Jessi's Joys: Archive

Raspberry Cream Cupcakes!

So it’s been awhile. Clearly. Because of that - here’s a nice treat. Giada’s raspberry cream cupcakes. These cupcakes are absolutely phenomenal and easy to make! Ingredients • 1 (18.25-ounce) box white cake mix (recommended: Duncan Hines Moist Deluxe) • 1 1/3 cups water • 3 large eggs whites • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted • 2 teaspoons almond...

Apr 20th

Pesto, pesto, pesto!

I’ve really been into making different kinds of pesto lately. Immersion blenders and food processors are MUST HAVES for any kitchen. Even kitchens as small as mine (#NYCProblems). Pesto 1: Avocado Pesto Ingredients: Avocado, lemon juice, garlic, extra virgin olive oil, basil and lemon zest (choose your portions of each - the more lemon, the better) I put it over pasta but I had...

Feb 13th

Tonight's Festivities

Very excited to attend Bloggers Night Out in New York City tonight! Excited to meet fellow bloggers and have a great time! [Image Credit: BloggerNightOut.com]

Feb 10th

Words to live by!

I really truly believe this!

Feb 4th

Currently Swooning Over...Neons!

I am LOVING all of these neon trends. So adorable. I am just waiting for my style icon, KM to break out some neon! [Image Credit: InStyle, For the Love of Vogue, and Fashioneestar]

Feb 2nd

Quinoa Burgers

My good friend, John recently alerted me to something amazing: quinoa burgers He used quinoa, onion, salt, pepper, two eggs, chives, hummus and mustard. The key is to get the patties to stay together so you can transfer them to the pan. For my quinoa burgers, I used quinoa, white onion, basil, eggs, bread crumbs and dijon mustard. For my burgers, the hardest part was having the right amount of...

Jan 15th

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Goodbye, 2011...Hello, 2012!

My New Year’s Resolution is to blog more, have fun, make New York my home and to see my family and friends as often as possible. Here’s to 2012!

Jan 4th

Sushi at Home

If you know me, you know I LOVE sushi. I could eat it for every meal..except breakfast. It is very easy to make at home and cost-effective! The best part about my sushi recipe is the shitake mushrooms. They are unbelievable and can be used for other things besides sushi - specifically they are also delicious on burgers! Seasoned Shitakes Ingredients: 10 ea. Dried shiitakes Soaking...

Nov 9th

Steak Tacos with Avocado Lime Salsa

These are probably my all-time favorite tacos EVER. They are scrum-didily-uptious! Ellie Krieger, my favorite healthy chef, features this recipe in her cookbook, “The Food You Crave.” They are called, “Chili-Rubbed Steak Tacos.” They are PERFECT in the Summertime. Yes, I realize it’s October but I have been so busy the past few months with my new job that I...

Oct 21st

Mahi Mahi Tacos!

A few nights ago, I was craving fish tacos. Mahi Mahi being my favorite, my boyfriend and I picked up some fresh Mahi-Mahi at the fish market in Chelsea Market (sidenote: their fish selection is amazing…so is their sushi). Without a specific recipe, we marinated the fish in lemon juice with some salt and peper for about 20 minutes and pan fried it. Sliced up some avocado, tomatoes, green...

Oct 6th

Aug 25th

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My newest obsession: Rice Cooker

For my college graduation, my wonderful older sister got me a rice cooker! I AM IN LOVE. It is without a doubt the most amazing thing I own… It can cook rice, quinoa, oatmeal, and it can even steam vegetables! I don’t know what I did before I owned this amazing machine. Best of all: it makes the best sushi rice so I can start make sushi again! Making sushi seems REALLY hard but...

Aug 16th

Lemon Crinkle Cookies

A few weeks ago, I made Lemon Crinkle Cookies, very similar to the Chocolate Crinkle Cookies I made back in February. I MUCH prefer the lemon version. Call me crazy but I’m not big on chocolate. Sinful, I know. They turned out great! Crisp on the outside but soft on the inside. Perfection. Ingredients ½ cup Butter (1 stick) 1 cup Sugar 2 tsp Vanilla Extract 1 Whole Egg 1 tsp...

Aug 16th

Summertime

Image Credit: The Love Shop, The Glitter Guide, Simply Hue, and Crazy Maybe.

Jul 26th

Jul 9th

New Beginnings: New York City

It is official. I am now a “New Yorker”. I actually hate saying that, I feel like I’m betraying my roots. Not to mention, if I start cheering for the Yankees, my father might not speak to me for months. That would never happen though. I am very excited to be here and the number one thing I have learned is how to be creative with space. That is a true New York talent...

Jul 6th

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The search is OVER! Best Chocolate Chip Cookies...

