Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Hey guys! What a crazy (scary) week it’s been. It’s insane how fast everything escalated in just a matter of days. And even crazier to think that this time last week I was in LA, thinking I’d still be heading to Chicago for events next week. So much changed in a matter of days and the world is a little scary right now. Asher is off of school for the next three weeks, businesses have closed. In a way, the world is slowly shutting down and it’s frightening.

I spent Thursday with a very high anxiety level, but after talking with my mom, and a little extra sleep, I woke up feeling much more positive. And OK come Friday morning…even excited to tackle my day. I know times are intimidating and tough right now, but let’s all try to stay calm and positive. It’s really all we can do anyway, right? Well, that and wash our hands. Like all the dang time. Stay home, and just spend time with the ones closest to you. And then wash your hands again.

And when the stressful thoughts start coming, you know what’s a great quick and easy fix? Cooking. Baking. And just hanging out in the kitchen. If there is one bright side to all this craziness it’s the fact that we (finally) have some time to make all the recipes you’ve bookmarked, saved on Instagram, or pinned on Pinterest. Yupppp. It’s time to cook and bake, maybe make a few cocktails and ride this thing out. Thankfully for you all, I have ALL the recipes you could ever need.

In all seriousness, I hoping HBH can bring you guys some joy, and be a bright, happy place for you guys in the coming weeks. We might not be able to meet in person for a while, but we can still touch base here and on Instagram daily. Now more than ever I’m so thankful for this space and our HBH community. It’s incredible we can run this business from the comfort and safety of our homes. You can expect lots of new recipes and plenty of Instagram Stories to help keep you all well fed and entertained. If you have any requests, please let me know!!

In the meantime, here’s what is coming up this week on HBH. We’ll be starting Monday off with a new spring-inspired recipe that’s cozy, but still light and bright. Then moving onto something a little different and insanely healthy…hoping to kick any signs of cold or flu in the butt with Tuesday’s recipe. Then, a fun new take on a classic Asian recipe that uses up some pantry staples. Thursday is a wild card (no idea yet), and Friday something sweet and inspired by the upcoming Easter holiday. It’s going to be a very, very good week ahead!

PS. As I mentioned above, we’ve canceled all upcoming HBH Super Simple Cookbook events for the time being. If you were planning to attend any of these events, you should have gotten an email with a full refund. I am so sorry to have to cancel, but please know that we will be rescheduling these events when all is safe again. Keep an eye out for dates in the weeks to follow!

Lastly, if you’re catching up on blog posts from the week, be sure to sign up for our daily newsletters. They’ll help you to stay up to date with everything that’s happening here, as well as fun content you’ll only get via email. 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).

I hope you enjoy this week’s Nine Favorite Things. I hope it can bring you a little joy during these very weird times we are all experiencing. Have a wonderful, relaxed Sunday!

1. things I’m loving, wanting, and excited to try…

loving…this iS Clinical cleansing wash. It’s gentle and perfect for everyday use.

obsessed…with this Aesop hand wash. For (many) obvious reasons.

excited to try…Tata Harper Resurfacing Mask. Has anyone tried this?

loving…this hairbrush. It’s an investment…but very gentle on my fine hair.

obsessed…with this candle from Byredo. Smells like spring.

excited to try…this shampoo and conditioner set from Playa.

obsessed…with this new 11 inch Staub skillet. I use this EVERY DAY, not exaggerating.

loving…my Nanushka vegan leather pants. A big splurge for me, but I love them.

loving…following We Wore What for both style and business inspiration.

obsessed…with these Isabel Marant earrings. Even prettier in person.

wanting…this cozy sweater. Should I just order it?

loving…the pastry school. This is the prettiest cookbook I’ve seen.

Question: what are you loving right now? What’s everyone doing to keep busy?

