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Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.
Happy June, happy Sunday! This has been a very different week. And while it was a challenging week, I learned a lot. I slowed my pace and I discovered new-to-me POC in the home, lifestyle, beauty, and of course, food space. It has been great for me to explore and learn. I really hope you all enjoyed the stories we shared this past week.
While we’re on the topic of learning, you know what’s kind of crazy? In October it will be eight years since my mom and I published the very first blog post on HBH. Eight years. Wow, have I learned a lot!
And you know what’s even crazier? In all of those eight years we’ve never missed a blog post (other than major holidays like Christmas and Thanksgiving). Not one. But this week shook things up a bit. And It’s OK. I feel inspired in new ways. I’m ready to tackle the week with a fresh outlook and fun ideas for new summer content.
Speaking of summer…
I’m very much looking forward to getting back to cooking and sharing brand new recipes. My (very scattered) mind is full of fresh, colorful summer recipe ideas. A few of which I’ll be sharing with you all this week. I can’t tell you how much I’ve missed sharing daily recipes with you all. I can’t wait to get back at it tomorrow.
How about you all? I feel like we haven’t been able to fully connect much this week…and it’s been weird for me. Have you been enjoying some nice summer weather? Cooking a lot? Around here, it’s been typical summer mountain weather. Beautiful and sunny in the morning, but come mid-afternoon, the summer storms begin to roll in. Sometimes I just want to curl up with a cozy blanket and light a candle. My early morning hikes have been the most beautiful. I love seeing the lush green trees and the sun rising up over the mountains. This is really the only time of day that I take for just myself and I cherish it so much. It keeps me creative, happy, and sane.
And in Little Miss Asher news (since we all love her so), she is officially out of school for the summer. This means no more “zoom” classrooms and lots of baking with the little sis. She’s very happy…and so am I! We baked a big batch of cookies out of the HBH Super Simple cookbook on Saturday during the afternoon storms. And I have to say, it was nice just to stop for a minute and hang with her one on one. She’s my favorite.
Question: what are you guys looking forward to this week? For me, it’s definitely sharing new recipes. Writing blog posts, sharing them here on the blog, and then on Instagram stories as well. Sharing food is what makes me happiest. Always.
Coming up this week on HBH, we have lots of summer-inspired recipes with plenty of color. On Monday we’ll have a fun new vegetarian recipe. Tuesday is yet another childhood favorite (loving recreating my favorite “kid” foods). Wednesday is a wild card…meaning I really don’t know yet. And Thursday will bring a fresh summer dinner salad. Of course, we’ll be keeping things light for summer. And as you would expect, it’s all about sweets come Friday. Saturday’s drink is bourbon-based and a new personal favorite. So all delicious things to come!
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. If you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s # 9 on the favorite’s list). You can grab the full grocery list for this week’s menu in our special Sunday newsletter.
Hoping everyone has a wonderful Sunday full of good food…hopefully with a little peach cobbler or blueberry cake.
1. Inspiring me.
On Pinterest…
Note: this might just be my favorite quote of all.
Sources unknown, but all found via Pinterest. Please let me know if you happen to know the exact sources.
In Reading…
A Note from Joanna Gaines on Risk – I found this story uplifting and inspiring. A great Sunday read.
From Joanna Gaines
In Podcasts…
Debra Messing & Mandana Dayani on How To Constantly Educate Ourselves To Be Better.
2. Sixteen Recipes to Celebrate June.
Skillet Burst Cherry Tomato Summer Pasta with Lemony Breadcrumbs
Greek Watermelon Feta Salad with Basil Vinaigrette
Pan-Fried Feta with Peppered Honey
Caprese Prosciutto Farro Salad
One Pot Lemon Basil, Asparagus, and Sausage Pasta
Crispy Lemon Feta with Spiced Chickpeas and Basil Orzo
Browned Butter Grilled Peaches with Cinnamon “Toast” Brioche Crumbs
Blackberry Lavender Naked Cake with White Chocolate Buttercream
Nonnie’s 6 Ingredient Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream Cake
Skillet Strawberry Bourbon Cobbler
3. Cookbooks by Black Authors…
Question: what are some of your favorite cookbooks, newer or older, written by African Americans?
4. Favorite Questions of the Week…
q: Have you ever considered going vegan?
a: Nope, I have not. I love cheese and experimenting with new to me foods, so this would limit that too much for me. Otherwise, I could do it. I love creating vegan recipes (and we have one coming up this week).
q: Favorite go-to cocktail for a Friday night when you’re tired and want something simple?
a: My blueberry lemon thyme smash. This fun, summery drink is so easy to make. It can be made with any berry you have on hand. And if you don’t have berries on hand, simply use a fruity jam.
q: Favorite flowers for garnishing?
a: I really love chamomile, elderflower, thyme blossoms, lavender, and delicate herbs like lemon basil or lemon mint. Other edible flowers I often use are hibiscus, pansies, dahlias, roses (I love dried roses too). There are probably more that I am just forgetting. I order all my edible flowers and herbs through Gourmet Sweet Botanicals.
q: Favorite TV show?
a: I haven’t watched a tv show in years…but my all-time favorites are Gilmore Girls, Buffy, and probably Gossip Girl. Lol. Everything I watched growing up! What should I watch on a Sunday night?
