Oscar Party Popcorn

If you’re having an Oscar Party this weekend and want to make something quick and tasty, spice up some popcorn with this simple recipe. Just put all the ingredients in a big plastic produce bag and shake-em-up!  I made another batch using my homemade Garlic Herb Salt. This Smitten Kitchen Spicy Caramel Popcorn Recipe also looks delish!

A couple other appetizer ideas:

Asparagus tart - with brie on a store-bought puff pastry. Soooo simple (and impressive!)

Zatar Flat Bread - pizza dough dusted with Middle Eastern spices and dipped in greek yogurt

Stuffed Sweet Peppers - with a filling of pesto and avocado

Can’t wait to get my red carpet viewing on…May the best picture win!

Game Day Deviled Eggs

I’m making this twist on my Guacamole Deviled Eggs for the Superbowl this weekend. I just added little pieces of chives to make them look like footballs. (A little cheesy, I know, but fun!!)

Enjoy!!

Cocktail Party in the Woods

Last weekend we hosted some people from my husband’s work for a little late afternoon cocktail party. While he set up the bar on the deck, I put together some snacks. I didn’t have a lot of time, so I went for colorful and easy: crudite and several dips, cheeses garnished with fresh herbs, dates, sliced baguette, crackers, nuts, and fresh fruit. I also made a couple sheets of my Zucchini Puff Pastry Bites and a guest brought some beautiful pastries from the farmer’s market. I filled my vintage bottles with different alcohols and mixers, each marked with tags I got at Staples. In addition to an ice bucket full of beer and Cultivate Wines (which I love for the company’s commitment to giving back), I mixed up some Berry Fizzes to pass out, each garnished with a cute paper straw (purchased on Amazon). As the sun went down, we lounged on blankets and played bocce ball…overall, a dreamy and golden afternoon outdoors!

Photos, recipes and illustrations by Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Memorial Day BBQ Potluck Menu

To kick off summer, yesterday we had some friends over for a Memorial Day BBQ. People brought the most wonderful things to share like tzatziki potato salad (yogurt instead of mayo, brilliant) and a raw kale salad with shaved parmesan and tofu. My husband fired up the grill . I had some fennel from our CSA box to use up so I combined cauliflower, fennel and onions with lots of spices and olive oil and roasted them until they were carmelized. I also made up a light arugula salad with shaved raw fennel and oranges. Welcome, summer!

Photos and Illustrations by Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Food Revolution Day!

Jamie Oliver is a big hero of mine- I so admire the work he has done in school cafeterias to spread awareness about food education and combat childhood obesity. So in honor of Jamie’s Food Revolution Day, The Forest Feast hosted a dinner party! This weekend, people all over the world are hosting healthy dinner parties to increase awareness about the food we eat. The aim is to cook with fresh ingredients - no processed foods allowed! The Forest Feast is all about cooking simply with fresh produce, so here’s our menu:

Food Revolution Day

on May 19 is a chance for people who love food to come together to share information, talents and resources; to pass on their knowledge and highlight the world’s food issues. All around the globe, people will work together to make a difference. Food Revolution Day is about connecting with your community through events at schools, restaurants, local businesses, dinner parties and farmers’ markets. We want to inspire change in people’s food habits and to promote the mission for better food and education for everyone.

You can get involved by donating or signing Jamie’s petition

by clicking here.

Photos and Illustrations by Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast