Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

We have officially entered “wedding” week. By this time next week, my brother will be married. It’s just now hitting me that we are really growing up. I mean, Brendan is twenty-nine, so it’s not like we’re not “grown-up”. But he’s the first of my siblings to marry, so I’m really only realizing this fact now. Kind of crazy, but then, not really! Lynds has been a part of the family for a long while now, so nothing feels too different. Just a new ring on her finger and a big old party to celebrate…with cakes.

I hope.

I am still very much working on those, but before I could move on to thinking about wedding cakes, I had to prep for a big photoshoot that we had yesterday. It’s been a busy week, but happy to report that the shoot went amazingly well. I cannot wait to share more details soon. I will say that it was a holiday shoot and you’ll all get to read about it in late November. If you follow on Instagram you saw a few sneak peaks, but more to come on that photoshoot in November.

With the photoshoot behind me, it’s back to work this week creating recipes for fall, planning/prepping for the launch of HBH Super Simple, and mapping out just how I am going to make 3-4 wedding cakes, be in the wedding, and make some tequila cocktails too. Should be very interesting, but oddly I am feeling OK about it. I love making cakes, so trying not to stress myself out about it too much. Right now I’m planning a chocolate peanut butter cake, a coconut cake, something fruity, a gluten-free carrot cake, and possibly my chai pumpkin cake too. Sounds like a lot, I know, but these are not going to be BIG wedding cakes, just normal size. I was not about to attempt a huge wedding cake. That’s not for me.

Anyway, excited about it, nervous about it, and just trying to keep my head above water. All very GOOD things, but it’s so much all at once.

Coming up this week on HBH, I’ll be sharing an easy chicken dinner that’s made healthier with everyone’s favorite vegetable. We’ll also have the most perfect back to school breakfast (hint, it will remind you of your childhood), a quick and cozy dinner, something healthy for game day, and Friday will be the very first sweet apple recipe of the season. I am so excited. OH! And cocktail Saturday returns on the 14th. Again, so excited.

Finally, if you’re trying to catch up on blog posts from the week, please sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here on Half Baked Harvest. And of course, if you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s #9 on the favorite’s list).

Have a great Sunday and enjoy the first Sunday of football season too! Are you making anything fun? See my Sunday night football recipes below!

1. Inspiring Me on Pinterest…the Fall Foliage Edition. 

(photos all found via Pinterest)

Question: where are your favorite places to see fall foliage (in or out of the US)? Here is a list of the 50 best towns for fall foliage.

2. A Few of my Favorite Autumn Apple Recipes.

To me, September is all about apples. Bring on the apple cider, apple butter, and all the apple cider doughnuts. My FAVORITE September outing is apple picking. My dad used to take me to pick New York state apples. Those are some of my favorite fall memories. I have yet to find a great apple farm in Colorado, but it’s on my list of things I NEED to do…sadly it’s a long list.

Anyway, here are my favorite apple recipes.

Apple Butter Old Fashioned

Harvest Apple Ginger Spritz

Poison Apple Martini

Autumn Braised Chicken Escabèche with Roasted Apples and Grapes

Honey, Apple, Cheddar, and Bacon Panini

Apple Butter and Sage Pork Chops

Roasted Butternut Squash Apple Burrata Pizza

Fall Harvest Honeycrisp Apple and Kale Salad

Mulled Spiced Apple Cider Doughnuts

Homemade Slow Cooker Maple Apple Butter

Honeycrisp Apple Pandowdy

Double the Streusel Apple Butter Bars

Cinnamon Apple Puffed Pancake

Apple Cinnamon Rolls with Cream Cheese Chai Frosting

Sweet and Salty Chocolate Drizzled Cider Caramel Apples

Cardamom Cognac Apple Cake

3. All the Must Have Autumn Candles…

4. Questions of the Week: 

q: when are you going to start sharing pumpkin recipes?
a: I was going to wait until at least the last week of September…is that too late or just right? Please let me know because I feel like it’s a little early.

