Fans of Amish Fiction discussion

I thought it would be nice if we shared favourite recipes with each other - Amish, traditional, family favourites, or whatever we wish!

I'll start with a favourite of mine, and one that is typically Scottish with an interesting twist.

Vanilla and Lemon Shortbread

Makes 8

Ingredients:
125g/4 oz/1 stick butter
90g/3 oz/half cup golden caster (sugarfine) sugar
Rind of half lemon, finely grated
Half vanilla pod (vanilla bean) [if can't find this, substitute similar amount of vanilla extract/essence/flavouring or vanilla sugar]
200g/6.5 oz/1.5 cups plain (all-purpose) flour
Extra golden caster (superfine) sugar, for sprinkling

1. Cream together the butter, sugar and lemon rind in a mixing bowl. Using the tip of a pointed knife, split the vanilla pod and scrape out the seeds directly into the creamed mixture. Mix in the seeds, then lightly fold the sifted flour into the mixture until it turns into a soft dough.

2. Knead the dough lightly on a floured board until smooth. Very lightly flour a round 17-cm (7-in) shortbread mould, then carefully roll the dough into a circle about the same size as the mould. Gently press the dough into the mould and press the edges out with your fingertips to fit the mould exactly. If you do not have a mould, shape the dough into a neat circle of the above dimensions. Prick the surface with a fork, then with the blade of a knife, make four shallow cuts across the width of the circle to resemble spokes of a wheel. Carefully unmould the shortbread onto a baking sheet and refrigerate for 1 hour.

3. Preheat the oven to 160 degrees Celsius (325 degrees Fahrenheit). Remove the dough from the fridge and bake for about 30 minutes, until lightly golden. Lightly dredge with sugar while the biscuit is still warm.

I won't take the credit for this recipe, it's from Simple Home Baking: Over 90 Irresistible Recipes for Cakes, Muffins and Other Sweet Delights by Carol Pastor which is a wonderful baking book! I particularly like Carol's recipes for Ginger Cake with Ginger Polka Dots, Organic Chocolate Cream Cake and Iced Star Biscuits.

Anyone got any favourite recipes to share?

I'm always searching for a new recipe spot to mine! I post a daily recipe thread over at www.stuffonmycat.com. Go to the forum, select Off Topic, then Cooking with Cuddles. Categories include, Mixes & Clones; Crockpot; Meatless; and Soup-Salad-Sandwich. There are over 2 years of recipes there!! I would love to have you visit!!

There is a free Pennslvania Dutch cookbook for free on the Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004...

Lorie wrote: "There is a free Pennslvania Dutch cookbook for free on the Kindle
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004......"
Thanks, Lorie, I grabbed it really quick!!

I am making the Raspberry Dream Tart recipe at the end of Naomi's Gift: an Amish Christmas Story tonight. My neighborhood book club read it this month so someone had to make the recipe! I'll let you know how it was!!!

Diane U wrote: "I am making the Raspberry Dream Tart recipe at the end of Naomi's Gift: an Amish Christmas Story tonight. My neighborhood book club read it this month so someone had to make the re..."

Ooh... ahh... that sounds sooo good. I love raspberries. If they turn out well, can you post the recipe?

Has anyone read The Amish Cook column, in newspapers or online? Lovina Eicher writes it. She is Old Order Amish. Lovina shares great recipes and what is going on in her life. You can find a few archives for free at http://archives.record-eagle.com/, type in "The Amish Cook" in the search box. The archives date back to 2006. Also at http://www.oasisnewsfeatures.com/ you can create an account and view the weekly columns for free online. These date back from 2007 to present. Her mother originally wrote the column back in the 90s. I just discovered today that I could join and read the columns for free. Even without joining you have access to many recipes. I have 3 of The Amish Cook cookbooks and I enjoy reading them. Check out The Amish Cook column!

Raspberry Dream Torte
From Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston

1-10 oz package frozen raspberries
1 1/4 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/4 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 eggs
Whipped topping for garnish

Defrost raspberries. Combine vanilla wafer crumbs and melted butter. Press into bottom of 7 1/2-inch spring form pan. Cream 1/2 cup softened butter and powdered sugar. Add eggs, beating well after adding each egg. Blend in extracts. Spread over crumb layer. Chill until firm. Combine sugar, cornstarch and raspberries in a pan. Cook on stovetop at medium heat, stirring constantly until clear and thick. Pour raspberry filling over torte. Refridgerate several hours. Garnish with whipped topping.

Sounds yummy Diane.
Does anyone have ideas for an easy appetizer. All I am coming up with is chips and salsa or guacamole. I need something to make before Thursday.

Diane U wrote: "Raspberry Dream Torte
From Naomi's Gift by Amy Clipston

1-10 oz package frozen raspberries
1 1/4 cup vanilla wafer crumbs
1/4 cup melted butter
1/2 cup butter softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/..."

Thank you! I can't wait to try it!

Orange Spritz Cookies

2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cup butter (at room temperature)
1 1/4 cup confectioner's sugar
2 egg yolks
1/2 tsp. almond extract
1 tsp. orange extract

Cream together the sugar and the butter. I prefer to start mixing it with an electric mixer, then switch to using my hands. Add the egg yolks, almond extract, and orange extract. Blend well with an electric mixer. Slowly add the flour and salt to the creamed mixture.

At this point, you can decide whether to bake them as drop cookies or as spritz from a cookie press. Put the cookies onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 8 minutes at 44 deg. F. Do not overbake; edges should have just a hint of golden brown. Let the cookies set for a minute before removing them from the pan and allowing them to finish cooling on a rack.

I made this recipe up while looking for ways to use some orange extract we had in the haus. I was very pleased with the outcome! They're so delicate and flaky... almost like pastry.

Spicy Oven-Fried Chicken


1/3 c vegetable oil
1/3 c butter
1/2 c ap flour
1/2 c cracker meal
1/2 c cornmeal
1 tsp garlic powder (the cookbook calls for 1 1/2 tsp easy garlic salt - recipe from the cookbook)
1 1/2 tsp paprika
1 1/2 tsp ground sage
1 tsp salt
1 tsp black pepper
1/4 tsp dried red pepper flakes
4 lbs chicken pieces (legs, thighs, breast halves), approx. 14 pieces

Combine oil & butter in shallow cooking pan (jelly-roll). Place in oven set to 375 degrees F to melt. Set aside.

In a bag, combine flour, cracker meal, cornmeal, & seasonings. Roll chicken in melted butter and drop in bag to coat.

Place coated chicken in the pan. Bake 45 min, turn and bake 5 - 10 min longer, or until top crust begins to bubble. serve hot or cold. Crust texture is better if chicken hasn't been refrigerated before eating.

This is the fried chicken recipe that I have been looking for my whole life! I found this great recipe in New Recipes From Quilt Country by Marcia Adams.

Found this page today and found it interesting...

http://www.wchstv.com/newsroom/oacoun...

I recently enjoyed reading The Amish Kitchen. I want to make the soft pretzel recipe page 304.

Soft Pretzels
1 1/8 teaspoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons brown sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 cup bread flour
3 cups regular flour

1. Sprinkle yeast over warm water in mixing bowl.Stir to dissolve.
2. Add brown sugar and salt. Stir to dissolve.
3. Add flours and knead dough until smooth. Let rise for 30 minutes.

2 cups warm water
2 tablespoons baking soda

4. While dough is rising, mix 2 cups of warm water with 2 tablespoons of baking soda. Stir often.
5. After dough has risen,roll pieces of dough into long ropes (no more than 1/2 inch thick).
6. Shape into pretzels or keep in strips. Dip in baking soda solution and place on greased baking sheet. Let rise again.
7. Bake a 450 degrees F for 10 minutes or until golden brown.

2-4 tablespoons melted butter
Coarse salt

8. Brush with melted butter and sprinkle with coarse salt. You can also sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.

Homemade Hot Dog Sauce

http://www.oasisnewsfeatures.com/amis...