By Kevin Williams
Have some great stuff in this week’s blogroll. So, let’s get right to it.
AMISH POOR MAN’S STEAK: This is a hearty ground beef dish that is found in almost any Amish cookbook and kitchen. It’s easy, it’s filling, and it’s cheap. And, above all, it’s delicious!
Poor man’s steak as seen in Dixie’s Kitchen
Here are some comments from reviewers of this recipe:
First had this dish at an Amish church in rural Ohio. I will never forget the delicious smell of that church kitchen!
ON A PASTOR’S BUDGET and with seven children, we didn’t have steak very often. But we were just as satisfied with this wonderful dish Mom dreamed up—a country-style “steak” with creamy gravy. It was always a hit with our family.
From my brother:It was excellent. I’m serious. I couldn’t believe how good it was. Now, keep in mind, I’m a terrible cook, or often I am, so I’m probably grading higher simply because the recipe turned out well. But it was really good. And Lorelei, 10, liked it a lot. Isabelle, 12, didn’t seem crazy about it, but she’s extremely picky — and nonetheless, she ate almost all of it. If she doesn’t like something, she just won’t eat it.
So, I was thrilled to discover that Dixie of Dixie’s Kitchen recreated an Amish Cook version of poor man’s steak. This is a recipe that can be adapted and varied according to tastes and she did that with results that look stunning. Click here for the recipe!
KATIE TROYER: The Amish enclave of Pinecraft is at its peak right now. Amish snowbirds seeking relief from the harsh northern winters flock to this part of Sarasota in droves between Christmas and Easter. Restaurants, shuffleboard courts, and streets are full of traditional-garbed Amish soaking in the sun. The Pioneer bus brings them down, scaling up to several runs a week this time of year. Katie Troyer is on the scene capturing it all in photos, check it out here.
BLUEBERRY CREAM CHEESE PIE: This is a recipe from the Joyful Chaos blog, a blog from a woman and writer who grew up Amish but has since left. Still, her writing gives great insights and even, occasionally, great recipes! Click here for this amazing sounding and looking one
FANNIE FISHER’S AMISH CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIES: Man, there is nothing better than a GOOD chocolate chip cookie recipe and few things worse than a BAD one…this looks like a superb one, the recipe comes from an amazing compendium of Lancaster County recipes, so I am sure it is a good one. Click here for the recipe.
SCENES FROM THE BIG VALLEY: SIGH, but these are not MY scenes. I was hoping to make it to the Big Valley next week, but I just couldn’t make it work schedule-wise. Still, I found a blogger who did make it there and shared some photos. The Big Valley of Central Pennsylvania has some of the most diverse populations of Amish, from the most conservative Nebraska Amish with their white buggies to the Byler Amish and their “banana buggies” (bright yellow). Take a look at these superbly insightful photos from one blogger’s recent journey there.