2. Our 20 Best Pantry + Freezer Recipes to Make.

I stock my pantry with the items I use most often. Plenty of Asian sauces, spices, tomatoes, nuts, seeds, etc. It’s important to have ingredients that you use most often always on hand. If your pantry is well-stocked, you can make an incredible pasta dish (see my Quick Pantry Pasta), soups, and even a good cookie bar for dessert. Some of my favorite meals are composed of pantry staples. Here are my must-haves.

For the Pantry
Spices
Dry pastas: spaghetti, penne, tagliatelle, rigatoni, bucatini, orzo, etc.
Dry grains: basmati rice, wild rice, quinoa, polenta, etc.
Noodles: rice, egg, soba, and ramen
Nuts/seeds: raw cashews, almonds, pine nuts, pecans, peanuts, pepitas (pumpkin seeds),
sunflower seeds, etc.
Oils: extra virgin olive oil, sesame oil, toasted sesame oil, and peanut oil
Vinegars: apple cider, rice champagne, red wine, and balsamic
Lentils: dried red or green
Canned beans
Garlic, shallots, onions
Potatoes, winter squash
Nut butters
Canned tomatoes: fired roasted, crushed, whole, sun-dried, tomato paste, an assortment is nice
Canned chipotle peppers in adobo
Roasted red peppers
Enchilada sauce
Basil pesto
Olives: green, Kalamata, and mixed
Assorted jams/preserves
Pickles
Broth: chicken, veggie, and beef
Canned coconut milk
Honey
Molasses
Low sodium soy sauce or tamari
Fish sauce
Thai red curry paste
Sweet Thai chili sauce
Sambal Oelek (chili paste)
Your favorite hot sauces
Molasses
Pure maple syrup
Flours: all-purpose, white, whole wheat
Baking powder and baking soda
Sugars: granulated and brown
Vanilla extract
Chocolate: dark, semi-sweet, and milk
Flaked coconut: unsweetened and sweetened
Assorted crackers
Panko bread crumbs
Cornflakes
Dijon or grainy mustard
Canned tuna (I like oil-packed)

In the Fridge
Assorted cheeses: dry cheese like parmesan can last weeks in the fridge. Be sure to save those rinds for a flavorful sauce or soup. In my fridge, I always have…parmesan, feta, cheddar, cream cheese, mascarpone, and ricotta.
Eggs: eggs keep way longer than you think, between 4-5 weeks.
Plain Greek yogurt: a staple for easy breakfasts and healthier sauces
Salted butter: always, always.
Fresh greens: I keep spinach, arugula or Tuscan kale on hand for a quick salad.
Avocado: once they are ripe, I stick avocados into the fridge to finish out their shelf life. They’ll stay good for 1-2 weeks there.
Carrots
Lemons/limes
Fresh ginger
Prosciutto

For the Freezer
Bread
Spinach/broccoli
Ground chicken/beef
Chicken breasts or thighs
Shrimp/seafood:
Frozen fruit
Puff pastry
Ice cream

And the recipes…

One Skillet Saucy Chicken Tortilla Enchilada Rice Bake

30 Minute Coconut Milk Braised Chicken with Sweet Potatoes and Rice

One Skillet Creamy Sun-Dried Tomato Chicken and Orzo

Flaky Honey Brioche Bread

Better Than Takeout 20 Minute Peanut Noodles with Sesame Halloumi

30 Minute Thai Peanut Chicken Ramen

One Pot Creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese

Crispy Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Cilantro Lime Ranch

Creamy Golden Rice with Spiced Chickpeas

Roasted Red Pepperalla Vodka Pasta

Cowboy Party Cookies

Slow Cooker French Wine and Mustard Chicken

One Pot Creamy French Onion Pasta Bake

Sweet Potato Lentil Curry

Broccoli Cheddar Soup Mini Pies

Broccoli Cheddar Chicken and Rice Casserole

Coconut Sweet Potato Lentil Soup with Rice

Garlic Naan Grilled cheese

Quick Pantry Pasta with Sun-Dried Tomatoes and Burrata

30 Minute Indian Butter Chickpeas

Saucy Tahini Noodles with Honey’d Sweet Potatoes

3. spring finds from Crate and Barrel…

4. favorite questions of the week.

