After several years in the big city, I moved to a cabin in the woods of Northern California. Inspired by local ingredients I create simple, beautiful, healthy recipes anyone can make.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram @theforestfeast Please feel free to re-post on your site, but will you please link and credit me and send me a link when it's up? Thanks! Send me an email.
These breadsticks made from pizza dough are super easy and soooo good when warm right out of the oven. You can use any seeds or nuts you want, but I chose sunflower seeds and chopped cashews. The cashews are from Essential Living Foods, a company that sells lots of GMO-free, organic and ethically sourced products. You could also add garlic and parmesan. For the full recipe and more pictures, check out my post over at Better Homes and Gardens. Photos by Erin Gleeson, recipe by BHG
These breadsticks made from pizza dough are super easy and soooo good when warm right out of the oven. You can use any seeds or nuts you want, but I chose sunflower seeds and chopped cashews. The cashews are from Essential Living Foods, a company that sells lots of GMO-free, organic and ethically sourced products. You could also add garlic and parmesan. For the full recipe and more pictures, check out my post over at Better Homes and Gardens. Photos by Erin Gleeson, recipe by BHG

These breadsticks made from pizza dough are super easy and soooo good when warm right out of the oven. You can use any seeds or nuts you want, but I chose sunflower seeds and chopped cashews. The cashews are from Essential Living Foods, a company that sells lots of GMO-free, organic and ethically sourced products. You could also add garlic and parmesan. For the full recipe and more pictures, check out my post over at Better Homes and Gardens.

Photos by Erin Gleeson, recipe by BHG

Persimmons are my favorite autumn fruit and I was so excited to share this recipe on Design Sponge on Friday- it’s a great, alternative Thanksgiving side salad. Trees around the Bay Area are bursting with persimmons right now and my friend, photographer Topher Simon, let me come over and pick from (and photograph!) his tree. Be sure when eating persimmons raw you choose the Fuyu variety- they are more squat and crunchy. The other more oblong variety leave a pasty taste in your mouth when eaten raw- they  are meant for cooking with. Check out the Design Sponge post of this recipe for more photos and detailed instructions. Enjoy! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
Persimmons are my favorite autumn fruit and I was so excited to share this recipe on Design Sponge on Friday- it’s a great, alternative Thanksgiving side salad. Trees around the Bay Area are bursting with persimmons right now and my friend, photographer Topher Simon, let me come over and pick from (and photograph!) his tree. Be sure when eating persimmons raw you choose the Fuyu variety- they are more squat and crunchy. The other more oblong variety leave a pasty taste in your mouth when eaten raw- they  are meant for cooking with. Check out the Design Sponge post of this recipe for more photos and detailed instructions. Enjoy! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
Persimmons are my favorite autumn fruit and I was so excited to share this recipe on Design Sponge on Friday- it’s a great, alternative Thanksgiving side salad. Trees around the Bay Area are bursting with persimmons right now and my friend, photographer Topher Simon, let me come over and pick from (and photograph!) his tree. Be sure when eating persimmons raw you choose the Fuyu variety- they are more squat and crunchy. The other more oblong variety leave a pasty taste in your mouth when eaten raw- they  are meant for cooking with. Check out the Design Sponge post of this recipe for more photos and detailed instructions. Enjoy! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
Persimmons are my favorite autumn fruit and I was so excited to share this recipe on Design Sponge on Friday- it’s a great, alternative Thanksgiving side salad. Trees around the Bay Area are bursting with persimmons right now and my friend, photographer Topher Simon, let me come over and pick from (and photograph!) his tree. Be sure when eating persimmons raw you choose the Fuyu variety- they are more squat and crunchy. The other more oblong variety leave a pasty taste in your mouth when eaten raw- they  are meant for cooking with. Check out the Design Sponge post of this recipe for more photos and detailed instructions. Enjoy! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
Persimmons are my favorite autumn fruit and I was so excited to share this recipe on Design Sponge on Friday- it’s a great, alternative Thanksgiving side salad. Trees around the Bay Area are bursting with persimmons right now and my friend, photographer Topher Simon, let me come over and pick from (and photograph!) his tree. Be sure when eating persimmons raw you choose the Fuyu variety- they are more squat and crunchy. The other more oblong variety leave a pasty taste in your mouth when eaten raw- they  are meant for cooking with. Check out the Design Sponge post of this recipe for more photos and detailed instructions. Enjoy! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Persimmons are my favorite autumn fruit and I was so excited to share this recipe on Design Sponge on Friday- it’s a great, alternative Thanksgiving side salad. Trees around the Bay Area are bursting with persimmons right now and my friend, photographer Topher Simon, let me come over and pick from (and photograph!) his tree. Be sure when eating persimmons raw you choose the Fuyu variety- they are more squat and crunchy. The other more oblong variety leave a pasty taste in your mouth when eaten raw- they  are meant for cooking with.

