Mother's Day Brunch

In case you're hosting a brunch for Mother's Day next weekend, and stressing over what to serve, I've got you covered! If you have my Forest Feast Gatherings book, you can serve the entire Brunch menu on page 95 (done, and done!). The star of that menu is an easy, make-ahead frittata loaf...recipe below.

Zucchini Frittata Loaf + Ruby Mimosa Punch from the Brunch menu in Forest Feast Gatherings.

Zucchini Frittata Loaf + Ruby Mimosa Punch from the Brunch menu in Forest Feast Gatherings.

Serve it with grapefruit mimosas, a green salad, a fruit salad and some pastries, and call it a (Mother's) day! For more ideas, see this menu from the archives.

PS: Looking for a fun foodie gift? How about these placemats?!

Cheers to Mom!

Thanksgiving Appetizers: Butternut Hummus & Deviled Eggs

I spend most of Thanksgiving day cooking, and love to have some tasty appetizers on hand to keep everyone going (but not too full) before the big feast. Here are a couple fun ideas that are easy to prep ahead.

My local paper, The Palo Alto Weekly, did a really lovely article and video all about Thanksgiving Appetizers adapted from my new cookbook. We shot a 15-minute recipe video on the deck where I made some fun recipes like this Butternut Hummus (below) and an adaptation on my deviled eggs, turning them into Butternut Hummus Deviled Eggs with Pomegranate Seeds. Read the article by Anna Medina and get the recipes HERE.

Happy Thanksgiving!

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The video above is by The Palo Alto Weekly, shot by Veronica Weber. Host: Anna Medina. The video accompanies the article published 11/17/16.

Clementine Cocktails & Book Launch Parties!

The past 2 weeks we have been celebrating with book launch parties on both coasts for The Forest Feast Gatherings! A week before the book came out, I hosted a preview party at the cabin for a small group. Then Jonathan, Ezra and I went to NYC last week for launch events at Paper Source in Manhattan and PowerHouse Arena in Brooklyn. Just this past weekend, the gift shop Emily Joubert Home & Garden (above) in Woodside, CA (where I live) hosted a big party for which I made appetizers for 100 (!), cocktails were provided by Women & Whiskies, and we sold out of books completely! Thank you so much to the friends, family and readers that came out on both coasts to support me, I am so grateful!

Jonathan interviewed me at the event at Powerhouse Arena in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Ezra "helped" me sign books.

Jonathan interviewed me at the event at Powerhouse Arena in DUMBO, Brooklyn. Ezra "helped" me sign books.

At Paper Source in Manhattan we did a watercolor crafting DIY from the book and I made lots of treats (like Strawberry Caprese Bites from the book) to nosh on at the signing.

At Paper Source in Manhattan we did a watercolor crafting DIY from the book and I made lots of treats (like Strawberry Caprese Bites from the book) to nosh on at the signing.

A few more pics from the event in Woodside at Emily Joubert, the prettiest home and garden shop near where I live. If you're in the area, is so worth a visit!

Women & Whiskies was kind enough to provide whiskey for the cocktails, like this Clementine Cocktail from the book. To serve such a big crowd, I turned it into a punch, and we made pitchers of it. People loved it!

Stay tuned for more book events around the SF Bay Area throughout the fall (there will be several! I'll post them on the cookbook tab above). 

Cheers to many more gatherings!

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Photos of the Woodside event above are by Brian Silverstein and Martha Bixby.

 

Grilled Cheese Party

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A couple weeks ago we threw our 2nd annual Grilled Cheese Party. It was so good last year that we just had to do it again! We were celebrating my friend Nicole’s and my birthday. In the house, we had a table made up with all the fixin’s: several different types of breads and cheeses (all labeled with washi tape), plus lots of spreads and toppings. We had garlic aioli, mayo, fig jam, several mustards, caramelized onions, and arugula, to name a few. Each person made up their sandwich then brought it outside to Jonathan, who was manning the grill, with our biggest skillet and a tub of butter. This way, we could all be outside together and no one was stuck in the kitchen! Coming hot off the grill they are absolutely delicious…I think food cooked outside always tastes better :) Plus, when entertaining outdoors in the winter (even in California) it helps to have a hot grill to stand around to keep warm.

For dessert we had a brownie cake and a pear pie, topped with the cutest bees wax birthday candles from Mohawk Valley Trading Company. I also decorated the deck outside with some of their other candles that they gifted me- I just love them. I have been trying to keep things more “all-natural” around the house, so I like that these candles don’t give off any toxic fumes when burned. Plus, they have a lovely subtle scent of honey.

As the sun went down, we put a big screen outside on the deck, bundled up with blankets and watched a movie around the fire pit. 

Make a wish!

xx, Erin

Cocktail Party Menu

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Before hosting a party, I often feel at a loss for what to make and need ideas!! So I have started to make up some go-to “sample menus” that I can refer to when I just can’t think of what to serve. Here is my first one, a menu one could follow when hosting a late afternoon cocktail party. I always serve beer, wine and sparkling juice, but it’s fun to have one special cocktail, like this Bloody Mimosa (plus blood oranges are in season right now!). Then in addition to cheese, crackers, fruit and nuts, it’s fun to have a couple easy appetizers that can be made ahead and are good at room temperature, such as these Radishes with Butter, Pesto Deviled Eggs and Sage Chips. Easy peasy, problem solved….Cheers!


By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast