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Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.
Hey all! Happiest Sunday! How are things? I feel as though it’s been 2019 for months, but yet it’s only February!
Honestly, I don’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 I’m excited to be heading back to LA in early March. This bitter cold winter weather must really be getting to me. Normally, I’d probably be just fine staying home, being my homebody self, because traveling usually stresses me out. And if it’s not the cold weather, well maybe I’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 you’re dying to see me make? Always love hearing your suggestions!
Here’s what’s coming up this week on HBH. On Monday I’ll be sharing a new and very easy pasta recipe that’s great for both weeknights and special occasions. Tuesday is all about a show stoping Valentine’s Day (or any day) dessert. Moving onto something lighter on Wednesday. And for Thursday, would you like to see an easy Valentine’s Day cocktail, or a fancy homemade ravioli? You tell me! And on Friday, we’ll end the week with something perfectly sweet, but perfectly savory too. It’s all going to be good.
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. Exactly One Year Ago Today…
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. That’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 I’ve watched Red grow into truly the coolest adult, and it’s been amazing to see how he’s grown. So over the moon with excitement for him. Take a look back through all the photos from last year. And if you’re super curious, see Korea Part 1 and Korea Part 2…such good memories.
2. My Favorite Valentine’s Day Desserts.Â
vegan triple chocolate mousse cake
easy chocolate heart doughnuts
6 ingredient vegan chocolate chia mousse
browned butter sugar cookie bars with white chocolate frosting
3. Unique Finds For the Kitchen…
4. Questions of The Week:Â
I’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: 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 I’ve also worked really hard to get HBH to where it is now. It’s a never-ending job that isn’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 doesn’t burn/get mushy?
a: 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 (don’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 don’t use?
a:Â 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 fryer’s defense, I really never gave it a chance.
q: do your brothers still do your food photography/videography?
a: I’ve always done the food photography myself, but my brother, Malachi, has always done our video content! He’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 arugula…a true favorite.
chocolate chunk coconut banana bread…the only banana bread recipe you really need.
blackened salmon bowl with potatoes and avocado goddess sauce…my current go-to dinner.
6. The One Skincare Product I am Dying to Try, But Can’t Have…
This might seem silly, but I’ve been absolutely dying to try these Tom Ford Glow drops for weeks now. The drops have been sitting in my Sephora cart as I’ve debated back and forth about if they were really worth the $50 price tag. This is what I do, I debate and debate things…until 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)…and now, because I can’t have them, I’m dying to try the product. I know, this is ridiculous, but why is it that we always so badly want what we can’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 loving Biossance products so very much. Have you tried their stuff? I’ve been using their creams and oils for a of couple weeks now and could not love them more. Very much obsessed with the Biossance Squalane + Vitamin C Rose Oil, the Squalane + Omega Repair Cream (feels so good on my overly dry winter skin), and the at home Squalane Facial.
7. A Few Links I Am Loving…
the secret to super shiny hair…my hair needed this tip.
7 tips for creating a home you really love…because we all want a home we love.
Louis Vuitton’s new it-bag is intended only for your lipstick…would you buy it?
3 delicious looking vegan breakfast…love a good brunch meal.
Danielle Herrington puts sriracha on everything…hot sauce and beauty talk. into it.
Bon Appétit will stream its test kitchen right into your home…this is going to be the new Food Network. I called it first.
home away from home in Paris…so pretty.
grain free, dairy free, chocolate cake you won’t believe…so pretty. so good.
the least clichéd V-day traditions…i’d be down for a spa day.
how to spend a 48-hour layover in Hong Kong…in case you need to know.
Malina Weissman on hidden figures and the perfect New York slice…loved learning more about Malina.
8. Obsessed with Jeans…
9. This Week’s Dinners:
Monday:Â sheet pan chicken shawarma with sesame sweet potatoes and hummus
Tuesday:Â slow cooker chipotle orange street tacos
Wednesday:Â 30 minute Vietnamese beef and crispy rice bowl
Thursday:Â herby buttered balsamic mushroom ravioli
Friday:Â one skillet lemon butter chicken and orzo
Check out all the past Favorites posts here.
Oh the Olympics photos are so wonderful! Congratulations to your brother! <3 I want those vegan breakfasts now too 😀
Thank you so much Cassie! xTieghan
I’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!
Ah that is so fun! Have you used it yet?! I will try to do this for ya! xTieghan
I also vote cocktails 🙂 I just wanted to say that I’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 aren’t always into Valentine’s Day, but I still hope you have a warm and happy heart filled week!!
You’re so kind, Elle! Thank you so much! I will gladly add in some more cocktails haha! xTieghan
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. It’s Sunday and on tonight’s menu will be “Better For You Instant Pot Spicy White Bean Beef Stew” (although I will be using a dutch oven to fill the house with a delicious aroma throughout the day”.
One question or request would be a post on how to begin a food photography blog! I’ve always enjoyed cooking and really want to showcase the things I make (by any means I’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
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
So sorry to see Red take that spill!
Cocktail please! Similar to a great writer doing a short story, your cocktail recipes are the essence of you.
Thank you Julie! xTieghan
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!
Haha you betcha, it really did! We do look pretty alike in that as well! Thank you Marianne! xTieghan
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!
That sounds amazing and yes I will definitely try! Thank you for this suggestion, Cee! xTieghan
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
I am so happy to hear that Elissa! I hope you love the book!! Thank you so much! xTieghan
I love how you said Red won his “first” gold medal…implying that he will win more! That is some awesome support. Can’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!
He is on a good track! I am so glad you loved the rice bowls, Michelle! Thank you so much! xTieghan
I’d love, to see more fruit desserts, and vanilla and caramel. Valentines. Would love a new ravioli.
More sheet/snack cakes.Lamb Chops…
Yes! Thank you Joyce! xTieghan
I would love to see a cocktail on Thursday!
I would love to do that! Thank you Robbin! xTieghan
This comment is in reference to the Tom Ford Glow drops….why don’t you try the drunk elephant D-bronze one instead…slightly cheaper…39 instead of 50. I bought it after trying a sample and love it, and you really need just a drop….go too heavy and you’ll end up wiping your face with a tissue and seeing the bronze on the tissue….mix it with your moisturizer…simple and you can use it on your body not just your face….Love your blog and I watched your brother win, and that is how I found you!
I have never tried it, but I think I might! Thank you so much Karen! xTieghan
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.
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