Check out the Design Sponge post of this recipe for more photos and detailed instructions. Enjoy!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

My first post ever on The Forest Feast was exactly one year ago today! I didn’t really know what I was doing (until this fig recipe a month later), but started it as a way to reinvent myself and my work in a new place. Little did I know what it would become and what a following I would develop!  I can’t tell you how much your encouragement and praise has motivated me to continue and to post regularly, thank you!! It makes me so happy to hear people are actually trying and enjoying my recipes. My wish for TFF’s second year is to get a cookbook off the ground (which is actually looking quite hopeful!) Thank you all so much, from the bottom of my parfait glass. Bon Appetit! xo Erin
My first post ever on The Forest Feast was exactly one year ago today! I didn’t really know what I was doing (until this fig recipe a month later), but started it as a way to reinvent myself and my work in a new place. Little did I know what it would become and what a following I would develop!  I can’t tell you how much your encouragement and praise has motivated me to continue and to post regularly, thank you!! It makes me so happy to hear people are actually trying and enjoying my recipes. My wish for TFF’s second year is to get a cookbook off the ground (which is actually looking quite hopeful!) Thank you all so much, from the bottom of my parfait glass. Bon Appetit! xo Erin
My first post ever on The Forest Feast was exactly one year ago today! I didn’t really know what I was doing (until this fig recipe a month later), but started it as a way to reinvent myself and my work in a new place. Little did I know what it would become and what a following I would develop!  I can’t tell you how much your encouragement and praise has motivated me to continue and to post regularly, thank you!! It makes me so happy to hear people are actually trying and enjoying my recipes. My wish for TFF’s second year is to get a cookbook off the ground (which is actually looking quite hopeful!) Thank you all so much, from the bottom of my parfait glass. Bon Appetit! xo Erin

My first post ever on The Forest Feast was exactly one year ago today! I didn’t really know what I was doing (until this fig recipe a month later), but started it as a way to reinvent myself and my work in a new place. Little did I know what it would become and what a following I would develop!  I can’t tell you how much your encouragement and praise has motivated me to continue and to post regularly, thank you!! It makes me so happy to hear people are actually trying and enjoying my recipes. My wish for TFF’s second year is to get a cookbook off the ground (which is actually looking quite hopeful!)

Thank you all so much, from the bottom of my parfait glass. Bon Appetit!

