September 2010

Step Inside My… Collection.

I have a dirty secret. Most cupboards, closets and pantries inside my house look like this: That is what happens when you pull out cookbooks everyday. It is impossible to get them organized when you work a full-time job and have to do important things such as clean. Well, I mean, cleaning isn’t important to me, but it is to that guy I live with. And the assorted muffin tins and cake pans? Don’t mind them. These is no more room for such things in our humble abode. I try to organized my cookbooks (and this entire closet) every few weeks so I don’t feel the wrath of the Type A, OCD Mr. How Sweet. I figured while I have them all out here, why not share? Lineup #1 Hungry Girl, Cooking Light Complete Cookbook, The Simple Art of Baking, The Steamy Kitchen Cookbook and Better Homes and Gardens Soups and Stews. Out of these five, I use Steamy Kitchen the most – the garlic butter noodles and pad thai are out of this world! Coming in second is Cooking Light, which I often use for ideas for daily lunches and dinners. Lineup #2 Martha Stewart’s Cupcakes, The Pioneer Woman [...]

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What I’m Loving… Again.

There is just so much fabulousness going on that I need to post a few more things that I’m loving right now. And I’m still so full from the white chicken chili I made last night that I can’t see straight. Life is good. Michelle made pancake cupcakes with bacon in the frosting. Send.Help.Now. Brittany taught us the secret to smooth, creamy hummus. I always wondered why mine was chunky! Melanie made a hot fudge peanut butter pudding cake. Yes. Say it again. Ashley ate this incredible layered breakfast out of jar. Nothing short of amazing. [photo courtesy of Ashley] Lori made BBQ baked onion rings. Drool. Sign me up. Marla made 3 cheese spaghetti nests. How adorable are these? And I want to gobble up this orange chocolate stout cake from Evil Shenanigans. Of course, there are a few non-food items I wanted to share too. I know – I was shocked too. Have you checked out Faces of Beauty yet? Erin posted about slowing down our thinking. I am a huge culprit of wishing the days away. Ellen posted freelance advice from a freelancer. Love this girl – she cracks me up. Caitlin posted about getting comments on [...]

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Blog Inspired: Chili.

Last night, I decided I wanted to make Jenna’s (originally from Beth) white chicken chili. But there was a problem. I wanted to make it right then and there. It was 10pm. Long past my bedtime. I didn’t have half the ingredients. Mr. How Sweet had taken a nap which turned into REM sleep on the couch beginning at 6pm. I didn’t care. I needed to make it. No, I didn’t go to the store or do anything wacky like make chili at midnight on a “school” night. But I did lay awake thinking about it and memorizing the recipe from my blackberry while I laid in bed. It kept me up all night. I’m a foodie freak. Obviously, dinner tonight was not a difficult decision. You have got to try this chili. Not only did the house smell amazing, but I couldn’t keep my spoon out of it. You can find the recipe here. Then I topped it with smoked gouda, cheddar and gruyere. My life is complete. The end.

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Double-Decker Pumpkin Bread

Yep. I went there. What is up with all the early pumpkin recipes? I assume it is simply because I didn’t get to bake much with it last year. And when I did finally find some to hoard, I held it dear to my heart in fear that I would never get to buy pumpkin again. Well, this is the last of the pumpkin recipes for awhile. A few weeks ago I opened a giant can and made some breakfast cakes and muffins, along with this bread. So no more pumpkin recipes. At least not until next week. Then I’ll probably have 3-5 more. I can’t help myself. So, what exactly is that inside the pumpkin bread? That is a cinnamon-spiced cream cheese blend. Yes. This pumpkin bread is stuffed with sweet autumn-flavored cream cheese. Stuffed I tell ya! And I made mini loaves, but of course you can make one giant loaf. Because you know I made the mini loaves since eating 3 small loaves in one sitting is so much healthier than eating one large loaf. You know, just trying to be portion conscious. Double Decker Pumpkin Bread makes 3 mini loaves recipe inspired from BHG, bread recipe [...]

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3 Ingredients.

I’m not usually one to follow trends, but these 3 ingredients have changed my life. I wouldn’t have even known about them if it wasn’t for blogging. Kale. Who woulda thunk it?! Greens on this blog? Yes, kale is pretty much the only vegetable I eat weekly. And I only like it in chip form. I want to try massaged kale, but I’m afraid I’ll hate it like every other vegetable and then waste my precious kale. I can only find good kale at Whole Foods, which is a hop, skip and 60 minute drive away. Nutritional yeast. I had never ever heard of this stuff before I began blogging. I love it. It is slightly cheesy, slightly salty, and full of protein (10g per 2 tablespoons). I would never use it as a cheese replacement since I adore cheese, but it actually makes some vegetables edible for me. Coconut butter. The day I found out about coconut butter was the day the heavens opened up and the sun shone upon my face. As a coconut addict, this is solid gold to me. Or liquid gold, depending on the form you use it in. It makes my heart skip a [...]

