Category Archives: Meats

Meats

Daughter Lovina Helps with Cookbook Preparations

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Dear Readers,

I (daughter) Lovina decided to write the column for Mom today. She had a busy day, and I figured I’d help her out by taking one thing off her agenda. I’ve been wanting to for a while now anyway.

Not too long ago, I joined the church and was baptized, which was the best decision I have ever made in my life. Sunday, I participated in communion for the first time. I have been at communion church plenty of times, but it was really special to be a part of it since I am now a member of our church.

Daniel (my special friend) had his 22nd birthday on September 26. Friday night, we had a birthday supper with his family. I made a cake for him on Saturday. Then we also had tacos. Sunday, I invited my family to come for supper after communion church in honor of his birthday.

I got Daniel a birthday gift. Last time, I accidentally told him what I got him, and the time before that, I got excited and just gave it to him as soon as I bought it. This time, I didn’t blabber what I got him, and I actually gave it to him on his birthday.

I got him some stuff for his buggy, and he seemed to be really glad for it even though it wasn’t as big and expensive as the gift he got me for my birthday. Having a person like me in his life is probably a good enough gift. You can’t buy an awesome girlfriend at a gift shop. I’m just kidding. If I could buy bigger and better gifts I would, but unfortunately my piggy bank went on a diet. That was also a joke. I don’t have a piggy bank (because I don’t have any money to put in it). Haha. That was a joke too. I actually do have a piggy bank, and I do have money. I have this wallet named Daniel, and I call it my boyfriend. Then if I ask really nicely, it gives me money.

That was another joke.

Speaking of jokes, brother Kevin told me another of his infamous jokes that are actually not even that funny—after he tells one, we all just stand there in awkward silence because nobody laughs, because like I said, they aren’t that funny.

He said, what’s red and bad for your teeth… (five seconds later) A brick. I asked him, what’s bright yellow with red stripes and bad for your teeth? A brick painted yellow with red stripes.

Here’s another riddle for you all. What’s green, has wheels, and is extremely loud? Grass… I lied about the wheels and the noise.

Sorry about that; I don’t like it when people guess the riddles. It ruins the fun.

Daniel bought me a puppy. She’s half toy poodle and half Jack Russell, but she definitely favors the poodle side. She’s black with curly hair. I named her Shadow. I knew Mom didn’t want any more house dogs, so I snuck her up to my bedroom one night to sleep with me. That worked until Mom heard her. I remember when I snuck our miniature pony Prancer into our house. Mom had a good laugh about that one. Shadow stays outside with our dog Hatchi. They get along pretty well. When it starts to get cold, I’ll put Shadow in our heated shed.

We have been extra busy lately with Mom in the process of making a new cookbook. We’ve been testing a lot of recipes and having cooking/baking days when the photographers come. Grant and Jen (the photographers of the book) have been great through all of this. The cover photo is my hands holding a pie, which is kind of exciting. I am typing the recipes for Mom. I think we will all be glad when we get to the final stage.

Well, I better wrap this up. I hope you are all doing great! God bless!

 

Tacos
1 pound hamburger, browned
1 taco seasoning packet
lettuce, chopped
tomatoes, diced
green peppers, diced
onions, diced
hot peppers, chopped
shredded cheese
salsa
ranch dressing
sour cream
Doritos, crushed
flour tortillas

Add taco seasoning to the hamburger and prepare according to the directions on the packet. Some in our family wrap all the ingredients in a tortilla and some layer the ingredients onto the tortilla and top with crushed Doritos.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here

Meats, Soups

Mourning a Loss in the Community

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Another week has gone by, and it’s already time to write another column. Last week was very hot and humid, making for some restless nights. This week, temperatures are cooler and even chilly in the early morning hours with the mercury dropping to 50 degrees. It makes for some nice sleeping with the coolness at night. Although this morning, I lit a gas light for heat after daughter Loretta and her little ones came. Baby Byron is doing well and is a little sweetie to cuddle with. Denzel is getting adjusted to having to share his parents with his little brother.

Friday evening, our whole family, sister Emma and sons Jacob and Steven, nephew Benjamin and wife Crystal and son, all gathered at sister Verena’s. A lot of work was done around there for her. We all took supper along. Sister Emma brought a cake, and we had a belated birthday for Verena as well. Joe grilled chicken for supper too. Verena was so glad for everything that got accomplished.

Saturday, we had a short visit from sister Liz, Levi, and daughter Suzanne. It was good to see Liz again. We hadn’t seen each other since daughter Susan and Ervin’s wedding nine months ago. They also stopped at daughter Loretta and Dustin’s house to see little Byron. Loretta and Suzanne are the same age.

