The Homestyle Amish Kitchen Cookbook (38 page)

Vegetable Dip Mix

For Each Packet

1 T. dried chives

½ tsp. dill weed

1 tsp. garlic salt

½ tsp. paprika

Combine all ingredients until well blended. Place the mixture onto a 6-inch square of aluminum foil and fold over to make airtight. Make a number of these packets at one time; place packets in an airtight container or storage bag. Use within 6 months.

To Use

1 packet Vegetable Dip Mix

1 T. lemon juice

1 cup mayonnaise

1 cup sour cream

Combine all ingredients. Chill well before serving.

White Sauce Mix

2 cups instant nonfat dry milk

1 cup flour

2 tsp. salt

1 cup butter

In a large bowl, combine the dry milk, flour, and salt. Mix well. Add the butter and work with a pastry cutter until the butter has been well incorporated and the mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Lightly pack in an airtight container or large plastic storage bags. Store in refrigerator. Date the container and use within 2 months.

Basic White Sauce

¼-½ cup White Sauce Mix (depending on how thin you want the finished sauce to be)

1 cup cold water or milk

salt and pepper to taste

In a small saucepan, combine the White Sauce Mix and water or milk. Cook, stirring, over low heat, until smooth and thickened. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Variations: You can substitute tomato juice or broth for the water. To make a cheese sauce, add ¾ cup shredded Cheddar or Velveeta cheese when mixture thickens and stir until cheese is melted
.

Many Amish in a community have the same first and last names, so in order to distinguish who exactly they are referring to, they make extensive use of nicknames. You might hear names such as “Jake’s Suzie,” “Chicken Elam,” or “Butter Mose.”

SUBSTITUTIONS AND MEASUREMENTS

Substitutions

Substituting Measurements

3 tsp. = 1 T.

2 T. =
⅛
cup

4 T. = ¼ cup

8 T. = ½ cup

16 T. = 1 cup

5 T. + 1 tsp. =
⅓
cup

12 T. = ¾ cup

4 oz. = ½ cup

8 oz. = 1 cup

16 oz. = 1 lb.

1 oz. = 2 T. fat/liquid

2 cups fat = 1 lb.

2 cups = 1 pint

2 cups sugar = 1 lb.

⅝
cup = ½ cup + 2 T.

⅞
cup = ¾ cup + 2 T.

1 oz. butter = 2 T.

1 lb. butter = 2 cups or 4 sticks

1 pint = 2 cups

2 pints = 1 quart

1 quart = 4 cups

dash = less than 1/8 tsp.

pinch = as much as can be taken between tip of finger and thumb

Approximate Measurements

1 lemon makes 3 T. juice

1 lemon makes 1 tsp. grated peel

1 orange makes
⅓
cup juice

1 orange makes 2 tsp. grated peel

1 medium chopped onion makes ½ cup

1 lb. unshelled walnuts makes 1½-1¾ cups shelled

1 lb. unshelled almonds makes ¾-1 cup shelled

8-10 egg whites make 1 cup

12-14 egg yolks make 1 cup

1 lb. shredded cheese make 4 cups

1 cup unwhipped cream makes 2 cups whipped

4 oz. (1-1¼ cups) uncooked macaroni make 2 cups cooked

7 oz. spaghetti make 4 cups cooked

4 oz. (1½-2 cups) uncooked noodles make 2 cups cooked

Commercial Container Sizes

If you want to substitute your home-canned or frozen foods in recipes that call for commercially canned or frozen foods, use this chart to help determine the quantity needed
.

6 oz. = ¾ cup

8 oz. = 1 cup

10½ oz. = 1¼ cups

14½-oz. can evaporated milk = 1
⅔
cups

15-oz. can sweetened condensed milk = 1
⅓
cups

15½ oz. = 1¾ cups

46 oz. (juices and fruit drinks) = 5¾ cups

10-oz. box of frozen vegetables = 2 cups

20-oz. bag of frozen vegetables = 4 cups

RESOURCES

Lehman’s

One Lehman Circle

P.O. Box 270

Kidron, OH 44636

888-438-5346

www.lehmans.com

Lehman’s supplies the Amish and others with a wide variety of items for those who live without electricity or prefer a more self-sufficient lifestyle. You can ask for a paper catalog to be sent to your home for a small fee (it’s worth the price) or you can go online to browse and shop. Lehman’s has about everything you could wish for—lanterns (including a large selection of Aladdin lamps and all replacement parts), non-electric kitchen appliances and gadgets, canning utensils, barn and farm supplies, wood-burning cookstoves, propane refrigerators, wash day supplies, sewing machines, furniture and toys, garden implements—if you can think of it, they probably have it or have access to a supplier.