Look no further, I have found the BEST chocolate chip cookie recipe ever. Take my word that I have baked a LOT of chocolate chip cookies in my life. In fact it was the very first thing I ever made. Unfortunately, as a meer 6 year old wanting to surprise my family with a sweet snack, I thought 3 1/4 cups of flour meant three of the one-fourth cups…also known as 3/4 cup. Needless to...

Jun 9th

Iowa City Farmer's Market

So many of you know that I currently live in Washington, DC. Although I am moving in a month to start my new life in New York City!! I am very excited about moving to New York but I will miss Washington, DC, my friends, and my life for the past four years. What most of you don’t know is that I am from Iowa City, Iowa. A great place to grow up that is filled with some amazing people. ...

Jun 3rd

Monkey Bread Goodness (so yummy!)

Monkey bread is by far one of my favorite things for breakfast. The delicious gooey bread that is stuck together by sugar and butter…what’s not to LOVE? I made Monkey Bread for the Royal Wedding at my apartment in DC and I never took pictures. I recently made it while I was home and I remembered to snap a picture after it was almost all gone! The recipe that I use is from Cooking...

Jun 3rd

The BEST Hummus I've Ever Had

I am really weird about hummus. Sometimes the texture of certain ones freak me out. THEN I discovered this hummus recipe from Fine Cooking. Here is the recipe: Hummus with Mellow Garlic and Cumin Ingredients: ⅓ cup Plus 1 Tbs Extra-Virgin Olive Oil, (only used 2 T) 4 large Cloves Garlic, finely chopped 2 tsp Ground Cumin 2 15-½-oz. Cans Chickpeas, drained and rinsed and rinsed; (1...

Jun 3rd

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Feeling Spring-y

I realize I haven’t updated my blog in awhile (it happens) but I am back and I am going to make an effort to update more often. It’s starting to feel like Spring around here and I personally cannot wait for warm weather! I am excited for cherry blossoms, outdoor brunching, Sunday walks (walking everywhere for that matter), baseball games and some good ‘ol Vitamin D! I wish...

Mar 24th

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies with Whole Wheat Flour

I recently started substituting Whole Wheat Flour in all of my recipes instead of just the ones that call for it and I have had a LOT of success! My all time favorite magazine in the entire world is REAL SIMPLE. Loving that magazine may make me a 45 year old stuck in a 22 year old’s body but I really don’t care. I love food and decorating and organizing. Real Simple has it all! I...

Feb 23rd

Holiday Sweets Part 4: Oooey Gooey Popcorn Balls

We are already one month into 2011. I should probably finish posting my “Holiday Sweets”. This is the last one. I was craving popcorn and came across this recipe from Tyler Florence. From the title alone, I knew I would love them. Who doesn’t love caramel and marshmallows? It’s super simple and a lot of fun to make! I hope you all enjoyed my Holiday Sweets!!

Feb 2nd

Holiday Sweets Part 3: Rainbow Cupcakes

Okay. I admit it. I am mildly obsessed with making multi-colored cupcakes. They are so fun and everyone always loves them! Over break, I decided to make them again for my family. They are so easy even though they look difficult. Take white cake mix and make the mix according to the package instructions. Then separate the batter into the number of colors you want for your cupcakes. Put the...

Jan 26th

Holiday Sweets Part 2: Marshmallow Whoopie Pies

Before Winter Break, I had never made Whoopie Pies before. I have had them before and I alway thought the frosting was a little too much for the pies. Then, I came across this recipe from The Food Network where the inside is just a marshmallow and they turned out great! All you do is cook them according to the recipe and then take out half of the chocolate “pies” and put a large...

Jan 16th

Holiday Sweets Part 1: Kahlua Brownies

I found this recipe on Recipe Girl’s blog and had to try it immediately. The brownies are incredibly moist and the icing is out of this world. If you are looking for a great recipe to try and tired of boring old brownies, check this one out, you won’t be disappointed!

Jan 10th

Butternut Squash Soup

I’ve recently been obsessed with Butternut Squash…and as a result I am not sure if I can eat butternut squash until next year. However, the soup that I made over Winter Break was one of the best butternut squash soupe recipes I have ever tried. Check out the original recipe here. The blend of butternut squash, apples, and onions is great and the creaminess of the soup is superb! ...

Dec 31st

Roasted Butternut Squash Salad with Cider...

I recently made this delicious salad before Winter Break. Butternut squash is in season and there are more things to do with it than just make soup (although I’ll post my Butternut Squash soup later). This salad is great. I originally got the idea from Ina’s recipe. The cider vinaigrette is amazing and goes great with the roasted butternut squash. Also, I added some cubed apples...

Dec 31st

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I'm Baaack!

Sorry after a brief, albeit long break from blogging, I am back! Things were absolutely crazy with moving into my brand new and perfect apartment, then finals, then celebrating my birthday with my boyfriend (best birthday ever), and now I am back home for Winter Break relaxing, cooking, seeing friends, and applying to grad school (yikes!). As it is Winter Break, the smells from my parents...