We were shocked to hear the sad news of the accident that took the life of 22-year-old Harley. He was a special friend to my great niece Sarah. Sarah’s mother Elizabeth is the daughter of brother Albert and Sarah Irene. Harley was driving in his buggy along a highway when he was rear-ended by a car. He was taken to the hospital but died later on. Harley’s mother Mary Susan (husband Chris) was in my grade in school, and we were in the same church growing up. My heart aches for the family and Sarah to lose a loved one so early in life. Sarah showed us a card Harley had in his buggy and was found in the wreck that he had signed out to her. He left her a nice memory. May God help them through this difficult trial in life and comfort them as they mourn the death of their son, brother, and special friend.

Sisters Verena and Emma, Joe, and I traveled over two hours to attend the viewing on Sunday afternoon. We stopped in at sister Liz and Levi for a while. So Liz and I got to see each other again.

Saturday evening, daughter Tim and Elizabeth and their four children, daughter Susan and Ervin and their five children, and Joe and I were supper guests at daughter Loretta and Dustin’s house. Son Benjamin came over for supper before he left for the community building where the youth gather on Saturday evenings.

Sunday will be baptismal services for three young souls in our church district, including son Joseph, 21, and daughter Lovina, 19. As a parent, I am so thankful that they are taking this step in accepting Jesus Christ as their savior. May God always be their guide as they travel into the unknown future.

I need to hurry now as I’m going to town to get groceries. Tomorrow, the girls and I will have a cooking and baking day. I am in the process of making another cookbook, so the photographer will come to take pictures of the dishes we prepare. It’s always a lot of work but also enjoyable to have the girls here and work with them. This cookbook should be out next year sometime.

Until next week… God bless!

Good Goulash
1 pound hamburger
1/2 onion, chopped
2 cups macaroni
1 quart tomato juice
1 pint marinara sauce
3/4 teaspoon salt
3/4 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 cup sugar

Brown the hamburger and onion in a skillet, then drain off excess fat. While the hamburger is browning, cook the macaroni in water for 10 minutes. Drain off liquid. Combine all ingredients with macaroni and simmer for 15 to 20 minutes. Serve over mashed potatoes.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Casseroles, Meats

Cherished Memories and Celebrations with Loved Ones

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Daughter Lovina, 19, is making supper as I get caught up with some odd and end jobs. The menu includes fried eggs, fried potatoes, bacon, cheese, tomatoes, toast, butter, and fresh strawberry jam. A delicious breakfast for supper. The strawberry jam tastes so good. My friend Ruth brought us a dish of some she made.

Daughter Elizabeth and Tim and their four children came for a while. They needed to pick up something and decided to all come. I told them they should’ve planned to be here for supper.

Nephew Benjamin, Crystal, and their son Isaiah also stopped in for a while. Abigail and Isaiah were glad to get to play together for a while. They were in the same grade and had a lot of fun at school.

I had to laugh when I heard that grandson Timothy (T.J.), four, wanted to hatch chicks from their eggs. Daughter Elizabeth discovered an egg from their chickens hidden in the couch cushions one day. Timothy finally said he had hidden it there. He said he wanted it to keep warm so it would hatch out a baby chick. I imagine daughter Elizabeth was so glad she discovered it before it broke or spoiled.

On June 14, Elizabeth, my firstborn, will be 29. Her last year in her twenties. She will be married to Tim for eight years in August. They were blessed with four children: Abigail, six; Timothy (T.J.), four; Allison, three; and Andrea, 16 months. They have a sweet, precious family. They recently went camping at the lake for two nights and slept in a tent. They made a lot of memories. They enjoyed swimming, fishing, and cooking over the open fire. Children remember these family events forever. I am surprised at all the memories of our vacation times the children remember from their younger years. Happy 29th birthday, dear daughter. May you have many more happy, healthy years.

Neighbor Beth and Mervin had a lovely day for their wedding last week. The morning was cool, which was nice for us cooks. My job was to help peel potatoes and cook and mash them all day. The cook wagon had the Bosch mixers, which makes for some much easier work. They are run from the generator powering the cooler. Some might use solar power as well. The other ladies and I made 28–30 eight-quart kettles of potatoes for the whole day. Also on the menu besides mashed potatoes was bread, butter, strawberry jam, gravy, buttered noodles, meatballs, green beans, dressing, broccoli and cauliflower salad, cupcakes, mixed fruit, and strawberry and peanut butter pies. Pecan pie and ice cream were added to the evening meal. Mervin and Beth moved to a place in our church district. We wish the couple many happy years together.

