Jessica Merchant's Blog, page 81
December 31, 2023
What To Eat This Week: 12/31/23.
Time to ring in the new year with so many great dishes!
What’s on your menu this week?!
What To Eat This Week
Garlic brown sugar pork tenderloin
Sheet pan maple turkey sausage and vegetables
The post What To Eat This Week: 12/31/23. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.
December 29, 2023
100+ Make-Ahead Lunch Ideas for 2024.
I love all of these lunch ideas for 2024! So many of my favorite meals to make ahead for lunches – all things you can prep the day before! Tons of flavor, super satisfying and nourishing meals.
I’ve got over 90 lunch ideas for 2024 today! Lots of my faves all in one place.
Whether you are still working from home or heading into the office, these are lunch ideas for 2024 that you can make and prep ahead of time. Woohoo!
While I’m all about having a fried egg for lunch or topping my avocado toast with a fried egg or grilling and roasting some vegetables for lunch, when you work out of the home I know that just isn’t feasible. These are all dishes that you can make or prep ahead of time and ones that will taste great come lunch time.
That’s the biggest thing for me. No matter how fantastic the salad was that I would make for lunch when I sat behind a desk, whether it had croutons or last night’s chicken on top, it still tasted like a sad desk lunch and I just wanted something more delicious. Now I AM sharing a bunch of my favorite substantial salads below, but there are a ton of other lunch ideas here that range from soups to bowls to full blown meals! Eddie requires an actual MEAL, so there are some of those below too.
You can always find me sharing lunch ideas over on instagram too!
100+ Make-Ahead Lunch Ideas for 2024The post 100+ Make-Ahead Lunch Ideas for 2024. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.
December 28, 2023
50 Snacks & Cocktails To Make For New Year’s Eve!
I’ve got all my favorite snacks and drinks here for you! The best recipes for new years eve!
We always stay home on New Years’ Eve – it’s one of my favorite nights of the year. We make the best snacks and sometimes watch a movie and just ENJOY the end of the year. Nothing fancy, except for lots of cheese and champagne.
What do you do? What do you make and eat?
Major major major fingers crossed that 2024 is going to be a good one!
50 Recipes for New Years EveThe post 50 Snacks & Cocktails To Make For New Year’s Eve! appeared first on How Sweet Eats.
December 27, 2023
November & December Favorites.
A peek at everything I loved in November & December 2023!
FOODAmerican Spoon hot cocoa mix. I bought this for the first time this year and am LOVING it. I save it for special occasions because it is that good.
Trader Joe’s Butter Waffle Cookies. These cookies are incredible. So buttery, with a great crispy crunch. Tastes like a waffle cone, but better. And more vanilla-y.
Trader Joe’s Baked Lemon Ricotta Cheese. I hate that this is limited edition because it’s incredible. I love adding it to a cheeseboard. It tastes like lemon cheesecake in the best way possible!
Sweetapolita sprinkles. They will always be the best for pretty and fun sprinkles. No others can compare!
HOMEDash Popcorn Maker. We have used this every week for two months now. It’s perfect for our weekly movie night! And easy to use. The kids love it.
Candle Warmer Lamp. Finally broke down and got one of these and I LOVE it. It is perfect for smaller candles. And it really does allow the scent to travel through the whole house!
Thymes All Purpose Cleaner. This is my favorite candle scent during the holidays and I love using this cleaner in my kitchen too. It makes everything smell like a christmas tree.
TUL Retractable Pens. New pens for the new year. These ones are so good!
BEAUTYMAC Relentlessly Red + Natasha Denona Emilia Lip Pencil. This combo has been my go-to red lip all season. I LOVE IT. I’ve worn the MAC shade for well over a decade (it’s my book tour lipstick!) and matched with this pencil, it gives the most effortlessly ombre color. Perfect.
Chanel Amarena Gloss. And this gloss! I love it over the red lip or alone. Chanel gloss is utter perfection. This is red with sparkles, but still sheer enough to pull off.
Fenty Skin Butta Drop Cinnamon Body Butter. I got on the bandwagon for this body cream and adore it. It’s super thick and luxurious. It also smells incredible!
I Need a Nude Eye Palette. Since I’ve been doing a red lip most days, I use this for neutrals and love how it has matte shades but also some sparkle. So super flattering!
FASHIONWondershop Puffer Vest. This was my best Target find all season. It’s the perfect weighted vest and the neon pink is incredible. It’s not TOO puffy – and it’s so pretty!
Hillhouse Lafayette Sandal. Best go-to shoes this season too!! I love everything Hill House and this heel is so low that these are super comfortable. They are gorgeous. I’ve also had the higher platforms for a year and love them!
Hobo Fern Sling Bag. My current favorite bag is this mini backpack, but used as a sling. It’s so classic and the leather is super soft. It also fits a ton! I can fit a big pack of wipes and a water bottle in here, which are necessary.
