The Amish Cook: Daniel Talks Turkey

THE AMISH COOK

BY DANIEL YODER

To all of you far and near, a lot of you are probably wondering how our family is doing with our new additions of two foster children.  We have a 16-month-old girl and a newborn boy. We are all doing well and  are making a lot of special memories . It’s like Gloria said recently: we have too much love in our house to not be sharing it. So here is our chance to shower love on two precious children.

I don’t know about you but I think you can just feel the passion in Gloria’s heart for everyone around her through her writing. I have told her many times that she is a dream come true and, yes, that is exactly what she is. And the best thing is that I get to live with her everyday.

What we have found in our lives is that a strong marriage is the result of trials. Yes, Gloria and I have definitely faced some deep valleys in our marriage. There have been times that we have wondered if we would ever get through. That’s when I realized that Daniel is too self-centered. That’s when I told her that I will take responsibility and that our struggle is not her fault but mine.

Little example, Gloria and I were discussing an issue that we were facing, then she mentioned that if only she had someone who would understand her heart. At that moment I decided that I would be that person with God’s help. And I got a glimpse of the value of a heart and the value of a deep quality relationship.

Some things I have learned for myself, if God is #1, others are second, and me last it takes the focus off myself and things I want. My mission statement is Corinthians 13 which is often known as the “love chapter.” If I keep that as my mission statement that’s when good , quality relationships begin. There is also a statement that I really like: “treat your wife like a rose and she will bloom like one.”

By the way, as I write this I am sitting in a tree stand deer hunting. I told Gloria I would write the column for her this week. I decided this would be a good time, while I am in the woods. I just spotted four turkeys about 50 yards out from my stand, it looks like they are looking for a place to roost for the night. Sure enough they just flew up into a tree . That’s where they will be camping out.   Mmmmm, that makes me think of Thanksgiving, which is just around the corner. This year I would like to smoke a turkey on a charcoal grill. I can just about taste the smorgasbord of food: mashed potatoes,  gravy, dressing,  turkey, salad,  pie, and ice cream.

Christmas and Thanksgiving are my two favorite holidays: the food and the fellowship are hard to beat. My dad, who lives in Danville, Ohio,  was usually the one who would prepare our Thanksgiving turkey while I was growing up. I will share the way I prepare turkey, which I learned from him:

THANKSGIVING TURKEY

1 15-20 pound turkey

2 cups Tender Quick

1 /2 cup Liquid Smoke

Put the turkey in a 5 gallon bucket covered with water. Add the Tender Quick and Liquid Smoke.   Set in a cool spot for  2 – 3 days. When ready to bake, remove from the oven and put in a roaster. Bake at 225 for  7 to 8 hours or until done.