Lovina’s husband Joe enjoys using his new campfire pit to hang a kettle or grill over the fire. Photo provided.

Friday evening, our family has “Family Night” at Dustin and Loretta’s house. I have to make the hot food, so I’m undecided yet if I want to make a casserole. My husband Joe says he could make soup over the open fire in the kettle and grill some chicken. That might be a better idea. He is enjoying using his new campfire pit with accessories to hang a kettle and grill over the fire. It was his Christmas present from our children. He loves to cook outdoors, so it was a much-appreciated gift and very useful to him.

June 15 is sister Emma and Jacob’s wedding anniversary. They were married on June 15, 1995. Daughter Elizabeth was a year old the day before their wedding. I’m sure it’s a sad day for her to not have Jacob here to celebrate with. May God give her the strength she needs to travel into the unknown future. God’s blessings to all!

Muffin Pan Meatloaf
1/2 cup ketchup
1/2 cup barbeque sauce
2 tablespoons mustard
1 pound ground beef
1/2 cup diced onions
1/2 cup diced green peppers
1/3 cup oatmeal
1/3 cup parmesan cheese
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
salt and pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix ketchup, barbeque sauce, and mustard in a small bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the rest of the ingredients with 1/2 of the ketchup mixture. Press the meat into muffin cups. (You should get 8–10 muffins from this amount.) Top with the remaining ketchup mixture. Bake for 30–35 minutes.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Meats

Continuing Preparations for Ervin and Susan’s Wedding

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The menfolk have left for work, and I need to pen this column before getting started for the day. On my agenda today is to cut out my dress, cape, apron, and also daughter Lovina’s for the wedding. Ervin and Susan’s wedding is in three weeks, and it seems I keep pushing the sewing off.

Last week, I canned 34 quarts of chicken broth for daughter Susan. They need some for the dressing at the wedding. I also canned some soup for us. I put chicken chunks, potatoes, onions, carrots, and celery in a quart jar. Then I filled it up with chicken broth. This will make an easy meal. I can also add a quart of this to some noodles.

Lovina and her family have been canning chicken broth, which Lovina uses to make an easy soup.

Yesterday daughter Loretta and I canned 34 quarts of chicken broth for them. I hope to can some chicken broth for us too, but I will wait until after the wedding and the holidays.

Tomorrow I will go help Ervin and Susan shop for any groceries needed for the wedding meal. It is much easier since they will only have one meal, but there is still a lot to get.

Last week sisters Verena and Emma, nieces Elizabeth, Emma (and her three children), and Crystal, daughters Elizabeth (and children), Verena, Susan (and children), and I all gathered at Ervin’s house. We put our brains together and figured out how much of everything would be needed for each recipe.

For a few examples, this list includes 40 eight-ounce boxes of cream cheese, 23 pounds of butter, 15 gallons of milk, 19 dozen eggs, and the list goes on and on.

Niece Elizabeth brought a casserole for our lunch, and everyone else brought something too, so our lunch was easy. Susan has a lot of her things moved over already.

On Sunday, son Joseph and daughter Lovina went to church with their special friends Grace and Daniel. The rest of our family all came for lunch here. The menu included grilled chicken, mashed potatoes, noodles, corn, cheese, hot peppers, ice cream, sherbet, cookies, and cupcakes. We spent the afternoon playing games. Before everyone left, we set out snacks such as venison sausage, popcorn, chips and salsa, cheese dip, cookies, apples, clementines, etc.

I had bought some writing tablets on clearance at Walmart for 50 cents, so I gave each of the children one. They were quite entertained writing and drawing in their tablets. Kaitlyn, Abigail, and Jennifer wanted Grandma to see how they could write their names. They are learning so much in school. They grow up so fast. May God always be their guide as they continue to grow older. Such sweet innocence, and oh, how precious each one is. They all have something unique, and I love listening to their stories.

We have been busy butchering deer. Tonight, son-in-law Dustin, my husband Joe, and sons Benjamin and Joseph have plans to dress one of the pigs Dustin raised. We will grind it into sausage so we can add some to our venison summer sausage. It isn’t quite as dry with sausage added.

Daughter Verena will have her 25th birthday on December 10. She still lives with Susan and the children. Her life will also change after Susan’s wedding. She has grown so attached to Jennifer and Ryan after two years of being with them daily. May God bless her for being there for them when they needed someone.

December 9 will always bring us a reminder of that morning of the accident which took the life of Susan’s husband Mose and turned our lives upside down. As time goes on and we let God lead the way, we can see that life must go on. Not in the ways we expected, but we know He has a plan. I am glad to see Susan happy again.

