This post may contain affiliate links, please see our privacy policy for details.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

steam coming off the stream with sun in background

Hey all! Happiest Sunday! How are things? I feel as though itโ€™s been 2019 for months, but yet itโ€™s only February!

Honestly, I donโ€™t have much too much report today, other than I am oddly itching to do a little bit of travel. As you guys know, I have a love hate relationship with travel. I absolutely love traveling for work and getting to do and see new things, love getting to grow HBH, and love meeting more of you guys in the process. NYC and LA trips have been some of my favorites over the last year, so Iโ€™m excited to be heading back to LA in early March. This bitter cold winter weather must really be getting to me. Normally, Iโ€™d probably be just fine staying home, being my homebody self, because traveling usually stresses me out. And if itโ€™s not the cold weather, well maybe Iโ€™m just slowly learning to embrace travel. Who really knows, but they do say, with age comes growth!

So what are you all looking forward to in the coming weeks? Any recipes youโ€™re dying to see me make? Always love hearing your suggestions!

Hereโ€™s whatโ€™s coming up this week on HBH. On Monday Iโ€™ll be sharing a new and very easy pasta recipe thatโ€™s great for both weeknights and special occasions. Tuesday is all about a show stoping Valentineโ€™s Day (or any day) dessert. Moving onto something lighter on Wednesday. And for Thursday, would you like to see an easy Valentineโ€™s Day cocktail, or a fancy homemade ravioli? You tell me! And on Friday, weโ€™ll end the week with something perfectly sweet, but perfectly savory too. Itโ€™s all going to be good.

Lastly, if you missed anything from the past week, be sure to sign up for our newsletterย here. Hope youโ€™re all having the best weekend, and enjoy this Sundayโ€™s Favorites!

1. Exactlyย One Year Ago Todayโ€ฆ

My brother won his 1st gold medal in the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. So crazy that this happened exactly one year ago today. Thinking back, looking through photos, and watching all the videos makes me so happy. Thatโ€™s truly a time no one in my family will ever forget, and I am forever grateful that not only I got to go and experience it, but that I was there with my entire family. Over the last year Iโ€™ve watched Red grow into truly the coolest adult, and itโ€™s been amazing to see how heโ€™s grown. So over the moon with excitement for him. Take a look back through all the photos from last year. And if youโ€™re super curious, see Korea Part 1 and Korea Part 2โ€ฆsuch good memories.

South Korea Part Two: Going for Gold | halfbakedharvest.com

South Korea Part Two: Going for Gold | halfbakedharvest.com

2. My Favorite Valentineโ€™s Day Desserts.ย 

Lemon Rose Shortbread Cookies | halfbakedharvest.com #cookies #valentinesdays #easyrecipes #sugarcookies #dessert

lemon rose shortbread cookies

Vegan Triple Chocolate Mousse Cake | halfbakedharvest.com #chocolate #vegan #easyrecipes #dessert #cake #healthyrecipes

vegan triple chocolate mousse cake

Easy Chocolate Heart Doughnuts | halfbakedharvest.com #valentinesday #doughnut #easy #recipes

easy chocolate heart doughnuts

6 Ingredient Vegan Chocolate Chia Mousse | halfbaledharvest.com #vegan #chocolate #recipes

6 ingredient vegan chocolate chia mousse

Browned Butter Sugar Cookie Bars with White Chocolate Frosting | halfbakedharvest.com #valentinesday #cookies #recipe #easy

browned butter sugar cookie bars with white chocolate frosting

Rose Lemon Spriter: A Week of (Healthy) Cozy Winter Recipes | halfbakedharvest.com @hbharvest

rose lemon spritzer

Rose and Ginger Paloma | halfbakedharvest.com #valentinesday #drink #cocktail #recipes

rose and ginger paloma

3. Uniqueย Finds For the Kitchenโ€ฆ

4. Questions of The Week:ย 

Iโ€™ve been doing a q&a on Instagram stories every Thursday and you guys really seem to be enjoying them. Make sure to send in your questions. I love answering them!

q: how did you get your start making this food blog your full time gig?
a:ย I worked on HBH pretty much 24/7, and I pretty much still do! When I started I was just out of high school and was able to focus on HBH full time right away. I was really lucky for that, but Iโ€™ve also worked really hard to get HBH to where it is now. Itโ€™s a never-ending job that isnโ€™t really Monday-Friday or 9/5, so it takes a lot! But I love it!

