Nine Favorite Things.
Thanks for joining me for another Nine Favorite Things post.
I know I said this yesterday, but I love this time between Christmas and New Years’. Everything and everyone just slows down. And even though I’m still working (because I literally just can’t stop), I’ve slowed a bit and taken some time to chill with my family, think back on this incredible year we’ve had, and start thinking ahead for 2020. It’s been such a nice Christmas break and I’m excited to still have a few lazy days left.
Our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations were low key and perfect. I followed the dinner menus I shared with you all to T. Our dinners were simple but delicious and we all greatly enjoyed our time together at the table.
My favorite gift was hands down the canvas painting that Asher made me (she’s very into painting right now). It’s hanging in my house already and I love it. No major plans for New Year’s Eve, other than making some traditional Filipino foods and most likely falling asleep before midnight. What are you all up to?
In much more exciting news, my cousin Maggie and her long-time boyfriend Tom (who also happens to be my brother’s best friend) finally got engaged! It was so fun to be able to celebrate with the two of them while they were here in Colorado. We all couldn’t be more excited for those two! Maggie recently started working with us here at HBH. She’s been doing a lot of work behind the scenes helping out with social media. She’s quickly becoming a big part of HBH so I’m sure you’ll be getting to know her better.
Coming up this week… Tomorrow I’ll be sharing the most popular recipes of 2019. Then on Tuesday, we’ll have a round-up of my favorite healthy…ish recipes for the New year. I’ll be taking New Year’s Day off, then kicking off 202O with a creamy, but extra healthy, curry. And as we always do, we’ll be finishing up the week with something sweet…but balanced. So many delicious recipes this week…and much more to come in 2020, can’t wait!
Lastly, 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. And of course, if you’re meal planning today, don’t forget to check out my menu below (it’s #9 on the favorite’s list).
1. Healthy January + 2020 content request?
Healthy January 2020 officially starts on January 2nd. And even though I’ve already started developing and photographing recipes for the new year, I would LOVE to hear what you guys are looking for most when it comes to healthy eating. I know many of you struggle with meal planning, easily get bored with salads, and that eating healthy on the go can be difficult. Is there anything I am missing?
Let me know what recipes you would love to see! Also, would more detailed meal plans be helpful? Or are the ones I give within this post perfect?
2020 Content Request
What would you like to see more of?
Is there anything you’d like to see less of?
Do you want more lifestyle and DIY posts? Or would you prefer we keep posts all recipe-focused?
Anything you are wanting to see on Instagram stories?
Let me know. It’s always so helpful having your feedback so that I can provide you guys with content you really want to see!
2. Best New Years’ Eve Cocktails.
sparkling christmas party punch
the spicy sweet grinch cocktail
holly jolly christmas citrus cocktail
holiday cheermeister bourbon punch
spiced cranberry rosé spritzers
3. Just a few coziest winter finds…
4. favorite questions of the week.
q: Are you ready for 2020.
a: Never been so excited for a new year!! 2019 was incredible, one of the best. I reached so many milestones and I’m sooo excited to carry that into the new year. Fun new things in the works!
q: Did you ever think of going to culinary school?
a: Nope! I actually think not going to culinary school has allowed me to think outside of the box and create recipes that are very unique to me. I don’t cook with any kind of guidelines or rules, I just cook what I love. And I choose a process that I find easiest/simplest…even if it’s not technically the “right” way to do it.
q: How did you get so many followers? No doubt you are talented, but still it is so hard.
a: This didn’t happen overnight. I’ve been working on HBH for almost 7 1/2 years. And I’ve worked pretty hard and consistently for all that time. I get this question a lot and the bottom line is that it takes so much work and a lot of dedication. You have to put in the hours. It’s not going to happen overnight. I’m grateful that my growth has been gradual. It’s allowed me to build an amazing community around HBH. You guys are all the best and always so kind!
q: How do you clean your cast iron?
a: I get this question so much. I literally just rinse it with warm water, then put it on the stove over low heat to dry (takes 2 minutes, but you can also wipe dry too). If I need to scrub anything off, I use soapy water with a gentle scrub pad like Scotch Brite. And that’s all I do, I don’t really stress about it, it’s pretty easy!
5. newest videos.
One Pot Spicy Pesto Cheese Baked Rigatoni…craving Italian, but also need something simple? Make this.
Goat Cheese Stuffed Bacon Wrapped Dates…Sweet. Spicy. Cheesy. Salty. Highly addictive.
6. Photos from Christmas.
(snowy Christmas scenes)
(when Blake Lively made my Santa cookies…still cute and so fun!)
(dad)
(Asher)
(hand written recipe for Filipino Kare Kare from Hailey)
(Asher in her new Stuart Weitzman boots)
(Oslo)
(Asher)
(Asher + Hailey)
(the family)
(after Maggie and Tom got engaged)
(my favorite face cream that has changed my skin)
(candy cane bagels)
7. a few links i am loving…
18 instant pot tips, tricks, and hacks…if you got an instant pot for Christmas, read this!
the 10 most anticipated books to read this winter…to cozy up with on a cold day.
9 Trader Joe’s products to add to your cart…all about that cheese.
5 Beauty Resolutions for 2020…love these, especially #3.
the best-designed hotels of 2020…i’d very happily (and excitedly) stay at all of these hotels.
best shimmer makeup for NYE…a little bit of glitter and fun to celebrate.
the 10 most expensive celebrity real estate transactions of 2019…if you’re into where the celebs are living.
3 meaningful ways to spend New Year’s Day…if you are looking to reset.
the absolute best sports bras for every workout…to help get you excited about working out this year.
the 5 biggest food trends of 2020…what’s exciting you this year in food?
25 New Year’s Eve appetizers for stressed-out hosts…these sound so good and easy.
10 ways to reduce food waste daily…love these easy tips/tricks.
63 last-minute New Year’s Eve appetizers…because you can never have too many appetizers.
8. Favorites from the after Christmas Sales…
9. this week’s dinners…
Monday: best super easy penne…with a lot of garlic
Tuesday: Happy New Year’s Eve!
appetizer: spinach and artichoke stuffed soft pretzels
dinner: brown butter lobster ravioli with tomato cream sauce
salad: winter pomegranate salad with maple candied walnuts
Wednesday: super green sun-dried tomato herb salad with crispy chickpeas
Thursday: saucy 30 minute thai basil salmon curry
Friday: Indian coconut butter cauliflower
Finally, check out all the past Nine Favorite Things posts here.
I’m so grateful for you and the hard(but joyful) work you put into the amazing content on your blog. Your recipes are our go to all the time. Our family shares a love of creating wonderful meals and building memories during meals and your recipes have featured prominently in that.
More: inventive, attainable cuisine that you are so gifted at presenting, content about curbing food waste, building communities through hospitality and supporting local food producers-perhaps chronicle a visit to local food producers and create recipes highlighting those ingredients.
We also love your diy content, tablescapes etc. Maybe instagram is a good platform for those.
Have a bright and fabulous New Year!
This is so sweet and amazing to hear Kim! Thank you so much! I hope you continue to enjoy my blog and recipes! Have an amazing New Year! xTieghan
Love seeing pictures of your family / good picture of your dad/ we need a picture of your mom. Happy New Year to you and your HBH team.
Thank you so much Debbie! xTieghan
I would love to see more of your new barn. I love the life post. Enjoy reading about your family.
You mentioned about a new little guest I think it was. You said more on that later.?????
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Charlotte! Thank you! xTieghan
Love your Sunday posts!
Some cocktails I’ve not seen here before. Got to say you make a holiday drink so pretty. Your family Christmas photos are fab.
We don’t ‘diet’ in January, but cut down on sugar and up veg in meals. Cold January needs hot food, though side salads be good too. Xx
Thank you so much Kelly! I love that idea of January too! Have a wonderful New Year! xTieghan
Even though it’s not Thanksgiving, I want to say I’m thankful for your recipe, they bring so much joy to my family!
BTW, Blake Lively’s stories about the cookies are hilarious.
Thank you so much Cristina! You are too kind! xTieghan
Good morning Tieghan! Wow! You guys have lots of snow! The grass is still green here and the temps have been in the high 40-50°F range. I’m sure that will come to an end shortly though. I was hoping you would show the painting Asher made you! She is so cute and really..she is a mini you..lol..Who is Oslo? I wonder if I missed a post? Cutie patootie! I always look forward to anything you send out. I laughed when I saw Blake Lively’s snowmen cookies..So funny! I guess for the new year, I would like to see more “dough” things. (Breads, etc! ) I enjoy your recipes. Also, more instant pot recipes, since you inspired me to buy one. (Haven’t used it yet!) I could use less of the cocktail recipes. Although pretty, too many ingredients for me. Anyways, ..just keep doing what you’re doing. That is just fine with me!
Thank you so much Colleen! I cannot wait to share all of the recipes with you guys in the new year! xTieghan
Am new to your site and so far very much like it! Would love to see recipes with beans and seasonal vegetables….new spices used. Thank you.
