Better than peanut brittle. An Amish friend shared this recipe with me. She says she always has it around at Christmas time and other times for company to snack on.
Ingredients
1 cup butter
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tbsps light corn syrup
2 cup cashews
Instructions
Lightly butter a cookie sheet.
In a heavy pan cook and stir the butter, sugar, and corn syrup over low heat until the butter is melted and the mixture comes to a boil.
Cook until it starts to turn golden brown (290 degrees F on a candy thermometer) like peanut brittle.
Remove from heat. Quickly stir in cashews.
Pour the mixture onto the prepared cookie sheet. Cool completely.
Break up into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Amish Cast Iron Skillet Pizza: Tradition Meets Modern Comfort
In the heart of rural America, the Amish community has long been known for its commitment to simplicity, self-sufficiency, and craftsmanship. From beautifully handcrafted furniture to hearty, home-cooked meals, the Amish lifestyle embraces a slower pace and a deep connection to tradition. One culinary gem that beautifully encapsulates this ethos is the Amish cast iron skillet pizza.
A Marriage of Tradition and Innovation
While pizza may not be the first dish that comes to mind when thinking of Amish cuisine, the adaptation of this beloved comfort food into the Amish culinary repertoire showcases their resourcefulness and adaptability. The cast iron skillet, a staple in Amish kitchens, provides the perfect vessel for creating a pizza that is both crispy and chewy, with a rustic charm that modern ovens often fail to achieve.
The Foundation: Cast Iron Skillet
The cast iron skillet, with its ability to retain and evenly distribute heat, plays a crucial role in achieving the perfect pizza crust. This piece of cookware, cherished and passed down through generations, becomes seasoned over time, enhancing the flavor of everything cooked in it. For the Amish, who often eschew modern appliances, the cast iron skillet is not just a tool but a symbol of enduring quality and tradition.
The Dough: Simple and Wholesome
Amish cooking emphasizes simplicity and the use of natural, homegrown ingredients. The pizza dough is replaced with shredded potatoes making this more of a casserole than a pizza, but you can also make it with a traditional pizza dough. follows this principle, often made with just a few basic ingredients: flour, water, yeast, salt, and a touch of sugar. The dough is kneaded by hand and allowed to rise slowly, resulting in a crust that is both light and flavorful. Some Amish bakers might use freshly milled flour from locally grown wheat, adding a unique, earthy depth to the crust.
The Sauce: Garden Fresh Goodness
In true Amish fashion, the pizza sauce is typically made from scratch using tomatoes grown in their own gardens. These tomatoes are simmered with a blend of herbs, garlic, and onions, creating a sauce that is vibrant and bursting with natural flavors. The use of fresh, organic produce is a testament to the Amish commitment to self-sufficiency and healthy living.
The Toppings: Homegrown and Homemade
Toppings for an Amish cast iron skillet pizza are as varied as the gardens and livestock of the community members. Fresh vegetables, such as bell peppers, onions, mushrooms, and spinach, often find their way onto the pizza, providing a colorful and nutritious array. Homemade sausage, bacon, or even slices of smoked ham can add a savory depth, while local cheeses, especially those crafted in Amish dairies, melt to perfection under the skillet’s heat.
Cooking Process: A Labor of Love
The process of making an Amish cast iron skillet pizza is a labor of love. The skillet is preheated to ensure a crisp, golden crust, and the dough is carefully stretched to fit. Once the dough is in place, it’s topped with the homemade sauce, a generous layer of cheese, and a selection of fresh toppings. The pizza is then cooked over an open flame or in a wood-fired oven, common in many Amish homes, allowing the flavors to meld together beautifully.
Serving: Family and Community
In Amish culture, meals are a time for family and community to come together. An Amish cast iron skillet pizza is often served at communal gatherings, where the simple act of sharing food strengthens bonds and fosters a sense of belonging. Each slice is a testament to the values of hard work, tradition, and the joy of creating something delicious from scratch.
Amish Skillet Pizza: Melt butter in cast iron skillet Preheat to 425 Line bottom and sides of pan with shredded cooked potatoes Salt or Garlic salt over the potatoes Brown ground beef and drain add over potatoes Beat together 2 eggs and 1/2 c. milk pour over meat This holds mixture together Add diced tomatoes or any variety pizza sauce Bake for approx 20 min Remove and cover with cheese bake about 5-10 more min.
