Bruschetta

I was recently commissioned to create this custom quote and recipe illustration and it was such a fun project! The quote is by author Nick Harkaway from his book The Gone-Away World. It reads:“I need bruschetta (that’s “broo-SKET-uh,” not “brushette…

I was recently commissioned to create this custom quote and recipe illustration and it was such a fun project! The quote is by author Nick Harkaway from his book The Gone-Away World. It reads:

“I need bruschetta (that’s “broo-SKET-uh,” not “brushetter,” a slender piece of ciabatta toasted and brushed with garlic and oil and covered in fresh tomato and basil– the chunks inevitably fall off the bread and the olive oil runs over your lips and down your chin. The whole thing is delicious, deeply physical and delightfully undignified, and a woman who can eat a real bruschetta is a woman you can love and who can love you. Someone who pushes the thing away because it’s messy is never going to cackle at you toothlessly across the living room of your retirement cottage or drag you back from your sixth heart attack by sheer furious affection. Never happen. You need a woman who isn’t afraid of a faceful of olive oil for that)”.

Basic bruschetta is simply a salsa of diced tomatoes, minced garlic, basil and olive oil. Spoon onto toasted baguette slices and sprinkle with salt. If you want to mix things up a little, try my recipe for Watermelon Bruschetta.

Bon Appetit!

Popular Posts in 2013

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Happy New Year! What a year it’s been! I finished my first cookbook this year, and am so looking forward to sharing it with everyone in 2014. I wish you all lots of fun dinner parties, inspiration for new creative projects and champagne cocktails in the new year. Cheers!

The Forest Feast’s 3 most popular posts in 2013 were:

#1: Avocado Onion Rings

#2: Clementine Cake

#3: Cucumber Sangria

Thank you, my lovely readers, for all your support! Sweetest wishes for the year ahead.

xx

Erin

Holiday Recipe Ideas

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Happy Holidays, everyone! Wishing you a fun-filled holiday break with good food and warm drinks! Here are a few ideas:

Easy Party Appetizers:
Cucumber Caprese Bites
Mozzarella Stuffed Pesto Puffs
Lemon Ricotta Crostini

Holiday Drinks:
Hot Chai-Nog
Spiced Pomegranate-Apple Cider
Cranberry Old Fashioned

XO,

Erin

Warm Brie with Figs and Pistachio Tapenade

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Baked Brie is one of my favorite appetizers, and it’s great to take to a holiday party. My parents make it every year for theirs! 

Baked Brie can come in many forms- in this version Brie is smothered in a fig and pistachio tapenade that includes honey and sea salt (YUM!). My recipe was featured in Better Homes and Gardens’ Holiday Recipes magazine (along with a little interview!), which is out now. Pick up the magazine, or click on over to BHG's Delish Dish blog for more of my photos and the recipe. 

Happy Holiday Party cooking!

Polenta Fries

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Polenta Fries are a healthy snack that seem just a little indulgent, and they’re best right out of the oven. I have seen millions of versions of them online, but prefer this slightly breaded recipe for a bit of extra outer-shell crunch. They are great with any dip: marinara, hummus, pesto, spicy mustard, tzaziki….

I buy the pre-cooked tube of polenta and slice the rounded edges off to use for something else.  As always, salt to taste. One egg and a half cup of breadcrumbs is about right for an 18 oz. tube. You could also make your own polenta from scratch, and even mix things in (like feta, olives or sun dried tomatoes?).  Feel free to get creative with the breadcrumb mixture and add in dried herbs or spices. Or cut big triangles to make polenta “steaks” and serve it as an entree. Enjoy!

By Erin Gleeson for The Forest Feast