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Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.
Happy Sunday guys! Feeling much more upbeat and positive today than I was last Sunday. While I still wake up every morning and say to myself, “Is this really our world? I feel like I’m living in a movie”. I’ve found my own ways to cope. I did a better job of removing myself from the media this week and really stayed hyper-focused on work. It was nice. Social media can be great, but when consuming it too much, especially with everything being shared right now, it can be overwhelming and stressful. So I made a conscious effort to focus where I need to, and step a little farther back from social media…
That said, I also made a huge effort to resume more of the HBH blog and Instagram content that I feel people expect from me (and hopefully look forward to). It felt so nice to be sharing recipes and cooking with you all again. After almost a week off from sharing, it really made me realize how much I love this community we have, and how much I really do LOVE sharing my recipes (and life) with you guys. I know I say this all the time, but sharing here in this space really does feel like sharing with family!
Anyway, it was a better week and I’m excited to tackle the new week ahead! I’m in the kitchen testing and photographing new recipes all of this week in prep for our family vacation the first week of July. My family always does a summer trip, and always somewhere tropical…because in the winter it’s all-mountain towns!. In previous years we’ve gone to places in Mexico and Costa Rica, but with COVID, we’re staying in the US and heading to Key West. Are any of you planning any summer trips within the U.S? I know some families are planning smaller trips and others are just staying put at home.
Coming up this week on HBH…lots of summery recipes! Sharing a new 15-minute pasta, a berry-filled buttery treat, the simplest skillet chicken dinner, a fun scallop recipe, and the perfect Father’s Day brunch dish. Saturday’s cocktail post is still up in the air. Do you need a new cocktail for Father’s Day weekend? Do you have suggestions on what type of cocktail you’re looking for? Let me know!
And this week’s personal favorite recipe? Giant. Salted. Espresso. Hot. Fudge. Cookies. YUMM!
Question: What was your favorite recipe that I shared this past week?
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.
Have a great Sunday guys! If you’re looking for something fun to make…my blackberry lavender naked cake is always a Sunday favorite.
1. Things i’m loving, wanting, and excited to try…
loving…Vintner’s Daughter. I’m using their essence + serum (solely) and my skin has never been better!
wanting…this vintage rug and runner for the studio. But it would be a pretty big splurge…should I make the purchase? Thoughts? Comments? Concerns?
obsessed…with these sandals I just ordered. Again, a splurge, but I love the seashell detail.
excited to try…more Puerto Rican food. I have been following Illyanna Maisonet for inspiration.
wanting…to make my breakfast grilled cheese (but for dinner because I LOVE breakfast for dinner).
pre-ordering…Living Lively by Halie Thomas (who is 19 and has such an inspiring story) and In Bibi’s Kitchen by
loving…my new Salt Shop handmade aprons. Comfy + cute (almost too cute to get dirty).
watching…Friday Night Lights. For the millionth time over. It’s just comforting. And good.
loving…these linen napkins from Terrain. So sweet and dainty. Perfect for summer.
thinking about ordering…this salad bowl
obsessed…with candles. I just ordered two new scents, St. Al and Hinoki Fantome.
2. Summer 2020 Bucket List
- Make tie-dye shirts with Asher…to be very honest, I’m not into the current tie-dye trend at all, but this would be so much fun to do with Asher!
- Make pink watermelon lemonade…with a shot of vodka or maybe switch it up and use tequila.
- Finish the studio space…I just want it to finally feel complete. I also need to organize the pantry.
- Freshen up my personal home…I’d love to get my house a little cuter and a little cozier.
- Get off Instagram for 24 hours.
- Summer movie marathon…please tell me your favorites. I need suggestions.
- Update the greenhouse…we need a new one, the search is on…
- Order new sheets…because that’s what adults do. What are your personal favorites?
- Make Ice Cream…a summer must. What is your favorite flavor?
Question: what’s on your summer bucket list? I would really love to hear!
3. Favorite Father’s Day Gifts.
4. Favorite questions of the week…
q: Who’s your biggest food/cooking inspiration? Love your recipes so much Tieghan!!
a: My biggest sources of inspiration are my family, the seasons, and exploring different food cultures. Honestly, I just go back and forth with my family (mainly my sister in law, Lyndsie) on ideas. They are really my biggest source of inspiration and are always steering me in new directions. I also LOVE deep-diving into different country’s foods. Very excited to explore some Puerto Rican and Spanish food this week.
q: What do you enjoy more, cooking savory recipes or baking sweet recipes?
a: It depends on my mood and what season it is! Currently, I’m loving baking with all the summer produce. So much color. I also love baking in the fall because it’s “cozy”. And then cooking savory recipes I almost always love. So it’s kind of equal. I can’t say I love one more than the other. It just depends on the day!
q: Will you do a post on all your favorite cookware, bakeware, and other kitchen items?
a: I would, but I honestly keep it so simple. Staub skillets and cocottes are my go-to when it comes to cookware. My stand mixer, food processor, and blender are my top used countertop appliances. I bake with USA baking pans and either glass Pyrex dishes or ceramic bakers (a lot from Staub or Williams-Sonoma). Oh, and I have been using my cookie scoop all the time (and just order two additional sizes).
q: Favorite blueberry recipe? I picked about 5 pounds today!!
a: Blueberry picking! That sounds amazing. I am jealous! A few of my favorites are these blueberry thyme tarts, this simple blueberry burnt basque cheesecake, my blueberry lemon layer cake, blueberry lemon thyme cake, and this blueberry smash. Oh, and my blueberry chamomile galette too!
5. Latest recipe videos.
Basil Chicken Saltimbocca with Marinated Tomatoes + Burrata…think of this like chicken parmesan, but better.
25 minute Thai Black Pepper Chicken and Garlic Noodles…the weeknight dinner you need. It’s easy + quick + good!
And on Instagram stories…
Garlic Butter Creamed Corn Chicken…summer comfort food. Exactly what we need these days.
Spicy Coconut Basil Chicken Curry with Garden Vegetables…my favorite weeknight curry right now.
Homemade Goldfish…with double the cheese + extra crunch.
Crispy BBQ Beer Battered Cauliflower Nuggets…SO GOOD.
Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad with Tomatoes and Burrata…Nothin’ boring. Just all the good things.
Giant Salted Espresso Hot Fudge Cookies…my favorite cookie. Ever.
6. A few more cookbooks written by POC…
7. Favorite links i’m loving…
The Pork Chops You’ll Make Again and Again…well these sound delicious. I’d add peaches for summer.
How To Support Black Women in the Workplace…an informational read.
Liam Payne Calabasses Home…complete with a teahouse and waterfall. Wow!
Inside an NYC Family’s Adirondacks Lodge…Unique and pretty. What a wonderful summer home.
Ready to Publish Your Website…read this SEO checklist first.
Tools to Shift Your Mindset…even when in the worst mood. Need this.
A Leafy Backyard Compound in Clinton Hill…behind the walls of an onetime shoe factory is a lush garden shared by families.
Why You Should Make a PPT (People, Places, Things) List…to live your fullest life.
Anti-Racist Reading List..such a good resource.
8 Ways to Be Actively Anti-Racist in Your Daily Life…a helpful read.
24 Closet Organization Items…with shockingly good reviews on Amazon.
How to Organize Your Closet…gotta love a well organized closet!
Reading Recommendations…from 15 Black thought leaders and creatives.
7 Wine Gifts Dad Will Love for Father’s Day…something special to sip and savor.
Samira Nasr Is the First Woman of Color to Run Harper’s Bazaar...an inspiring Sunday story.
18 Black-Owned Jewelry Lines…exited to order from a few of these new to me brands.
19 Powerful LGBTQIA+ Leaders on Instagram to Follow and Support Now and Always…listen, learn, and advocate.
On the Farm with Tennessee’s Bloomsbury Farm…love this farm tour.
The Best Father’s Day Gifts for Foodie Dads…go for the Maldon Salt Bucket, it’s my favorite.
Ask an Expert…how to take back your time and get more out of your days without running yourself ragged.
How to Talk About Money With Your Significant Other…no matter how stressful the times are.
The 17 Best Organic Skincare Brands…and the holy-grail product pick from each.
Bedtime Stories at Breegan Jane’s Home Are About Standing Up for Others…love these children’s books.