MEDIASnowed In. My favorite book of the past two months! I’ve been reading so many great holiday reads.
Dolly Parton’s Rockstar album. It’s so good! I just love it. It was the only break I took from Christmas music this month.
KIDSLittle Sleepies Joggers. I can’t rave about these enough for the kids, especially Jordan (2) and Emilia (6). They both love how comfortable these are. They are so soft and wash great too.
Mix & Match magnetic vehicles. Jordan got a few of these for Christmas and I also got them for my godson Cooper. They are so fun! The vehicles pull apart and you can mix and match them. They are lightweight and easy to pack in a purse for on-the-go play too .
Palm Pals. It’s no secret how much Emilia loves stuffed dogs and stuffed animals in general. But I discovered these palm pals which are tiny enough to fit in your palm – like a little beanbag. Max loves little stuffed animals like that. So they each got a few for Christmas, and they are such a hit! So cute and sweet.
[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]
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Whipped Brie with Rosemary Maple Bacon.
This whipped brie is the perfect appetizer! Creamy, decadent and smooth brie cheese is whipped until silky and topped with maple syrup, crispy bacon and rosemary. So good!
This is the week to celebrate cheese!
And there is no better time to do it than with whipped brie cheese.
Oh my gosh. YES.
Whipped.
Brie.
Cheese.
I can’t get over how delicious this is. And if you’re in the mood for the perfect cheesy appetizer for new year’s eve, this is it.
It serves a crowd. It’s very customizable. You can add just about anything on top!
Last year I became obsessed with this idea of whipped brie after seeing it all over the internet. And this has become my favorite topping for it.
Enter: maple bacon and rosemary.
I like to fry the bacon, adding a bunch of fresh rosemary at the end. It sizzles and crisps up and flavors the bacon in an excellent way.
I drizzle maple syrup on the brie first, then add the rosemary bacon. It’s crunchy, savory, sweet and fresh. Super delicious!
The method for this whipped brie is crazy! But it works.
First, remove as much of the rind as you can off a wheel of cold brie.
Next, cut it into pieces and let it sit at room temperature until softened.
Then, throw the whole thing in your stand mixer and beat it into oblivion! Whip it until creamy and smooth and silky. Delicious.
Finally, add your toppings. It’s that easy!
The brie is so impressive on its own. So decadent, creamy and smooth, it’s like a spreadable heaven for crackers, vegetables, crostini or more.
This is something so special and fun – plus is lasts in the fridge too! It can be a spread on a sandwich or even base for toast. (more…)
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December 26, 2023
A Week In The Life, Vol 52.
52 weeks into 2023! This is what it looked like.
Christmas magic all around!
At the start of the week I made charcuterie boxes for the teachers at school! I love doing this and surprising them with it one day.
It was also the kids’ christmas concert!
Sadly, Max missed out because he was still fighting the sickness he had last week. It was such a bummer.
We did finally get some snow!
And I helped with Emilia’s christmas party at school which was PJ day.
The next day or two, Eddie and Max coninued to feel under the weather so Emilia and I baked a lot of cookies.
The best!
Don’t worry, my car just became my holiday jewelry box for the week. So many activities.
The kids helped my mom finish up her christmas village.
And the tree!
And finally Max was on the mend!
I cannot with these three.
We decided to take Jordan on the train at the mall.
He loved it!
Pizza christmas forever.
P.S. this is what bedtime looks like most nights.
My first peppermint mocha in years.
Really going to miss the holiday attire in January!
We headed to Max’s hockey game.
Love watching him!
Biggest fan.
Baby Lucy came to her first game too!
Cutest.
Christmas Eve Eve!
Our advent spiral is still something we love.
Spent some time with baby cousin Mary.
And then Christmas Eve came!
Probably my favorite night of the whole year.
Happiest boy. I cut his hair again!
Made some lobster mac.
And then fun times with cousins!
Baby Sebastian is just edible.
Came home to throw oats for the reindeer!
And set out cookies that Jordy just wanted to eat.
Then woke up at the crack of dawn.
Listening to Santa’s letter!
And opening all the gifts.
I made the croissant breakfast bake.
And creme brûlée french toast!
AND fresh orange juice.
Max has been reading nonstop. He also got a kindle to read on the go!
Christmas day festivities!
It was 60 degrees and bright and sunny!! Hence the squints.
This baby opening gifts was the highlight.
He was so excited!!
Aperol spritz on christmas night.
Merry merry!
And cuddling baby Lucy.
The most adorable!!
Max’s favorite person on earth is my brother.
And today has been a nonstop PJ day! Happy holidays!
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December 22, 2023
Merry Everything!
Merry everything to you and yours this season! Sending you all love through the holidays. Thank you so much for being here! It means the world to me.
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December 21, 2023
Your Ultimate Holiday Recipe Guide! 85 of My Favorite Recipes For The Holiday Season.