Thank you so much Jackie! xTieghan
Hi Tieghan,
I have this long dialogue with you going in my head, but I will try to keep this ‘super simple’. You have absolutely nailed the sweet spot for recipe/lifestyle content ratio. I spend so much time with your Nine Favorite Things, I love this feature and always look forward to it. (Although it never fails to get me in to just a little bit of trouble $$$.) My hopes for HBH for 2020 are recipies for healthy, low fat/carb easy deliciousness. I would hate to see you change your focus too far away from the good food ideas we come to you for. Trends change so much and so fast, I hope that’s enough to keep you interested, productive and protected from burnout. Keep doing exactly what you are doing, we love it! <3 Shelley
Thank you so much Shelley! I cannot wait to share all of the recipes and I will incorporate this! xTieghan
With a diet planned for 2020, I feared I’d have to leave HBH behind. I’m delighted that you are featuring a healthy January. I’d love to see recipes for salads with a protein (for my main meal of the day) and soups (for the evening repast). My personal goal is to rethink of food as fuel and not a reward. With that said, I will reward myself weekly with one of your cocktail recipes. The Grinch has been in heavy rotation this holiday season.
Thank you! I am glad you are excited for healthy January! Also, if you go back to the posts of Jan for the last few years you will find healthy recipes as well! xTieghan
Any sheet pan chicken and vegetable dinners are the best. Yours are on repeat in our house and I’d gladly take more!
Thank you so much Meredith! That is so amazing to hear! xTieghan
I am really appreciating the meal plans and would love more – trying to be a better meal planner ☺️
Thank you
Thank you Jeanne! xTieghan
Thank you Tieghan for sharing your hard work and life with us. I’m impatient to see what you’ll be coming up with in 2020 even if I still have many many of your recipes to try out from the past years.
Yeah for the French desserts in the New Food trends 2020 ! Mousse au chocolat, Flan parisien, Tarte tatin… easy to make and so good!
Had a good laugh with Blake Lively’s cookies and I will order some of these books.
Happy New Year to you & your family, and waiting to hear about the new “addition” you mentioned at Christmas.
Thank you so much Anaïs! Happy New Year to you as well! xTieghan
Thanks so much Tieghan for all your HARD work and sharing amazing recipes with us continually. Your site is such an inspiration to those of us who have a food blog. I love how “real” and authentic you are. I can’t tell you how much I have appreciated coming here day after day to find encouragement and motivation.
Thank you! This is so amazing to hear Linger! xTieghan
LOVE your recipes always. You mentioned people being tired of salads but not me. I’d love to see healthier recipes and salads that are the main meal for dinner. I think the only time I DON’T use one of your recipes is when it has too much cream or butter etc . It’s all about healthy eating for our crew and extended friend group that cook and eat together. We all follow you and love your recipes!
Awh that is so amazing! Thank you so much Susan! xTieghan
Tieghan,
1. Your food gets spicier and spicier. There are those of us who don’t like spicy foods, so could you please publish more less-spicy foods in 20020?
2. Also, there are MANY of us who choose not to, or can’t, drink alcohol, so could you please publish non-alcoholic adaptations of your gorgeous Saturday libations?
Truly, I am an adventurous eater, but your increasing bent toward spicy foods is killing me.
Thanks!
I am sorry about that! Yes, I will incorporate some less spicy foods and non alcoholic options! Thank you Cynthia! xTieghan
Hi Tieghen, thank you for sharing another beautiful 9 fav things post. I finally received your cookbook. It is amazing. For the new year, it would be nice to see some healthy savoury breakfast recipes on the blog – but since you already have so many recipes with egg, may be some other vegetarian options? Perhaps some breakfast recipes which makes it possible to pack breakfast and can be carried to work? Look forward. Wish you a very happy new year.
Thank you for all of these suggestions! I will try to incorporate! Thank you! xTieghan
In response to number one, some healthy one-skillet recipes would be awesome! Especially anything that could be considered a healthier comfort food. Thank you for these posts! They make my day.
Awh that is so amazing! Thank you jessie! xTieghan
For healthy January I would love to see recipes using the most simple staples that people would keep in their freezers (boneless skinless chicken breast, shrimp, salmon, pork…) I got your cookbook for Christmas and am excited to dive into it!
Yes! Thank you so much Sarah! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I always love the fashion items that you share! Would love to see more of that.
I would love to! Thank you Jasmine! xTieghan
Love your site! My 4 yr old grandson and I made the Santa cookies! They were fun and easy to make! But somehow we only got 5 cookies out of the recipe! ?♀️?. Also I made the one skillet creamy sun dried tomato chicken and orzo! It was so good!
I would love to see more low carb recipes for the new year! Keep the recipes coming!
