The Forest Feast is a new vegetarian cookbook written by Erin Gleeson from her cabin in the woods. After years of city living, she and her (Rabbi) husband moved to California and chose to live in a cabin in the woods. Erin is incredibly talented and enjoys the beauty of her outdoor surroundings. The cookbook is filled with vibrant photos of her food in the gorgeous setting of her home. She shares bonus pictures of her surroundings to make us all jealous and she even includes fanciful watercolor illustrations and hand lettering. Her recipes are simple, all vegetarian and pleasing to all your senses. To purchase The Forest Feast click here.
You grew up vegetarian, did you ever go through a rebellious meat phase?
About 4 years ago I decided to start eating meat, so I am actually not vegetarian anymore! I was working with all these amazing chefs in New York, photographing their beautiful food and just decided that I wanted to be able to try it sometimes when offered. My reason for remaining vegetarian all those years had much to do with issues surrounding sustainability. I felt like if I could eat meat sparingly and try to source it in a way that was responsible, I’d be okay with it. So that’s what I do now. I eat very little meat at home, and usually order vegetarian when out, but I like to have the option to try something if the opportunity arises.
Does your husband also eat mostly vegetarian?
We eat mostly vegetarian at home, but occasionally branch out. Since I didn’t grow up with it, my cooking knowledge of meat is limited, so Jonathan is the one who usually prepares meat if we have it he’s a great cook. If we cook meat, it’s usually during the summer for a BBQ or for a special holiday meal.
Now that you are settled in your little cabin, what do you miss about New York?
Walking everywhere! And friends and family. And bagels. Jonathan is from New York and most of his family is still there, so luckily we have many opportunities to go back.
What do you love best about your new home?
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The outdoor space. The California weather is mild enough most of the year that we can spend a lot of time outdoors, which I love.
You share a lot about your early experiences as an artist, but what about food and cooking, What is your earliest memory of cooking?
I grew up in an apple orchard and I have vivid memories of cooking everything imaginable with apples each Fall. My grandmas and aunts would come visit and we’d set up an apple coring station in the kitchen, clamped to a table. We’d make apple pies, crisps, breads, butters, leathers you name it, we made it!
What is your favorite food?
Cheese!
Which recipe would you recommend to someone trying to eat more vegetarian meals?
I’d recommend the Polenta Stuffed Portobellos. They are filling, “meaty” and pair well with a lot of sides.
Polenta Stuffed Portobellos
Which recipe would be the most kid friendly?
I have fond memories of camping at the beach as a kid and eating Dipped Strawberries (in the sweets section of the book). You simply prepare a bowl of Greek Yogurt (or in my 1980s case, sour cream) and a bowl of brown sugar. Dip fresh strawberries first in the yogurt, then in the sugar, then eat immediately. It’s a fun interactive sweet treat.
You share a lot of salads, which I love, especially as the weather begins to heat up, which is the best Summertime salad?
I’d suggest the Nectarine Tomato Salad. It’s savory and sweet, and does well when made ahead for a crowd. Plus, it feels just a little different, and if you can get juicy ripe fruit from the farmers market, it’s so delicious.
Get the The Forest Feast.
i always want to try new vegetarian recipes
I love to cook and try new (to me ) recipes,I am trying to have fun and get The wife and girls to eat healthier. I think this would help, Thanks,
Mike H.
Looks like it has a lot of good recipes.
Thanks, that is awesome and will count for your entries.
I love the colors on the cover. I’ve been trying to incorporate vegetarian dishes more, so I could use this book. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’ve been following her gorgeous blog for years. I want the book!
This book looks like a visual treat!
charming, countrified and so delicious looking. The photos are good enough to be scratch n sniff!
I love cooking from the bounty from the land. Thank you for writing this wonderful cookbook!
The nectarine-tomato salad sounds very interesting.
FYI – I posted this on Facebook, Google+, and Linkedin since I do not tweet. Since I’m a global networker, those sites will give a lot more exposure for promoting this!
I’ve tried a few times to go vegan/vegetarian… Having some animal-free dishes is still a healthier diet.
Healthified Kosher. Really smart
Sounds like a really interesting book!
I always love trying new recipes!
Anything made with cheese is good. I am great with meats but not so good on the salads so I could use some new ideas.
This is the first I’ve heard of this cookbook – it looks lovely.
This book looks great! I’m always looking for more vegetarian recipes!
Looks like a brilliant book! I’m vegan and love getting new inspiration for veggie dishes
i’m always looking for more vegetable dishes so this cookbook is right up my alley!
I made the Portobellos stuffed with Polenta for Shabbat about a month ago. They were perfect and perfectly beautiful! I love the presentation, the photos and the creativity. Eggplant tacos? Amazing idea and I can’t wait to try that recipe next!
This book definitely looks interesting…and would love to add it to my collection!
Portabello mushrooms are a favorite of mine, I think I’d start with the Polenta stuffed portabello recipe!
i made the polenta crotons and kale cesear salad from the book which she posted on her blog and they were so so DELICIOUS!
I’ve made those polenta croutons they’re amazing!
The Polenta Stuffed Portabellos look amazing. It would be the first thing I would try. It is gluten free and could be made vegan with a slight modification.
cant wait to try the tomato nectarine salad this shabbos!
Even though I love to cook and have created my own recipes and have had some of them published I rarely come across a cookbook I feel I must have, however the Forest Feast seems to be a rare book I’d love to add to my collection. The photos, the recipes all intrigue me.
I would love to win the food feast cookbook for a friend who is not well and going through difficult treatment.She is a culinary afficanado and it would surely lift her spirits.The book looks like it is a winner!Good Luck!.
It would be great to create such interesting kosher items. Please let me win. Thanks!
I would love to get this book! I eat vegetarian at least 5 days a week.
I love cook books that are as visually appetizing, as the recipes are inspiring.
wow, would this ever encourage and help me to be healthy!
This book look great!! I love vegetarian dishes!!
I love these tempting recipies ..wish to try them 🙂
Wow the pictures alone pull you into the great looking food.Yummy it looks like a taste of fresh mountain air. ( =
Would love to win something like this
Everything looks so healthy and fresh!
The picture makes a very colourful salad look so tempting and so easy
To make, just what I, as a disabled person, need. I would love to receive your book to help me change my eating habits for the better.
I try to give my family wholesome home cooked meals and include as much veggies as possible . The pics are gorgeous and yummy
I love Erin’s blog and would love to get my hands on a copy of her beautiful cookbook!
Best oookbook I have seen in a LONG time!!! 🙂
I borrowed this book from the library and the photography is so appetizing. Would love to have it for my home library.
Noticed this beautiful cookbook in a bookstore recently. Very well done! Superb photos/recipes!
Glad to a kosher vegetarian cookbook. Looking forward to preparing meals and sharing with my family!
I enjoy all kinds of wholesome foods but have a special need for vegetarian foods. The vegetarian (tzimchonit)meals are most satisfying.
I would love to win this cook book
My husband recently became vegetarian. These beautiful recipes make me excited about the meals I can now cook for him.
I absolutely love this book. I remember following the blog and waiting months for its release!
I saw this gorgeous book in a bookstore and spent almost an hour enjoying the recipes and the photos which are works of art. The book is not only filled with delicious recipes, it is visually stunning.