Cook Like the Amish: 5 Family Favorite Recipes

Amish cuisine is renowned for its hearty, comforting flavors and simple, wholesome ingredients. Let’s explore five beloved Amish family favorites that you can easily recreate in your own kitchen. These meals are perfect for bringing your loved ones together around the table, just as Amish families have done for generations.

1. Amish-Style Mashed Potatoes

Mashed potatoes are a staple in Amish households, often served as a side dish for many meals. This recipe has been passed down through generations and is sure to become a favorite in your home too.

Ingredients:

• 5 lbs russet potatoes, peeled and quartered
• 1 cup milk
• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Place the peeled and quartered potatoes in a large pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat.
2. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 15-20 minutes, or until potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork.
3. Drain the potatoes and return them to the pot.
4. Add the milk, butter, and sour cream to the potatoes.
5. Mash the potatoes using a potato masher or electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Serve hot and enjoy your creamy, Amish-style mashed potatoes.

These mashed potatoes are the perfect accompaniment to many Amish main dishes. The addition of sour cream gives them a rich, tangy flavor that sets them apart from ordinary mashed potatoes.

2. Amish Noodle Casserole

Casseroles are a cornerstone of Amish cuisine, providing an easy and delicious way to feed a large family. This Amish Noodle Casserole is a comforting dish that combines hearty noodles with savory ground beef and a creamy sauce.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb wide egg noodles
• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cans cream of chicken soup
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2. Cook the egg noodles according to package instructions. Drain and set aside.
3. In a large skillet, brown the ground beef with the diced onion over medium heat. Drain any excess fat.
4. In a large bowl, mix together the cream of chicken soup, and milk.
5. Add the cooked noodles and browned beef to the soup mixture. Stir to combine.
6. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 inch baking dish.
8. Sprinkle the shredded cheddar cheese over the top.
9. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

This casserole is a complete meal in itself, but you can also serve it with a side of steamed vegetables for added nutrition. It’s a great dish for busy weeknights or for feeding a crowd.

3. Amish Peanut Butter Spread

Peanut butter is a beloved ingredient in Amish cooking, and this unique spread takes it to the next level. Often called “church spread,” this versatile condiment can be used in various ways.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1 cup light corn syrup
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup marshmallow creme

Directions:

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the peanut butter, corn syrup, and sugar.
2. Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it comes to a boil.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the marshmallow creme until fully incorporated.
4. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before transferring to a jar or container.
5. Store in the refrigerator.

This sweet and creamy spread is delicious on bread, as a topping for ice cream, or even as a dip for apple slices. It’s a versatile treat that your family will love.

4. Amish Beef Stew

When the weather turns cold, there’s nothing quite like a hearty beef stew to warm you up. This Amish-style beef stew is packed with flavor and nourishing ingredients.

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs beef stew meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 4 cups beef broth
• 1 can (14.5 oz) diced tomatoes
• 3 large potatoes, peeled and cubed
• 3 carrots, sliced
• 2 celery stalks, chopped
• 1 onion, diced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• 1 bay leaf
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, toss the beef cubes with flour to coat.
2. Heat the oil in a large pot or Dutch oven over medium-high heat.
3. Add the beef in batches and brown on all sides. Remove and set aside.
4. In the same pot, add the onions and garlic. Cook until softened, about 5 minutes.
5. Return the beef to the pot and add the beef broth, diced tomatoes, potatoes, carrots, celery, thyme, and bay leaf.
6. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer for 1.5 to 2 hours, or until the beef is tender.
7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
8. Remove the bay leaf before serving.

This stew is perfect for a cozy family dinner. Serve it with some crusty bread to soak up all the delicious gravy.

5. Amish Apple Dumplings

No Amish meal is complete without a sweet treat, and these apple dumplings are a true crowd-pleaser. They’re like individual apple pies, but even more indulgent.

Ingredients:

For the dumplings:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2/3 cup shortening
• 1/2 cup milk
• 6 medium apples, peeled and cored
• Cinnamon sugar (1/4 cup sugar mixed with 1 teaspoon cinnamon)

For the syrup:

• 2 cups water
• 2 cups sugar
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. In a large bowl, mix together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. Cut in the shortening until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
4. Gradually add the milk, stirring until a soft dough forms.
5. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough and cut into six squares.
6. Place an apple in the center of each square.
7. Sprinkle each apple with cinnamon sugar.
8. Fold the corners of the dough up around the apple and pinch to seal.
9. Place the dumplings in a 9×13 inch baking dish.
10. In a saucepan, combine the syrup ingredients. Bring to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
11. Pour the hot syrup over the dumplings.
12. Bake for 50-55 minutes, or until the apples are tender and the crust is golden brown.

These apple dumplings are best served warm, perhaps with a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top. They’re the perfect ending to any Amish-inspired meal.

Amish cooking is all about bringing family and community together through simple, delicious food. By incorporating these recipes into your meal rotation, you can bring a touch of Amish tradition to your own table. Remember, the key to Amish cooking is using fresh, wholesome ingredients and preparing meals with love.

Whether you’re serving up a hearty beef stew on a cold winter’s night, or treating your family to sweet apple dumplings on a lazy Sunday afternoon, these Amish-inspired recipes are sure to become favorites in your household. They offer a perfect blend of comfort, flavor, and simplicity that embodies the essence of Amish home cooking.

So gather your loved ones, roll up your sleeves, and start cooking. As you prepare and share these meals, you’ll be participating in a tradition that has brought Amish families together for generations. Enjoy the process of cooking, savor the flavors, and most importantly, cherish the time spent with your family around the table. After all, that’s what Amish cooking is truly about.