Weekly Blogroll: Parmesan Meatloaf, Amish Chicken Broccoli, Snowbirds, and More!

By Kevin Williams

We have a great selection of topics on this week's blogroll, so let's get down to business!

PARMESAN MEATLOAF: Patricia from the Patchwork Quilt blog found a great recipe in an old cookbook, The Kitchen Klatter cookbook, a vintage mid-1970s cookbook of classic Americana recipes, not Amish, but still a reflection of the simple, homier fare of that era.  This meatloaf is a bit different in that it is made in a square pan, not the traditional loaf type. Check out the recipe here.

AMISH CHICKEN BROCCOLI:  Check out this amazing-sounding supper from the Charm City Ramblings blog. She got the recipe from the Byler Chicks cookbook, good stuff. Click here for the recipe.

5 CHARACTERISTICS OF A PROGRESSIVE AMISH COMMUNITY:  I think Erik hit most of them with this. I'm trying to think if there are others.  He's hit the main ones:  liberal use of tractors, mission work, use of smartphones,  etc...One fascinating tidbit that Erik mentioned seems totally counterintuitive, but it's true in my experience...the more conservative Amish will tend to use tobacco and alcohol more than the more progressive Amish.  Not sure what the reason is for that other than the most conservative Amish are "unyoked" from governmental educational campaigns, etc that preach against things like alcohol and tobacco and more liberal Amish may abstain from these things based on Biblical zeal that many conservative Amish lack.  Click here for Erik's list.

AMISH WINTER:  Man, you have to click and see these wonderfully human photos of Amish arriving and departing Pinecraft, Florida. This is the Amish winter "snowbird enclave" near Sarasota, which is at its peak population of the year right now.  Click here.

AMISH PEANUT BUTTER PIE:  And speaking of which,  The Mom Maven, posted and recreated the recipe for Yoder's Peanut Butter Pie.  The recipe is posted on placemats in the restaurant, so it's not a state secret, but it is a tough recipe to get just right.  Hint, hint, if you live in Greater Cincinnati, The Home Place, a Mennonite bulk food and furniture store in Brown County, uses the same recipe (there's a family connection), so you can stop by and buy one.  Okay, click here for the recipe and to see a photo. I LOVE this pie!