DIY Al Fresco Entertaining Video

I recently partnered with nousDECOR to demo some easy summer recipes from The Forest Feast cookbook that would be great for outdoor entertaining: a Cucumber Spritzer Cocktail, Asparagus Straws and Guacamole Deviled Eggs. We shot it at the most beautiful stable-turned-home in Woodside, CA. Hope you enjoy the 2 minute video!

Video by Yiqian Peng and nousDECOR, www.nousdecor.com

Recipes by Erin Gleeson, www.theforestfeast.com

Photo above of Erin is by Yiqian Peng from nousDECOR. All others are by Erin Gleeson.

Summer Menu Planning

It’s officially SUMMER! Out here in the woods, we are gearing up for some outdoor entertaining. Here are some Forest Feast favorites from summers past to get you going with your summer menu planning:

Cucumber Sangria

Watermelon Bruschetta

Peach Salad

Cucumber Caprese Bites

ALSO! There are a few more California Forest Feast cookbook events coming up in the Bay Area:

Tonight! June 25th in Santa Cruz, 7pm Bookshop Santa Cruz

Tomorrow! June 26th In Oakland, 6-8pm at Umami Mart

July 14th: A special dinner event at 18 Reasons in SF (tix here)

Aug. 9th in Healdsburg at SHED (workshop at 12pm & signing at 1:30pm)

More info here: theforestfeast.com/cookbook Hope to see you then!

Cookbook Giveaway!

I am a blogger for Better Homes and Gardens, and they are hosting a GIVEAWAY of 5 (yes, five!) copies of my cookbook! Click on over to the BHG blog for a chance to win!

Above is one of my favorite recipes from the book, the Kale Caesar Salad. It has a super garlicky dressing and the polenta “croutons” make it a filling dish.

Best of luck and Happy Cooking!!

(PS- if you’re in Palo Alto, come to my signing tonight at 7pm!)

photos & illustrations © Erin Gleeson

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UPDATE 5/6/14: The winners have now been notified, thank you to all who participated!

Apricot Bites

I have just returned from a trip to the New York area for my first book events, to which I have been bringing snacks from the book, like these Apricot Bites! They are simple to make ahead, easy to travel with and great at room temperature- plus, you don’t even really need a napkin or plate!

I had a lot of fun doing a watercolor workshop and signing at Terrain in Westport, CT (see photos above…I made a skirt from my watercolors to wear to the event, and I made Jonathan a shirt with The Forest Feast logo!). Then I did a Q&A/signing at the Food Book Fair in Brooklyn at the gorgeous Wythe Hotel. (The fair continues this weekend with an awesome foodie line-up, if you’re in NYC).

My west coast book events kick off this weekend, with a signing at Omnivore Books in San Francisco on Saturday, plus several more in the Bay Area. Hope to see you there!

x Erin

Workshop photos of me are by Andrea Davidson.

Cucumber Spritzer

My cookbook officially comes out TODAY! I had my first book signing over the weekend and it was so fun to see it actually sold in a store. I am so excited to be able to share it now! More book signing events are listed here.

I made this little 90-second cookbook trailer to give you a feel for what the book is like. And if you want to buy it, check your local bookstore or you can purchase it online here.

Cheers!