Author Archives: Katherine

A Favorite Mexican Soup

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From the kitchen of Katherine J. T. Humphrey

At All Western Evergreen Nursery & Christmas Tree Farm
1968 to the present
Springwater, NY

8-12 servings
Prep time: 10 minutes
Cooking time:  10 to 20 minutes

2 (15 ½ oz.) cans Red Kidney Beans (any kind of Beans you have on hand), undrained (no salt added preferred)
1 (8 oz.) can Tomato Sauce (no salt added preferred)
1 jar (16 ounces) thick and chunky Original Salsa, medium or hot
1 can (14 ½ oz.) whole kernel Corn or Hominy, undrained or 1 ½ cups cooked brown or white Rice or Barley (can be cooked and frozen ahead in 1 ½ cup portions)
2 cups diced cooked Meat (cooked and frozen ahead in 1 or 2 cup portions) – Chicken or Turkey or ground Beef or ground Turkey or fresh or frozen Tilapia fillets or cubed Ham (optional)
1 to 2 cups Chicken Broth (home-made or 14 ½ oz. can) or Water
1 large diced or sliced Zucchini or 2 grated or sliced Carrots or 8 oz. package fresh or frozen chopped Spinach, or any favorite Vegetable
8-12 Corn Tortillas, broken up into bite-size pieces
Garnish with grated Cheese (optional) (vary the kinds of cheese) or with diced fresh Avocadoes and/or baked Corn Chips (make your own by slicing Tortillas into strips and baking until crisp in a warm oven)

Put desired ingredients into a large microwave safe casserole, cover and heat to boiling or until the vegetables are cooked, 10 to 20 minutes in the microwave on High power, stirring half way through.  You can also put all the ingredients you desire in a Dutch oven or large sauce pot and heat to boiling and simmer until done on top the range.  Keep warm until ready to serve or serve immediately.  Garnish if desired. Refrigerate any leftovers promptly.  This soup freezes well.  Use within 3 months for best quality.

All Western Evergreen Nursery & Christmas Tree Farm hike & Mushroom Foray September 7, 2014 2:00PM

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NOTE START TIME AT 2 PM!  Traditionally, after Labor Day, the hike time changes from 4 p.m. back to 2 p.m. to avoid the hike ending after dark.

IMG_0667WThis week we will have the third opportunity to do a Mushroom Foray along with the hikes on the newly made trail in July, hiking in a northwesterly direction on the All Western Evergreen Farm, and continuing with permission onto privately owned land by neighbors to the east, before deer hunting begins.  Three hiking groups are planned, all starting and ending at the farm house.  With thanks to Laura, Melissa, Char, Mark, Gene, Georgia, and Carol, we will have both a Plan A and a Plan B, depending on the weather, trail building, and who comes to hike.  Friendly dogs are welcome on the hike; however, those who want to hike the new trails on other’s lands will be crossing Liberty Pole Road where a leash will be needed.  You can expect a few other dogs will be hiking with you.

Paper bags and paper plates for collecting and displaying mushrooms will be provided.  Those who want to learn how to collect mushrooms will be instructed by Gene and Georgia, and any other Rochester Area Mycological Association members who will be our guests.

Sorting the mushroomsThe plan is to hike between 2 and 4 p.m., RAMA members to identify the mushrooms collected between 4 and 4:30 p.m., followed by a social (4:30 – 6:30 p.m.) hosted by Katherine at her house (AWEN & CTF Soups are the Specialty).  Bring a dish-to-pass or make a small contribution to support the socials.  Bring your own beverage.  Dogs will want to stay in your car during the social.

We will begin all the hikes at 6840 Liberty Pole Road where there is ample parking at the Christmas tree loading area between the tall Western redcedar and the bee hives (belonging to George Karadimas from Conesus- 585-346-0528).  The mushrooms will be displayed on paper plates on the tables indoors in the basement.

Directions:

From Springwater: Go west from the Springwater light on Rt 15 North.  Just past the top of the hill, turn left on Co Rd 38 (Liberty Pole Road).  The farm is on the left 1.1 miles from Rt 15 at 6840 Liberty Pole Road.

From Geneseo: Go south on NY 63.  About 6.4 miles after passing RT 408, turn left on County Road 1 at Groveland Station.  This road becomes CR 1A at Scottsburg (Route 256) and then Liberty Pole Road (Co Rd 38) after you cross Stage Coach Road.  It is 7.1 miles from Groveland Station to All Western Evergreen Farm.

From Honeoye: Take 20A west to Hemlock and 15A south to Springwater.  Then follow the Springwater directions above.