q: what is the best way to cook rice so that it doesnโ€™t burn/get mushy?
a:ย This is exactly what I do. Bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Once boiling add 1 cup dry rice. Cover and turn the heat to the lowest setting. Let cook 5-8 minutes on low turn the heat off completely (donโ€™t look inside) and let the rice sit another 10-15 minutes. Then fluff with a fork. Works every time.

q: what is one kitchen tool you bought but just donโ€™t use?
a:ย Ahh. The air fryer. I actually returned it, but only because I really just did not want another appliance in my kitchen. In the air fryerโ€™s defense, I really never gave it a chance.

q: do your brothers still do your food photography/videography?
a: Iโ€™ve always done the food photography myself, but my brother, Malachi, has always done our video content! Heโ€™s the best, and honestly, whenever I have questions about anything camera/photography related I just ask him!

5. New Videos:

artichoke pesto and burrata pizza with lemony arugulaโ€ฆa true favorite.

chocolate chunk coconut banana breadโ€ฆthe only banana bread recipe you really need.

blackened salmon bowl with potatoes and avocado goddess sauceโ€ฆmy current go-to dinner.

6. The One Skincare Product I am Dying to Try, But Canโ€™t Haveโ€ฆ

This might seem silly, but Iโ€™ve been absolutely dying to try these Tom Ford Glow dropsย for weeks now. The drops have been sitting in my Sephora cart as Iโ€™ve debated back and forth about if they were really worth the $50 price tag. This is what I do, I debate and debate thingsโ€ฆuntil they sell out. Then I no longer have the option to actually get them. Well, surprise, surprise, I waited too long, because they are now sold out everywhere (like everywhere, even on Tom Ford)โ€ฆand now, because I canโ€™t have them, Iโ€™m dying to try the product. I know, this is ridiculous, but why is it that we always so badly want what we canโ€™t have?!

Also, why do I need to wait and wait to buy things for myself? Anyone else the same way? I need to just pull the trigger and not think twice, you know?

In other skincare news, I am absolutely lovingย Biossance products so very much. Have you tried their stuff? Iโ€™ve been using their creams and oils for a of couple weeks now and could not love them more. Very much obsessed with theย Biossanceย Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil,ย theย Squalane + Omega Repair Creamย (feels so good on my overly dry winter skin), and the at home Squalane Facial.

7. A Few Links I Am Lovingโ€ฆ

the secret to super shiny hairโ€ฆmy hair needed this tip.

7 tips for creating a home you really loveโ€ฆbecause we all want a home we love.

Louis Vuittonโ€™s new it-bag is intended only for your lipstickโ€ฆwould you buy it?

3 delicious looking vegan breakfastโ€ฆlove a good brunch meal.

Danielle Herrington puts sriracha on everythingโ€ฆhot sauce and beauty talk. into it.

Bon Appรฉtit will stream its test kitchen right into your homeโ€ฆthis is going to be the new Food Network. I called it first.

home away from home in Parisโ€ฆso pretty.

grain free, dairy free, chocolate cake you wonโ€™t believeโ€ฆso pretty. so good.

the least clichรฉdย V-day traditionsโ€ฆiโ€™d be down for a spa day.

how to spend aย 48-hour layoverย in Hong Kongโ€ฆin case you need to know.

Malina Weissman on hiddenย figures and the perfect New York sliceโ€ฆloved learning more about Malina.

8. Obsessedย with Jeansโ€ฆ

9. This Weekโ€™s Dinners:

Sheet Pan Chicken Shawarma with Sesame Sweet Potatoes and Hummus | halfbakedharvest.com #easyrecipes #healthyrecipes #sheetpan #chickenrecipes #hummus

Monday:ย sheet pan chicken shawarma with sesame sweet potatoes and hummus

Slow Cooker Chipotle Orange Street Tacos | halfbakedharvest.com #tacos #instantpot #crockpot #easyrecipes #healthy

Tuesday:ย slow cooker chipotle orange street tacos

30 Minute Vietnamese Beef and Crispy Rice Bowl | halfbakedharvest.com #beef #thai #easyrecipes #healthy #recipebowl

Wednesday:ย 30 minute Vietnamese beef and crispy rice bowl

Herby Buttered Balsamic Mushroom Ravioli | halfbakedharvest.com #mushrooms #italian #ravioli #easyrecipes

Thursday:ย herby buttered balsamic mushroom ravioli

One Skillet Lemon Butter Chicken and Orzo | halfbakedharvest.com #chicken #recipes #easy #skillet

Friday:ย one skillet lemon butter chicken and orzo

Check out all the pastย Favoritesย postsย here.

