Nine Favorite Things.

Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.

Happy Sunday everyone! I skipped last Sunday’s post since it was Easter and I can honestly say that I missed writing my weekly favorite’s post so much. I’ve really come to love putting these posts together. They are so different from the recipe posts we share everyday here on HBH. These favorite’s post are the perfect place for me to share my other interests, and sneak-peeks into my day-to-day life. It’s so fun!

Speaking of which, spring is finally springing here! We have a very exciting and fun few months ahead. All the short days of sunlight, and long days of work, over the last couple of months have me so excited for what’s ahead. I know it’s so annoying that I’m not divulging details, but soon enough! At this current moment, I really am just excited. I’m feeling so happy that I’ve pushed myself outside of my comfort zone, asked for what I wanted, and allowed the ideas inside my head to actually become reality.

What my mom has been telling me since I was a little girl is true, you’ll never know until you ask, so always ask! That may be the best thing Mom ever taught me. Well, it’s a toss-up between that, and her insistence that every good meal needs a dessert.

Anyway, all good things, and I can’t wait to share more with you guys soon. Right now I am in full on springtime mode and loving every minute. I have fresh flowers on the counter, these strawberry margaritas ready to pour, and I’m slowly shredding the winter layers, as our weather gradually warms up. Loving it.

Coming up this week, I’ll be sharing a couple new recipes geared towards Cinco de Mayo (just one week from today), some easy dinners, and more! Let me know what spring recipes you’d love to see. Picnic foods? Easy dinners? Sweets? I always love your ideas and feedback!

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 Favorites!

1. Let’s talk Edible Flowers. 

I get so many questions everyday about edible flowers. Where do I buy them? How do I store them? Can you eat them? How much money do I spend on them? So many questions! Therefore, I decided it was time to discuss edible flowers!

It’s no secret that I really love flowers, especially edible flowers that I can use to make food look really beautiful and vibrant. It excites me greatly that you guys want to know more about edible flowers! So here’s my littler secret, using edible flowers is SIMPLE…and so EASY. They can be a little pricey, but if you only use them every so often, I think it is so worth it.

So with that, let’s answer these questions.

Where do I buy my edible flowers?

For the most part, I buy my flowers online through Gourmet Sweet Botanicals. The only flower I buy at Whole Foods (or sometimes even my local Kroger grocery store) is Chamomile. Which is almost always in stock during the spring and summer months.

How do I store them?

Unless my flowers are fresh-cut and still on the vine, I keep my flowers in their boxes in the fridge. They usually keep pretty well for 2-3 days.

Can you eat them?

Of course! This is why they are called edible flowers! You can use them in salads, on cakes, whatever. Just make sure you’re using real edible flowers. Just like your salad greens, you don’t want them sprayed with chemicals. You want to be sure you’re using flowers that are safe to eat! I will also say that while the flowers are so pretty, I don’t much care for their taste…

Therefore, I normally only use them for decoration, unless they’re herbal, like chamomile.

How much money do I spend on them? 

A lot, BUT you do have to remember that for me edible flowers are a business expense. I use them to create beautiful food…this is what I tell myself anyway.

What are your favorite edible flowers?

A few of my favorites include, chamomile, hibiscus, basil blossoms, dahlias, thyme blossoms, nasturtium, and begonia.

And with that, below are some of my favorite recipes calling for edible flowers…

strawberry chamomile olive oil cake

strawberry hibiscus ginger margarita

lemon coconut naked cake with whipped vanilla buttercream

blackberry lavender naked cake with white chocolate buttercream

overnight waffles with whipped meyer lemon cream and strawberries

2. Inspiring Me on Instagram…

Tezza!

Do you guys follow her? Her photos are insane. I’ve never seen so much beautiful content. I love seeing her photos (and IG stories) pop up in my feed every single day.

Question: who’s inspiring you on Instagram right now?

3. A Few Mother’s Day Gifts…

4. Questions of The Week: 

q: How long has HBH been around now? I am a new reader!
a: This is so crazy, but I published my first post all the way back on October 12th 2012!! I had just turned 19 and my photos where horrible!! Haha. We’ve come a long way since then and shared sooo many recipes!!

q: Where can I find Chamomile flowers?
a: I get this question so much. I can get them at my local Kroger grocery store and at Whole Foods this time of year. They are sold in the flower section. If you can’t find them just ask the flower department to order them for you. They should do it free of charge!

q: Do you wear an apron?
a: No, but I 110% should

q: Any upcoming travel plans?
a: Right now LA in May and Costa Rica in a July!

q: What did you do before running HBH full time?
a: I went straight from high school into working on HBH full time, so I never had to balance it. I’m grateful I was able to put in 24/7 work from the start!!

5. Newest Videos: 

Falafel Naan Wraps with Golden Rice and Special Sauce…the loaded lunch wrap.

30 minute better than takeout Szechuan Noodles…best weeknight noodles.

Oven Fried Korean Popcorn Chicken…the healthier fried chicken.

6. Claire’s Buttermilk Scones.

I have another video and recipe to share from my brunch in LA with Donal Skehan and Claire Thomas! These buttermilk scones are light, buttery, flakey, and just perfectly sweet. These scones are great on their own, but are extra delicious when served with cream and fresh berries. In other words…you can’t beat this easy scone recipe from my friend Claire Thomas!

Grab the full recipe here.

 

7. A Few Links I Am Loving…

Taylor Swift’s “ME”…never not impressed by how she continues to reinvent herself.

what chefs make when all they have is a box of pasta…all the pasta please.

mask n’ chill…for all the mask lovers out there this is a must read.

how to clean your make-up brushes…good to know.

10 makeup bags that will upgrade your bathroom counter…i could use an upgrade for sure.

designer spotlight on Lauren Liess…if you love interior design or just pretty homes.

best bathrooms ever posted on instagram…because I have a thing for pretty bathrooms.

the best lake getaways in the US…I’d seriously love to visit them all.

9 best sandwich recipes…for lunch and probably dinner too.

Lenny Kravitz’s Brazilian home…it’s nice. very nice.

11 things in your kitchen you need to throw away now…kitchen clean out time.

the best sandals…for all summer long.

ECO friendly skincare…in honor of earth day last Monday.

14 healthiest things you can buy at Trader Joe’s…must try Yuzu hot sauce.

8 women in wellness share the product that changed their skin…if you want glowing skin.

a perfect spring brunch menu from chef Thea Baumann…sounds lovely.

8. Very Springy Dresses…and a Bag…

9. This Week’s Dinners:

Monday: roasted lemon artichoke and browned butter pasta

Tuesday: cauliflower al pastor quesadillas with lime smashed avocado

Wednesday: instant pot thai lemongrass chicken

Thursday: 30 minute Cajun butter steak and peppers

Friday: baked egg crepes with spring herbs and avocado

Check out all the past Favorites posts here.