The Amish Cook: Using Her Noodle

THE AMISH COOK

BY LOVINA EICHER

It is Thursday morning and the temperature is 14 degrees. That seems warm after all of these subzero temperatures we’ve had all week.

The children returned to school this morning after being off since last Friday due to the extreme cold temperatures.  My husband Joe and daughter Elizabeth were home on Monday and Tuesday from the factories due to the bad weather.  We barely saw any traffic go by during those two days. It was still dark on Tuesday morning when a lady came to our door asking for help to get her car out of a ditch close by our house. She was on her way home from work and said our house was the only one with lights on. Joe and the boys went to help shovel her car out of the snow and get her back on the road.  They had to dress warm and were cold by the time they were back in the house. The temperature was 18 below zero with the wind chill even colder.

Yesterday was the funeral of my Aunt Frances, age 79, from Berne, Indiana. We regret that we were unable to attend because of the bad weather. Our most deepest sympathy goes to the family. They too are without both their parents now.  That makes such a lonely feeling and I can sympathize with them.  Frances is my Dad’s sister and is the 4^th of the 13 siblings to pass. Life sure brings changes in different ways.

I recently had a letter from my oldest sister Leah announcing the exciting news of the birth of her daughter Elizabeth’s third child named Rosemarie.  This makes 6 grandchildren for Leah and Paul.  Brother Amos and Nancy have 11 grandchildren.  Little Harley Coblentz born recently to nephew Joe and Amanda is grandchild number 9 for brother Albert and Sarah Irene.  What made Harley’s appearance so special is that he is the first grandson after 8 granddaughters.  My parents would be so proud of their 25 great grands to enjoy and spoil but our dear Lord had other plans for them.  We never want to question His ways.

It always gives me a sad feeling that our 3 oldest children are the only ones of our children who really remember much about their grandparents. They were such loving grandparents but our Heavenly Father knows best.

Last Friday turned out to be a very cold day but with many willing hands, 9000 sub sandwiches were made by 12:30 p.m.  This was to help a local Amish family with their hospital bills.  I’m guessing 175-200 people gathered to help with this event. What a blessing to help each other in times of need.

Daughter Susan’s 18^th birthday was that day so we celebrated that evening with sub sandwiches, Swiss roll bars (which she preferred over cake) and ice cream. It was an easy meal after being gone during the day to help make the subs.

While the children were home yesterday we baked chocolate chip cookies and made noodles. Susan cut her and Mose out 2 new outfits. The material was part of her gift from Mose. She is taking more of an interest in sewing and wants to sew the outfits with me coaching her. Last week I cut out and sewed 3 dresses for daughter Verena.  She is in need of more dresses. I want to teach her how to sew her own dresses too but am short one sewing machine due to it needing adjustments. I keep hoping our good friend Terry will show up at our front door one day when he gets back in the area. He always does a good job of getting it back in working order.

The last few times we made noodles I have used a different recipe and really liked it better than the one I usually used. I will share it with you and see if you will like it too.

NOODLES

3 cups egg yolks (usually 1 dozen yolks make a cup)

1 cup boiling water

3 tablespoons salt

3 tablespoons vegetable oil

3 pounds flour

Beat egg yolks really well then add water, salt, and oil. Keep beating while adding water, salt and oil. Pour egg mixture over the flour and mix together very well. Put in an airtight container for 10 minutes before rolling out and cutting or putting through noodle cutter.