By Kevin Williams
I posted a recipe for an awesome-looking (and tasting) vegetable pizza that I saw at an Amish potluck. And a reader recently emailed me saying: "It would be nice to see some actual pictures of these food dishes with the Amish actually using them! For all we know...they could be coming from anywhere other than stated."
Well, if I say the photo was taken at an Amish potluck then it was taken at an Amish potluck. If I say a photo was from my cousin's birthday party that is where it was taken. Trying to get Amish people in every food photo I take would be near impossible since the vast majority of Amish don't want to be filmed, especially at close quarters such as in a kitchen with their cake.
But the question raises the larger issue of "what is Amish cooking" in the first place? I could write a whole book about that and maybe someday I will. But "Amish cooking" is more a state of mind than a specific food profile. For instance, cayenne pepper is a staple of Cajun cooking. Or refried beans are a key part of Mexican food. Amish cooking is a little tougher to quantify, it doesn't have a "signature ingredient" like those cultures. Certainly there are foods that are synonymous with Amish: shoofly pie, apple pan dawdy, chicken-corn soup, homemade cinnamon rolls, etc. Amish foods are characterized by being basic: sugar, flour, butter, salt.....but Amish cooks are also prolific "recipe swappers"....recipes get traded and passed down and swapped. Certainly a recipe for "deep dish taco squares" isn't one that is traditionally Amish, but it has been adopted by many Amish as one of their own. Ditto for "date pudding." And keep in mind that freshness equals taste. I can't emphasize enough the difference in the taste of something as simple as a cheese omelette when the eggs are plucked fresh out of the hen house from free-range birds and the cheese is bought local and fresh. A "chicken casserole" becomes an "Amish chicken casserole" when the meat used is from free-range birds and is seasoned with herbs from their own garden, etc. Other times an "Amish recipe" is simply one that is popular with Amish cooks but knowing the history of the recipe is virtually impossible. I've seen Amish Cook recipes on Taste of Home and Taste of Home recipes in Amish cookbooks, but it's because recipes are traded, swapped, adopted, etc. It's all in fun generally, though, so I don't raise objections usually if I see Amish Cook recipes elsewhere even without attribution.
So, are these Amish or Mennonite recipes? You be the judge:) But both of these were sent to me by an Old Order Mennonite woman in Missouri.
- 4½ cups tomato juice
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- 2 tablespoons salt
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 tablespoon basil
- 1 /2 cup catsup
- 3 tablespoons yeast
- white flour to make a soft, elastic dough
- Heat tomato juice to lukewarm.
- Add next ingredients except flour.
- Let set a few minutes to dissolve yeast.
- Then add flour and knead to soft dough.
- Let rise in a warm place for 20 minutes.
- Punch down again and let rise for 20 minutes.
- Then put into pans and let rise till double.
- Bake 1 hour.
- 1 pound ground beef, fried
- 1 -2 heads iceburg lettuce, chopped
- 3 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1 pint kidney beans, cooked, rinsed and drained
- ½ cup chopped celery
- ½ cup chopped green pepper
- 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese
- Taco chips
- Dressing:
- 1 /2 cup vegetable oil
- ¼ cup vinegar
- 1 /2 cup catsup
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ teaspoon seasoned salt
- Mix all ingredients in a large bowl until well-blended.
- Pour dressing over all just before serving.
- Serves 12
Salli
You do a great job with all the recipes. We that admire the Amish know about them not wanting their picture taken. They are very private people and stand by their beliefs. We need to respect them and their beliefs.
Lois
Some of the best recipes I have were from Elizabeth- her meatloaf recipe is a favorite of my granddaughter.
Kevin
That meatloaf is an awesome recipe!
Barb
I can understand people wanting pictures of Amish ladies and the food they make. But like you said Kevin, they are not interested in having their picture taken. I grew up with Amish families all around here in North Central Indiana so I know how there cherish their privacy. Thanks for the articles that you share.
Noreen
Your articles are always so respectful of the Amish and give us an insight into their lives. You do such a great job Kevin - I feel some just don't understand the Amish and have not followed you a long time to know they share all they have but not themselves which is so admirable!!! We should learn from them!!!
Thank you for all you do Kevin!!
Kevin
Thank you, Noreen, for all of your kindnesses over the years!
christina
I always thought of "Amish" recipes to conjure an image of simple,homestyle foods made with basic ingredients that most people keep in their pantries. Roasts with garden vegetables, chicken with hearty noodles and gravy , basically just good comfort foods and an occasional "English" recipe like a taco casserole that proves Amish keep up with their own ways but still live among us and embrace little bits and pieces of "English" ways as well.
Kevin
Well said, Christina!
christina
By the way Kevin.....also wanted to say do your weigh ins, keep trying! Don't listen to the readers that complain (no one is forcing them to read) keep traveling around and keep YOUR column YOUR way!!! oh and keep thhe recipes coming!
Kevin
Thanks, Christina, I'll try to keep plugging away!
Carolyn
I agree with all above Keven. You indeed do a awesome job with everything you write. As for the Duggers I just wish people would leave them alone, and let them handle this. We do not know everything that happened. I do not trust the media.I do believe the story about Josh I get that. Okey it is over. I believe a lot of things have been added to it. The media eats up all this hype. After all it sells news. As for TLC dropping them. Has anyone watched any of their shows lately. Tacky is all I can think of to describe them.
Nana
I guess I am sort of amazed that someone would question whether a picture is authentic or not and what would it matter? A dish is still a dish regardless of the source and a picture of someone stuffing it into their mouth. I guess some people just like to complain. My idea of Amish fare is pretty much the same as the poster Christina's. Good, wholesome,everyday comfort food.
Roberta Thurmond
I do not normally post since I am not Amish and do not wish to offend. I do love to cook! I have never heard of Tomato Bread and it sounds awesome and the Taco Salad sounds yummy. I have never made bread from scratch, just biscuits so I hope I can make the bread. I have been trying to work up the nerve to try making bread but now there seems to be a yeast shortage so that is on hold but will not last forever.
I always enjoy your posts and updates on your family and life in general. Soon I am retiring and will have more time to try some of the amazing recipes and posting as I try them.
Kevin
Thanks for posting, Roberta, good luck with the bread, I am sure you can do it. I made some yeast bread for the first time recently and it turned out great. If I can do it, ANYONE can! - Kevin