xo

Erin

My husband, Jonathan, and I took a trip to Alaska recently for our friends’ wedding. Apart from the totally amazing setting overlooking the ocean and snow capped mountains in the distance, their wedding food (by Maura’s Cafe) was absolutely delicious. One appetizer stood out to me, so I set out to recreate it: Gorgonzola Grapes. You could make them using any kind of creamy cheese or nuts, but I used gorgonzola and pecans, which really gave them a kick. Just put a dab of creamy cheese in your palm with the grape and roll it around until the cheese coats it. Then roll the whole thing in chopped nuts and stick a toothpick in it. These are a perfect bite-sized snack with cocktails! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
My husband, Jonathan, and I took a trip to Alaska recently for our friends’ wedding. Apart from the totally amazing setting overlooking the ocean and snow capped mountains in the distance, their wedding food (by Maura’s Cafe) was absolutely delicious. One appetizer stood out to me, so I set out to recreate it: Gorgonzola Grapes. You could make them using any kind of creamy cheese or nuts, but I used gorgonzola and pecans, which really gave them a kick. Just put a dab of creamy cheese in your palm with the grape and roll it around until the cheese coats it. Then roll the whole thing in chopped nuts and stick a toothpick in it. These are a perfect bite-sized snack with cocktails! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
My husband, Jonathan, and I took a trip to Alaska recently for our friends’ wedding. Apart from the totally amazing setting overlooking the ocean and snow capped mountains in the distance, their wedding food (by Maura’s Cafe) was absolutely delicious. One appetizer stood out to me, so I set out to recreate it: Gorgonzola Grapes. You could make them using any kind of creamy cheese or nuts, but I used gorgonzola and pecans, which really gave them a kick. Just put a dab of creamy cheese in your palm with the grape and roll it around until the cheese coats it. Then roll the whole thing in chopped nuts and stick a toothpick in it. These are a perfect bite-sized snack with cocktails! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
My husband, Jonathan, and I took a trip to Alaska recently for our friends’ wedding. Apart from the totally amazing setting overlooking the ocean and snow capped mountains in the distance, their wedding food (by Maura’s Cafe) was absolutely delicious. One appetizer stood out to me, so I set out to recreate it: Gorgonzola Grapes. You could make them using any kind of creamy cheese or nuts, but I used gorgonzola and pecans, which really gave them a kick. Just put a dab of creamy cheese in your palm with the grape and roll it around until the cheese coats it. Then roll the whole thing in chopped nuts and stick a toothpick in it. These are a perfect bite-sized snack with cocktails! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
My husband, Jonathan, and I took a trip to Alaska recently for our friends’ wedding. Apart from the totally amazing setting overlooking the ocean and snow capped mountains in the distance, their wedding food (by Maura’s Cafe) was absolutely delicious. One appetizer stood out to me, so I set out to recreate it: Gorgonzola Grapes. You could make them using any kind of creamy cheese or nuts, but I used gorgonzola and pecans, which really gave them a kick. Just put a dab of creamy cheese in your palm with the grape and roll it around until the cheese coats it. Then roll the whole thing in chopped nuts and stick a toothpick in it. These are a perfect bite-sized snack with cocktails! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
My husband, Jonathan, and I took a trip to Alaska recently for our friends’ wedding. Apart from the totally amazing setting overlooking the ocean and snow capped mountains in the distance, their wedding food (by Maura’s Cafe) was absolutely delicious. One appetizer stood out to me, so I set out to recreate it: Gorgonzola Grapes. You could make them using any kind of creamy cheese or nuts, but I used gorgonzola and pecans, which really gave them a kick. Just put a dab of creamy cheese in your palm with the grape and roll it around until the cheese coats it. Then roll the whole thing in chopped nuts and stick a toothpick in it. These are a perfect bite-sized snack with cocktails! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
My husband, Jonathan, and I took a trip to Alaska recently for our friends’ wedding. Apart from the totally amazing setting overlooking the ocean and snow capped mountains in the distance, their wedding food (by Maura’s Cafe) was absolutely delicious. One appetizer stood out to me, so I set out to recreate it: Gorgonzola Grapes. You could make them using any kind of creamy cheese or nuts, but I used gorgonzola and pecans, which really gave them a kick. Just put a dab of creamy cheese in your palm with the grape and roll it around until the cheese coats it. Then roll the whole thing in chopped nuts and stick a toothpick in it. These are a perfect bite-sized snack with cocktails! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
My husband, Jonathan, and I took a trip to Alaska recently for our friends’ wedding. Apart from the totally amazing setting overlooking the ocean and snow capped mountains in the distance, their wedding food (by Maura’s Cafe) was absolutely delicious. One appetizer stood out to me, so I set out to recreate it: Gorgonzola Grapes. You could make them using any kind of creamy cheese or nuts, but I used gorgonzola and pecans, which really gave them a kick. Just put a dab of creamy cheese in your palm with the grape and roll it around until the cheese coats it. Then roll the whole thing in chopped nuts and stick a toothpick in it. These are a perfect bite-sized snack with cocktails! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
My husband, Jonathan, and I took a trip to Alaska recently for our friends’ wedding. Apart from the totally amazing setting overlooking the ocean and snow capped mountains in the distance, their wedding food (by Maura’s Cafe) was absolutely delicious. One appetizer stood out to me, so I set out to recreate it: Gorgonzola Grapes. You could make them using any kind of creamy cheese or nuts, but I used gorgonzola and pecans, which really gave them a kick. Just put a dab of creamy cheese in your palm with the grape and roll it around until the cheese coats it. Then roll the whole thing in chopped nuts and stick a toothpick in it. These are a perfect bite-sized snack with cocktails! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast
My husband, Jonathan, and I took a trip to Alaska recently for our friends’ wedding. Apart from the totally amazing setting overlooking the ocean and snow capped mountains in the distance, their wedding food (by Maura’s Cafe) was absolutely delicious. One appetizer stood out to me, so I set out to recreate it: Gorgonzola Grapes. You could make them using any kind of creamy cheese or nuts, but I used gorgonzola and pecans, which really gave them a kick. Just put a dab of creamy cheese in your palm with the grape and roll it around until the cheese coats it. Then roll the whole thing in chopped nuts and stick a toothpick in it. These are a perfect bite-sized snack with cocktails! By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

My husband, Jonathan, and I took a trip to Alaska recently for our friends’ wedding. Apart from the totally amazing setting overlooking the ocean and snow capped mountains in the distance, their wedding food (by Maura’s Cafe) was absolutely delicious. One appetizer stood out to me, so I set out to recreate it: Gorgonzola Grapes. You could make them using any kind of creamy cheese or nuts, but I used gorgonzola and pecans, which really gave them a kick. Just put a dab of creamy cheese in your palm with the grape and roll it around until the cheese coats it. Then roll the whole thing in chopped nuts and stick a toothpick in it. These are a perfect bite-sized snack with cocktails!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Some of our best friends from New York came to visit last week and we had a great time showing them our neck of the woods. After a trip down the road to Fogarty Winery, we came back to the house and enjoyed some wine on the deck at sunset. We started with a bottle of Rose Brut, then moved on to Fogarty Pinot Noir. It was a bit chilly, so we got the outdoor fire going. Cocktail hour snacks included: Délice de Bourgogne and manchego cheese with apples, dried figs, artichoke spinach dip, turkey kielbasa, spicy paprika pepitas, pesto caper bites, and a bit of left over marguerita pizza from flour + water in San Francisco from the night before. photos and illustration © erin gleeson
Some of our best friends from New York came to visit last week and we had a great time showing them our neck of the woods. After a trip down the road to Fogarty Winery, we came back to the house and enjoyed some wine on the deck at sunset. We started with a bottle of Rose Brut, then moved on to Fogarty Pinot Noir. It was a bit chilly, so we got the outdoor fire going. Cocktail hour snacks included: Délice de Bourgogne and manchego cheese with apples, dried figs, artichoke spinach dip, turkey kielbasa, spicy paprika pepitas, pesto caper bites, and a bit of left over marguerita pizza from flour + water in San Francisco from the night before. photos and illustration © erin gleeson
Some of our best friends from New York came to visit last week and we had a great time showing them our neck of the woods. After a trip down the road to Fogarty Winery, we came back to the house and enjoyed some wine on the deck at sunset. We started with a bottle of Rose Brut, then moved on to Fogarty Pinot Noir. It was a bit chilly, so we got the outdoor fire going. Cocktail hour snacks included: Délice de Bourgogne and manchego cheese with apples, dried figs, artichoke spinach dip, turkey kielbasa, spicy paprika pepitas, pesto caper bites, and a bit of left over marguerita pizza from flour + water in San Francisco from the night before. photos and illustration © erin gleeson
Some of our best friends from New York came to visit last week and we had a great time showing them our neck of the woods. After a trip down the road to Fogarty Winery, we came back to the house and enjoyed some wine on the deck at sunset. We started with a bottle of Rose Brut, then moved on to Fogarty Pinot Noir. It was a bit chilly, so we got the outdoor fire going. Cocktail hour snacks included: Délice de Bourgogne and manchego cheese with apples, dried figs, artichoke spinach dip, turkey kielbasa, spicy paprika pepitas, pesto caper bites, and a bit of left over marguerita pizza from flour + water in San Francisco from the night before. photos and illustration © erin gleeson
