Fireside Cocktails in Better Homes and Gardens

I am so excited to be included as a Style Maker in the September issue of Better Homes & Gardens Magazine! After seeing this campfire cocktail post I did, the magazine asked me to come up with a special fall menu that would be fun around a firepit. Because we have more space outdoors than in, we actually host a lot outside year-round (thanks, California).  When it starts to get chilly, we light up the firepit and pass out blankets and warm drinks. For this article, I came up with a Hot Pear Toddy that can be made in the crockpot as well as some spiced nuts and a build-your-own endive cup bar.

The magazine flew a couple editors and photographer David Tsay out for a day-long photo shoot which was so much fun! (Ezra was just 10 months old in the photo!) See the slideshow and the whole menu, along with my entertaining tips in the September 2015 issue of BHG and online here. Also online they have a free downloadable party kit which includes printables of my watercolor buffet signs. 

Cheers!

Photos by David Tsay (all except magazine shots)

Cocktail: Peach-Basil Sangria

Hello, summer cocktail! This white wine sangria is super easy and oh-so-tasty.   I included it in a 4th of July Menu for InStyle Magazine last summer and this week I was excited to have Camille Styles feature it.

Cheers!

Wine and Cheese Party Menu

Yesterday evening Jonathan and I hosted a little wine and cheese tasting garden party for the Jewish holiday of Shavuot (the one where you are supposed to eat dairy- basically, my favorite holiday ever!). A friend brought plums from her tree and it was fun to see the early fruits of the garden, including blackberries that will arrive in a month or two.

I am no wine connoisseur, but I did some research online to find wine/cheese combinations that went well together, and then came up with simple, no-cook appetizer ideas using each cheese to pair with 5 different wines (ranging from bubbly to after-dinner port). I learned that when pairing cheese and wine, it’s best to match similarities in flavor (like a light fruity wine with a light cheese/fruit appetizer) or go for complete contrast, (like a sweet robust port paired with a pungent blue cheese like gorgonzola). It’s fun to take your time and pay attention to how the flavors dance in your mouth! I think they are best enjoyed in this order:

1. Prosecco: spread camembert (a brie-like) cheese on a toasted piece of baguette, top with a peach slice, and sprinkle with coarse sea salt.

2. Pinot Grigio: spread fresh whole milk ricotta cheese on a toasted piece of baguette and top with lemon zest and honey. See more details on that recipe in this post.

3. Pinot Noir: stack a cube of watermelon, a cube of feta and a leaf of mint on a toothpick.

4. Cabernet Sauvignon: top a slice of sharp white cheddar with a slice of crisp green apple, then sprinkle with honey and black pepper.

5. Port: put a smear of creamy gorgonzola on a leaf of purple endive and top with a red grape or 2.

Happy summer entertaining!

xx Erin

Cucumber Spritzer

My cookbook officially comes out TODAY! I had my first book signing over the weekend and it was so fun to see it actually sold in a store. I am so excited to be able to share it now! More book signing events are listed here.

I made this little 90-second cookbook trailer to give you a feel for what the book is like. And if you want to buy it, check your local bookstore or you can purchase it online here.

Cheers!

The Golden Mary

I love a good spicy Bloody during a weekend brunch, don’t you?! Stoli is doing a big round-up of Bloody Marys in cities across the country and I was excited when they asked me to create a recipe inspired by the city of San Francisco! Our little cabin in the woods is just 45 minutes from SF, and we try to get there weekly to wine, dine and walk. Inspired by the city’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge, I created a recipe that has carrot juice in addition to tomato juice, to evoke that orangey-red hue of the bridge. And because the city is known for its fog, I added a bit of Humboldt Fog cheese to the garnish. Enjoy!

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The Golden Mary

inspired by the city of San Francisco and it’s iconic Golden Gate Bridge!

serves 1

Ingredients:

• 2 oz Stoli Vodka

• ½ c tomato juice

• ½ c carrot juice

• juice from one wedge of lemon

• 2 dashes Tabasco Sauce

• 2 dashes Worcestershire sauce

• 1 pinch smoky paprika

• 1 pinch salt

• 1 pinch ground black pepper

Garnish:

• carrot ribbon

• cube of Humbodlt Fog cheese

• additional salt & pepper (about 1 t each) for the rim of the glass

Directions:

Wipe the lemon wedge around the rim of your glass, then dip the glass into a small plate of salt and pepper to coat the rim. Combine all ingredients ingredients and stir. Serve over ice.

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This post was sponsored by Stoli. I was so happy to work with them because I have been enjoying their vodka for years!

Recipe, photos and illustration by Erin Gleeson.

Savor Stoli Responsibly. STOLICHNAYA® Premium Vodka and Flavored Premium Vodkas. 37.5%-40% Alc/Vol (75-80 proof). Distilled from Russian Grain. Stoli Group USA, LLC, New York, NY ©2014 Spirits International, B.V.