Gloria's refreshing lemon pie beats the summer heat!
THE AMISH COOK
BY GLORIA YODER
Last week we as a church joined together in preparing an Amish meal that was to served at the community hall in Robinson. Several times each year we do this as a fund-raiser for our parochial school or to help pay hospital bills. These suppers are a highlight for all of us.
The meal is planned by the school board then each of us ladies is assigned to prepare a certain dish. This time I was asked to make pecan pies. Daniel was delighted. He knows that I never bake pies without making his favorite kind: apricot!
We generally aim to have enough food for 25-300 people. We have a full course Amish meal. It consisted of mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, noodles,grilled chicken, ham, tossed salad with homemade dressing, and 4 kinds of fresh bread with homemade apple butter and peanut butter spread. And for the dessert mmmm, it just hit the spot. We weren't lacking with 6 different kids of pie and ice cream. It took 55 pies all together which included Pecan, lemon, and several different fruitpies. I chose lemon pie which is one of my favorites. It's always a refreshing treat.
Supper is served from 7 to 8 PM. Upon arriving each guest makes a free will donation. Then they go into the line to have their plates filled with items of their choice.
The youth and youth leaders are also there to help serve the meal. Before I was married  that is something I always anticipated and thoroughly enjoyed. I love the interaction with the people who came to our suppers.
Yes, it does take lots of planning, organizing, and hard work. Yet it's well worth it. It also gives us the opportunity to get to know and mingle with folks in the area that we otherwise would never get the chance to meet.
Several times throughout the evening some of the youth or whoever isn't needed with serving gathers in a little group on the side and sings several songs
I love being there. From listening to the songs(or sometimes helping the singers) to eating the scrumptious meal, or chatting with friends, it's all great.
By the tail end of the evening everyone is ready to have the last pieces of dirty dishes clean, dried, and packed away. It can be quite taxing,  but many hands make work light.Â
Are you also hungry for a slice of lemon pie? Here's my favorite recipe. I had some at a friends house and was totally impressed. I thought I just had to have the recipe and I'm delighted to share it with you.
- 1 cup sugar
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 3 egg yolks
- 1 /2 cup lemon juice
- 1 /2 teaspoon lemon extract
- pinch salt
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 cup milk
- 1 cup sour cream
- Mix sugar and cornstarch and add milk.
- Bring to a boil and cook several minutes and add egg yolks and boil gently.
- Next add lemon juice, lemon flavoring and a pinch of salt plus butter.
- Cool a bit and add 1 cup sour cream.
- Pour into a baked 9 inch pie shell, top with whipped topping. Refrigerate for at least one hour.
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