaved parmesan cheese and fresh basil, it tastes so comforting, nostalgic and wonderful. It’s the most delicious dish you can make for dinner. And it’s super easy! 

This is the most favorite meal in our house right now. It tastes like a restaurant meal, you know? 

I might be aging myself when I say that first dates as a teenager were held at Olive Garden in the good old days. Nothing like a hearty pasta dish packed with garlic on the first date! But really, this sort of meal does remind me of a comforting, delicious dish at a good Italian restaurant – even though it might be nowhere near authentic. 

First up, we all love the vodka sauce! Using the tomato pasta in the sauce gives it such a wonderful depth of flavor and a sweetness that is unmatched. It is so silky smooth and I love how it coats the noodles.

I have NEVER been a tomato sauce girl – growing up I didn’t enjoy it at all. My mom made pasta once a week and it always included some sort of red sauce and I always threw.a.tantrum. When I was pregnant with Max, I started craving marinara sauce. And ever since, I learned to love it more.

But! The vodka sauce has my heart. It has always been my go-to, the option I would choose over any other sauce. I love the silkiness and the lack of texture. It’s like a nice blanket over the noodle and that’s it!

The grilled chicken is also a hit in our house. It’s one thing everyone can agree on. And especially when it’s grilled; we all love it. Again, there is just something that makes it extra delicious when paired with the pasta!

Before grilling, I season it all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder and italian seasoning. This complements the vodka sauce and works well – but you can use any seasoning that you love. It’s really customizable! (more…)

The post Grilled Chicken Penne alla Vodka. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Grilled Chicken Penne all Vodka.

Our whole family adores this grilled chicken vodka pasta! Juicy grilled chicken is tossed with penne that is coated in a super silky vodka sauce. Served with lots of shaved parmesan and fresh basil! This is delicious.

If you need a crowd pleasing dinner, this is it! 

My grilled chicken over penne blanketed in silky vodka sauce is dreamy! Topped with lots of shaved parmesan cheese and fresh basil, it tastes so comforting, nostalgic and wonderful. It’s the most delicious dish you can make for dinner. And it’s super easy! 

This is the most favorite meal in our house right now. It tastes like a restaurant meal, you know? 

I might be aging myself when I say that first dates as a teenager were held at Olive Garden in the good old days. Nothing like a hearty pasta dish packed with garlic on the first date! But really, this sort of meal does remind me of a comforting, delicious dish at a good Italian restaurant – even though it might be nowhere near authentic. 

First up, we all love the vodka sauce! Using the tomato pasta in the sauce gives it such a wonderful depth of flavor and a sweetness that is unmatched. It is so silky smooth and I love how it coats the noodles.

I have NEVER been a tomato sauce girl – growing up I didn’t enjoy it at all. My mom made pasta once a week and it always included some sort of red sauce and I always threw.a.tantrum. When I was pregnant with Max, I started craving marinara sauce. And ever since, I learned to love it more.

But! The vodka sauce has my heart. It has always been my go-to, the option I would choose over any other sauce. I love the silkiness and the lack of texture. It’s like a nice blanket over the noodle and that’s it!

The grilled chicken is also a hit in our house. It’s one thing everyone can agree on. And especially when it’s grilled; we all love it. Again, there is just something that makes it extra delicious when paired with the pasta!

Before grilling, I season it all over with salt, pepper, garlic powder and italian seasoning. This complements the vodka sauce and works well – but you can use any seasoning that you love. It’s really customizable! (more…)

The post Grilled Chicken Penne all Vodka. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

A Week In The Life, Vol 32.

It’s our second to last week of summer over here!

We’re resorting to all types of fun.

Her cross country outfits are my favorite.

He is ready to run!

Swimming with baby Lucy!

And cousins and friends!

They were so proud.

The peace sign is killing me!

She makes everyone their coffee each morning.

The little leg cross!

Wildflowers for me.

They are tooo cute.

And tomatoes with a side of lipstick.

Best day of Emilia’s life.

Baby BFFs.

No days off hockey!!

Back to school haircut in a school bus.

Emilia said this deer is a “teenager.”