30+ Black-Owned Businesses to Support Now and Always…I already love Briogeo and Blk and Bold.
Exactly What I Do on Payday to Manage My Money…if you need some money management guidance.
8 Things Not to Say to Your Partner While Staying at Home…and what to say instead.
Master These 5 Skills if You Want to Move to Management…if you’re looking for a raise.
8. Favorite Summer PJ Sets…
Adore these sweet, dainty styles for summer.
Bonus: Love these summer beach bags from Etsy.
9. This week’s dinners…
Monday: Pesto Chicken Caesar Salad with Tomatoes and Burrata
Tuesday: Cajun Pepper Shrimp with Creamed Corn Orzo
Wednesday: Spicy Coconut Basil Chicken Curry with Garden Vegetables
Thursday: Crispy BBQ Beer Battered Cauliflower Nuggets
Friday: Greek Orzo Stuffed Red Peppers with Lemony Basil Tomatoes
Saturday: Giant Salted Espresso Hot Fudge Cookies
Sunday Snacks: Homemade Goldfish
Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.
Brooklinen sheets are great.
I’m looking forward to this week’s recipes and I always love Nine Favorite Things on Sunday
Thank you so much Deborah!! xTieghan
Love the blog Tieghan! You mentioned that you love diving into different countries’ foods. You’ve done some northern African dishes (mostly Moroccan) but there’s a whole continent that has a lot of different flavors. Why not try some other food traditions? Senegalese? They have an amazing peanut chicken dish that I highly recommend! Ethiopian? The injera is legendary! Congolese? Try making fufu and eating with your hands! It’s a staple in my family’s tradition and we eat it multiple times a week with sombe (cassava leaves) and pan fried fish. There are so many cultures and different foods.
You are so right!! I would love to dive into all of those! Thank you for these recommendations! xTieghan
Branch and Boll sheets are the best! The box they come in with the pretty ribbon is the cherry on top of the sheet sundae! I have searched far and wide and spent unholy amount of money on sheets and these are hands down my fave!
Thank you so much Sharon! Oh my goodness, so cute!! xTieghan
Hey, quick suggestion for amazing Cuban food in Key West. Try El Siboney on Catherine St. They bring out hot Cuban bread slathered in butter- heaven! I always get lechon asado with yellow rice/ black beans and maduros. It’s a cheap, laid back, no fuss way to get your Cuban fix outside of Miami. And there are usually chickens perched in the bushes outside. Highly recommend! Also, try the flan. Yum.
Ok wow my mouth just started watering! Yes I will have to try it all! Thank you so much Amy! xTieghan
I ALWAYS love your nine favorite things! I look forward to reading it every Sunday!
Thank you so much Vicki! xTieghan
Happy Sunday
I am watching top chef and fell in love with Haitian food been trying to make mufungo ha ha not easy but I have goals
I love pretty woman and blind side
Favorite line “big mistake” ha ha yep
This week of your receipes I’m making
Pink watermelon lemonade
Basil chicken saltimboca
Pesto chicken Caesar
We are traveling to North Carolina to see family and move my mom out of assisted living and in to our home
The reality of this current pandemic makes me to uncomfortable for her
What’s bringing me joy
My garden
10 month old puppy
My boys
And my tan lines
Enjoy your week
Thank you so much Kimberly!! Ugh I need some tan lines and a 10 month old puppy haha! xTieghan
You’re just the best, and I always look forward to your newsletter and other content! ❤️ I totally feel you on needing social media breaks. I try to stay off FB and Insta on the weekends, favoring my newspaper and coffee in the mornings, and that always helps me start the work week feeling refreshed. Enjoy your summer movie marathon! One of my lighthearted faves is What About Bob? ?
That sounds so amazing for the weekend.. Seriously! Thank you so much Sarah! xTieghan
Yes! You NEED to try some Puerto Rican recipes! Growing up in a Puerto Rican household, our home was always filled with such amazing food and family. Start with arroz con gondules/pollo which is such a basic that’s served with almost every meal. Pernil (Roasted pork shoulder loaded with spices) is a holiday favorite of every boricua, though I never wait until Christmas for it. I make it all year long. And of course the easiest recipe to make is tostones (fried green plantains), that are PERFECT with any meal. You will not be sorry you tried out any Puerto Rican dishes. They’re heaven and you’ll adore them.
