Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Hey, hi and happy Sunday!

First, I have to thank you all for your outpouring of support and kindness this past week. I announced the new HBH Super Simple cookbook in last week’s favorite’s post as well as on Instagram. I am SO EXCITED that you all seem to be SO thrilled for book number 2! As I mentioned last week, I was so nervous to announce this cookbook. But everyone’s kind words (and preorders) have built up a little confidence inside me. I have to tell you, releasing a cookbook out into the world is a very scary thing.

This book has been something we’ve been working on for close to 2 years now, so in some ways, it’s like a child to me. I’ve put a lot into, shed many tears over it, and have been dying to share the details and news for so long. We had another big meeting this past week to talk about cookbook events for the fall. It’s all slowly starting to feel real. Still nervous, but also happy and excited too! Can’t wait to share more this fall!

In other news, this past week here in Colorado has been one of the prettiest. Warm 70, and even a few low 80, degree days with mostly blue skies and the lightest mountain breeze. SO PERFECT. It’s made those incredibly long weeks of winter worth it…remind me of this comment when I’m complaining next March. I absolutely love it and never want these days to end.

In addition to the beautiful weather, our greenhouse is also flourishing. We have so many fresh herbs. More than I know what to do with, so expect many herb-filled recipes over the next few weeks. We have basil, thyme, rosemary, mint, chives, parsley, cilantro, oregano, sage, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes. The peppers and tomatoes still need time, but the herbs are perfect. Can’t wait to use them all up!

What are you guys loving most about summertime?

Coming up this week on HBH, we’ll be kicking the week off with a delicious 20-minute dinner that’s going to become a new staple. We will then be moving on to something sweet and berry-filled. Next up will be a very unique noodle recipe, tomatoes galore, and we’ll end the week with ice cream…or pie. I can’t decide.

Lastly, if you missed anything from the past week, be sure to sign up for our newsletter here. Hope you’re all having the best weekend, and enjoy this Sunday’s Nine Favorite Things!

1. Inspiring Me This Week.

A good reminder for us all. My mom always says, if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all. And it’s true. And my mom’s number one rule to live by…treat others as you would want them to treat you. That should take care of just about everything!

2. The Tomato Recipes you NEED. 

One-Pot 30 Minute Creamy Tomato Basil Pasta Bake

Caramelized Corn and Tomato Tarte Tatin

Lemon Parmesan Salmon with Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad

3 Cheese Zucchini “Ravioli” with Roasted Tomato Basil Sauce

Cheesy Tomato Basil Stuffed Chicken

Heirloom Tomato Cheddar Tart with Everything Spice

Prosciutto Chicken Parmesan with Garlic Butter Tomato Pasta

Skillet Burst Cherry Tomato Summer Pasta with Lemony Breadcrumbs

Greek Orzo Stuffed Peppers with Lemony Basil Tomatoes

Caramelized Onion and Balsamic Tomato Tarts

Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Pasta Salad

Harvest Tomato and Butternut Squash Dal

Garlic and Herb Roasted Cherry Tomato Pizza with Caramelized Onions

Grilled Pesto Zucchini Stuffed with Tomatoes and Orzo

Heirloom Tomato, Basil, and Manchego Toast

Marinated Cherry Tomatoes with Burrata + Toast

3. Home and Kitchen Favorites from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale…

4. Questions of the Week: 

q: What are some recommendations for creating your own recipes?
a: Play around with flavors you know you already love, then add something new and exciting that you think could be good! Always try new ingredients, if you love them, add them to your next recipe! Don’t be afraid of messing up, that’s what’s so great about cooking…if you mess up, and make something not even close to edible, make pasta with brown butter and all will be good!

q: How often do you order groceries?
a: During heavy cooking weeks, 5-6 days, and sometimes twice a day. When it’s a little more mellow, like during the summer, more like 4 days. There’s a lot of trips to the store.

q: How do you know when a new recipe is perfect?
a: When it tastes insanely delicious, the cooking/baking process is the simplest it can be, and the food looks great too! There are so many recipes that you guys never see because they are only just good. Recipes have to be amazing for me to share them!

q: The Office, or Parks and Rec?
a: I’ve never seen either because I pretty much don’t watch TV.

q: What holiday has the best food?
a: I’m all about Christmas, second is Halloween, third is the 4th of July or just any summer “holiday”, then Thanksgiving! But I do love Thanksgiving….so not sure it’s actually 4th on my list. I love them all the most during that time!

