I’m at all times impressed by those that break free from standard paths and carve out a inventive journey uniquely their very own—like Tieghan Gerard, the creator of Half-Baked Harvest. I first met Tieghan in 2017, and within the years since, she’s created a model and enterprise that actually displays her passions. From her transformed barn within the Colorado mountains, Tieghan crafts the form of recipes that really feel like a heat hug—homey, comforting, and impossibly scrumptious. She wears many hats, enjoying the position of recipe developer, stylist, photographer, and storyteller, sharing new recipes virtually day by day. This hands-on method has earned her a faithful viewers of tens of millions who flip to Half-Baked Harvest and her bestselling cookbooks for day by day dinner inspo.
Simply earlier than the launch of her fourth cookbook, Fast & Cozy, Tieghan got here to Austin, the place we co-hosted a vacation ceremonial dinner in my yard. The night was magic—buddies gathered round a candlelit desk, sharing dishes from her upcoming e book that felt each festive and easy.
Within the vacation situation of Camille Kinds EDIT, we shared my heartfelt dialog with Tieghan about her journey—from constructing her profession to going through social media drama. Make sure you try the complete piece should you haven’t but, and skim on for all of Tieghan’s suggestions for cozy vacation internet hosting.
At Residence in Colorado
First issues first: what informs your method to meals?
Simplicity is essential—however make it stunning and scrumptious.
What does a typical workday appear like for you?
It relies upon. Once I’m touring, I’m doing interviews, photograph shoots, and meet-and-greets. I’m multitasking, taking telephone calls whereas I’m getting hair and make-up accomplished for an occasion. It’s nice, it’s thrilling, it’s busy. It’s a completely totally different aspect of the enterprise.
What’s your must-have cooking instrument and why?
That is form of humorous, however a cookie scoop is absolutely nice. I exploit it for lots of issues—scooping meatballs, cookies, muffin batter and cupcake batter.
Everybody additionally wants an excellent forged iron skillet. It’s straightforward to scrub and it’s higher for you.
Inform us a number of issues we’ll at all times discover in your fridge?
Goat milk, totally different cheeses, jalapeños, avocados, and plenty of recent produce.
Your go-to weeknight meal to eat at dwelling?
I’m a crispy taco woman. Like, I simply love a taco, beef, crispy taco that’s so easy, nothing fancy with cheddar cheese. So good, you guys. It’s so good.
How Tieghan Hosts a Social gathering
What are three merchandise you’re keen on for the desk?
Candles. Each single desk is made higher with candles—they create such a comforting atmosphere. If you happen to’re doing tall taper candles, use just some of them, and should you’re doing low candles, you need to use heaps.
A fairly bowl for a centerpiece. Fill it with seasonal produce, like pomegranates and persimmons within the fall, and even gather some acorns from exterior, no matter you will have entry to.
A meals merchandise. I like to make use of meals as decor—sometimes I set a desk actually minimally, however I like to set out a fantastic cheese board or serving platter with meals to make it really feel plentiful.
Apple Vanilla Chai Scorching Toddy
Baked Honeyed Brie
Garlic Mushroom Hen Skillet
Winter Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts
Lemon Pesto Orzo
Traditional Tiramisu
What does an important gathering appear like for you?
There’s a fireplace roaring and there’s mild music enjoying within the background. There are candles lit in every single place, there are flowers, and there’s the scent of actually good meals gradual cooking within the oven. Simply actually enjoyable and comforting—and also you gotta have candles.
The right ceremonial dinner playlist contains:
Very mellow and enjoyable music. Classical is fairly. My grandma at all times used to play Frank Sinatra, and I like turning on his music at Christmas.
Your signature dishes for gatherings?
There are many nice recipes for gathering in my new cookbook, Fast & Cozy. The brisket recipe is unbelievable for gathering and could be excellent for a Christmas Eve dinner. Additionally, the meatballs on the quilt. If you happen to don’t eat pink meat, you may swap in floor rooster—I supplied these substitutions within the e book, so folks can adapt the recipes simply for his or her wants or their style buds. Every little thing within the e book is tremendous easy, cozy, and fast.
What’s your no-stress get together rule to reside by?
Set the dinner desk the night time earlier than. Create a menu you could make prematurely—a crock pot or gradual cooker recipe is one of the best. Preserve it easy.
Dream dinner friends?
Victoria Beckham—proper now I’m simply loving her designs. After which, you may as effectively invite David, proper? I additionally need to meet their son Brooklyn—he simply launched a brand new scorching sauce model which is so fascinating. So I assume I’m simply inviting all the Beckham household!
Fill within the blanks:
An ideal meal ought to: really feel comforting to everybody.
It’s not a cocktail party with out: candles.
Each prepare dinner ought to know how one can: make a cheeseboard.