Thank you so much Tanja! I am so glad you have been loving my recipes! xTieghan
I love your recipes and look forward to seeing what you create in 2020!
I’d love some recipes that meal prep well (for lunches during the week) or use one dish in multiple ways. For example, make BBQ chicken and then use it for BBQ quesadillas, a Southwest salad, a wrap, etc. With a toddler, we’re having a hard time cooking something new each night!
Thank you Hilary! xTieghan
Have all your books and LOVE them. I suggestion for your next book.
I have a lot of company and there are so foods that different people wouldn’t eat.
Could you write a cookbook that includes – one recipe, but have different options for vegetarian, gluten free , dairy free and no shellfish.
Love our friends but cooking for them drives me crazy!
Thank you
Thank you Carol! I will look into that! xTieghan
I’d love to see a cute printable of your weekly meal plans to follow and hang on the fridge!
Thank you Haley! That is such a great idea! xTieghan
Your 2015 “Fall Harvest Peanut Picnic” post was the one that introduced me to your blog. It caught my eye on FoodGawker and I was instantly obsessed! I absolutely adore seeing the stunning landscapes around your barns and would love more standalone posts like that one that incorporate your beautiful photography outside. I’m also so curious to see more of the barns! Maybe a video walk-through of the whole space, or posts focusing on the seasonal decor of certain rooms? Living in an apartment in Brooklyn, I love the escapism of seeing life in a barn in the mountains, so I really can’t get enough lifestyle content on your blog!
Thank you so much Allison! Love these suggestions! xTieghan
RE: healthy eating… something that can be used multiple ways. So I’m still meal prepping, but not eating the exact same thing every day.
Yes! Thank you so much Alex! xTieghan
I have been loving your content for 6 years +. So many recipes are now standards in our house. That cashew sauce for the Vietnamese meatballs in lettuce wrap is the bomb (!)…Personally I love all the spices- you are one of the few chefs who actually produces amazing flavour! One can always reduce the amount if they find things too spicy…In terms of suggestions, I am always on the lookout for sheet pan, 1 pan meals and lower calorie. I agree with a previous comment- your salads are never boring and one can NEVER have enough salad recipes :). Really you never fail to impress. Enjoy your Christmas and New Year’s break 🙂
Awh thank you so much for supporting my blog all of these years, Sue! I am so glad you have been loving my blog! xTieghan
I’m fairly new to HBH but am loving it immensely! I made (and quadrupled) your Brussels sprouts with pomegranate seeds for our big Christmas Eve dinner and it was a major hit. Thank you!
In the new year I’d love to see EASY & QUICK delicious, vegetarian meals for weeknights with the family. I’m a working mom who is trying to be more health and environmentally conscious. But it’s hard with a husband who requires yummimess and a fairly picky 5 year old. Happy holidays to you and congrats on all your success this year! Look out 2020!
Thank you so much Samantha! xTieghan
I would love to see more vegan-friendly recipes!
Happy new year!
Thank you! Happy New Year! xTieghan
This is all so beautiful and inspirational! Just started following you and made the amazing winter salad for Christmas- so good !
Random question: where are Asher’s cute pjs from ?
( the ones where she is wearing the white hat )
My daughter would love a pair of her own ?
Hi Marcy! I am so glad you enjoyed the salad and hope you love other recipes of mine! Her PJs are from Target! xTieghan
Thank you so much for such consistently great content!! HBH has been my favourite blog of 2019 and the first place I go when I am looking for a certain recipe.
I personally don’t feel that you need to branch into DIY/lifestyle content, the food is more than enough for me (with these wrap ups giving enough of the extras)!
I am from Australia so often don’t lean towards the heavier/heartier meals with our war er climate, so would equally ,ove to see some healthier, less “heavy” meals, but at the end of the day will be avidly reading along and making many a meal you serve up for us!
Thank you and happy new year!!
Thank you Alannah! xTieghan
You’re the best!! I would LOVE to see more healthy beverages! Smoothies, lattes, healthy cocktails! And maybe a cocktail with no ginger beer! Happy new year!
Thank you Rosie! Happy New Year! xTieghan
I looooove everything about this blog! My family teases me that all my recipes are HBH.
One suggestion- I would love to see a focus on seasonal produce. I know your content ends up following the seasons, but maybe calling out what it’s season at the beginning of the month?
Honestly, if you didn’t change a thing, I’d still be over the moon. You’re the best!
Thank you so much Katie! xTieghan
Love you so much!! Your cookbooks are my bibles lol but I would love to see more gluten-free recipes!
Haha that is so amazing! Thank you Annette! xTieghan
Can’t wait to see your kare kare recipe! I grew up eating that, it’s so delicious!
