I’m at all times impressed by those that break free from typical 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 type of recipes that really feel like a heat hug—homey, comforting, and impossibly scrumptious. She wears many hats, enjoying the function of recipe developer, stylist, photographer, and storyteller, sharing new recipes virtually day by day. This hands-on strategy 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 feast in my yard. The night was magic—mates gathered round a candlelit desk, sharing dishes from her upcoming guide that felt each festive and easy.
Within the vacation difficulty of Camille Kinds EDIT, we shared my heartfelt dialog with Tieghan about her journey—from constructing her profession to dealing with social media drama. You should definitely try the complete piece when you haven’t but, and browse on for all of Tieghan’s ideas for cozy vacation internet hosting.
At Residence in Colorado
First issues first: what informs your strategy to meals?
Simplicity is vital—however make it stunning and scrumptious.
What does a typical workday appear to be for you?
It relies upon. Once I’m touring, I’m doing interviews, picture shoots, and meet-and-greets. I’m multitasking, taking cellphone calls whereas I’m getting hair and make-up executed for an occasion. It’s nice, it’s thrilling, it’s busy. It’s a very totally different aspect of the enterprise.
What’s your must-have cooking device and why?
That is type of humorous, however a cookie scoop is absolutely nice. I take advantage of it for lots of issues—scooping meatballs, cookies, muffin batter and cupcake batter.
Everybody additionally wants forged iron skillet. It’s simple to wash and it’s higher for you.
Inform us just a few issues we’ll at all times discover in your fridge?
Goat milk, totally different cheeses, jalapeños, avocados, and many recent produce.
Your go-to weeknight meal to eat at residence?
I’m a crispy taco lady. 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 Get together
What are three merchandise you like for the desk?
Candles. Each single desk is made higher with candles—they create such a comforting atmosphere. In case you’re doing tall taper candles, use only a few of them, and when you’re doing low candles, you should utilize heaps.
A reasonably 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 might have entry to.
A meals merchandise. I really like to make use of meals as decor—usually I set a desk actually minimally, however I like to set out a gorgeous cheese board or serving platter with meals to make it really feel considerable.
Apple Vanilla Chai Sizzling Toddy
Baked Honeyed Brie
Garlic Mushroom Hen Skillet
Winter Salad with Maple Candied Walnuts
Lemon Pesto Orzo
Basic Tiramisu
What does an awesome gathering appear to be for you?
There’s a hearth roaring and there’s mild music enjoying within the background. There are candles lit in all places, there are flowers, and there’s the odor of actually good meals gradual cooking within the oven. Simply actually enjoyable and comforting—and also you gotta have candles.
The right feast playlist contains:
Very mellow and enjoyable music. Classical is fairly. My grandma at all times used to play Frank Sinatra, and I really 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 unimaginable for gathering and could be good for a Christmas Eve dinner. Additionally, the meatballs on the quilt. In case you don’t eat crimson meat, you possibly can swap in floor rooster—I offered these substitutions within the guide, so individuals can adapt the recipes simply for his or her wants or their style buds. Every little thing within the guide is tremendous easy, cozy, and fast.
What’s your no-stress get together rule to dwell by?
Set the dinner desk the evening earlier than. Create a menu that you would be able to make upfront—a crock pot or gradual cooker recipe is the very best. Maintain it easy.
Dream dinner company?
Victoria Beckham—proper now I’m simply loving her designs. After which, you would possibly as properly 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 suppose I’m simply inviting the whole 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 easy methods to: make a cheeseboard.
