Serenbe Style and Soul

with Marie Nygren

Monthly Archive: November 2009

Tuesday

10

November 2009

0

COMMENTS

Southern Shepard’s Pie

Written by , Posted in marie nygren, Recipe Articles, shepard's pie, sweetwater beer

Here is my version of Shepard’s pie that we served at Les Dames on Sunday. I was so glad everyone enjoyed it.


Filling:
2 T mild Olive Oil
2 lbs. Ground White Turkey Meat
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. tabasco
1 T. flour
1 T. tomato paste
1/4 cup half and half
1/2 cup beer- I used Sweetwater IPA
1 1/2 cup chicken stock
1 T soy sauce
5 pieces of fresh thyme
1 cup cooked butterpeas
2 leeks, white and 2 inches of green, sliced and sauteed in butter
1 cup cooked collards

Topping:
2 lbs sweet potatoes, peeled and chopped
1 tsp salt
2 T unsalted butter
1/3 cup half and half
1/2 cup caramelized onions

Heat oil in large pan. Add turkey and brown, stirring often to break up into pieces. Add salt and tabasco. Add flour and tomato paste and cook about 1 minute.
Add cream- cook another minute. Add broth, beer, soy sauce, thyme and simmer over medium heat, stirring often until mixture has thickened, 10-15 minutes.
Remove from heat. Stir in butterpeas, leeks and collards. Taste for seasoning and add more tabasco and salt if needed.
Spoon mixture into 2 quart casserole dish.

In a pot of water, add salt and potatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and cook 20 minutes until tender. Drain potatoes and return to pot. Mash potatoes and add butter, cream and onions. Season with salt if necessary.

Spread potatoes over filling with spatula. Bake in 375 oven until filling is bubbling.



Tuesday

10

November 2009

0

COMMENTS

A beautiful day

Written by , Posted in "les dames d'escoffier" serenbe, "top chef", marie nygren

Our ninth annual Les Dames event couldn’t have been more perfect. You would have thought it was a Spring day rather than the first week of November.

The sold out crowd was absolutely thrilled with the amazing selection of chefs, the town was buzzing all day and the shops and restaurants were packed well into the evening hours. Days like these remind us of the magic of Serenbe.

*photo by Tom Brodnax

These cakes were works of art and given away in a raffle for the guests.

                                                  

What a treat to meet Kevin Gillespie, chef at Woodfire Grill and “Top Chef.” He was delightful.
                                 
The newest member of the Serenbe farm family enjoying the day with her mom.

Friday

6

November 2009

0

COMMENTS

Sunday Afternoon

Written by , Posted in " GA flooded farmers relief fund", "cbs 46", "les dames d'escoffier" serenbe

My Friday is busy in the kitchen cooking for the 1000 guests we are having in Serenbe on Sunday for Les Dames d’Escoffier fundraiser event!

A portion of the proceeds from the day will go towards helping the Georgia Flooded Farmers Relief Fund so everyone is very excited the event has sold out!

I am cooking a special version of Shepard’s pie to please come by and say hello. It is going to be a beautiful day on Sunday.
See Tucker Berta, Serenbe’s Director of Communications on CBS 46!
**photo by Ben Rose at a previous event

Thursday

5

November 2009

1

COMMENTS

Some great finds

Written by , Posted in "atlanta merchandise mart", marie nygren, serenbe

Out shopping for the model for our new Nest homes. Went to the Atlanta Mart and found some wonderful treasures!

Beautiful lighting possibilities for our powder room.

Thought these may be great on a large wall or around the border of the ceiling. They come in all 26 alphabet letters.

Interesting artwork, so great for our Nest cottages.
Here is one of my favorite showrooms at the mart which gave me great inspiration and ideas for the Nest model. Dark gray walls looked fantastic with all the natural linen. What a great look!

Wednesday

4

November 2009

0

COMMENTS

Les Dames d’Escoffier

Written by , Posted in "les dames d'escoffier" serenbe

Atlanta Les Dames d’Escoffier International will host it’s 9th annual Afternoon in the Country in Serenbe on Sunday, November 8th, 2009.

Little did I know when I suggested to Angie Mozier, a member of Les Dames, to do a Sunday supper on the Serenbe grounds as a fundraiser that it would grow into one of the most anticipated and well attended food events in the Atlanta area.

This is my favorite food event of the year and I am very excited as this is my first year of cooking for Les Dames. Click 2009 participants to see everyone who will be at this years event.

I’ve been told only a few tickets are left . Click tickets to purchase now so you don’t miss out. I hope to see you there. Let me know if you are a reader of my blog!

Monday

2

November 2009

2

COMMENTS

October Recipe Contest Winner

Written by , Posted in Recipe Articles

I am excited to announce our “green bean” recipe winner. Amelia Schaffner sent a delicious recipe for an end of summer green bean salad. In addition to her passion for cooking, she also shared her passion for photography which is seen in this beautiful photo of her salad.



End-of-summer farmer’s salad with green bean bundles

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound green beans
  • 2 ears of fresh corn, cleaned
  • 4 or 5 okras (optional), ends cut off
  • 2 green onions, separated into strands
  • 1/4 red onion, finely sliced
  • A few small tomatoes of various colors (red, yellow, and also green tomatillos), washed and halved
  • 1 banana pepper, seeded and sliced in rounds
  • A small bunch of fresh basil, chopped
  • Salt and pepper, TT

Vinaigrette:

  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive-oil
  • 2 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed
  • 1 tsp honey

Procedure:

Place a large pot of water to boil with some salt.

When it boils, add the green beans and cook about 7-10 minutes (depending on size). Remove the beans with tongs and place in a bowl of cold water and ice (to preserve crunch and color). Drain and set aside.

Repeat the same procedure for the okra. Drain. When cool, cut in small rounds and set aside.

Repeat the same procedure with the green onions strands (which we will use to tie the green bean bundles)

In the same water pot, cook the corn about 7-10 minutes, until tender but still with a “bite”. Move the corn with tongs to a bowl with cold water and ice. Drain. Using a knife, cut the corn kernels off the corn cobs into a bowl.

Prepare the vinaigrette in a small bowl by whisking the oil into the vinegar, then add the honey, the smashed garlic clove and season with salt and pepper.

In a large bowl, toss 4 tablespoons of the vinaigrette together with the corn kernels, the okra slices, the halved tomatoes, the banana pepper slices, and the basil. Taste and season again if needed.

Meanwhile, take about 10 green beans and tie them in a bundle with the blanched green onions.

To serve place the salad on a plate, in a mound and top with the green bean bundles.


Serves 4.




Sunday

1

November 2009

0

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Halloween Party

Written by , Posted in "pumpkin glow", marie nygren, serenbe

The night began with neighborhood trick or treaters until dusk and then it was time to be on our way to Janice’s party.

 Here I am getting ready for the party with my friends David and Dana. Sometimes I think the adults like to dress up more than the kids.
                                                                                                  
At the party! Luckily the rain didn’t damper our spirits.                                                  

Kiss meets Julia Child.
See you again next Halloween!

Sunday

1

November 2009

0

COMMENTS

Monthly Recipe Contest

Written by , Posted in inn at serenbe, Serenbe Farmhouse

A winner from November will be announced shortly!

Sorry, I am behind with so many holiday activities that I have yet to pick a winner from November. As soon as I try all the recipes, a winner will be announced.

For the month of December, I am not asking for a featured ingredient. This month I would just love to see your favorite recipe you serve as a side dish during the holidays. Possibly one you whip up for your family or for your neighborhood party. Be creative and have fun. After all, it is the holiday season!

Remember, as the winner of the contest, you will receive dinner for two at the Farmhouse and your recipe will be featured on my blog and as part of the menu at the restaurant.
I will be accepting new recipes until December 30th so keep them coming!