With harvest coming, it’s time to consider what to do with all the cabbage. For a delicious dinner, try this Amish cabbage casserole.
Made with fresh cabbage, every bite brings the comfort of home. Amish cooking is always perfect for a simple yet delicious dish.
Ingredients
1 medium green cabbage, cut into thin wedges
1/2 cup water
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon pepper
3/4 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 tablespoons chili sauce
1/2 cup finely chopped onion
1/2 cup green bell pepper, finely chopped
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
Combine cabbage wedges and water in a large saucepan; cover and cook over medium heat 15 minutes. Drain well, and place cabbage wedges in a 12 x 8 x 2-inch baking dish.
Melt butter in a heavy saucepan over low heat; add flour, stirring until smooth. Cook over low heat 1 minute, stirring constantly. Gradually add milk; cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture is thickened and bubbly. Stir in the salt and pepper. Pour mixture over cabbage, and bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
Combine cheese, mayonnaise, chili sauce, onion, and green bell pepper; stir well, and spread over cabbage. Bake at 400 degrees F for 20 minutes.
Five States Where Amish Could Start New Communities
In the midst of our rapidly evolving modern world, there exists a group of individuals who have chosen to live life differently, guided by a profound commitment to simplicity, community, and tradition. The Amish, a unique and enduring religious community, have captured the fascination of many with their steadfast adherence to a lifestyle that seems frozen in time. Their rejection of many aspects of contemporary technology and consumerism sets them apart, as does their remarkable ability to form self-sustaining, agrarian communities that thrive despite the challenges of the 21st century.
While many Amish communities have been established for generations, there remains a sense of wanderlust among some Amish families who seek to start anew. Whether driven by a desire for more open farmland, a longing for a stronger sense of community, or simply a yearning for fresh opportunities, these intrepid Amish pioneers are exploring new frontiers. In this article, we’ll explore five states across the United States where the Amish are embarking on journeys to establish new communities, preserving their cherished way of life while adapting to the changing landscape of our nation. From picturesque rural landscapes to thriving agricultural hubs, these states offer fertile ground for the Amish to cultivate their unique traditions and build thriving communities in harmony with their steadfast values. Join us on this journey as we discover the five states where the Amish could start new communities and continue their timeless pursuit of a life less ordinary.
1. New Hampshire
Since Vermont has recently drawn interest, and Maine already has five communities of its own, New Hampshire might one day attract its own Amish population. “Live Free or Die” is the state motto. New Hampshire’s libertarian bent would likely bode well for conservative Amish wishing to avoid conflicts over lifestyle seen in other places. Also, the overall tax burden in the state is low, though property taxes are rather high.
2. North Dakota
Amish have lived here multiple times–including four communities pre-1950. They already have the other Dakota covered (albeit with a single small settlement). Amish in non-traditional regions often have to be more flexible with how they make a living (such as those living in Colorado’s San Luis Valley). This would likely be true in North Dakota. Difficult climate and growing conditions hampered some of those early settlements. But since non-agricultural business is now a strong part of Amish culture, success here may be more possible today than in the past.
3. Utah
A conservative state perhaps more readily associated with non-mainstream religion than any other. Amish have been steadily creeping in this direction, having settled Colorado and Wyoming in recent years. Mennonites from South Carolina recently started a ministry in the Utah Valley (an effort encouraged by Christian Aid Ministries). In fact, the pastor in charge of the new church said “We have a lot of good LDS friends…We haven’t met too much resistance. We have similarities (with the LDS religion) in family values.” Also, Amish appreciate outdoor beauty. The state actually has a modest dairy industry.
4. Alabama
Another place where Amish have lived in the past–albeit on only one occasion, in the early 1900s. Historically, Amish settlement has been quite rare in the Deep South. However, Amish today have a strong-ish presence in Tennessee, and a single community in neighboring Mississippi. In fact, two of the Tennessee settlements are within 30 miles of the Alabama border, so this one seems quite possible.
5. Alaska
This one might sound far-fetched. But Amish have on several occasions tried to settle way off the beaten path (e.g. British Columbia or Paraguay). And you might be surprised to learn that in 2010 Amish made a scouting trip to the 49th state, though they failed to find a suitable location. However, all it takes is a few families with a sense of adventure and enough change in the pocketbook to make an attempt. It’s unlikely a settlement would last for a long time in Alaska, though, which has been the case with most other “remote” settlement tries.