Making the puffiest pita.

And some quick pickling.

Oh man was this an amazing lunch.

Best girl.

Always with a smile.

He loves to scoot. Look at this getup.

Emilia got a fish. Max has had one for a few years.

Then she made a morning tea party picnic for her and Jordan!

Waffles, cheese, a cut up zbar and strawberries… I love it. Haha.

Jordan loved it too!

Then we had a rousing game of hide-and-seek and this is where she hid – surprisingly it was pretty good!

The post A Week In The Life, Vol 32. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

What To Eat This Week: 8/10/25.

Summer meals going strong!

What’s on your menu this week?!

What To Eat This Week

One pot garlic butter shrimp orzo

Baked crispy quesadillas

Basil chicken meatballs with summer couscous

Cheesy pesto lovers pasta bake

Emerald kale salad

Grilled chicken caprese pasta salad

Summer tuna chop

Baked peaches and cream oatmeal cups

The post What To Eat This Week: 8/10/25. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.

Currently Crushing On.

Happy weekend!

This week on the blog, I shared these basil chicken meatballs with summer couscous. I also shared this summer tuna chop salad and 85 of the best back-to-school dinners. There’s a new summer fridays post and here’s everything I read in July!

If you haven’t joined my substack newsletter yet, you can do so here! I also have shared all our favorite back to school items here.

There’s a new menu for the week and a new peek inside our everyday life.

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

Thank you for continuing to make the launch Easy Everyday absolutely amazing . If you haven’t got your book yet, you can order here! There is a big giveaway happening on instagram and another happening in our facebook cookbook club!

xo

WHAT I’M LOVING THIS WEEK

The most stunning raspberry cheesecake I ever did see.

Blistered tomatoes with burrata. Heck yes.

I want to make this mole sauce!

Crab legs with garlic butter. Oh my yum.

Craving this farmer’s market pasta salad.

Cheesy garlic breadsticks forever please.

Everyone loves a skillet cookie!

Blueberry buckwheat pancakes for the win.

Loving this hasselback apple kale salad.

Strawberry chocolate cake is stunning.

Love making an easy caramel sauce.

Peach preserves look incredible and easy!

Best banana nut bread.

Grilled chicken sandwiches look absolutely amazing.

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

Summer Fridays, Vol 11.

Here’s all the fun summer friday things!

EATING

My heirloom tomato salad with crispy onions! And this sun dried tomato gnocchi. And street corn pizza.

DRINKING

My margarita floats! Fun and perfect for the hot summer days.

MAKING

My turkey taco stuffed peppers! And these ranch chicken meatballs. And my sticky garlic butter salmon.

BAKING

My sheet pan greek yogurt coffee cake.

CRAVING

My grilled chicken corn and bacon chowder. And my pesto meatball melts.

SNACKING

On this grilled cinnamon sugar toast with ricotta and figs. Talk about dreamy!

GRILLING

The best grilled steakhouse pizza. Oh man, this is so freaking good.

LISTENING

To a new playlist! August vibes.

READING

I’m planning on starting Happy Wife this weekend! What are you reading?!

LOVING

Everything I’ve tried in the prequel skin care line. Oh my gosh! It is so good – and I have sensitive and dryer skin. The body lotion is wonderful, the lip SPF is great, I also love the facial spray (use it on the kids too) and the half and half moisturizer. The cleansing oil is so good too. I want to try the vitamin c next!

WEARING

I cheated on my favorite la blanca and andie swimsuits this year and got a spanx one. I know I never shut up about their air essentials line, but I’ve been wearing it for years and it’s just so good. This swim suit is also amazing. Every time I wear it, I always get asked about it!

SHARING

The best list of back to school dinners! 85 recipes that we adore – these are all really great easy weeknight meals. You don’t have to be going back to school to love them!

SHOPPING

Loving this jcrew navy suede shoulder bag for fall! And the block heel sandals. Leopard everything please!

BUYING

This bright colorful cheeseboard for entertaining. Which color?! I can’t choose! These stoneware dog mugs are also so cute.

TRYING

The blue bottle instant coffee to make whipped coffee. I would think this one has to be good!

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