Meet Miller: Canine Solution To a Pest Problem

Have a wasp problem? We recommend you use honeybees, as we did at our GreenHouse. Have a goose problem? We recommend Miller, the coincidentally named, goose-chasing dog and newest member of Marigold Lodge, Herman Miller’s lodge and conference center.

Located on Lake Macatawa in Holland, Michigan, Marigold Lodge has long been a favorite summer home for Canadian geese. While beautiful to look at, the geese are messy and nuisance to both guests and staff. A number of methods have been tried throughout the years to discourage the geese from taking up residence on the grounds, but to no avail.

Enter Miller, a five-year old Field-Bred Cocker and solution to our goose issue. Under the watchful eye of the Marigold staff, Miller patrols the grounds chasing away any geese wandering around. Trained to flush out birds, Miller seems to enjoy his new part-time job, which gives him an opportunity to get off the sofa and get some exercise.

This is a fun story, but also touches the core of what we do as a company, creative problem-solving for sustainable solutions. Solving our goose problem was no different. By discouraging the geese from nesting this year, Miller is reducing the likelihood of them returning next year, as geese tend to return to the same nesting location year-after-year.

Miller, enjoying what he does, is one happy dog.

Recipe of the Week from Marigold Lodge: Tartine of Pork with Celeriac Remoulade

Marigold Lodge chef David McClimans presents Tartine of Pork with Celeriac Remoulade. This tasty recipe serves four and won’t disappoint those who crave a big sandwich with a very sophisticated name.

Tartine of Pork with Celeriac Remoulade
1 baguette (about 2 ½ inches wide)
Extra virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
½ cup aioli
1 large bunch watercress, coarse stems removed
1 pound cold, cooked pork, thinly sliced
Freshly ground black pepper
1 tart apple, such as a Granny Smith, cored, quartered, and sliced into thin wedges
2 cups celeriac remoulade
1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon minced chives
12 cornichons (dill gherkins)
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Recipe of the Week from Marigold Lodge: White Chocolate & Walnut Bread Pudding

Marigold Lodge chef David McClimans concludes this latest recipe series with White Chocolate & Walnut Bread Pudding.

White Chocolate & Walnut Bread Pudding
1 loaf brioche bread, cubed
¾ cup white chocolate, cut up into small pieces
8 whole eggs
2 cups half & half
1 cup milk
½ cup sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon

Praline Topping
1 pound butter
2 cups sugar
2 cups walnut pieces
¼ cup corn syrup
1 teaspoon cinnamon

1. Coat a 2-inch high stainless steel pan with non-stick spray; add cubed brioche and level with the height of the pan.
2. Sprinkle the white chocolate pieces evenly over the brioche.
3. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, half & half, milk, sugar, and cinnamon. Mix well.
4. Add the mixture to the pan of brioche, making sure all the bread is moist.
5. Wrap it tight and refrigerate overnight.
6. In a mixer, combine butter, sugar, pecans, corn syrup, cinnamon, and nutmeg until well blended. Place in bowl, wrap, and set aside at room temperature until needed.
7. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit
8. Remove the pan of brioche from the refrigerator. Using a straight-edge spatula, spread the praline topping evenly over the brioche.
8. Place into the oven for about 40 minutes or until done.

Enjoy!

Recipe of the Week from Marigold Lodge: Breast of Duck Au Poivre

This recipe for Breast of Duck Au Poivre from Marigold Lodge chef David McClimans is très magnifique. It requires only a few ingredients and takes minutes to prepare. Pair it with risotto to create an elegant entrée.

Serves 6

Breast of Duck Au Poivre
6 8-ounce boneless duck breasts
4 tablespoons coarsely ground black pepper
3 tablespoons fresh thyme
3 tablespoons kosher salt

1. Place the duck breasts on a cutting board, skin side up. With a knife, slice four or five cuts across the skin. This will prevent the breast from turning up while cooking. The fat also will render faster.
2. Rub each duck breast with salt and thyme, and generously sprinkle them with black pepper.
3. Preheat a large skillet without oil. Place each duck breast skin side down. Sear until golden and crisp. CAUTION: The duck breasts render a lot of fat while they’re cooking. To prevent splattering and flair up, turn the stove’s flame off before turning each duck breast.
4. Place the duck breasts on a sheet pan and place into a preheated, 375-degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes.
5. Remove the pan from the oven and place it in a warm spot to rest for 5 minutes. Cut duck breasts into ½-inch slices and arrange on risotto.

Watch for another recipe from Marigold Lodge next week!

Recipe of the Week from Marigold Lodge: Frisee and Apple Salad

Fresh fall flavors shine in this recipe for Frisee and Apple Salad from Marigold Lodge chef David McClimans. Enjoy it as an appetizer or pair it with last week’s recipe for Curried Butternut Squash Bisque.

Frisee and Apple Salad
Serves 6

6 heads frisee lettuce
1 Granny Smith apple, sliced
1 Fuji apple, sliced
½ cup dried Black Mission figs
1 cup crumbled blue cheese
1cup roasted, salted walnuts

Walnut Vinaigrette
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup walnut oil

Add vinegar, sugar, and oil to a food processor or blender and mix slowly. Pour vinaigrette into a container. Salt and pepper to taste.

Toss frisee lettuce, apples, figs, blue cheese, and vinaigrette together. Garnish with walnuts.

Watch for another recipe from Marigold Lodge next week!

Recipe of the Week from Marigold Lodge: Curried Butternut Squash Bisque

A fall favorite at our Marigold Lodge, this Curried Butternut Squash Bisque recipe from chef David McClimans is a savory starter any time of the year.

Curried Butternut Squash Bisque
3 pounds butternut squash, peeled and cut into 2-inch pieces
1 quart chicken stock or broth
1 medium onion, chopped
2 cups heavy whipped cream
1 tablespoon yellow curry paste
1 tablespoon olive oil

In a large, heavy bottom stock pot, sauté onions and curry paste in the olive oil. Combine squash and chicken stock in a 4-quart sauce pan and bring to a boil. Turn heat down and simmer for 35 to 45 minutes or until squash is tender. Let it cool for about one hour and place in the blender and puree until smooth. Pour back in the stock pot, add cream, and bring back to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for an additional 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Watch for another recipe from Marigold Lodge next week!

Recipe of the Week from Marigold Lodge: New York Strip Steak au Poivre with Avocado Butter

Here’s one for the grill! This New York Strip Steak recipe from Marigold Lodge is sure to impress your friends and family. Try it with last week’s Green Bean Salad recipe to complete your entrée.

New York Strip Steak au Poivre with Avocado Butter
8 8-ounce strip steaks, seasoned with course ground pepper and salt
¼ pound soft unsalted butter
1 avocado, cubed
1 lemon, juiced

Avocado butter:
Place butter, avocado, and lemon juice in a food processor. Mix until smooth. Salt and pepper to taste. Use a rubber spatula to scrape the butter onto a long sheet of cellophane wrap (about 12 inches long). Roll up butter in the cellophane to form a log. Place in the refrigerator for one hour.

Season steaks and grill them to a desired temperature.

Slice butter into half-inch medallions and place on steaks.

Enjoy!

Recipe of the Week from Marigold Lodge: Green Bean Salad

This delicious Green Bean Salad recipe from Marigold Lodge is a perfect summertime side dish.

Green Bean Salad
3 pounds green beans, blanched
2 ears of fresh sweet corn, washed and cut off the cob
1 pint pear or grape tomatoes
½ small red onion, minced
½ cup balsamic vinegar
1½ cup olive oil

In a small mixing bowl, add vinegar and oil and mix well.
Set aside.

Add all the other ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Add vinaigrette and toss.

Salt and pepper to taste.

Enjoy!

Recipe of the Week from Marigold Lodge: Cantaloupe and Tomato Soup

  Celebrate the abundance of summertime produce with a recipe from our Marigold Lodge for Cantaloupe and Tomato Soup.

Watch for another recipe from Marigold Lodge next week!

Cantaloupe and Tomato Soup

Serves 8.
Preparation time: 20 minutes.

4 small ripe cantaloupes
6 ounces orange juice concentrate
4 large tomatoes, peeled and cored
½ teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup whipping cream
½ cup Grand Marnier
Mint sprigs to garnish

Peel cantaloupes and remove the seeds.
Cut into 1-inch chunks.

Puree cantaloupe and tomatoes in a blender or processor until smooth.
Stir in remaining ingredients, except mint, and mix well.

Chill thoroughly.

Serve in chilled stemmed glasses or glass bowls.
Garnish with mint sprigs.

Click here for more recipes from Marigold Lodge.

Recipe of the Week from Marigold Lodge: Dark Chocolate Orange Tart

For the finishing touches on your spring holiday festivities, why not consider the delectable contrasting flavors of chocolate and orange? It’s a nice follow-up to the Steamed Halibut in Borscht and Roasted Rosemary Rack of Lamb that we offered for the first two courses in our spring recipe series.

Dark Chocolate Orange Tart
Serves 12.

Candied Orange Peel
1 orange
¼ cup sugar
2 Tbsp. water

Crust
¼ lb. unsalted butter, room temperature
½ cup sugar
¼ tsp. ground cinnamon
¼ tsp. salt
6 Tbsp. unsweetened cocoa powder
¾ cup all-purpose flour

Filling
1 cup slivered almonds, toasted, coarsely chopped
2 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. ground cinnamon
1 cup heavy whipping cream
8 oz. bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
1 Tbsp. Grand Marnier

For Candied Orange Peel
Using vegetable peeler, remove peel (orange part only) from orange in strips. Cut strips into matchstick-size pieces and place in small saucepan. Cover with cold water; bring to boil. Cook 30 seconds; drain. Rinse saucepan; add ¼ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons water and peel. Stir over medium-low heat until sugar dissolves. Simmer until peel is translucent and syrup is thick, about 20 minutes. Using tines of fork, transfer peel to plate and cool.

For the Crust
Using electric mixer, beat butter, sugar, cinnamon, and salt in large bowl until smooth. Beat in cocoa powder. Add flour and beat until dough comes together in moist clumps. Gather dough into ball; flatten into disk. Wrap in plastic and chill until firm, at least 1 hour and up to 1 day.

Roll out dough between sheets of waxed paper to 11-inch round; peel off top sheet of paper. Invert dough over 9-inch tart pan with removable bottom; peel off paper. Gently press dough into pan. Press dough overhang to form double-thick sides. Pierce dough all over with fork. Refrigerate 30 minutes.

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Bake crust until sides look dry and bottom looks bubbly, about 14 minutes. Transfer crust to rack. Using back of spoon, press up sides of dough if falling. Cool completely.

For the Filling
Toss almonds, sugar, and cinnamon into a small bowl. Chop all but two strips of peel. Sprinkle chopped orange peel, then almond mixture over bottom of prepared crust. Place cream in heavy medium saucepan. Bring to simmer; remove from heat. Add chocolate and whisk until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth; mix in Grand Marnier. Pour into crust.

Refrigerate until filling is firm, at least 3 hours. Garnish with remaining orange peel strips.