q: Thoughts on salted versus unsalted butter?
a: I always use salted butter. Its what my mom always used growing up and I find it always adds an extra special touch to pretty much every dish, sweet or savory.

q: Do you get nervous cooking live?
a: Surprisingly, no. I get anxious about a lot of things. I’m a really shy person, but for whatever reason, I don’t get too nervous while cooking on TV. I actually find it fun!

q: What do you like to do in your spare time? Read? Hike? Sleep?
a: Hike. Sleep. Spend time with family. Honestly, I don’t like spare time and I get super antsy. I always have to be doing something…and I kind of love working too much!

q: How many hours a day are you cooking?
a: On days when I cook, I cook sun up to sundown, so roughly 9 am to 6 pm, when light is good. A little less in the winter but I try and get ahead at night and prep out whatever I can while it’s dark. Then I’m ready once I have sunlight.

5. newest videos.

One Pot Creamy Cauliflower Mac and Cheese…all the comfort food, but a touch healthier.

Italian Sausage Noodle and Lemon Garlic Soup…with extra noodles, it’s the only way.

5 Ingredient Chocolate Dipped Peanut Butter Cookies…the BEST (healthy) peanut cookie.

Crinkle Top Brownies…the only brownie recipe you really need.

6. Inspiring me on Pinterest.

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(Lauren Conrad via The Little Market)

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7. a few links i am loving…

*double the links today because, you know, we have some extra time these days…

the best board games…the family played Sacattergories and had so much fun. What’s your favorite?

52 places to go in 2020…if you are planning a trip.

9 things you can do while hiding out at home…check those items off that to-do list.

behind the scenes of Taylor Swifts The Man music video…love a good behind the scenes.

the fashion world’s favorite way to wear pants right now…into or not? It’s growing on me.

46 cheap and items that will become wardrobe staples…spring shopping on a budget.

how to air dry your hair…I got this one down.

the 21 best dry shampoos…do you have a favorite? looking for one myself.

the best flats for spring…considering a few of these options for spring.

your phone is filthy…a guide on how to clean it.

comfort food makeover…clean green lasagna with kale marinara.

what 9 wellness experts keep on hand to stay healthy…no matter where they are.

12 things I wish I known before tackling my renovation…if your updating things.

how not to go stir crazy at home…hint, exercise.

a short list of good things…keeping me happy, or at least distracted, right now.

what the executive director of the Apollo Theater wears to work…the perfect Sunday read.

how to deal with anxiety when the world feels crazy…a calming read.

the 10 best honeymoon destinations for 2020…if you need ideas.

the 2020 wedding dress trends…again, if you need ideas.

the lazy girls guide to 3 minute waves…I certainly needed to read this post.

3 mocktail recipes…for a buzz, energy, and sleep.

how to work from home…the difference between stir crazy and serenity.

what grocery stores across the US currently look like…this. is. scary.

what to cook, play, watch, and listen to…at home while “social distancing”.

a Chicago home filled with one-of-a-kind details…such a unique space.

pressure points to help with motion sickness…taking notes.

how food businesses are handling coronavirus…what you need to know.

tips, tools, and research…for staying healthy and boosting your immune system.

13 tips…to make working from home feel more productive.

how eating disorders affect men…if you know someone struggling, this is worth the read.

4 coronavirus stories worth reading…stay calm, but informed.

8. easy spring dresses…

9. Nine Favorite Things – this week’s dinners…

Monday: 15 Minute Garlic Butter Ramen Noodles (recipe in HBH Super Simple)

Tuesday: Weeknight Thai Peanut Chicken with Spicy Lime Mango

Wednesday: Persian Herb and Chickpea Stew with Rice

Thursday: Sheet Pan Chipotle Salmon with Cilantro Lime Special Sauce

Friday: Potato and Wild Mushroom Burrata Pizza

Saturday Drink: Strawberry Chamomile Paloma

Sunday Brunching: Cinnamon Sugar Brown Butter Popovers

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