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Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Cool, Fall Days Call for Apple Crisp

As I walked our dog along the creek, I couldn’t help but think of all the things I love about early fall. I love how the morning air is crisp and cool but the afternoon temperatures are pleasantly warm without all of the humidity we experience in the heat of summer. I get a kick out of watching children play touch football in our backyard. I enjoy decorating for fall and picking pumpkins. I marvel at the number of Monarchs resting on my flowers and delight when I find their eggs on the backside of leaves. I find beauty in the countryside as crops mature and leaves begin to turn color.

Most of all, I enjoy the fruits of this season. There’s nothing better than fresh apple cider and all of the wonderful home-made treats that are synonymous (at least to me) with fall harvest. My mom made the following recipe last weekend, and I thought it was simply delicious. I hope you’ll agree!

What do you enjoy most about fall?

Team Latham

September 10, 2010

Desserts, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

Labor Day Weekend and large gatherings? Back-to-school snacks? End-of-the-summer bounty?

It was tough choosing just one of these topics to feature in my weekly recipe blog until I looked through an old Taste of Home magazine. I was searching for a new idea on how to put my family’s bountiful zucchini to good use when a photograph of a delectable-looking chocolate cupcake with a pull-quote caught my attention. The lady who submitted the recipe wrote, “I’m always asked for this recipe, which makes a tasty treat after school, after lunch or after supper. My grandkids love these cupcakes and don’t believe there are veggies in them!”

With Labor Day and family get-togethers around the corner, I thought cupcakes would be the perfect addition to a family picnic. Not to mention, getting kids to eat veggies without even knowing it is like a dream come to true! I thought to myself, “I don’t even have to count this as a dessert. Why these cupcakes really count as a serving of vegetables rather than a dessert. Perhaps I could eat two of them – one from the fruit/vegetable group and one as dessert.” (How’s that for rationalization, ladies? Of course, I won’t share this thought with my kids!)

What’s your favorite way to sneak veggies to your kids?

Team Latham

September 3, 2010

Desserts, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Savoring the Last of Summer
Our two children headed back to school on Monday, which always signals that summer is coming to an end. This weekend our family will savor as much summer-time fun as possible. With Saturday’s forecast calling for sunshine and 85 degrees, we’ll make one last trip to a nearby water park. I’ll marinate some Iowa chops, so they’re ready to grill that evening. (See marinade recipe below.) I’m also looking forward a little “me time” in the kitchen during the early morning hours, so I can make one of my all-time, favorite desserts: Colorado Peach Pie.

One reason this recipe is one of my favorites is because it’s so delicious. It’s unlike most peach pies because it has a sour cream filling. It tastes so creamy and delicious (in my humble opinion). Another reason I love this recipe is because I can “cheat” on the pie crust. There’s no need to roll out a pie crust, yet one can savor a flakey crust.

Just thinking about Saturday’s meal is making my mouth water. Perhaps I need to change my plan … I could leave work early today and have fresh peach pie for supper tonight!

How does your family savor what’s left of summer?

Lemon Pepper Pork Chops

Ingredients
- 4 pork chops, cut 1½-inches thick
- ¼ c. red wine vinegar
- ¼ c. cooking oil
- 1 T. Worcestershire sauce
- 2 tsp. lemon pepper
- ¼ tsp. garlic power
Directions
1. In a self-sealing plastic bag, combine vinegar, cooking oil, Worcestershire sauce, lemon pepper and garlic powder.
2. Use a fork to poke holes in the chops.
3. Next place the chops in the bag, seal and refrigerate them for a minimum of 30 minutes but overnight is even better.
4. Remove chops from marinade and grill.
5. Pork chops should be cooked to medium doneness of 160 degrees Fahrenheit.
Team Latham

August 27, 2010

Desserts, General, Pork, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Bridal Luncheon Favorites
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds, which has been family-owned and operated for more than 60 years, is deeply rooted in tradition. Tradition, as defined by Merriam-Webster, is a customary pattern, thought, action or behavior that is handed down from generation to generation.

With this in mind, it’s only fitting that we would take time during the week of our annual dealer meeting to celebrate another time-honored tradition — a bridal shower. While it was a crazy week, I couldn’t think of a better reason to take some time to slow down and enjoy company. Okay, so slowing down wasn’t really in the picture as you can see by the number of recipes that I made, but I was in good company!