The Budget

P.O. Box 249

Sugarcreek, OH 44681

330-852-4634

www.thebudgetnewspaper.com

Known as the “Amish Newspaper,”
The Budget
has been around since 1890. The national edition, published weekly, is filled with letters sent in by Amish and Mennonite “scribes” who relay the news of interest from their communities. Because telephones aren’t a part of everyday life for many Amish families,
The Budget
is a handy way to keep abreast of events in surrounding, and sometimes far-flung, communities where they often have extended family. Even if you’re not Amish or Mennonite,
The Budget
is good reading.

Chupp’s Herbs & Fabrics

27539 Londick Road

Burr Oak, MI 49030

269-659-3950

Chupp’s sells dietary supplements, shoes, fabrics, Mutza suits, hats and gloves, toys and games, wagons, hand-powered small kitchen appliances, and much more.

You can call or write for a free catalog. More than 100 pages are jam-packed with products and testimonials, many from satisfied Amish customers. Makes for interesting reading.

Gohn Brothers

P.O. Box 1110

105 S. Main Street

Middlebury, IN 46540

800-595-0031

www.gohnbrothers.com

Gohn Brothers has been around for more than 100 years and sells Amish and Plain clothing and footwear (including old-fashioned high-topped shoes), books and games, sewing and quilting fabric, needles and accessories, and black Amish bonnets. You can call or write and ask for their free catalog.

Anabaptist Bookstore

875 N. Pacific Hwy.

Woodburn, OR 97071

www.anabaptistbooks.com

This bookstore has an excellent website that carries many resources from Amish and Conservative Mennonite publishers—many of whom do not have a web presence. There are books on family and marriage, victorious living, youth and adult fiction, Bibles and study aids, and the complete education curriculum from Rod and Staff and Christian Light publishers. There are also a cappella music tapes and CDs for sale featuring Mennonite quartets, quintets, and choirs.

Ball Corporation

www.freshpreserving.com

Every few years, the Ball Corporation puts out a new edition of their
Blue Book
, which is one of the best resources for home preserving, whether you want to can, freeze, or dehydrate your foods. This handy book is also chock-full of excellent recipes and ideas. If you only ever have one book on preserving, this is the one to get. An added bonus is that the book is quite inexpensive. The 100
^th
Anniversary edition (1909–2009) sells for $6.99 at my local store. No kitchen should be without a copy—it’s just that good.

Mennonite Relief Sales

Mennonite Central Committee

704 Main Street

P.O. Box 500

Akron, PA 17501

You can contact the MCC for a current listing of Mennonite Relief Sales that are held annually in most states and Canadian provinces.

While this is not specifically Amish, the Mennonite Relief Sales are so much fun to attend that it’s worth going to at least once if there is one near your area. The sales are organized locally by volunteers from Mennonite and Brethren in Christ churches, so each location has its own flavor. Begun in the 1950s, the Relief Sales are designed to raise money to help the less fortunate throughout the world.

You will find many items for sale, including beautiful handmade quilts, which the Relief Sales are especially known for, as well as furniture, needlework, pottery, woodwork, and paintings. Antiques and other quality used items are also sold. And then there’s the food: thousands of pies, cookies, cakes, breads, and rolls are baked; home-preserved jams, jellies, pickles, and relishes line the food booths.

The proceeds are donated directly to the Mennonite Central Committee, which uses the funds to provide food and other necessities to war-torn or famine-stricken areas around the globe. Many thousands of visitors attend the Relief Sales each year—a good time for a good cause.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

GEORGIA VAROZZA
has worked in the publishing field for more than 20 years as a journalist, editor and writer. As a certified Master Food Preserver, she has taught many people in her community how to safely preserve their family’s foods. Georgia’s family comes from a Plain background, and many of the recipes she shares are family favorites.