onion

New Year's Brunch ROUND-UP!

In case you’re hosting a New Year’s brunch, I’ve got some easy ideas for you. For brunch, I’ll often look for quiche or tart ideas since they are yummy served warm or at room temperature. This Caramelized Onion Tart was the first ever video on The Forest Feast’s YouTube Channel! In just 2 minutes I take you through the steps of making a simple Caramelized Onion Tart. Note: For full recipe instructions scroll down:

Caramelized Onion Tart (serves 4-6 as a main course)

3-4 medium onions (red, white, or both!)

1 T butter

1 T olive oil

6 eggs

1/3 c cream (milk or half-n-half works, too)

1 sheet of defrosted puff pastry

4 oz. creamy goat cheese (like chevre) at room temp.

2 t chopped fresh rosemary

salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1.) Roll out the sheet of puff pastry until it fits into an approx. 13x9-inch greased casserole dish or baking pan. Press the pastry into the pan, crimp the edges to form a crust. 

2.) Slice 3 to 4 onions into thin circles. Sauté for about 30 minutes with butter, olive oil and a pinch of coarse salt in a large skillet over medium/low heat. Caramelize the onions- you’ll know they’re done when they become translucent and begin to get a bit golden.

3.) While onions are cooking, beat 6 eggs and 1/3 c cream with a fork in a bowl. Set aside.

4.) Spread the goat cheese all over the bottom of the puff pastry in the pan forming a base layer of the tart.

5.) When onions are done, spread them evenly over the goat cheese “base layer”. Then pour the egg mixture over the onions. Lastly, sprinkle the top with chopped rosemary, and salt and pepper, if you like.

6.) Bake at 350F degrees for about 30 minutes, or until the egg is set and the crust is golden. 

Serve warm. (Lovely with a side salad for brunch or lunch!)

For more New Year’s Eve brunch ideas, check out:

Yellow Squash Ribbon Quiche

New Year’s Wine & Cheese Party Menu

Prosecco with Pomegranate

The Golden Mary (a take on the classic Bloody Mary)

Sweet Potato + Lentil Tacos

I made this for dinner last night and it only took about 20 minutes. I thought it was such a tasty, healthy, easy weeknight idea that I needed to recreate it here. Happy cooking!

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SWEET POTATO + LENTIL TACOS

makes enough filling for about 6 corn tortilla tacos

1/2 red onion (diced)

1 small sweet potato (diced with peel on)

1 (15 oz) can cooked lentils (drained and rinsed in a colander)

a handful of arugula (or any greens! cilantro, lettuce, spinach, chopped kale...)

1 avocado

hot sauce

corn tortillas (or flour if you prefer)

Sauté the diced onion and sweet potato with some olive oil, salt and pepper for about 10 minutes over med/low heat, until the potatoes are soft when poked with a fork. For the last minute, add the lentils, just to warm them. Spoon the mixture into warm tortillas (I use tongs and heat mine over an open stovetop flame). Top each taco with a pinch of arugula, a slice of avocado, a bit of hot sauce and a pinch of flaky salt

 

I sautéed the sweet potatoes and onion in my favorite skillet for 10 min, then added lentils to warm them.

I sautéed the sweet potatoes and onion in my favorite skillet for 10 min, then added lentils to warm them.

Top the tacos with arugula, avocado and hot sauce

Top the tacos with arugula, avocado and hot sauce

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Portobello Cream Bites

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Portabello Cream Bites with goat cheese and garlic, yum! Jonathan and I recently made these for a cocktail party and they were a hit. We found pre-made pastry cups that we filled, but you could also put this cheesy, creamy mushroom mixture on crackers or crostini. I spooned the mixture in to a freezer ziplock bag, snipped the corner and piped it in. They are easy to make ahead and can be served at room temperature. Garnish with scallions and enjoy with a cocktail!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast

Bloody Mimosa

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Citrus is in season, so why not add a bit of it to cocktail hour?! This drink lies somewhere between a blood orange champagne cocktail and a mimosa and using rose brut gives it the most dreamy color. Perfect at brunch or anytime!

photos and illustration © Erin Gleeson