Sharing my best holiday recipes today that you can make all season! Christmas cookies and brunch, main dishes and cocktails, there is something for everyone! Scroll down for all the deliciousness below. 80 recipes for your festive fanciness!
It’s truly the most wonderful time of the year!
I have all my holiday recipes here loaded up and ready to go so you can make them all season long. December here we come!
Below you’ll find my favorite holiday main dishes and sides, along with the best holiday appetizers. I also have a ton of holiday breakfast and brunch ideas, as well as cocktails and cookies and desserts!
What are you looking forward to making the most?
Holiday Main Dishes & Sides
Herb Brown Butter Scallops with Champagne Risotto
Pomegranate Cider Pork Roast with Rosemary Smashed Potatoes
Espresso Crusted Filet with Truffle Risotto
Seared Filet with Blue Cheese Butter
Holiday Stuffed Pork Tenderloin
Herb and Butter Roasted Beef Tenderloin
Slow Cooker Cabernet Short Ribs with Mascarpone Polenta
Greek Yogurt Twice Baked Potatoes
Prosciutto Wrapped Stuffed Turkey Breast
Brown Butter Hasselback Potatoes
Holiday Appetizers
Pomegranate Jeweled Cheeseball
Spiced Orange Macadamia Cheeseball
Overnight Croissant Breakfast Bake
Make Ahead Eggnog French Toast
One Hour Cinnamon Orange Rolls
Orange Cinnamon Coffee Cake Muffins
Pepperoni Roll Breakfast Strata
One Hour Eggnog Cinnamon Rolls
Sweet Potato Kale Bacon Quiche
Sweet Orange Cinnamon Pull Apart Bread
Hot Cocoa Cake with Whipped Marshmallow
Maraschino Cherry Chocolate Chip Cookies
Chocolate Pistachio Shortbread
Frosted Cranberry Drop Cookies
Bourbon Soaked Cherry Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies
Perfect Peanut Butter Blossoms
Cranberry Pomegranate Mint Julep
White Christmas Margarita Punch
The post Your Ultimate Holiday Recipe Guide! 85 of My Favorite Recipes For The Holiday Season. appeared first on How Sweet Eats.
December 20, 2023
Overnight French Onion Croissant Bake.
This french onion croissant bake is perfect for a super special breakfast or brunch. This gets prepared ahead of time and then is ready to bake before serving. It’s savory, cheesy and absolutely delicious!
Why is holiday brunch so fantastic?!
This overnight french onion croissant bake is the epitome of holiday breakfast. It’s prepared ahead of time, completely indulgent, tastes wonderful, special, fancy and also feeds a crowd.
It checks all the boxes for a great holiday meal!
A few years ago I fell in love with this overnight croissant breakfast bake. We love it SO MUCH. I only make it once a year – sometimes twice. It is a very filling and decadent breakfast, and I have never made something that absolutely everyone loves so much.
We all look forward to this on holiday mornings. It’s unbelievably good.
This year, I decided to “french onion” the breakfast casserole! Oh yes, I remove some of the spinach and instead, add a ton of caramelized onions. It tastes just as good as it sounds!
I start with the caramelized onions. This recipe is a little high maintenance because you have to caramelize the onions, then let this sit overnight. But I promise it is 100% worth it.
I caramelize three or four large sweet onions. This will take around 60 to 90 minutes, maybe even longer. I like to start mine off a little higher, then turn them down after 20 minutes or so. I find that this really speeds up the process.
One reason I love this so much is because it’s made with croissants. I have always been a huge croissant lover! The base of this starts with croissants that are toasted until the broiler until they get wonderful, crisp and caramely bits.
The custard is made with eggs, cream and freshly grated gruyere cheese. It melts like HEAVEN.
Everything is tossed together: the toasted croissants, eggs, cheese and caramelized onions. Then it chills in the fridge overnight! This is key. You can’t skip this part!
In the morning, remove it from the fridge and bake it up. It’s cheesy, melty, crisp, crunchy, savory, sweet and everything you want.
This gets so golden in the oven. The croissant pieces soak up all the egg and the mixture has the most perfect souffle-like texture.
I mean, just look at this!
This is a fabulous holiday brunch idea – or even one to make on christmas night after a day of lounging around. It’s incredibly satisfying.
And it’s feeds tons of people! (more…)
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December 19, 2023
Tuesday Things.
1. Dying to make these rice krispy treat christmas trees!
2. Let’s talk planners! Do you have a new planner lined up for 2024?
3. The best thing right now is that Jordan adores soup. It’s actually hilarious and cute, he asks for soup everyday. So we make a different kind of soup every few days for him to try!
4. This makes me want a tuna melt.
5. TV things!! I’ve been rewatching Gilmore Girls. I also finished My Life with the Walter Boys and while some of it was cute, I also thought it was kind of terrible?
6. Fill your home with life, not stuff. Love this!
7. What are your christmas morning traditions?
8. Definitely thought we had closer to two weeks left before the 25th. I have major mom brain right now!
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