The guest of honor at our bridal luncheon was Laura Larson, marketing coordinator for Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds. Laura was instrumental in helping plan the ladies programming during our Dealer Kickoff. When you consider she was working long hours planning company events all the while she was planning her own wedding, she definitely deserved some pampering.

Menu items at the shower included chicken salad sandwiches served on croissants, frozen fruit salad and a crisp vegetable salad. Recipes for all three are included below. We hope these perfect-for-summer foods will help create a few happy memories in your home!

Happy memories are also what we wish for Laura and her fiancé, a Latham^® dealer (further evidence that he’s one smart cookie!). The two of them will exchange their vows tomorrow. Congratulations and best wishes, Mr. and Mrs. Cunningham!

Summer Chicken Salad

Ingredients:
- 8 chicken breasts
- 2 c. bow tie pasta
- 2 c. seedless grapes
- 1 c. celery, diced
- ½ c. slivered almonds
- ½ c. shredded Parmesan
Dressing:
- ½ c. Miracle Whip
- ¼ c. Vidalia onion vinaigrette
- ¼ c. Ranch dressing
- 1 T. curry
Directions:
1. Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper, and garlic and then broil until done. Cut chicken into bite-sized chunks. Cook pasta according to directions. Mix chicken, pasta, grapes, celery, almonds and cheese.
2. Mix together salad dressing ingredients and toss in chicken mixture. You may need to add more dressing, depending on how big your chicken breasts were and how moist you like your chicken salad.
3. Top with a leaf of Romaine lettuce.
*For a new twist, try serving this chicken salad in a waffle cone. It also tastes delicious when served on a bagel or in a croissant.

Vegetable Salad

Ingredients:
- 1 bag of frozen California Mix vegetables, parboiled
- 1 can black olives, drained
- 1 can green olives, drained
- 1 can mushrooms, drained
- 1 c. diced tomatoes
- ½ c. chopped onion
Dressing:
- 1 package of dry Hidden Valley Ranch
- 2/3 c. oil
- ¼ c. vinegar
Directions:

Mix all of the vegetables together and pour dressing over the top. Refrigerate for two hours before serving.
Team Latham

August 13, 2010

General, Poultry, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Chocolate Zucchini Bread
One of my favorite things about summer is the abundance of fresh fruits and vegetables. I enjoy adjusting our menus to incorporate whatever is in season, and right now, that means zucchini! Try out this delicious recipe for Chocolate Zucchini Bread. While it’s baking, your kids can try out the Corn Putty recipe below for a few minutes of fun!

Corn Putty

Play with it like clay, then watch it become liquid again!
- 1 cup cornstarch
- 1/4 cup water + 1 tablespoon water
- Food coloring
Blend mixture with fork. It should flow when the bowl is tipped but feel solid when you touch it. If it’s too thick, add a little water. If it’s too runny, add a little cornstarch.

Recipe provided by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.
Team Latham

August 6, 2010

Desserts, General, Recipes, Sides
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Raspberry Chicken Rolls

Team Latham

July 30, 2010

General, Poultry, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Take the Cookie Challenge

You won’t want to miss out on the fun – and the cookies – today at the Latham Country Fair in Alexander! Val Plagge with the Iowa Soybean Association is issuing a Chocolate Chip Cookie Challenge where guests are invited to sample two types of cookies: one made from a traditional recipe and one made with soy flour and tofu (see the recipe below). Stop by and See Val at the Latham Country Fair, in Alexander, Iowa today to cast your vote for your favorite cookie!

For more information about the Latham Country Fair, click here.

Team Latham

July 30, 2010

Desserts, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Cathy’s Orange Muffins: Try them at the Latham Country Fair!

By far, one of my favorite things about any fair is all of the delectable food that tempts one’s taste buds. One of the many delicious treats that you can try at the Latham Country Fair in Alexander, Iowa, July 30, are Cathy’s Orange Muffins. (See recipe below.)

Cathy’s baking is special to our family because she not only bakes incredible treats like these orange muffins, but she has also made cakes for our children’s birthday parties. She’s helped make many memories at our family events.

Try a taste of the Latham Country Fair at home this week with Cathy’s Orange Muffin recipe. Then plan a trip to Alexander next Friday to taste even more treats!

For details on the Latham Country Fair and to find out how your family can join in the fun, click here!

Team Latham

July 23, 2010

Desserts, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

One great video, another great recipe
To keep with this month’s dairy-themed recipes (and because I love chocolate), I wanted to share this recipe for homemade Chocolate Mousse. One of the things I enjoy most about this recipe – in addition to the fact that it’s sinfully delicious – is that it looks so gourmet but is oh-so-easy to make.

