Stuffed Dates with Honey Lavender Goat Cheese

The ocean is just 30 minutes over the mountain from our cabin in the woods, and we love going for afternoon trips to Pescadero. One of my favorite stops is the Harley Goat Farm, where they have the most amazing cheese shop (and you can pet the baby goats!). On a recent visit we picked up some honey lavender chevre (available online) and stuffed it inside big sweet dates for a cocktail hour treat. For more of my day trips and summer adventures, follow me on Instagram, @theforestfeast. Cheers!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Zatar Flat Bread

Zatar (sometimes za'atar) is a lovely Middle Eastern spice made up (usually) of a blend of salt, sumac (a tart red dried fruit powder), sesame seeds and thyme. I roll out some store bought pizza dough (from Trader Joe’s) and drizzle it with lots of olive oil. Then sprinkle with a good amount of zatar and a pinch of sea salt. Bake on a cookie sheet until brown on the bottom and then rip off pieces to dip in a bowl of thick greek yogurt that’s been sprinkled with a bit more olive oil and zatar. Enjoy!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Postcard from New York

I just got back from the most lovely weekend in New York City. A dear friend from college is getting married this summer so we threw her a “Spice Shower” dinner party in our friend’s backyard in Brooklyn. It was a warm evening so we passed out fans (which we needed!!) and served summery drinks.  We made Basil Lemon Cocktails with basil syrup, vodka or gin, seltzer and a lemon slice (for the basil syrup, just make some simple syrup and toss it in the blender with fresh basil). Each guest brought a different spice in a jar and a favorite recipe to go with it for our bride-to-be. We served spicy foods like jalapeno poppers (her favorite) along with cheese, spicy cured olives and salami from Brooklyn Larder. Fireflies twinkled as we ended the evening with stories, toasts and an ice cream parfait with berry compote.

The rest of the weekend was also tasty, and I documented my adventures on Instagram (@theforestfeast)- croissants for brunch at Balthazar, a Mister Softee cone while shopping, a cheese stuffed portabello “burger” from Shake Shack, a glass of sparkling rose wine on the top floor of Bergdorf’s overlooking Central Park, and plantain black bean quesadillas from Rockaway Taco during a day at the beach. Until next time!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Peach Salad

A savory summer salad- refreshing flavor combination!

by Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Summer Evening at the Farmer's Market

I love this time of the year when farmers markets start happening in the evening downtown. There’s nothing better at the end of the day than a stroll through the market, basket in hand, the smell of fresh fruit and herbs in the air. After a recent visit to our local farmers market, we stopped off for a walk in the now golden Bay Area hills, before heading home to make Red Roasted Carrots and a Chard Quiche for dinner.

Hope you have time to make it to your local farmers market this weekend!

Artwork & Recipe by Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast