The Essential Amish Cookbook

The Essential Amish Cookbook: Everyday Recipes from Farm and Family

by Lovina Eicher
Publisher: Herald Press
ISBN: 978-1513800295

When I was asked to do a review of this cookbook, I was thrilled. It was perfect timing since we'd just been up in Amish country in Lancaster, PA just a few weeks before. 

I had been ooo-ing and ahh-ing over some of the Amish food we'd been able to sample, and I was happy to give a couple of the ones in this cookbook a try.

Summary:

Join Amish cook Lovina Eicher in her kitchen as she prepares recipes used every day in countless Amish homes in Old Order Amish communities across North America. Many of the more than 100 recipes are richly illustrated with step-by-step photographs to help you learn Amish cooking as if you were in Lovina’s own kitchen. From hearty main dishes to substantial sides—plus a generous sampling of scrumptious cakes, pies, cookies, and other delectable desserts—learn how to make the hearty, simple dishes that the Amish cook together and serve at home, church services, and weddings.

My Review:

First of all, the images are wonderful. Not only are the food pictures delicious, but I love getting glimpses into their way of life. I liked how Mrs. Eicher shared how a recipe would be used, tips for making the dish, or how the recipe fits into their daily lives. The recipes are very easy to follow. I love how they're not complicated, and can be done by pretty much everyone. There aren't a lot of steps to get the recipe complete. Like their lives of living simply, her recipes reflect that as well.

I tried two of her dishes. I've never made potato salad before, and quite honestly, I'm extremely picky about how it tastes. I find there are 3 different ways it can be made: not enough flavor, too much flavor, or exactly right. I have got to tell you, this was exactly right. It was SO incredible, I'm making another batch for my son's graduation on Friday. Planning to wow and amaze the family! I have literally been eating it every single day since I made it.

For Mother's Day I wanted to start the morning off easy for the family so I tried making the French Toast (Overnight) Casserole. I prepped everything Saturday night, and put it in the oven Sunday morning. It was still a bit mushy when it came out so I cooked it for about 5 more minutes. Unfortunately, I couldn't figure out how to get the bottom cooked well without burning the top. It was flavorful (I really like cinnamon sugar) so I'll have to try it again and see if I can attempt it a different way to get it cooked all the way through.

The next recipe I plan on attempting, hopefully this weekend, is the Breakfast pizza. It looks delicious!

About the Author:

Lovina Eicher is author of the syndicated column, Lovina’s Amish Kitchen, which appears in 40 newspapers around the United States and on a weekly blog maintain by her editors. She is the author of several cookbooks. Lovina and her husband have eight children and live in rural Michigan.