Thank you Michelle! xTieghan
Happy New Year!! Love your site so much!! I would love to see more of your creative enchilada, quesadilla, pasta, and grilled cheese recipes and more of your creative ‘bowl’ (especially the chicken bowl) recipes! But really, all of your seasonal recipes are so good. I would like to see less recipes that require very expensive ingredients or ones that might be hard to find. Also, I saw someone complain about spice in your recipes, but we LOVE that your recipes are spicy! Don’t change!!! You are brilliant!!!
Thank you so much Elle! I am so glad you have been loving my blog! xTieghan
Love your blog and your new cookbook!! (Still need to buy the older cookbook!) Your pictures are gorgeous and I love your photography. I would love to see your content continue to focus on your recipes and beautiful dishes. Sometimes blogs get too diluted with all kinds of other stuff….and your food shines!! Can’t wait for new recipes in 2020. Happy New Year!!
Awh you are too kind! Thank you so much Ann! xTieghan
(Just left a post but I thought of a few more things)….I also love your tablescape posts and wrapping paper posts. You have a wonderfully rustic style! So please keep that coming:) Ann
Long time fan here!
I’d love one pot/ one pan healthy recipes. Anything I can put in the slow cooker and forget is great! We love your chili around here! Have a great 2020- can’t wait to eat what comes next!
Thank you for your support! So glad you are still loving the blog haha! Have a wonderful New Year! xTieghan
Healthy January is my favorite time on this blog. I would love to see some recipes that work for Whole30!
Thank you Samantha! xTieghan
I just received your newest cookbook. It is beautiful. My goal for 2020 is to make every single recipe. Another one of my goals that I am very excited about is giving up alcohol. I would love to see non-alcoholic beverages as an alternative in your drink recipes. I can’t wait to see what 2020 has in store for HBH.
Thank you so much Ally! xTieghan
I’ve become such a big fan of your blog this year and have loved your new cookbook! For January and beyond we’re hoping to eat fewer processed ingredients so I’d love to see recipes that focus on “whole” foods, and I’d love to see more vegetarian recipes. One pot/Instant pot are always welcome, too! Thanks for all you do!
Thank you Veronica! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
I am so excited to see and implement your recipes! I am all about simple! Thank you for inspiring me to get back in the kitchen. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year Mary! I am so glad my recipes have been working well for you! xTieghan
I love your blog! I would love to see more gluten free and vegan recipes in 2020!! Happy New Year!
Thank you so much Cari-Ann! xTieghan
Where is your sweater from in the recent Anthropologie IG post with the mugs?
Happy New Year! I wanted to answer some of the questions that you asked above but first want to tell you that Asher is like a mini me to you! Okay, my husband and I are trying to start eating a plant based diet, we don’t necessarily want to eat tofu all the time and he hates chickpeas, I don’t love chickpeas. Can you put on some plant based meals that are like that?
I can definitely try! Thank you for your suggestions, Judy! xTieghan
I love your blog and I vote for more better than takeout recipes, which I love, and I agree with a few others that mocktail recipes would be fun especially since a lot of people like to do Dry January. So cool that Blake Lively is a fan!
Thank you so much Barb! I am so glad this turned out so well for you! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan,
Your Christmas photos look absolutely stunning. I love the winter shots and the quiet of the snow. Haha Asher looks like such a little grown up! Ah!
That’s sweet that she made you a painting and congratulations on Maggie and your cousin getting engaged!
Happy new year! I agree that I feel SO ready for 2020. 🙂 With content, maybe you could do more overnight or morning prep recipes? As in, ones you can make overnight or in the morning before work, then simply cook/bake it when you want to eat. Does that make sense? (Like an overnight marinade)
Oh! And for 2020 I (finally) made an Instagram account. ? (my handle is @limitforhope if you want to follow!). It’s interesting but I much prefer catching up on your recipes via the blog. ?
Happy new year Tieghan!
Hi Kristin! Thank you!! And yes she is practically a grown up haha! I will try to incorporate some of those recipes for all of you as well! They sound great! Happy New Year! xTieghan
Hey Tieghan! Love all your recipes and so many are staples in my meal planning line up.
Although I LOVE your pasta recipes, I gotta start cutting back on the carbs. So many of your main dishes can easily be made without the rice, bread or grains on the side, but then I’m left a little lacking. Creative vegetable side dishes that can be paired back to your existing recipes would be perfect.
Thank you so much Betsy! I am so glad you have been loving the blog! xTieghan
I LOVE your cocktails! I make your winter citrus tequila smash all the time this time of year- please more healthy cocktails like this 🙂
Thank you so much Mary!! xTieghan