Show 499, November 12, 2022: Lauren Thomas, The Modern Hippie Table cookbook and blog – The Modern Hippie Way Part One

Modern Hippie Lauren Thomas

Modern Hippie” celebrates a way of living and entertaining that creates an intentional series of moments at home, where good food, conversation, and design come together to create and establish lasting and inspired memories. Lauren Thomas’s The Modern Hippie Table: Recipes and Menus for Eating Simply and Living Beautifully combines more than 70 curated recipes and assorted themed menus with beautiful and doable tabletop ideas, creating a vibe of laid-back elegance that complements whatever is on the menu, from an intimate dinner for two to a large celebration.” 

“In this debut collection, Lauren shares favorite dishes that can be easily prepared for entertaining, which allows you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests and family. Some of the recipes are made from scratch, while others make creative use of store-bought convenience foods and pre-made products that help save time.”

“Lauren is also passionate about making sure the surroundings of the occasion are as beautiful as the meal is delicious. She provides suggestions for flowers, linens, and surfaces that won’t add stress or break the bank. And to complete your planning, suggested menus for occasions such as an intimate date night or a meet the neighbors gathering are sprinkled throughout the book to help plan out themed meals, along with tips on how to set the scene for the occasion.”

Lauren takes a break from preparing her Pear, Pomegranate, Turkey and Gorgonzola Board to join us.

For Lauren’s virtual presentation for the Melissa’s food media group she prepared a Pear, Pomegranate, Turkey and Gorgonzola Salad Board inspired by her recipe for Pear Gorgonzola Salad in The Modern Hippie Table. Lauren graciously shares that recipe with us. Perfect use for that leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

Show 499, November 12, 2022: Lauren Thomas, The Modern Hippie Table cookbook and blog – The Modern Hippie Way Part Two

Modern Hippie Lauren Thomas

Modern Hippie” celebrates a way of living and entertaining that creates an intentional series of moments at home, where good food, conversation, and design come together to create and establish lasting and inspired memories. Lauren Thomas’s The Modern Hippie Table: Recipes and Menus for Eating Simply and Living Beautifully combines more than 70 curated recipes and assorted themed menus with beautiful and doable tabletop ideas, creating a vibe of laid-back elegance that complements whatever is on the menu, from an intimate dinner for two to a large celebration.” 

“In this debut collection, Lauren shares favorite dishes that can be easily prepared for entertaining, which allows you to spend less time in the kitchen and more time with your guests and family. Some of the recipes are made from scratch, while others make creative use of store-bought convenience foods and pre-made products that help save time.”

“Lauren is also passionate about making sure the surroundings of the occasion are as beautiful as the meal is delicious. She provides suggestions for flowers, linens, and surfaces that won’t add stress or break the bank. And to complete your planning, suggested menus for occasions such as an intimate date night or a meet the neighbors gathering are sprinkled throughout the book to help plan out themed meals, along with tips on how to set the scene for the occasion.”

Lauren takes a 2nd break from finishing her Pear, Pomegranate, Turkey and Gorgonzola Board (inspired by her recipe for Pear Gorgonzola Salad from The Modern Hippie Table) to continue with us.

For Lauren’s virtual presentation for the Melissa’s food media group she prepared a Pear, Pomegranate, Turkey and Gorgonzola Salad Board inspired by her recipe for Pear Gorgonzola Salad in The Modern Hippie Table. Lauren graciously shares that recipe with us. Perfect use for that leftover Thanksgiving turkey.

Pear, Pomegranate & Turkey Gorgonzola Salad Board

Pear, Pomegranate and Turkey Gorgonzola Salad Board by Lauren Thomas

Recipe excerpt from:
The Modern Hippie Table: Recipes and Menus for Eating Simply and Living Beautifully
by Lauren Thomas

If you find yourself wondering what to do with all those turkey leftovers after Thanksgiving, this delicious salad board makes a beautiful presentation to impress your family (who’s still in town) when you don’t feel like cooking. Whether you serve this salad for lunch or dinner, I can assure you that you’ll inspire a new leftovers tradition! Serves 4-6.

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup olive oil
  • 2 tablespoon sherry or white wine vinegar
  • 4 teaspoons honey
  • 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 2 heads butter lettuce, torn into small pieces
  • 1 head Greenleaf lettuce, torn into small pieces
  • Approximately one pound of leftover white turkey meat, sliced or chopped
  • 1 small head radicchio lettuce, chopped
  • 4 ounces crumbled gorgonzola cheese
  • 2 large ripe pears, preferably Bartlett or Comice, cored and cut into ½- inch cubes
  • 1 cup pomegranate arils, or the seeds of one pomegranate
  • Black pepper
  • *Extra pears and pomegranates to help decorate your board

In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, honey, mustard, and salt. Set aside.

In a large salad bowl, combine the butter lettuce and Greenleaf lettuce and toss to combine. On a large platter or wooden board with raised edges, arrange the lettuce to cover. On top of the lettuce, start by arranging the turkey in the center, followed by the radicchio, cheese, pears, and pomegranate arils on either side of the turkey in parallel lines. Drizzle the salad dressing evenly and toss gently just before serving. Season with black pepper to taste.