Scallion Pesto

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This pesto uses scallions (a.k.a. green onions) instead of basil. Cooking them just a bit before you process them takes the onion-y edge off and adds flavor. I spread the pesto on toasted bread to make little crostini, but you can also toss it in pasta with roasted vegetables. Bon Appetit!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Goat Cheese Marbles

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Little balls of goat cheese can be rolled in almost anything! Nuts, dried fruit, herbs, lemon or orange zest…they are delicious little bites with a cocktail, and also tasty (and pretty) on top of salads. Enjoy!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Mint Pesto Potato Salad with Cherry Tomatos

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Last week my parents hosted a summer dinner party at their house in Sonoma County. It was such a warm night that we wanted to eat outside, however we had to stay under the netting canopy to avoid mosquitos! Dad BBQed chicken and we made lots of salads with goods from the garden. This Mint Pesto Potato Salad was a hit! Just make pesto as usual, but use mint instead of basil. Any kind of nuts would work, but we used walnuts. You can boil or roast the potatoes and you may need a touch more olive oil and a pinch of sea salt when mixing it all up in the bowl. It’s great warm or at room temperature. Enjoy!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

The Fritz

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My husband’s uncle had a big birthday bash at Red Rooster in Harlem over the weekend and we were so sad to miss it! In his honor, I created an illustration with a recipe for his favorite drink, the Fritz. Equal parts gin and vodka with cocktail onions- this guy doesn’t mess around! The drink recipe was displayed on the bar for guests to try and printed out as a party favor. Red Rooster is such a fun New York spot. I have had the honor of photographing Marcus and his delicious food a few times. Above is a photo I took of him at The James Beard House back in 2009. Cheers and Happy Birthday, Uncle Fred!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Eggplant "Tacos" with Cilantro & Brie

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These eggplant “tacos” are a tasty appetizer… It’s basically just a little round of baked eggplant with brie and cilantro in the middle, folded up like a mini taco! You could also serve them alongside a main course as a vegetable. I bake/roast the eggplant rounds on a greased cookie sheet, drizzled with olive oil (generously) plus a bit of sea salt if you wish. If you flip the eggplant half way through, it’ll get brown on both sides. About 8 minutes on each side worked for me- but watch them closely- if some slices are thinner, they’ll cook faster.

I could eat a whole plate of these….Enjoy!

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