My Quinoa in People Mag!

Apparently, 2013 has been named the “International Year of Quinoa”! For this reason, People Magazine reached out to me looking for a quinoa recipe, and they chose one of my favorites- my Fall Quinoa Salad with red bell peppers, butternut squash and dried figs. It’s featured in the November 11th issue of People which is on stands now (a collector’s issue with the Royals on the cover!). This recipe can be served warm or at room temperature and would be a great Thanksgiving side (especially for all your gluten free guests!). 

And if you’re really into quinoa, here are a couple other ideas:

Quinoa Edamame Salad   &   Mushroom Quinoa Risotto

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Fresh Fig Rosemary Kebabs

At a recent BBQ we hosted, a friend brought loads of figs and rosemary from her backyard. We used the rosemary sprigs as kebab sticks and threaded the whole fresh figs onto them. We put them on the BBQ until they were warm and just slightly charred. When we took them off and cut them in half, they were juicy and the rosemary had infused the fruit. You can slice them in half and drizzle them with olive oil and (Maldon) salt, or serve them alongside any entree. Delish!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Quinoa with Squash, Peppers & Figs

Quinoa with butternut squash, red bell peppers and figs! A simple, colorful, autumn dish. Serve warm or at room temperature. (A great side for Thanksgiving!)

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Lentil Lettuce Cups

Passover Seder in the Woods

Spring has sprung in the woods! Passover is this week and to kick it off, we hosted a first-night Seder.  We spent 2 days cooking all the traditional Jewish dishes: Matzah ball soup, Haroset (a paste of dried fruit and nuts), Farfel (quiche-like squares), Tzimmes (a sweet potato carrot dish), plus a roasted chicken with rosemary and lemon. The seder plate has items that represent different parts of the meal and the Passover story of slavery and freedom, including a hard boiled egg, horseradish, parsley, matzah, a shank bone and the modern addition of an orange. In this story of Exodus, when the Jews fled Egypt, they didn’t have time for their bread to rise, so this week we eat matzah instead of bread as a reminder that there are still people today who seek freedom. Chag Sameach and Happy Passover!

Photos and illustration by Erin Gleeson