THE AMISH COOK
BY GLORIA YODER
I don’t recall ever before relishing so much those first warm sunny days of spring. After wiping so many tears from little boys who wanted to play outside when it was simply not practical to spend hours in freezing temperatures, we won’t take beautiful weather for granted right away. A couple of weeks ago, one Sunday afternoon, Daddy suggested that we build a little fire in the back yard and roast hot dogs and hamburgers, topped off with roasting marshmallows for s’ mores. We were all tickled pink. The wind was a bit chilly, so he set up a piece of plywood to ward off at least most of the wind. As we sat together enjoying the fire, I told him that I could feel the chill of winter melting out of me; for me, there is nothing like a cozy crackling fire to relax and unwind. When I was a young girl, I especially enjoyed times with God, next to a fire. Somehow it just felt like God was right there- no doubt He was, but we don’t always feel it as a reality.
Maple Peanut Butter Amish church spread is a twist on the traditional kind, pictured here.
My favorite quiet moments with God are now my walks in the evening after supper. Since the weather has been so pleasant, I also enjoy sometimes taking the children with me on walks in the afternoon sunshine. They love rides in the double stroller or just running off all their pent up energy. The country road we’re on is only graveled and is quite practical for walks.
This is a church bench wagon at a Michigan Amish church. Benchwagons like this are common at Amish gatherings.
We are taking a turn hosting services at our schoolhouse, which is only a skip and a hop from here, so the children and I have taken advantage of walking to the schoolhouse to clean and get ready for services. The high lite on the children’s side is, of course, the swing and slide rides after Mama is done cleaning. While we enjoy hosting services at our house, it seemed like the practical thing to do to have it at school this year, since the option was available. Hopefully, next time it’ll work out to host it at our house.
Now talking about church reminds me of another question that came on the mail from Pittston, Pennsylvania, this week. Thanks, Ronald, for taking the time to ask. So the question was, “When you worship, do you have have a reverend officiate?”
Yes, we have ordained ministers who lead out in services and do the preaching. While they also take the lead in making decisions, they are not considered superior or better than anyone else. They live out the calling they have of servant-hood leadership, as they call it; called to serve the Lord as leaders. The other brethren in the church also participate in sharing devotionals, leading songs, or giving testimony. Hey, we’d be tickled to have guests, anyone is welcome to come to join in for our Amish church service!
If you come, you may even get the chance of sampling our ham and cheese sandwiches with peanut butter spread, which is used in hundreds of Amish churches across America.
The Amish church spread goes well with sweet or dill pickles.
If you like, you can always substitute the pancake syrup with real maple syrup for a healthier twist. Sweet or dill pickles are generally served with these sandwiches as well. When I was a little girl, in the large Amish community in Holmes County Ohio, we used to also have pickled red beets along side our church sandwiches. An assortment of homemade cookies along with coffee and tea finish this traditional Amish church menu.
- 2 1 /2 cups peanut butter
- 3 1 /2 cups marshmallow cream
- 1 cup pancake syrup
- 1 stick softened butter
- 3 /4 teaspoon vanilla or maple flavoring
- Hot water
- Mix all together.
- Add hot water until desired consistency is reached
Cathie
Kevin,
Now, more than ever I am so looking forward to my daily dose of Amish 365! I’m on self imposed isolation, being diabetic and have kidney disease. I’m a healthcare worker, but was advised by my physician to self contain since we don’t know what an really happen with this virus. Enjoy your time, love those daughters and stay healthy!
Kevin
Thanks, Cathie, you stay healthy also, scary times!
Elizabeth Hopkins
Kevin,
I enjoy your Amish 365 very much. However, I especially like Gloria Yoder's blog. She tells such interesting tales of life in her family.
Thank you so very much for your letters.
Betty Hopkins
Kevin
Thanks, Betty, you stay safe and healthy!
Claire LaBelle
Thank you so much for this recipe for the peanut butter spread. However, I wonder if you've come across one that is made without marshmallow. I've been looking for one for my nephew who had it once and we cannot locate it anywhere in New England. I'd like to make it for him. Thank you so much. I truly enjoy your columns and information about the Amish community.
Kevin
Hi, Claire...Hmmmm, a classic Amish "church peanut butter" spread will always have marshmallow in it, the rest of the ingredients may vary, but it will always have a marshmallow creme component....what type of spread did you see? - Kevin
Claudine
Kevin,
I just now saw this recipe and the question where Claire LaBelle asked about a recipe for a peanut butter spread without marshmallow creme her son had eaten. She said they had looked everywhere without being able to find it.
I think I might have found what she and her son were looking for. It is called "Peanut Butter Schmier".
It is simple to make and really good. The hubby loves it mixed with mashed bananas.
Peanut Butter Schmier
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1/3 cup light corn syrup, (Karo syrup)
1 cup water
1 (18 oz) jar peanut butter
In a pan put the brown sugar, granulated sugar, corn syrup, and water.
Bring to a boil and stir and boil for 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and let cool.
When cool mix in the peanut butter, just enough until you get the right spreading consistency.
Put in a jar with a lid.
This keeps for a while and is best stored in the cabinet or on the table.
Hope this is what Clair LaBelle is looking for.
Claudine in Fort Worth, TX
Kevin Williams
Thank you so much, Claudine, hopefully that is what she is seeking and that sounds good, kind of a cooked variation of the Amish favorite!