The Amish live without modern conveniences such as telephones or cars.
The Amish movement branched off of the Mennonite faith in Europe around the mid 17th century because they felt the Mennonites had lost discipline. From the 18th century, a number of Amish settled in the United States, predominantly in Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana. The Amish live simply and preserve the rural culture of late 17th century Europe. This way of life is reflected in the food they eat and the preparations they make for their meals. Add this to my Recipe Box.
Instructions
1. Use organic and locally produced foods. Most Amish food is grown in a home garden and game is hunted for meat. Most meals are made from scratch. If you are a beginning gardener, the easiest vegetables to grow include carrots, beets, lettuce and tomatoes.
2. Consider joining Community Supported Agriculture, which allows you to purchase a "share" in a farm. You will receive a box of produce or other farm products weekly. It's a way to support local farmers and connect with your community's seasonal foods.
3. Throw a potluck. It is customary for Amish families to come together for most meals of the day. You can take part in this custom by inviting friends over for a feast of homemade foods.
4. Cook a chicken pot pie. Many Amish meals are basic and easy to make and meals such as chicken pot pie can be prepared while working on other chores. Prepare handmade noodles by dropping an egg into a hole made in a cup of flour and stir together with a fork. Add enough water or milk, a few pinches of salt and a bit of baking powder to form a firm dough. Roll the dough until it is very flat, cut into strips or squares and set aside. Boil chicken in a cooking pot filled with water; add potatoes, celery, carrots and other vegetables and simmer for about an hour, then add the noodles to the boiling water. The stew is complete when the noodles are tender.
5. Bake a shoofly pie. Common in Amish households, these pies are often compared to coffee cakes, only with a sticky base. To make a pie, combine 1 teaspoon of baking soda with 3/4 cup of boiling water, add 1 beaten egg and 1 cup molasses. For the crumb topping, mix 2/3 cup brown sugar with 1 tablespoon of solid shortening and 1 cup of flour. Add half of the crumb mixture to the boiling water; pour the water mixture into an unbaked pie crust and cover it with the other half of the crumbs. Heat the oven to 375 degrees and bake for 10 minutes. Reduce the heat to 350 and bake for another 35 to 45 minutes, until the dough is firm.
6. Preserve your extra food. Pickling, smoking and canning are great options for this. Some supermarkets offer canning and preserving classes. Websites such as Communiteach.com, whose members are located primarily in Chicago and Pittsburgh, also provide a space for community members to connect and share their home canning skills.
Tags: boiling water, 17th century, Amish live