Monthly Archives: December 2008

A Warm Breakfast to Start the Morning Right

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I love to make my kids a big warm breakfast on the weekends. This recipe for “Baked Apple French Toast” is one of my favorites. The smell of the baking apples and cinnamon fills the house. It’s great to be able to enjoy breakfast together as a family before we go running off to our weekend activities with the kids.

Baked Apple French Toast

20 slices French Bread (1″ thick)
1 can (21 oz.) apple pie filling
8 eggs
2 c. milk
2 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

Topping:
1 c. packed brown sugar
1/2 c. cold butter, cubed
1 c. chopped pecans
2 tbsp. corn syrup

Arrange 10 slices of bread in a greased 9x13x2 baking dish. Spread with pie filling, top with remaining bread.
In a large bowl, combine the eggs, milk, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. Pour over bread. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Remove from the fridge 30 minutes before baking.

Meanwhile, place brown sugar in a small bowl. Cut in butter until resembles course crumbs. Stir in pecans and corn syrup. Sprinkle over French toast. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35 to 40 minutes or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.

Do you have great breakfast ideas that are your family favorites? I’d love to hear about them and get some new ideas for my weekend breakfasts. Leave your recipe or story in the comment box below or email them to laura@lathamhybrids.com.

Seed decisions should be based on 2-3 year data.

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During our Harvest Meetings in late November, Senior Agronomist and Soybean Product Specialist Mark Grundmeier of Latham Seed Company gave a presentation on soybean performance in 2008 and what to expect in 2009.

Due to the unusual growing conditions we experienced this year, Mark cautioned against basing all of your seed purchase decisions on 2008 performance. Instead, use two-and three-year data. For example, if someone loved L2158R in 2007 but was disappointed in 2008, give it another try. Don’t kick something out because it had one off year.

Other highlights from Mark’s presentation:

  • Roundup Ready2 Yield technology and LibertyLink will be available for spring 2009 planting.
  • 2008 was a difficult year, we received 13 inches of rain between May 1 and June 15- twice the normal amount!
  • This season rewarded taller plant types and stronger BSR resistance.
  • Delayed planting and cooler weather impacted soybeans, especially V1-V5.
  • Challenging growing conditions created problems with harvestability, disease and plant characteristics.
  • Bacterial blight and brown spot affected lower portions of the plant more in 2008 than other “normal” years.
  • State climatologists expect the next few seasons to be cooler and wetter, but then again some predicted drought in 2008, so it’s anyones guess for 2009.

If you have any questions or comments on things you noticed this season, share them with us in the comment box below.

A Christmas Dinner Favorite

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This recipe is a Christmas dinner favorite in the Latham family submitted by Linda Latham of Alexander, Iowa. Thank you Linda for sharing this recipe with us!

Scalloped Oysters

1 pint oysters (or two cans- cheaper)
2 c. medium-course cracker crumbs
1/2 c. butter or margarine, melted
3/4 c. light cream, I use canned evaporated milk
1/4 c. oyster liquor
1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp. salt and a little pepper

Drain oysters, reserve liquor. Combine crumbs and butter. Spread 1/3 of crumbs in greased 8×1-1/4 round pan. Cover with half of the oysters, sprinkle pepper. Using another third of the crumbs, spread a second layer. Cover with remaining oysters. Sprinkle with pepper. Combine cream, oyster liquor, Worcestershire and salt. Pour over oysters. Top with last of crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for about 40 minutes. Serves 6.

Have any Christmas dinner favorites of your own? Share them with us in the comment box below!