Some of our best friends from New York came to visit last week and we had a great time showing them our neck of the woods. After a trip down the road to Fogarty Winery, we came back to the house and enjoyed some wine on the deck at sunset. We started with a bottle of Rose Brut, then moved on to Fogarty Pinot Noir. It was a bit chilly, so we got the outdoor fire going. Cocktail hour snacks included: Délice de Bourgogne and manchego cheese with apples, dried figs, artichoke spinach dip, turkey kielbasa, spicy paprika pepitas, pesto caper bites, and a bit of left over marguerita pizza from flour + water in San Francisco from the night before. photos and illustration © erin gleeson
Some of our best friends from New York came to visit last week and we had a great time showing them our neck of the woods. After a trip down the road to Fogarty Winery, we came back to the house and enjoyed some wine on the deck at sunset. We started with a bottle of Rose Brut, then moved on to Fogarty Pinot Noir. It was a bit chilly, so we got the outdoor fire going. Cocktail hour snacks included: Délice de Bourgogne and manchego cheese with apples, dried figs, artichoke spinach dip, turkey kielbasa, spicy paprika pepitas, pesto caper bites, and a bit of left over marguerita pizza from flour + water in San Francisco from the night before. photos and illustration © erin gleeson
Some of our best friends from New York came to visit last week and we had a great time showing them our neck of the woods. After a trip down the road to Fogarty Winery, we came back to the house and enjoyed some wine on the deck at sunset. We started with a bottle of Rose Brut, then moved on to Fogarty Pinot Noir. It was a bit chilly, so we got the outdoor fire going. Cocktail hour snacks included: Délice de Bourgogne and manchego cheese with apples, dried figs, artichoke spinach dip, turkey kielbasa, spicy paprika pepitas, pesto caper bites, and a bit of left over marguerita pizza from flour + water in San Francisco from the night before. photos and illustration © erin gleeson
Some of our best friends from New York came to visit last week and we had a great time showing them our neck of the woods. After a trip down the road to Fogarty Winery, we came back to the house and enjoyed some wine on the deck at sunset. We started with a bottle of Rose Brut, then moved on to Fogarty Pinot Noir. It was a bit chilly, so we got the outdoor fire going. Cocktail hour snacks included: Délice de Bourgogne and manchego cheese with apples, dried figs, artichoke spinach dip, turkey kielbasa, spicy paprika pepitas, pesto caper bites, and a bit of left over marguerita pizza from flour + water in San Francisco from the night before. photos and illustration © erin gleeson
Some of our best friends from New York came to visit last week and we had a great time showing them our neck of the woods. After a trip down the road to Fogarty Winery, we came back to the house and enjoyed some wine on the deck at sunset. We started with a bottle of Rose Brut, then moved on to Fogarty Pinot Noir. It was a bit chilly, so we got the outdoor fire going. Cocktail hour snacks included: Délice de Bourgogne and manchego cheese with apples, dried figs, artichoke spinach dip, turkey kielbasa, spicy paprika pepitas, pesto caper bites, and a bit of left over marguerita pizza from flour + water in San Francisco from the night before. photos and illustration © erin gleeson

Some of our best friends from New York came to visit last week and we had a great time showing them our neck of the woods. After a trip down the road to Fogarty Winery, we came back to the house and enjoyed some wine on the deck at sunset. We started with a bottle of Rose Brut, then moved on to Fogarty Pinot Noir. It was a bit chilly, so we got the outdoor fire going. Cocktail hour snacks included: Délice de Bourgogne and manchego cheese with apples, dried figs, artichoke spinach dip, turkey kielbasa, spicy paprika pepitas, pesto caper bites, and a bit of left over marguerita pizza from flour + water in San Francisco from the night before.

photos and illustration © erin gleeson