5. Latest Recipe Videos.
No Fuss Lemon Tart…the easiest, most delicious, and so very pretty when topped with fresh berries.
Baked Black Pepper Ranch Chicken Fingers with Honey Mustard…these are the best, and so fun for summer.
And on Instagram stories…
Southern Double Crusted Cinnamon Sugar Peach Cobbler…really the only thing you need to bake today.
6. Newly Discovered Black Owned Businesses and Blogs.
Home Decor, Pottery, Tabletop, and Lines:
Naked Clay Ceramics – love this coffee and creamer set. I can’t wait until they are back in stock.
Tracie Hervy – these pretty plates will make everything look good.
Madame de la Maison – these plates and this kitchen towel are in my shopping cart.
The Black Home – this silverware set is beautiful.
Artists:
Kenesha Sneed-Tactile Matter the prettiest print shop.
Ronni Nicole Robinson – we all love these pieces so much. I’m ordering this piece as soon as it’s back in stock. It’s just so pretty.
P-Nut the Low country Poet – artist and poet based in Charleston. All of his works make me smile.
Greg Breda – the details in his photos are truly amazing.
The Everyday Print Co – very pretty modern Afro wall art and prints.
Estelle Colored Glass – these glasses would make cocktails looks so pretty! This blush pink wine glass is perfect for summer Rosé.
Debra Cartwright – really pretty prints. Love this print and its dainty pinks.
Aurélia Durand – such pretty and unique illustrations!
Related Reading: The Artist Reimagining What Home Looks Like for Black Families.
Fashion and Lifestyle Influencers:
Sincerely_Sheda -such a cute family-focused blogger.
Golde – superfood, health, and beauty products.
Venita Aspen – has the cutest summer charm. Love her style, positivity, and photos of Charleston.
Shades Of Pink – the sweetest blogger from South Carolina…adore her vintage style.
Ljeoma Kola – love her upbeat attitude and creativity.
Children’s Books by Black Author’s:
Hair Love by Mathew A. Cherry
Happy To Be Nappy by bell hooks
My Brother Charlie by Holly Robinson Peete and Ryan Elizabeth Peete
Daddy Calls Me Man by Angela Johnson
Related reading: 7 Books About Race to Read to Your Kids
Question: who do you guys follow? Please leave your favorites in the comments for everyone to discover!
7. favorite links i’m loving…
Charming 1860s Barn-Turned-Home…so cute.
25 Kitchen Products That’ll Help Make Food Taste Better…I need to try some of these.
29 Movies, Shows, and Documentaries to Watch…to educate yourself on racial injustice
Here’s How Etsy Is Supporting the Black Lives Matter Movement…love that Etsy is doing this.
26 Comfort Food Recipes You Can Make Right Now…yum. these all sound delicious.
Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent Transform an NYC Town House…perfect family home.
Nate Berkus and Jeremiah Brent Show AD Their New Home…this is their older home, but I still love it.
11 Fiction Books Written by Black Women to Read This Year…and 9 Black bookstagrammers to follow.
26 Small Businesses Owned by Women of Color…love, love, love this well-curated list.
30 Must-Try Black-Owned Restaurants In America..according to food lovers
The Black-Owned Design Brands We Return to Again and Again…loving these new to me brands
If You’re a White Woman Looking to Help…Ivirlei Brookes’s Viral Video Is the Resource You Need
32 Black-Owned Skincare, Hair, and Makeup…Briogeo hair is one of my favorites.
14 Great Black-Owned Businesses…can’t wait to try Harlem Candle Co.
21 Black-Authored Cookbooks to Add to Your Shelf…so many new cookbooks to order.
When Will Schools Reopen…the question all parents are wondering.
10 Novels by Black Authors…to better understand the Black experience.
The Hardest “Harry Potter” Questions About Hermione Granger…Can You Get A Perfect Score? I got 5 out of 8 and yes, I am very disappointed in myself.
8. Black Owned Soy Made Candle Brands…
Ordering the the very tropical Caribbean Teakwood Soy Candle.
KSM Candle Co
Excited to try their Cinnamon Soy Candle.
Bonus: Fashion and Beauty Finds from African American Designers…
9. This week’s dinners…
Monday: Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken
Tuesday: Simplest Zucchini Parmesan Pasta
Wednesday: Summer Coconut Chickpea Curry with Rice and Fried Halloumi
Thursday: Better Than Takeout Sweet Thai Basil Chicken
Friday: Garden Herb Shrimp Scampi Linguine
Saturday Drink: Pink Vodka Watermelon Lemonade
Sunday Baking: Southern Double Crusted Cinnamon Sugar Peach Cobbler
Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.
Pinterest is my favorite one!
https://www.halfbakedharvest.com/nine-favorite-things-145/
I like your approach to food. It’s loving, caring and inviting. You seem genuine and engaged. I usually enjoy your email and all it’s content. However, once you jumped head long into ‘black authors, black restaurants, black businesses I was put off. The death of George Floyd is unanimously condemned. There are injustices against all races every day. Are you going to recommend Asian, White, Hispanic, Indian etc authors, restaurants and businesses? You are certainly entitled to your voice. I just had to express mine.
Keep cooking it’s beautiful.
This was my first time reading a Sunday post and I loved it! Very inspirational in so many ways! This past week I have made two more of your recipes: the swirled blueberry lemon thyme cake and the 25 minute korean bulgogi bbq chicken. My friends and boyfriend loved them both and I personally really really wanted to eat the whole cake by myself (but I didn’t 🙂 )!
I also bought two of the cook books from African American authors, that you suggested: what Mrs Fischer knows about southern cooking and the two centuries of African American cooking. It is amazing how much one can learn about African American culture and history from a cookbook. The first book brought me back to the 19th century, when it was written and the second simply consolidates the most popular southern cooking recipes – always with a nice story behind every recipe! Today I made my first recipe from the second book: a very rich and delicious avocado dip! Finally, started following Tracie Hervy on Instagram – love her plates!
Thanks Tieghan, looking forward for the next Sunday posts!
Hi Christina! Aw I am so glad you are enjoying two of the books I shared! That makes me so happy. I hope you continue to enjoy my recipes, posts and everything I share! Thank you! xTieghan
It is so HOT in the Midwest (and I’m very pregnant so extra hot!) I’m trying to think of creative ways to use the crockpot and pressure cooker to avoid turning on the oven, but so many recipes for these kitchen tools are heavy and not super summery in terms of flavor. Would love to see any recommendations!
Ooo such a great idea!! Congratulations on your pregnancy, I hope it is going amazing! Thank you Traci! xTieghan
All of your recipes are so enticing to me and I’ve made so many for our meals and get-togethers. Your photography is beautiful and inspires me so very much. That said, I’m sometimes discouraged by the complexity of the finished dish in your photos. They are art in itself, but look so much more complicated until you really read the recipe through. And then there are garnishes that make them company worthy, but not for everyday meals, especially dinners. I’m not knocking your style and I definitely don’t want you to think I’m asking for a whole lot to change. I’m sometimes daunted by the photos, and as an experienced cook, something a bit more simply shown would be encouraging.
Thank you always for your inspiration. Keep up the good work–I know how hard you strive for the best.
Jane ❤️
Hi Jane! I am really glad you enjoy my recipes and photos! Styling a dish is one of my favorite parts and really gets me excited to share the recipe with you all. I hope you understand ? xTieghan
Tieghan, you should check out the cookbook “Brown Sugar Kitchen”. Tanya Holland’s Oakland CA restaurant by the same name makes the very best cornmeal waffles and spiced sweet potato bundt cake, along with many other delicious recipes. Hope you enjoy! Love your Nine Favorite Things post every week – thanks for sharing your thoughts and recipes!
I definitely will! Thank you for sharing, Dianne! xTieghan
To further clarify my prior comment and be thorough, the African diaspora includes North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, and Africa (I may be missing other regions of the world). And, a key difference between Black Americans (African-Americans) and Black Africans – aside from significant cultural differences and nationality – is that a large majority of Black Americans are the descendant of enslaved Africans, whereas Black Africans are not the descendants of enslaved Africans. Our race is the same (Black), but our ethnicity/culture is different. Another reason some Black Americans don’t identify as African-American.
Also, when we say African we tend to assume Black Africans because Black people are a majority on the continent. However, there are White Africans (a token example is Charlize Theron who is South African of European descent, probably German or Dutch, Elon Musk is originally from South Africa before moving to Canada as a pre-teen) and many North Africans (from Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, etc.) are of Arab, Middle Eastern, and/or European descent. There’s also a significant South Asian (Indian) and Chinese population in some African countries.
Hi there,
I look forward to your Sunday posts every week and appreciate you featuring Black-owned businesses, blogs, and cookbooks by Black authors. This is in response to a prior comment on the terms African-American, Black, and People of Color (POC). I’m responding here because, for some reason, I was not able to reply directly to that comment or your response to it. I appreciated the sentiment behind the comment and the time the person took to write it. There were points made that are inaccurate. As a Black person myself, I’d like to clarify them and add some missing context.
