Cooking from Quilt Country: Hearty Recipes from Amish and Mennonite Kitchens by Marcia Adams and Alexandra Avakian (1989, Hardcover)

COOKING FROM QUILT COUNTRY, by Marcia Adams
Hearty Recipes From Amish and Mennonite Kitchens

COMPANION BOOK TO THE 13-PART PBS SERIES, AMISH COOKING FROM QUILT COUNTRY
ISBN 0-517-56813-6

When I first entered the title of this cookbook into the review search box, I saw it already had 8 reviews. Did it really need another review… my opinion? So I curiously read each and every one. What could I offer here? Well, as stated above, the fact that this is a written and illustrated companion from a very well received PBS series was completely overlooked by the previous reviewers.

As a former Lancaster, Pennsylvania resident and Mennonite, I avidly watched the series, and so looked forward to this cookbook. This book, and the series, is written about the Plain People of Northern Indiana, not Lancaster. Still, it is so close to being like my home, that I made generous allowances. I was homesick, and I needed to heal that with the photographs, stories, and recipes of a familiar place, Quilt Country.

Ms. Adams did a super job in all respects. The book’s lavish photographs take me back to my youth, and the recipes are true to my memories. I would like to share my very favorite Amish soup here with you, and this recipe is very close to the way I learned to make it in Lancaster. There are quiet a few ingredients, but it is simple to make. See if it doesn’t make your tummy growl.

CHICKEN CORN SOUP

6 T butter or rendered chicken fat
¼ c finely chopped onion
1 c finely chopped celery
6 T all-purpose flour
2 c. homemade chicken broth (recipe will follow)
1 lb can of cream-style corn
¾ c milk
¾ c half and half
2 T shredded carrot
1 T finely minced fresh parsley
¼ t grated nutmeg, rounded
1/8 t black pepper
1 ½ c very coarsely shredded cooked chicken

In a large saucepan, cook the butter, onion, and celery over medium heat for 3 minutes. Stir in the flour, and cook 5 to 6 minutes longer, or until the mixture is golden. Add the broth and whisk until smooth, raising the heat a bit. Add the remaining ingredients except chicken, and then lower heat and simmer for 3 minutes. Add chicken just before serving—allow soup to stand a few minutes to heat the chicken pieces. Serve with hearty bread, and enjoy.

HOMEMADE CHICKEN BROTH – makes 8-9 cups

1 4-5 lb roasting chicken
2 medium onions, quartered
2 large carrots, halved
2 ribs celery, halved
1 green pepper, halved
½ c fresh parsley sprigs
6 whole cloves
2 bay leaves
1 t salt
½ t white pepper
3-3 ½ quarts water

Place the chicken, including the neck and the giblets (but not the liver), in a large stockpot. Add the rest of the ingredients. The water should cover the chicken completely. Cover and bring to a boil over high heat; then skim off froth as it forms on top. Reduce heat and simmer for 2 hours.

Remove the chicken from the pot, allow to cool a bit, then remove the meat and skin for another use (see above soup recipe). Return the bones and skin to the pot. Simmer the broth, covered, for two hours more.

Strain the broth through a sieve into a bowl, pressing the vegetables and bones with a rubber spatula to extract any liquid. Chill broth overnight in the refrigerator and skim off the fat. Freeze any stock that will not be used within 2 to 3 days in 1-quart containers.

The book contains many of the most requested or searched-for Amish or Mennonite recipes, but not all. Still, I am highly impressed with it, and enjoy it very much.

This is a well written cook book. The recipes are concise with detailed preparation instructions. There are many beautiful full color photos, though not of the recipes. Short stories of Amish and Mennonite life are artfully woven through the book which give the reader a glimpse of their lifestyle along with a bit of each recipes history and usage.
Overall this is a very well done book and one of my favorites. The author gave much attention to detail and the recipes are delicious.
I would not however recommend this for the novice cook or someone whose idea of home cooking is a packaged mix. This book is for those who enjoy true scratch cooking and creativity. If you enjoy the simple life and creating meals much the way your grandmother did, you will probably like this book as much as I do.

I received this cookbook in a lot with other American cookbooks I purchased on ebay. I quickly discovered that these were the foods my grandmother and mother used to make. Though not Amish, we are of German descent. So this book brought back a lot of memories and lost recipes. The recipes are adapted to our kitchens, of course. Also included in this book is the Amish and Mennonite history surrounding these recipes and the occasions for which they are made. The many photographs are absolutely wonderful! This book can also be read for leisure to bring you back to a simpler time.

I love this book. It's a little bit of everything; quilting, the history or quilting , cooking and a lot of insite into the Amish way of life. I had never heard of this book and found it by accident just looking on Ebay. It reminds me of being in my grandparents kitchens. It's well written and has great photos. A bit of a travel guide through Amish country.

More than just a coffee table cookbook. Lovely pictures and delightful recipes and a little history of the Amish. A wonderful way to get back to basic cooking that is downright delicious.