SAMPLE MENUS

When I was in my 20's, I would read cook books like novels, laying in bed, following the spice combinations like heroines through their journey, wondering where they would end up next. I started with big, shiny, picture books, looking at the bright and colorful pages on how to assemble a soup that you can follow from one photo to the next, and moving up from there. I soaked it all in, not knowing how or when this information would come in handy, but wanting more regardless. I sometimes get surprised when a piece of that information comes forth, offering itself to a recipe I am working on, wondering where I got that idea...

I love to incorporate spices and also highlight high quality and local ingredients. I cook with mostly vegetables, lots of nuts, seeds, and legumes, some grains, and can incorporate a little dairy or meat when appropriate or requested. I work with almost all dietary preferences and food allergies, while remaining realistic of what I can offer. If you are looking for a big, southern style BBQ, I'm not your chef, if you're looking for a healthy and balanced exploration of flavors, freshly prepared and creative dishes, and food that leaves you feeling just right, please reach out.

Intimate Gathering Menu Ideas

just an idea of some of the menus I have used in the past

Mediterranean Birthday Feast

Homemade Dips of Hummus, Muhammara, Caramelized Onion Labne, Local Crudite and Freshly Baked Pita Bread
Warmed Za'atar Olives with Citrus
Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates with Urfa Pepper
Massaged Kale Salad with Sesame, Sunflower Seeds, Sheep's Milk Feta, Quinoa, Walnuts, Red Onion, Seasonal Fruit and a Tahini Dressing
Savory Lamb Kofte
Honey Glazed Carrots with Pistachio and Currants
Cous Cous with Figs and Crispy Onions
Sprouted Cauliflower with Poached Raisins and a Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette
Warm Lentil Salad

Baby Shower Salad Bar

Fun Fresh Juices for a Mimosa Bar (bring your own bubs)
Oven Roasted Herbed Chicken
Build Your Own Salad with Spring Greens, Spinach, Kale, Assorted Vegetables, Radish, Hard Boiled Farm Egg, Local Alfalfa Sprouts, Shredded Cheese & Crumbled Feta
Home Made Honey Dijon, Balsamic Vinaigrette, Poppy Seed Herb and Greek Salad Dressings
Fresh Fruit Salad with Almond & Mint
Black Bean & Corn Salad
Cucumber & Cream Cheese Salmon Bites
Lemon Coconut Bars
Iced Tea & Lavender Lemonade

Keep it Simple Wellness Retreat

Friday Afternoon Welcome Snack

Heirloom Popcorn and Assorted Self Serve Spices

Friday Dinner

Slightly Smoky Black Bean Soup

Spring Green Farm Salad with Garlic Vinaigrette

Spanish Style Rice

Tortilla Chips

Saturday Breakfast

Locally Roasted Organic Coffee & Assorted Teas

Supercharged Oatmeal Bar

with Shredded Coconut, Berries & Nuts

Mini Frittata Egg Muffins

Bananas

Saturday Lunch

Rainbow Rolls & Sunflower Seed Dipping Sauce

Sauteed Sesame Ginger Green Beans

Saturday Dinner

NOLA Style Red Beans & Rice

Braised Collard Greens

Cast Iron Corn Bread

Sunday Breakfast

Locally Roasted Organic Coffee & Assorted Teas

Breakfast Taco Bar with Scrambled Farm Eggs, Black Beans, Chorizo Spiced Tempeh, Cheddar Cheese, Cashew Cheese, Salsa, Cilantro, Corn Tortillas

Skillet Potatoes

Orange Juice

Sunday Lunch

Ayurvedic Kitchari with Cilantro & Lime

Good Digestion CCF Tea

Fresh Fruit & Assorted Tea available at all times to Retreat Participants

Twelve Course Blind Summer Tasting Menu

The gift of slowness for the senses.

This feast is to be enjoyed blindfolded, and eaten with the hands.

Gather a few close friends together, and give yourself the evening to luxuriate.

Let us take you on a well curated journey.

Oysters with Fresh Horseradish, Mignonette and Cocktail Sauce
Elderflower Marinated Heirloom Tomato with Charred Focaccia
Cucumber Honeydew Soup with Fennel Fronds
Seared Halloumi with Grilled Pluots, Spiced Peanut, Mint and Peach Vinaigrette
Turmeric Pickled NC Coast Shrimp
Butter Lettuce Salad with Charred Corn, Red Onion Cilantro and Creamy Cashew Chili Dressing
Roasted Fingerling Potatoes with Herbed Labne
Steak Tartar with Crisped Capers and Potato Chips
Grilled Radicchio Wedge with Citrus
Filo Wrapped Persian Spiced Lamb with Pomegranate
Mystery Fruit Palate Cleanser
Dessert of Honey Drizzled Grilled Figs with Mascarpone AND Fresh Berries with a Decadent Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Please allot for *at least* 3 hours from start to finish to enjoy this experience.

Step It Up A Little Retreat

Friday Afternoon Welcome Snack

Fresh Holy Basil and Rose Iced Tea

Pear, Ginger, Walnut Scones (GF)

Friday Dinner

Roasted Root Vegetables with Rosemary

Baked Basmati Rice with Saffron

Warm Lentil Salad with Portabella, Scallion & Feta

Pan Seared Garlicky Brussels Sprouts

Za'atar Roasted Chicken

Friday Bedtime Tea

Freshly Prepared Lavender and Local Raw Honey Moon Milk

with an Ayurvedic blend of Ashwaganda, Reishi, and Valerian for an easeful sleep

Saturday Breakfast

Locally Roasted Organic Coffee

Homemade Cashew Milk & Grass Fed 1/2 & 1/2

Variety of Organic Teas & Local Raw Honey

Scrambled Farm Eggs with Greens, Goat Cheese & Avocado

All Natural Turkey Sausage Patties

Hash Browns with Onion & Herbs

Colorful Fruit Salad

Fresh Carrot and Turmeric Orange Juice

Saturday Lunch

Zucchini Noodles with a Tempeh Tomato Ragu

Spring Greens Garden Salad with a Lemon Herb Vinaigrette

Garlic Bread (Gluten Free & Local Sourdough)

Saturday Dinner

Stuffed Butternut Squash

Walnut Crusted WNC Trout

Massaged Kale Salad with Sesame Seeds and Citrus

with a Creamy Herb Vinaigrette

Quinoa Salad with Scallions, Pepitas and Portobellas

Saturday Dessert

Creamy Chocolate Coconut Pie with Nut Crust

*sweetened with dates and maple syrup

Sunday Breakfast

Locally Roasted Organic Coffee

Homemade Cashew Milk & Grass Fed 1/2 & 1/2

Variety of Organic Teas & Local Raw Honey

Shakshuka Poached Egg Dish with Feta

Sweet Potato Hash with Herbs

Sauteed Rainbow Chard

Local Sourdough Toast (Gluten Free available)

Fresh Apple, Beet & Ginger Juice

Sunday Lunch

Baked Stuffed Tomatoes

Carrot & Raisin Slaw

Black Bean & Corn Salad with a Cilantro Vinaigrette

Blistered Shishito Peppers

Fresh Lemonade with Lemon Verbena and Ginger

Sunday Farewell Bite For the Road

Oatmeal Raisin "Cookie" (dehydrated oat & raisin super bar)

Organic Apple

Sprouted Tamari Roasted Almonds

Fresh Fruit, Assorted Teas and Homemade Granola available throughout each day for retreat participants

SAMPLE MENUS

Intimate Gathering Menu Ideas

Sample Wellness Weekend Retreat