Dec 23rd

#happiness

Today was a great day. The weather this week has been beautiful and got a little bit colder today. Christmas music started playing on the radio which gives me that warm feeling inside. I have been applying for new internships left and right. Many people get scared when they are applying for new things but it really excites me. The anticipation of finally pressing send sends chills up my spine....

Nov 19th

Embrace It

And after you’ve done that, embrace the things in life that you love. Happy Sunday!

Nov 15th

Simplicity = Beauty

Such simple things can make a room so beautiful and chic. Here are some of the most simple things that can really make any room or space so much better! Not to mention, these make me so, so, so happy. An unintended and amazing outcome of my blog is that it really helps with my stress (Thank You, Carly!). I get stressed and anxious very easily and focusing on things that I enjoy and love...

Nov 9th

So Gross Outside, Such Pretty Images

We have had some bad weather in DC today. We are experiencing a cold front and I don’t like it. I wore my big down coat today because I was absolutely freezing. What makes me feel better about the weather outside being so gross? Sitting in my bed inside and updating my blog that I have come to love so much. Even if I frequent my blog the most, I don’t care. It is really a lot of...

Nov 5th

Chi Omega Cupcakes

Last week was my sorority’s big/little week. I am a senior and didn’t take part in many of the activities but my good friend in the sorority approached me and asked for help. We made Chi Omega Cupcakes. I got the idea from rainbow cupcakes that I have made before. Instead of using all of the colors, we only used red and yellow (cardinal and straw). It was a lot of fun and they...

Nov 3rd

A Lazy (Halloween) Sunday

I needed a break from my health policy paper this afternoon and blogging is a wonderful excuse to take a break. This weekend was filled with visitors, costumes, sanity, fear, and candy corn. What could be better? I am in a wonderful mood inspired by wonderful things that are over and great things that are approaching. Midterms are over. Thanksgiving is quickly approaching (tomorrow is...

Oct 31st

Tis the Season for Soup!

Every Fall, I make soup. Soup reminds me of the leaves changing colors and serves as anticipation for the first snow fall (one of my favorite days of the year). Fall is by far and away my favorite season. I have fond memories of playing in the leaves when I was younger. The leaves that my Dad had recently raked. I remember him calling me his little helper but I think deep down I knew I was...

Oct 28th

#thingsilove

I got a lot of compliments on my last post so I am going to continue with similar posts. Big thanks to Nikki Rappaport for helping me figure out all of this blog stuff! Check out her blog, I Eat Cupcakes for Breakfast. Images from This Is Glamorous and The Decorista.

Oct 20th

Pretty in Pink!

I love the color pink and these are some of my favorite images! So gorgeous! Peonies are my favorite flowers!! I really want to find good silk ones for my bathroom! Unreal bathroom. Seriously beautiful. Images from The Decorista and Everything Fabulous

Oct 19th

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2941- Restaurant Review

Last Friday, my boyfriend and I celebrated our one year anniversary at 2941 Restaurant in Falls Church, Virginia. It had been recommended by a former colleague for a “romantic night out”. Romance aside, the food was what I was interested in. I kept it on my radar for the past few months and when my boyfriend asked me to come up with ideas for dinner, I already knew what my answer...

Oct 13th

Fun Photography

My mom is an amazing photographer. She always sends me some of the pictures she shoots. I’ve decided to share some with you! DC last Fall Flowers in our garden Sunset from my backyard at home :) Photo Credit: Ellen Gordon

Oct 2nd

Holy Guacamole!

One of my favorite things to make when it’s nice out is guacamole. I love experimenting with different things in my guac- pears, pomegranate seeds, red onion, corn, white onion, garlic, scallions, etc. Last weekend, I had to make do with what was in my fridge. A lot of people add olive oil to their guacamole which I find helps if you don’t have enough lime juice. You will needs: 4...

Sep 28th

Hank's Oyster Bar Zucchini Recreated

Last weekend, I ventured off to Hank’s Oyster Bar in Dupont with a few of my friends. I love oysters, they love seafood, and we love eating so it all worked out. I ordered 8 oysters and a side of zucchini (normally, when I go with my boyfriend, I get the Lobster Roll and some oysters). This zucchini was merely sauteed in garlic, olive oil, green onions and some herbs. Very simple and...

Sep 19th

My Very First (2nd if you count the picture of...

This an experiment. I only say that because I am afraid I will forget about this and never post again. The inspiration for this blog came from a few different blogs I have been following for the past month. They all seem to enjoy blogging about things that make them happy, so I figured why not? Additionally, my good friend, Carly, started a blog as a project and since I had been thinking about...

Sep 17th