If you would have told me back in 1990 that I’d be running an Amish cooking website, I’d likely called you crazy. Well, first of all, there was no such thing as a website then. And, well, the Amish were only just beginning to be on my radar in that year. But one of the people who paved the way for all the work I’ve done over the years is someone whom I only had a passing awareness of at the time. The Amish Cook column has been a bit of a trailblazer over the years bringing Plain recipes to the masses. But there was someone before The Amish Cook who was dishes out Plain culinary wisdom while I was still in high school.
Long before I became interested in Amish culture, I’d occasionally see a series on PBS called “Cooking from Quilt Country.” I was mildly intrigued, but I don’t think I ever watched an episode. It wasn't until a couple of years after launching the Amish Cook column that Marcia Adams appeared on my radar, and the Amish Cook on hers (she ordered one of our cookbooks and was graciously complimentary of it).
This cookbook is a mainstay to this day in many midwestern kitchens...
For nostalgic fans of Marcia, you can order her best selling book from Amazon here.
Marcia Adams sort of was best known for her Amish-influenced cooking, but she really was sort of a "Midwestern Martha Stewart" who could cook in all sorts of spheres. She was dogged with health problems that eventually forced her to end her show and ultimately caused her demise five years ago. Here is an article that talks more about Marcia Adams.
VIDEO: Marcia cooks a roast turkey from scratch (man,this clip is so PBS quaint....I just don't think her show would have flown in today's hypercharged media environment)
You can check out Marcia Adams's blog from six years ago, it's entries are still up and available to read here.
- cup vegetable oil
- 1⁄3 cup butter
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons black pepper
- 2 teaspoons paprika
- 1 teaspoon garlic salt (or garlic powder if salt sensitive)
- 1 teaspoon dried marjoram (optional)
- 8 -9 chicken pieces
- Place the oil and butter in a shallow cooking pan (I use a sided cookie sheet or the broiler pan) and put in preheated 375 degree oven to melt. Set aside.
- In large bowl or plastic bag, combine flour and seasonings. Mix well.
- Roll the chicken pieces, a few at a time, in the oil/butter mixture and then drudge in flour mixture.
- Place coated chicken pieces into pan, skin side down.
- Bake at 375 for 45 minutes. Turn over the chicken pieces and bake for another 5-10 minutes or until top crust is bubbly.
- Serve hot or cold.
Kathy Lorenzini
Wow, such great memories! Between the movie Witness and Marcia Adams my love of all things Amish began! And then later I found your first cookbook and I was so happy! I loved Marcia's show on PBS and I wonder if they will ever bring them out on DVD? Thanks for the memory!
Kevin
Kathy, always glad to hear from you..DVD of Marcia Adams would be nice, but I do know they are on YouTube...
Don
How much oil? It doesn't say!
Don
How much oil? It doesn't say
Kevin
Unfortunately, Marcia Adams is passed away so we can't ask her, anyone out there have any idea how much oil?
Cheryl
Loved Marcia Adams. Her Cooking from Quilt Country is still one of my favorite cookbooks. The recipes, the stories and especially the pictures! Still read it like a novel!
Kevin
Cheryl, thanks for stopping by, yes, Quilt Country is a classic...definitely a great addition to any collection
Brenda Miller
Kevin:
I am married to a man that was raised Amish and I purchased a long time ago Martha's cookbook and I still treasure it. I watched a lot of her shows and wasn't aware she had died nor anything about her history, but I sure enjoyed her at the time. You missed a good series of shows on PBS.
I enjoy a lot of your recipes and have several filed in a 3-ring notebook for reference. I also have purchased several Amish cookbooks depending on where we are traveling.
Thanks.
Kevin
Thanks for sharing, Brenda...you definitely have a unique perspective on the Amish since you're married to someone who used to be one!