Great Recipes To Feed The Family
I have to say, I love this cookbook. I generally love cookbooks. But I find that a lot of them include a lot of recipes I know I'll never cook, because they call for ingredients that I don't happen to have in my house, or weird, rare spices. Not so with this cookbook! The Amish know how to cook for families, and they know how to cook simple, hearty food that will satisfy those at the table. This cookbook delivers on both of these items. I've already made several items -- my kids really loved the pizza pockets. Because the recipes make so much, there are always leftovers! Take the pizza pockets -- we made them on a Sunday, and the kids took them in their lunches all week! I also love the little anecdotes that are sprinkled throughout the book that give insights into daily Amish life. If you are looking for a solid cookbook that has wonderful recipes that use ordinary, every day ingredients, choose this one, Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook - you won't be disappointed! I was given a copy of this book by the publisher in exchange for my honest review. It is my pleasure to provide that here. ( )

Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook brings a taste of Amish life to your kitchen. Beautifully illustrated with all full-color photos and pages, this cookbook is spiral-bound for easy use and contains over 200 recipes. Each section begins with a short informational page or story from either Wanda herself or Amish friends, followed by a few general tips applicable to that section. Food forms an important part of Amish events and socializing, highlighting the connection between food and fellowship. As such, this cookbook provides fodder for the heart as well as for the stomach.

Thoughtfully organized into eight sections according to food type and including one for beverages as well, this handy cookbook is easy to navigate and offers a glimpse of Amish life. Three indices make it quick and easy to look up recipes by contributor, section, or key ingredients. Each recipe names the contributor and their city and state, with most hailing from the Midwest. The recipes are written for fairly large quantities, given that Amish families tend to be sizable, and the last section is comprised of recipes specifically tailored to cater to big groups. Seeing three designated gluten-free recipes pleasantly surprised me; these include gluten-free skillet corn bread, gluten-free breakfast casserole, and gluten-free angel food cake. Other recipes can be adapted to suit special diets, but overall this cookbook does not address specific dietary restrictions. Furthermore, the recipes are very succinct, such that a basic knowledge of cooking is necessary because there are not hints or extra details in the instructions. While I would not necessarily recommend this to a kitchen novice, for those with any kind of experience cooking or baking, this collection imparts unique recipes with some Amish wisdom on the side.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. ( )

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook: Over 200 Recipes for Carry-In Favorites with Tips for Making the Most of the Occasion

The author makes it simple to bring a food or drink to a funeral or a wedding. There are tips throughout this cookbook, to make the event better. Where people gather, they need something to eat. Be it a simple house or barn raising, to a more difficult dinner with the future In-Laws!

There are chapters such as: Snacks, Salads and Side Dishes. Lots of categories and tons of food! These are recipes donated from Amish Ladies who offered up their best recipes for a crowd gathering's food.

It has easy to read and follow directions. The recipes might offer up excellent ideas, possibly something that you might have forgotten or known.

I was provided a complimentary copy by Barbour Publishing, with no obligation to post a review.

Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Gatherings Cookbook: Over 200 Recipes for Carry-In Favorites with Tips for Making the Most of the Occasion. ( )

What a wonderful cookbook to add to my collection, and I love the recipes and I love the personal tidbits included at the beginning of each section.
This cookbook includes an index of recipes by Key Ingredients, but also by Section. Then credit is given to each of the contributors by adding their name and location, so yes, it is a cookbook by friends.
There is even a bunch of recipes for feeding a crowd, I can just picture these at a family reunion, or possibly at a church gathering.
We are also gifted with some wonderful pictures of the results of these delicious recipes, that sure make you want to get cooking!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Barbour Publishing and was under no obligation to post a review. ( )