P.S. I remember reading that your family loved chicken and rice growing up. Try the Puerto Rican version of white rice and chicken stew (carne guisada). It’s super easy and my husbands favorite Puerto Rican dish.
Add 1/3 to 2/3c water to a large pot with 6+ Large chicken things/drumsticks. More water if using chicken breast.
Add 8oz of tomato sauce, 2 packets of sazon seasoning (coriander and achiote version can be found at any grocery store), 1 carrot chopped, 1/2 jar of green olives (optional), 1/2c homemade sofrito, salt and pepper to taste. Cook medium heat for 15min. Add 4 potatoes, peeled and quartered. Cook low to medium heat for 30min until chicken cooked through. Serve over white rice with tostones on the side. HEAVEN.
YES!! Thank you so much for all of these recommendations, Johanna! They all sound so good and I cannot wait to try them! xTieghan
I hope you enjoy your vacation in Key West! I’m sure you already have an extensive (food) list of things to do/eat, but I HIGHLY recommend the Dark Chocolate Key Lime Bar on a Stick from Kermit’s Key West Lime Shop!! (Not an ad, I promise! I just loved it!) I visited Key West from the Northeast literally the week before all the COVID travel restrictions took effect, and it was one of the best things I have ever had, a perfect vacation treat! I have been following you for a while, and finally purchased both cookbooks as inspiration in quarantine, and have been loving all the recipes so far. Thank you also for sharing so many recommendations of Black chefs and bakers that I am now following, and I am looking forward to the upcoming Puerto Rican inspired recipes soon!
PS Brooklinen are my favorite sheets so far, and my ice cream recommendation is complicated because I live in an area where there are a ton of homemade ice cream places, but one of my all-time favorites (actually I’ll probably go get some today!) would be a scoop of classic chocolate chip cookie dough and a scoop of coffee oreo. Combination is SO GOOD.
Ah thank you so much for the recommendation! I will definitely tell my family that we have to check it out! Also, what kind of brooklinen sheets do you have? I have heard they are great! xTieghan
One of my favorite movies is Bridget Jones’s Diary! I could watch it over and over =)
I am also a fan of Pride and Prejudice-there are many versions out there!
Ooo yes! Thank you Paige! xTieghan
Favorite homemade ice cream is, hands down, cinnamon served with homemade ginger snaps. We first had cinnamon ice cream on a family vacation to Germany, and we were all blown away. How had we lived so long without that deliciousness?!? Now it’s a family staple.
OH WOW!! Ok that sounds amazing!! Thank you so much Rebekah! xTieghan
Hy very good artical this is very help full thank you.
Thank you so much Taylor! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan, I wanted to comment on the ice cream question – I live in Cincinnati, home to Graeters Ice Cream. I am not sure if you have heard of it, but maybe with trips back to Ohio, you have. And they are expanding, so maybe at a store in your area soon. Anyway, their most popular flavor, which happens to be very summery is black raspberry chip. Unreal. You can order it. And should
Also Key West is amazing….try key lime pie everywhere – each place has their own spin. And Conch chowder. Way better than it sounds. You will feel as if you have left the states – I promise.
Loyal reader and big fan, Susan
Hi Susan! Yes, I have heard of it! My cousin actually went to school in Cincinnati and would tell me about it! Maybe I will order it haha. Thank you so much! xTieghan
I do have a summer vacation planned – Summit County, CO! 9 out of 10 of my vacations are there! 🙂
Haha love that!! Anything you are looking forward to doing while you’re here? xTieghan
On that movie suggestion: Definitely “Captain Fantastic”, “Colonia”, “girl” and “While we were here” !
About ice creeaaaam (yum yum, I’m on ice cream based diet all year long ahah): my all time fave is yogurt, buuuut orange blossom, pistachio and almond have changed my life 😀 But rice milk based ice cream is something too, however you need a really good rice milk! and That’s it ahah no more suggestions
Thank you again for your work and dedication; I’m looking forward your stories & recipe every morning ! Keep going, you’re amazing ✨
Thank you so much Marie!! I cannot wait to check these out! xTieghan