Serenbe Style and Soul » Blue Eyed Daisy

What an Afternoon in the Country it was!

Marie Nygren — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 20:49:00 +0000

The Atlanta chapter of Les Dames d’EscoffierInternational held its 12^th annual Afternoon in the Country fundraising event here in Serenbe on November 4th. It was a spectacular afternoon! We enjoyed glorious fall weather, and the sold out crowd (numbering over 1,800) kept the energy high all afternoon. The who’s who of the Atlanta metro area’s hospitality industry were on hand serving delicious food and thirst-quenching libations to the guests.

This was a special year for me in that I was invited to join the ranks of Les Dames as a member this summer. As well, I participated in the event with my restaurant The Farmhouse. At our table, we served Serenbe Farms collard slaw (recipe below) and the Farmhouse’s now famous fried chicken. Serenbe’s other eateries, the Hil and the Blue Eyed Daisy, were also participants. It’s rewarding to have Serenbe fully represented at this event.

Proceeds from ticket sales and a silent auction raised nearly $100,000 and benefitted the Les Dames’ scholarship fund, Wholesome Wave, and Georgia Organics.

A highlight of the afternoon is always the cake raffle; this year’s raffle did not disappoint. Beautifully decorated and uncommonly delicious cakes from the areas best bakers garnered much attention.

For many Serenbe residents, Afternoon in the Country is the event they most enjoy. The audible buzz of conversation and laughter confirms this is many people’s favorite event.

For those of us on the serving side of the tables, it’s an afternoon of constant activity – an invigorating and exhausting day. When the event wraps up, I’m equally happy for the chance to sit down and sad that we have to wait another year for it to happen again! We are so fortunate to be the host locale for this terrific event. I hope you’ll join us next year.

The Farmhouse’s Collard Slaw

Apple Cider Vinaigrette

¼ cup wild honey

½ teaspoon dry mustard

½ cup apple cider vinegar

1 teaspoon kosher salt

¼ teaspoon cayenne

½ cup extra virgin olive oil

Whisk all vinaigrette ingredients together.

Slaw

4 cups raw collard greens, washed, destemmed, and julienned

1 cup carrot, shredded

1 cup radish, shredded

½ cup honeycrisp apple, diced

¼ cup green onion, thinly sliced

¼-½ cup peanuts, chopped

Place all slaw ingredients in a large bowl. Toss with the vinaigrette. Garnish with the chopped peanuts. Serve and enjoy.

Food Network Names Blue Eyed Daisy This Season’s Cupcake Wars Winner!

Marie Nygren — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:16:00 +0000

Who doesn’t love a good cupcake? We know the Food Network’s Cupcake Wars judges do, and they especially loved the Blue Eyed Daisy’s. On Sunday, June 17, the Food Network aired an episode showing the bakers of the Daisy being crowned winners of this season’s Cupcake Wars and taking home the $10,000 prize.

What a thrill to see the Blue Eyed Daisy on national television!

To make the night even sweeter for Candi Pittman, our resident baker, Serenbe hosted a viewing party for residents, Daisy staff, and Candi’s family. The cheers were loud, the smiles wide, and the applause enthusiastic when the judges announced their decision.

Since the show aired, the Daisy staff has been kept busy baking, decorating, and filling orders for the now famous flavors, which you can purchase to enjoy.

Peanut Butter and Banana – a banana oat cupcake with peanut butter frosting and topped with the Daisy’s homemade peanut butter granola (also available for purchase).

Orange and Apricot – an orange-scented vanilla cupcake filled with apricot curd and topped with orange-scented cream cheese frosting.

Espresso and Cinnamon – A spiced espresso cupcake topped with cinnamon espresso frosting and sprinkled with chocolate covered espresso beans.

Chocolate and Beer – a chocolate beer cupcake topped with a beer-flavored chocolate ganache and chocolate beer frosting.

Stop by and try a four-pack today!

The "NEW" Blue Eyed Daisy

Marie Nygren — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 00:55:00 +0000

The Serenbe bakeshop, the Blue Eyed Daisy has undergone a makeover and I must admit to being a proud mom as my daughter Kara and Serenbe resident Raina Newell have taken over management.

Our friends, Dana and David Widmer, Christy Bacon, Smith Hanes, and my family got together for a 12 hour re-do of the restaurant. Items were cleaned and rearranged, walls were displayed and stocked with Serenbe merchandise, and jars were filled with “old-fashioned” candy.

The green cabinet was a great find from Scott’s antique market.

“You gotta do what you’ve got to do!”

I know everyone remembers this candy from their childhood, candy necklaces, saltwater taffy, rock candy and more….. what fond memories.

Cecilia Winston, another Serenbe resident will be making lots of decorated cookies, cupcakes and her fabulous homemade cheesecakes.

I hope you come by to try out the new menu featuring many new additions that many of you missed. More soups, egg salad sandwiches, new salads and lunch combos are just a few of the changes. Prices have been lowered too so drop by and let them know what you think.

Enjoying breakfast at the new Daisy.

Serenbe Farmers market

Marie Nygren — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:10:00 +0000

Tomorrow morning (Saturday, 8/15) at 10 am I will be having a cooking demo at the Serenbe Farmers market!

Come join the fun and shop around for beautiful art work, planters, fresh herbs and of course a wonderful selection of home grown veggies from Serenbe farms as well as other local farmers.

After shopping at the market, don’t forget to stop by the Blue eyed Daisy bakeshop for breakfast.

Tomorrow’s demo will be “all things eggplant”! So many people always tell me they don’t know what to do with eggplant or are afraid to cook it. Come see me and learn how to make three different dishes including my mom’s famous eggplant souffle.

Stop by for a sample taste! I look forward to saying hello to you tomorrow.