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Peanut Butter and Jelly Pancakes.

It all begins with peanut butter. Don’t most things start with peanut butter? Lunches as a kid, first days of school, breakfast every morning… Maybe it’s just me. But sometimes, I think my life revolves around peanut butter (and chocolate, of course).  Not that I’m complaining. I used the recipe for whole wheat chocolate peanut butter pancakes, left out the chocolate, and then smothered the pancakes with melted peanut butter and a jam topping. I love smothering.   Peanut Butter Pancakes serves 3-4 2 cups whole wheat pastry flour 2 teaspoons baking powder 1 teaspoon salt 2 eggs, well beaten 2 cups milk 2 tablespoons canola oil 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 teaspoon cinnamon 3 tablespoons peanut butter, melted + additional for drizzling Stir together dry ingredients. Add eggs, milk, vanilla and oil. Stir until dry ingredients are moistened. Stir in peanut butter. Cook on preheated pan until bubbles form and edges start to dry. Flip and cook until lightly browned. Top with additional melted peanut butter and jelly.   Jelly Topping 1/4 cup strawberries 1/4 cup blueberries 1/4 cup jam of choice 1-2 tablespoons water 1-2 tablespoons maple syrup In a small saucepan, combine blueberries, strawberries and water over low [...]

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One Year In.

A year ago today my life completely changed. Which is really funny to say, because nothing in my life is different today besides the fact that I write this blog. I still work a full-time job and I still hate vegetables. But a year ago something made me start this blog and it has been nothing short of a blessing. To say I’m a passionate person is quite the understatement. When I love something, I really, really, really love it. And I’m not sure where or when my love for writing dwindled, but it happened somewhere in between my awkward adolescence and my bratty teenage years. Two paisley vests, one silk shirt and a B.U.M equipment hoody later… my priorities were elsewhere. How Sweet It Is brought back that passion for me – times ten million. I am absolutely positive that every step I’ve taken in the last 15 months led me to begin this blog, to find myself again, to feel that passion, and to open up in ways I had forgotten were possible. You helped me – with your constant encouragement and thoughtful comments and lovely words. With your helpful suggestions for cooking vegetables (which, I’m sorry – [...]

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Caramelized Autumn Fruit Stuffing Cups.

Too early for stuffing? Never. At least not in this house. I must admit this was Mr. How Sweet’s idea. See, he loves stuffing. One of his favorite meals is a big “garbage” casserole: a large dish filled with chicken, cream of chicken soup and Stove Top stuffing. The whole wheat Stove Top stuffing, because you know that negates the cream of chicken soup calories. Obviously. Okay, so it’s not just caramelized fruit. These is some caramelized butternut squash in there to. And boy – was it delicious. Not sugar needed for caramelization here. I just chopped apples, pears and squash into uniformly sized cubes and doused them with sea salt and cinnamon. Then I let them do their business. Are you ready for this? Because this caramelized mixture just may be my new favorite snack. It’s actually pretty. And the words “harvest” and “autumn” come to mind just when I peek at it. My mind has been spinning with the incredible uses for this caramelized fruit and squash – oatmeal, pancakes, quesadillas, omelets, pizza… But this time, we decided to use some Nature’s Pride whole wheat bread and make individually portioned stuffing cups. Mr. How Sweet claims that the [...]

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I Swear I’m Not Italian.

I don’t even know me anymore. I am a self-proclaimed hater of tomato sauce, basil and a slew of other flavors that are associated with Italian food. So can someone please explain today to me? Let’s begin with lunch. I picked up some delicious ingredients at the store earlier today, and just wanted to have something light because I want to be super hungry for the delicious dinner I had planned. This happened: [toasted whole grain baguette with roma tomatoes, fresh mozzarella and cherry balsamic vinegar BROILED + a little basil on top] I don’t even think I will be eating anything other than this for the rest of my life. Oh my gosh. At least I felt that way until dinner. [meatballs for the boys - so they wouldn't have a coniption.] [I swear there is salad under the croutons.] [maybe.] [tomato cream sauce.] 2 words. FOOD COMA.

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Saucy Mama Giveaway Winner!

The winner of the Saucy Mama goodies is: Angela from Eat, Spin, Run, Repeat! Congrats, Angela! Email me at merchant.jessica@gmail.com with your contact information.

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