This post was originally published on February 10, 2019

Add a Comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Oh the Olympics photos are so wonderful! Congratulations to your brother! <3 I want those vegan breakfasts now too ๐Ÿ˜€

  2. Iโ€™d love to see homemade ravioli for v-day. My SO and I got a pasta maker for Christmas and would love a new recipe to try!

  3. I also vote cocktails ๐Ÿ™‚ I just wanted to say that Iโ€™ve noticed a lot of bloggers this year are reposting old recipes and posting less. Your blog is still going stronger than ever, still super creative, and I really admire that (and you!). I read in another post you arenโ€™t always into Valentineโ€™s Day, but I still hope you have a warm and happy heart filled week!!

  4. Looking to travel? Please come to Portland! Meeting you would be a dream come true! I love all of your recipes and ability to showcase your food and life through genuine storytelling. Itโ€™s Sunday and on tonightโ€™s menu will be โ€œBetter For You Instant Pot Spicy White Bean Beef Stewโ€ (although I will be using a dutch oven to fill the house with a delicious aroma throughout the dayโ€.

    One question or request would be a post on how to begin a food photography blog! Iโ€™ve always enjoyed cooking and really want to showcase the things I make (by any means Iโ€™m not a professional). I just have a passion for entertaining and connecting with my friends and family through my love of food. The HBH Cookbook continues to inspire me and I look forward to another wonderful year of amazing recipes.

    Kindly,
    Jan

    1. I would love to go to Portland! Also, that is such a great idea for a post! I will try to do one on that! Thank you Jan! xTieghan

  5. Well that year went by fast! That pic of Red by himself with the flag wrapped around his shoulders? You and Red could be TWINS in that picture!

  6. Could you come up with a version of Tom Yum Soup? My sister, who lives on Long Island, raves about a spicy coconut-milk version, but the one I tried at a restaurant here in Georgia was more like a Thai chicken noodle soup (it was excellent for a cold and bleak winter day, BTW). Apparently both are considered variations of Tom Yum (and there are others as well), so I would be curious to see what you can concoct!

  7. I am LOVING your food and blog. I have made two of your recipes so far and loved them. Thanks for inspiring some newness in the kitchen. I cook A LOT for my family and as a part time job and I needed to getmoutnofnmy slump. I plan on purchasing your cookbook today. Thanks so much
    Elissa Nye
    Rifle, CO

  8. I love how you said Red won his โ€œfirstโ€ gold medalโ€ฆimplying that he will win more! That is some awesome support. Canโ€™t wait to see him in 2022! I made the Vietnamese crispy rice bowls last night and you are 100% correct that the crispy rice is a game changer!

  9. Iโ€™d love, to see more fruit desserts, and vanilla and caramel. Valentines. Would love a new ravioli.
    More sheet/snack cakes.Lamb Chopsโ€ฆ

  10. This comment is in reference to the Tom Ford Glow dropsโ€ฆ.why donโ€™t you try the drunk elephant D-bronze one insteadโ€ฆslightly cheaperโ€ฆ39 instead of 50. I bought it after trying a sample and love it, and you really need just a dropโ€ฆ.go too heavy and youโ€™ll end up wiping your face with a tissue and seeing the bronze on the tissueโ€ฆ.mix it with your moisturizerโ€ฆsimple and you can use it on your body not just your faceโ€ฆ.Love your blog and I watched your brother win, and that is how I found you!

  11. WOW! A year already since Red won. Hard to believe. He was a household name around here. My sister and her husband would say Red did this or Red did that. Funny! I know it made all of you very proud.

    1. Yes and he keeps on amazing us! Thank you Charlotte. It is so sweet to hear that you all were cheering him on as well! xTieghan