5. Newest Videos: 

Extra Crispy Basil Chicken Saltimbocca with Marinated Tomatoes…currently my summer favorite.

Simplest Zucchini Parmesan Pasta…creamy, buttery pasta, but without using any cream.

Jammy Strawberry Galette…using up every last summer berry with this one.

Bucatini Amatriciana…very simple, very summery.

6. Trader Joe’s Staples…because who is not obsessed with TJ’s. 

Honey Goat Cheese Log- I always keep this in the fridge, it’s great for creating a quick and easy appetizer. Just serve with seasonal fruit, like peaches or dried cranberries + a drizzle of Trader Joe’s Organic Raw Honey (another favorite). Then serve with crackers, grilled bread, or incorporate into a cheeseboard. Also, I love spreading the goat cheese on the Trader Joe’s Fig and Olive Crisps too. Delicious.

Chili Lime Salt- I use this for so much. To line the rim of a margarita glass, season shrimp for quick tacos, toss with potatoes to make chili lime oven fries. The options are endless. My summertime favorite is fresh-cut watermelon + mangos heavily sprinkled with the chili lime salt. So addicting, but healthy!

Cauliflower Gnocchi- this might be everyone’s favorite, but I am only just recently jumping on the cauliflower gnocchi bandwagon. I love creating a quick summer dinner with this. My current go-to is burst cherry tomatoes with garlic and herbs, pan-seared cauliflower gnocchi, and burrata cheese. Everyone thinks it’s a fancy dinner, but it literally takes minutes to make. In the fall, I swap the tomatoes for buttery mushrooms and tangy goat cheese.

Organic Elote Corn Chip Dippers- having snacks in the pantry is a MUST for me. I have a huge family, who seem to always be in and out…and they LOVE their snacks. These chips are everyone’s favorite. They taste almost like cool ranch chips, but in a delicious way. Serve with street corn salad, mashed avocado, or turn them into cheesy oven-baked nachos.

Jalapeño Sauce – Put this on literally everything. Drizzle over chicken or fish, use as a dip, stir into guacamole, use in place of pizza sauce for a spicy pizza with Mexican cheeses, etc. This sauce is good, and actually spicy. A good go-to lunch is to mix the jalapeño sauce with rice, then stuff it between tortillas with roasted red peppers and cheese. So great for making a quick cheese, rice, and vegetable quesadilla.

Frozen Brown Rice – because I literally can never, ever get brown rice to cook properly. This is a lifesaver.

Peanut Butter Filled Pretzels- there is nothing not to love about these pretzels. For a super quick dessert turn the pretzels into bars by covering them in chocolate, chilling, then cutting. SO GOOD. Do we need a recipe?

7. A Few Links I Am Loving…

the surprising quality most successful people have in common…always stay curious.

Antoni Porowski, food + wine expert, Queer Eye…everything you wanted to know.

how to spend a big fat weekend in Québec City…all the ravioli. please.

the most stylish workout shoes…to keep you motivated.

26 no-cook dinners for a heatwave…welcome to the dog days of summer.

10 cult classics that are perfect for your next summer movie night…what’s your pick?

Mandy Moore morning routine…love a good morning routine.

I stopped looking at my phone before bed…here’s how my sleep changed.

XOXO! Gossip Girl Is coming back...YESSSSSSS.

9 headbands to channel your inner Blair Waldorf…I am all about this.

what to buy at Trader Joe’s when it is too hot to cook…I’m all for this melon salad.

blue light tech face…everything you need to know about staring at your screen.

7 shopable details inside these plastic-free fridges…I’ll take it all.

the 5 most important food groups…some of my favorites.

take a seat with Rachel Pally…inspiring story and gorgeous clothes.

summery shaved zucchini salad…need this.

to prevent hormone imbalance, start upping your intake of these nutrients…good to know.

everything you need for the best summer glow…yes please.

8. Fashion and Beauty Favorites from the Nordstrom Anniversary Sale…

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Monday: california chicken, veggie, avocado and rice bowls

Tuesday: chipotle shrimp cobb salad with jalapeño corn vinaigrette

Wednesday: spicy peanut noodles with chili garlic oil

Thursday: browned butter cinnamon peach dutch baby…breakfast for dinner!

Friday: bucatini amatriciana

Finally, check out all the past Favorite’s posts here.