Monthly Archives: February 2010

In honor of Spring (and good food of course)

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Lime Shop

I heard a bird this week that I haven’t heard since last spring. I know, I know. There’s five feet of snow out there and this is a very small slice of hope in it all, but it is hope nonetheless! It means that soon more and more birds will return to the northland. And soon, we’ll see green again.

In honor of green – and of our trip to Key West last week – I’m sharing a recipe straight from Kermit. Kermit’s Key (West) Lime Shoppe was a popular stop for the Latham group. And thanks to a recipe posted on foodnetwork.com, we can all enjoy it from the comfort of our own homes. Below is the recipe for Kermit’s delectable Key Lime Pie. Enjoy!

Key Lime Pie

Ingredients

  • 2 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milkKey Lime pie
  • 6 egg yolks
  • 1/2 cup key lime juice
  • 1 (9-inch) graham cracker piecrust
  • Whipped cream, to garnish

Directions

  1. Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
  2. In a mixer on low-medium speed, blend the milk and egg yolks at low speed until smooth. Add the key lime juice and finish blending.
  3. Gently pour the mixture into the piecrust and bake for 15 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven and let cool for another 15 minutes before refrigerating.
  4. Refrigerate for 1 to 2 hours before serving. Serve cold and top with fresh whipped cream.

Do you have a favorite pie recipe that screams spring? Oh, who are we to judge? We love all pie!

Thanks to all who participated in our 2010 Sales Incentive Trip

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After a winter spent digging out from record-breaking snowfalls, customers and dealers of Latham® Hi-Tech Seeds enjoyed heading south for a few days of warmth and relaxation. Nearly 80 Midwesterners traveled to Key West, Florida, from Feb. 7-10.

The trip began with “Cheeseburgers in Paradise” during a private Super Bowl party at the Hard Rock Café. The next day we toured Old Key West via trolleys with stops at Truman’s Little White House and the Hemingway House. As an avid reader, aspiring writer and fervent cat lover, I particularly enjoyed touring Hemingway’s house.

The legendary author’s presence can still be felt in his studio, which he built on the second floor of a carriage house. OnCharlie Chapline can just picture Hemingway penning his famous novels while his beloved cats nap in the sunlight. In fact, decedents of Hemingway’s unusual six-toed tomcat still roam freely around the grounds. Nearly half of the 60 cats that currently inhabit the grounds are polydactyl. All of the cats are named after famous people, upholding the tradition that Hemingway started. I couldn’t resist snapping this photo of “Charlie Chaplin.”

In addition to Hemingway’s cats, Key West is famous for its fowl. Chickens have roamed freely since the pioneer days and are now part of the Southernmost’s quirky charm. About 2,000 birds now inhabit an island that measures 2-by- 4 miles. I snapped this colorful photo as our group enjoyed lunch on Monday.

Tuesday was our “water day.” Some members Sunset Sailof our group got a very different view of Key West as they toured the area by jet ski. Others in our group enjoyed snorkeling, fishing or parasailing. During our free time, we enjoyed walking down the famous Duval Street, as well as soaking up the sun poolside and napping on the beach. That night we celebrated the sunset – yes, it’s an actual celebration in Key West, complete with a champagne toast – onboard a catamaran for a dinner cruise on our final evening.

With reluctance, Wednesday morning I packed my bags for our return flight to the frozen tundra. I didn’t enjoy walking through a two-foot drift to get inside our vehicle, but I was eager to be snug inside my home again. Thankfully, spring isn’t too far off now – at least that’s what I’m telling myself as our area braces for more snowfall!

Thanks again to everyone who participated. We’re looking forward to next year!

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Fighting Cabin Fever with Good Food and Fun Activities

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I heard it, too. The whispers that we would get hit with another storm beginning last night. Cabin fever is setting in, so I thought today, we’d try to battle it by recommending a few good activities you can do inside and out.

To keep you warm on another cold day, I’m also including a good recipe from allrecipes.com. I figure if Mother Nature’s going to keep us cooped up anyway, we may as well fight back with good food!

Stay warm this weekend and let us know if you liked the recipe and if the activities helped keep cabin fever at bay for another day.

Indoor Activities:

  • Build a fort – grab some blankets and get to building. Heat up some marshmallows and chocolate in the microwave and make indoor s’mores. They may not have the magic of the fire, but your kids will still smile when they take a bite.
  • Cook – kids love to get their hands into new activities. Have them help plan the menu, as well as make the food. It will definitely be messy, but it should help keep them entertained for another hour. And, we know how precious 60 minutes can be!

Outdoor Activities:

  • Snow Painting – take a few water bottles with squirt tops and pour food coloring into the bottle. That’s all it takes. Let the kids go out and paint the snow!
  • Sledding – a classic, and it’s great for getting the kids (and parents) a little exercise during the winter months.

Baked Potato Soup

Ingredients

3 bacon strips, diced

1 small onion, chopped

1 clove garlic, minced

3 tablespoons all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon dried basil

1/2 teaspoon pepper

3 cups chicken broth

2 large baked potatoes, peeled and cubed

1 cup half-and-half cream

1/2 teaspoon hot pepper sauce

Shredded Cheddar cheese

Minced fresh parsley

Preparation Instructions

  1. In a large saucepan, cook bacon until crisp. Drain, reserving 1 tablespoon drippings. Set bacon aside. Saute onion and garlic in the drippings until tender. Stir in flour, salt, basil and pepper; mix well. Gradually add broth. Bring to boil; boil and stir for 2 minutes. Add the potatoes, cream and hot pepper sauce; heat through but do not boil. Garnish with bacon, cheese and parsley.