While it is true that *some* Black people do not identify with the term African-American, it is not because that term typically refers to people who are *descendants* of Africa. The fact is, that most Black people who were born and raised in America, whose families have been here for generations, ARE, in fact, the descendants of black Africans who were enslaved, sold and traded as labor force to build the Americas (the Caribbean and Latin America included). The term African-American was invented to describe these people.
The reason some Black people in America who are the descendants of enslaved Africans do not identify with the term African-American is because they themselves are not African (their ancestors were). But *they* are not from Africa, probably have never been to Africa, and do not identify with African cultures – because they are Americans. Hence, Black is their preferred term based on skin color.
Yes, Black is all-encompassing because it includes Black Americans who are the descendants of enslaved Africans and Black people throughout the African diaspora – the Caribbean, Latin America, and continental Africans (Black people from African countries). The term People of Color (POC) is all-inclusive of all non-white people. It includes Asian, Latinx, Middle Eastern, Pacific Islander, and other non-white people. POC is NOT interchangeable with Black. There are many different groups of POC, as mentioned above. Black people are ONE group of POC.
For reference, the original comment was:
“I think that you may want to change your wording above from African American to something else, either Black or POC. My understanding is that a lot of Black people do not identify with the term African American, because it typically refers to people who are descendants from Africa. The term Black is more of an all encompassing cultural identify based on skin color. POC may be the best choice, as it means People of Color and it may best represent the folks that you shared above. I think you have done a great job this week with diversifying your content.”
Hi Tuere! I really appreciate you sharing this with me, as this is new to me! I hope this helps other readers as well ❤️ Thank you! xTieghan
Thank you for what you are doing. I am so hoping that subtle, quiet affirmations like yours will be the way to reach some people for whom protest and overt education is outside their comfort zone. Every mind that is reached furthers the cause, and sometimes the quiet voice is the easiest to hear. Please keep it up; I also think some people are deafened by the noise now, but may hear whispers that continue past the usual time of outrage. Thank you.
Thank you so much Robyn!! xTieghan
I see that you use a lot of burrata cheese in your recipes and was wondering where you get yours from or do you make your own? In my area the closest place to buy it I. 72 miles away from where I live. Perhaps you could address this in you 9 favorite things sometime? I for one would love to learn more! Thank you also for your blog/recipes and I inspiration! I look forward them them every day!
Have a good day
Jacqui
Hi Jacqui! I get mine from whole foods since they have a large cheese selection! Is there any small shops that could make it possibly? I hope you can get your hands on it, its my favorite!! xTieghan
I’m so impressed by your engagement with black culture and influences this week, Tieghan, and I hope you will keep working to incorporate this kind of content in the future. Don’t let this sea-change fizzle out! (And excuse my mixed metaphor 😉 One small thing– in your book link for How to Be Nappy you’ve capitalized bell hooks’s name, but she doesn’t. Her given name was Gloria Jean Watkins, but the name she gave herself is bell hooks. If you want to read some other pieces by her, I think you would like this essay on Beyoncé from 2016: http://www.bellhooksinstitute.com/blog/2016/5/9/moving-beyond-pain
Thank you for letting me know, Carmen! Yes, I will check that out! xTieghan
The Burkus/Brent home is lovely but they no longer live there.as the season ended for their design show, it saw them selling the LA home and buying in NYC to return to their roots and raise their kids in the city. I was excited to see the link, hoping in would be the NYC digs but sadly, it was not.
Hey Nancy! I actually found a newer link for you with their NYC town house. So pretty! Enjoying reading 🙂
https://www.architecturaldigest.com/story/nate-berkus-and-jeremiah-brent-transform-an-nyc-town-house-into-a-family-home
Tieghan, I love this post and appreciate you for sharing business by POC. I’m only pointing this out because I think we are ALL trying to do better, myself included. I think that you may want to change your wording above from African American to something else, either Black or POC. My understanding is that a lot of Black people do not identify with the term African American, because it typically refers to people who are descendants from Africa. The term Black is more of an all encompassing cultural identify based on skin color. POC may be the best choice, as it means People of Color and it may best represent the folks that you shared above. I think you have done a great job this week with diversifying your content.
Kind regards.
Hi! Thank you so much for you kind feedback and bringing the to my attention. I really appreciate it! I made adjustment to the post. Thank you again! Have a wonderful Sunday!! xTieghan
Dooky Chase Cookbook is one of my favorites and I’ve got my eye on Palestine on a Plate.
I think it’s okay for you take a break on content every now and then, having followed you for eights years I know you aren’t a fan of stillness but it’s good for you.
Thank you so much! You are too kind! Also, can’t wait to check that book out! xTieghan
Always LOVE and look forward your Sunday post. So many great links and ideas. Thank you!!!!
Thank you so much Diane!! xTieghan