q: how many times do you test a recipe before you feel comfortable posting it online?
a: It depends on the recipe, but usually anywhere from 2-5 times. If it’s something like chili, where the process is pretty simple, I’ll test it 2 or 3 times, then share. If it’s something like a new cake or an instant pot recipe, then usually 3-4 times….sometimes more. It takes a lot.

q: love your countertops! could you give the details?
a: We used honed quartzite and I really love it. The island is my favorite piece in the studio barn’s kitchen.

q: would love a 101 on how to work with burrata!
a: Haha. Ok! It’s really easy. When serving burrata as an appetizer/by itself/on a cheese board/on top of a dish it should be served at room temperature, so make sure to remove it from the fridge an hour or so before serving. This is actually what you should do with most cheese. Cheese is best served at room temp, not cold out of the fridge!

You can also bake burrata, but I find it best served fresh. It stays creamier! If using on a pizza, bake the pizza then add the burrata. Let it sit 5 minutes before cutting to allow the cheese to melt/warm on the pizza. This is what I like to do at least!

5. Newest Videos: 

Sneaky Zucchini Chocolate Chunk Coconut Bread…SO DELICIOUS. And honestly? That is really all you need to know.

Souper Creamy Lemon Butter Cheesy Zucchini Orzo…soupy, creamy, a little bit cheesy orzo with lemon and butter and garlic.

6. Have You Tried Acupuncture? 

Honestly, I have never been one to buy into acupuncture, but I also never took the time to learn anything about it. AND in full disclosure, I’ve never done acupuncture. BUT this week I had a very interesting doctor’s appointment. It was a form of acupuncture, only instead of needles, the doctor was using a pen hooked up to a computer and gently placing it on points all over my hands and feet. The machine was basically reading my body and it was bizarre. Just by pointing this pen on my toes the doctor knew I was indecisive, stressed, have great digestion (cool, cool), high anxiety, and about a million other things.

And I didn’t tell him a single thing about myself before meeting him. It was a TWO HOUR appointment, but man I learned so much about myself.

I’m seeing him for minor reasons (meaning I’m totally healthy!!), but he claims he can get my anxiety in check. I’m still so skeptical, but I guess I’m just curious what everyone’s experience with acupuncture is?

7. A Few Links I Am Loving…

7 easy ways to cut down on sugar…if you need a little health boost this week.

how to decorate your front porch for fall…because I love a good fall porch so much.

eat your way around the U.S. and we’ll guess your age…apparently I am 13, how about you?

make THESE changes to your diet for a calmer, healthier fall…I all about those fall root vegetables.

50 of the Most Stunning Pictures of Fall Across America…I just love fall. so much.

a design lovers guide to Manhattan…there is nothing not to love about NYC. especially in the fall.

the 3 healthiest desserts to satisfy any sweet tooth…these all sound so incredible.

how Leanne Ford made the most of her biggest bedroom ever…for everyone looking to learn a little design tip.

be prepared…6 tough interview questions (and how to answer them)

what to do with your life in September…love the idea of an autumn supper club.

5 books you won’t be able to put down this September…for all you readers.

why you should rate your sexual desire on a scale of 1-9…interesting read.

living well with Kourtney Kardashian…if you are a Kardashian fan and/or love a good home tour.

is your computer giving you sun damage…everyone should read this.

an office kitchen makeover…that is a serious office kitchen. love the green tile. so different.

inside the oldest house in Washington, D.C…so much character.

friday inspiration with Studio McGee…would happily live in any of these spaces.

12 ways to boost your immune system…because no one likes being sick.

8. All the Fall Boots I am Loving Most…

My favorite fall fashion pieces? The sweaters, the coats, and the BOOTS.

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Monday: pesto polenta with thyme roasted mushrooms and chickpeas

Tuesday: instant pot broccoli cheddar and zucchini soup

Wednesday: pan-roasted pomegranate glazed salmon

Thursday: baked boneless honey bbq chicken wings with spicy ranch

Friday: prosciutto chicken parmesan with garlic butter tomato pasta

Game Day Bonus Recipe: cheesy buffalo chicken french bread

Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.