Holiday Gift Guide 2012

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1.) State of California cutting board, Etsy, $28. (they have other states, too)

2.) 8" Round Ash Wood Cutting Board, Terrain, $20. (they have larger ones, too)

3.) Hickory Wood Coasters, Terrain, $26.

4.) Temporary tattoos, Tattly, $5 for set of 2. (fun stocking stuffer!)

5.) White Floating paper Sky Lanterns, Amazon, $15. (for New Years Eve?)

6.) Scratch Off World Map, Urban Outfitters, $34. (like a lottery game, scratch off places you’ve been!)

7.) Tiny Silver Letter pendant, Etsy, $15.

8.) Whiskey Stones, Sur la Table, $20. (so you don’t water down that precious bourbon!)

9.) Cocktail Mixing Glass Set, Umami Mart, $50.

10.) The Forest Feast Recipe Greeting Cards , Umami Mart, $15. “Cocktail Party Pack” of 8 different recipes for entertaining. (order by Friday for Xmas delivery)

11.) CSA, $20 to $350. Buy someone a CSA (community supported agriculture) membership for a weekly box of local produce delivered from a farm. To find a farm near you, click here. Prices and subscriptions vary- but an average 14 week membership for an individual is about $200 (and approx $350 for a family size box). By paying for the produce at the beginning of the growing season, you can really help a local farmer. Some farms offer subscriptions for about $20/week.

12.) For a charitable gift, I recommend making a donation in someone’s name to Edible Schoolyard, Alice Waters’ organization that aims to build a sustainable food curriculum for all schools.


Holiday Gift Ideas

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I have designed some Forest Feast products that are now available at the Umami Mart Shop in Oakland (and also online). Order by Friday and receive them by Christmas. The recipe cards and little prints make great stocking stuffers for foodies!

1.) The Forest Feast Recipe Greeting Cards “Cocktail Party Pack”. 8 different recipes for entertaining, $15. (available on the online shop, order by Friday for Xmas delivery)

2.) The Forest Feast mounted fine art photo prints are for sale, various sizes and prices ranging from $25 (5x7") up to $300 (30x40"). To order send an email to: shop@umamimart.com.

3.) Stool upholstered in my orange tree photograph: $150. At the shop in Oakland or by special order: shop@umamimart.com

4.) Antique wooden chair upholstered in my orange tree photograph: $400. At the shop in Oakland or by special order: shop@umamimart.com

Umami Mart is at 815 Broadway, Oakland. (510) 575-9152

Edible Holiday Gift Idea

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My mom and I got together last weekend and made a bunch of these to give out as gifts. They are inexpensive, healthier than cookies and something I think people will actually use.  I keep a little jar of this by the stove and use it on roasted vegetables, stir fry, soup, etc…The jars are about $1 each at Ace Hardware, a box of coarse kosher salt is only a couple dollars at the grocery store, and you probably have some dried herbs and garlic powder in the cupboard you can use. Get creative and try different herb combinations (thyme, rosemary, herbs de Provence…), and perhaps suggest a little recipe in a card. I got the manila tags at Staples and used some simple twine and a sprig of green to adorn each jar (you could also tie on a sprig of rosemary).

Happy Holidays!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Cauliflower, Onion and Potato Latkes

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Latkes (potato pancakes) are traditionally eaten during Hanukkah which is this week. My recipe is made just a little lighter with the addition of cauliflower. I used the grater blade on my cuisinart and threw the potatoes, onions and cauliflower in (but you can finely chop/mince the cauliflower if you don’t have one). The recipe makes about 10-12 latkes- I just do a heaping spoonful of the mixture for each patty. Be sure to use Russett potatoes- they are less moist. Using a non stick pan makes things go more smoothly, and about 2-3 minutes on med-hi heat per side should do it! Happy Hanukkah, enjoy!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Celebrate Hanukkah at Umami Mart

For those of you in the Bay Area, please join me in Oakland tomorrow night at Umami Mart (where my work is currently being exhibited) for a Hanukkah Party! There will be candle lighting, dreidle spinning, and complimentary beer and sake. Latkes and …

For those of you in the Bay Area, please join me in Oakland tomorrow night at Umami Mart (where my work is currently being exhibited) for a Hanukkah Party! There will be candle lighting, dreidle spinning, and complimentary beer and sake. Latkes and brisket will be for sale. Hope you can make it! 6-9pm. Please RSVP to hello@umamimart.com.

Umami Mart is at 815 Broadway, Oakland. More info here.