One Hungry Planet

The video One Hungry Planet, made by BASF, made the rounds on social media sites this week so I wanted to share it with you if you haven’t seen it yet. In watching it, I was amazed yet again at everything it takes to be a farmer, the advancements we’ve made in agriculture, and the work we have left to do to feed our growing population. Talk about a great time in history to thank a farmer!

In case you don’t have a few minutes to watch the video, I’ve shared some of the facts mentioned in the video below.
- 1970-2010: World population doubles but farmland doesn’t.
- U.S. farmers provide 18% of the world’s food using 10% of its farmland.
- 1950-2000 average corn yields grew from 39 bushels per acre to 153 bushels per acre.
- From 1987 to 2007, farmers grew 40% more corn and 30% more soybeans – all on the same amount of land.
- 1940: 1 farmer produces enough food for 19 people. 1970: 1 farmer produces enough food for 73 people. 2010: 1 farmer produces enough food for 155 people.
- Sustainability: thanks to practices like crop rotation and no-till farming, farmland soil erosion has been reduced by 43% in 20 years.
- Farmers now grow 70% more corn from every pound of fertilizer.
- Farmers are saving 50-80% more water, depending on the crop.
- There are 6.8 billion people to feed in the world today; the population in 2050 is expected to reach 9.3 billion.
Team Latham

June 18, 2010

Desserts, Food & Family, General, Recipes
Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Strawberry Point calls for Strawberries!
Below is information about our upcoming exhibit at the 2010 Hay Expo in Strawberry Point, Iowa. The Hay Expo got me thinking about our alfalfa products, our alfalfa products got me thinking about the dairy cows we help feed, and the dairy cows got me thinking about milkshakes. Truly, I can find almost any reason to get my mind to circle around to delicious food.

As I mentioned in last week’s recipe share, I recently picked fresh strawberries from our garden, so I decided to mix the best of both worlds this week and share a recipe for a strawberry milkshake and strawberry cheesecake parfaits. Both recipes are quick and easy so kids can easily lend a hand.

I hope you enjoy the recipes and if you’re attending the 2010 Hay Expo, please drop in for a visit! Details on the show follow.

Source: www.tastykitchen.com

Strawberry Ice Cream Milkshake

Ingredients
- - 2 cups whole milk
  - 2 cups frozen strawberries
  - 2 Tablespoons sugar (more if desired – you can determine how sweet you would like it)
  - 2 scoops of strawberry or vanilla ice cream
Directions
- - Toss all of the ingredients into a blender. Blend until smooth. Pour into cups. Enjoy!
Visit Latham Seeds at the 2010 Hay Expo

The 24^th annual Farm Progress Hay Expo is scheduled for June 16-17 in Strawberry Point, Iowa. The expo will include a 10-acre exhibit field featuring, among others, major and short-line hay and forage equipment manufacturers, seed, and building and storage facility suppliers.

If you plan to attend the Expo, we would love to meet you if you have a few minutes to stop by. Nick Benson, Latham® regional sales manager in northeast Iowa will be available to answer any questions you might have about our alfalfa products.

There will also be multiple field demonstrations throughout the day for visitors who are interested in seeing side-by-side product comparisons. Scheduled demonstrations include showcase mowing, conditioning, chopping, raking, baling and hay handling. Trams will be available to shuttle visitors to demos throughout the day.

Show organizers have also made it possible to receive updates about the show through your smart phone, simply visit mobile.hayexpo.com and show information including weather, news updates, schedule changes, exhibitor listings and directions will be at your fingertips.

Admission is $10 for adults and $5 for ages 13-17. Show hours are Tuesday and Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Visit www.hayexpo.com for directions, where to stay and the full show program.
Team Latham

June 11, 2010

Desserts, General, Recipes

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Cool, Fall Days Call for Apple Crisp

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Savoring the Last of Summer

Lemon Pepper Pork Chops

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Bridal Luncheon Favorites

Summer Chicken Salad

Vegetable Salad

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Corn Putty

Recipe provided by the Iowa Corn Promotion Board.

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Raspberry Chicken Rolls

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Take the Cookie Challenge

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Cathy’s Orange Muffins: Try them at the Latham Country Fair!

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

One great video, another great recipe

Latham Hi‑Tech Seeds

Strawberry Point calls for Strawberries!

Strawberry Ice Cream Milkshake

Visit Latham Seeds at the 2010 Hay Expo