It’s not that she loves her dear Mose any less but has found that love again. My continued prayer is that they will have a long, happy life together. They would appreciate your prayers.

God bless!

Taco Chicken
8 boneless chicken breasts
1/2 cup Miracle Whip
1/4 cup lemon juice
1 package taco seasoning

Heat oven to 350 degrees. Mix salad dressing, juice, and taco seasoning. Brush each breast with mixture. Place in baking pan and bake 60 minutes or until tender.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

 

Meats, Side Dishes, Soups

Early springtime fun with the grandchildren—and more beef

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Another week has already passed us by, and it is time to pen this column again.

My plans for today are to wash daughter Elizabeth and Tim’s laundry. Daughter Lovina assisted her with her work for several hours yesterday. I went to pick Lovina up and brought the laundry home. Today sounds like it will be a warm day to hang it outside. The sun is trying to peep out from behind the clouds.

Baby Andrea is now four weeks old. Her cute little expressions are so fun to watch. I was only able to stay a few minutes yesterday. She would change her smile to a frown then back to a smile, as if she wasn’t sure if she should be happy or sad. Such sweet, innocent little angels. What does this world hold in store for them? Only God knows! Allison, 2, still wants to be held by Grandma, too. She is gradually adjusting to the fact that her mother’s attention isn’t all on her. She has had her share of falls from climbing. She is a little tomboy and tries to keep up with active little T.J., 3.

We stopped through daughter Susan’s and got to see Jennifer, 4, and Ryan, 2, for a few minutes. The weather was so nice, and they both came running out of the door barefooted, circling around the yard—but not for long, as Susan took them inside to get shoes on. I remember on those nice, warm March days as a child we would want to go outside barefooted, too. Mom would always tell us to wait until after March is over. I can still hear her say, “NO—don’t go out barefooted, it’s still March.” Oh, thinking of those sweet memories of her still makes me miss her so much.

We ended up helping daughters Susan and Verena cut up two quarters of beef on Friday. Son-in-law Dustin and son Benjamin didn’t have to work that day. Those helping were Dustin, Loretta, sons Benjamin and Kevin, daughter Lovina, sister Verena, and me. The steaks were cut out, hamburger ground and packaged.

Vacuum sealing the ground beef was part of this weekend’s work. Photo provided.

Susan canned some of the meat. We brought the steaks and T-bones home to put in our freezer overnight. My husband Joe then cut up all the steaks on Saturday. Loretta and I vacuum sealed the meat for Susan. Now it’s all in her freezer, and I’m so glad she has beef and pork to use in the coming year.

Then on Saturday, son Benjamin and I, daughters Susan and Verena assisted Tim and Elizabeth in cutting up their two quarters of beef. The hamburger was ground and packaged, steaks and T-bones sliced and packaged, some meat canned, etc. Daughters Susan and Verena did Elizabeth’s cleaning yet before heading for home. Needless to say, this Grandma was a wee bit tired Saturday night after two days of helping cut up beef. I am so glad to help the children whenever I can.

Sunday, Joe and I, son Joseph and his special friend Grace, my sister Emma, her son Benjamin and his special friend Crystal, and my sister Verena attended church in northern Indiana to partake in the blessing of nephew Andrew’s baptism. Andrew is brother Albert and Sarah Irene’s youngest son. In the afternoon, we made a short stop at brother Albert’s house. We hadn’t seen the new house he built. It is very nice. Alberts have three daughters and one son still at home. They have eleven children and all but four married, so their house seems emptier.

A notice to readers—I will be signing books on April 2nd at the Plain and Simple Craft Show in Shipshewana, Indiana. They will have over 130 vendors there. Then on April 9th, I will be at the Nappanee, Indiana, library from 2–4 p.m. I’m looking forward to meeting old and new readers there. In Shipshewana, daughters Elizabeth and baby Andrea, daughter Susan and children, Jennifer and Ryan, and daughter Lovina will be with me. Some family members are also planning to attend the meet and greet in Nappanee with me. God bless!

This week I will share the recipes for coffee soup and pon hoss due to many requests from readers.

Pon Hoss
Pork bones
Flour
Salt
Black pepper

Place pork bones in large kettle and add enough water to cover. Cook bones until the meat comes off bones. Remove bones and skim fat from broth. Measure the quantity of broth remaining. Return meat to broth. (We grind the meat before returning it to the broth.) Then add 4 cups of flour to every gallon of juice, sifting in the flour, as well as 2 tablespoons salt and 1 tablespoon black pepper per gallon of juice. Cook, stirring constantly, until thickened, then pour in pans. Let cool, then slice and fry on each side until golden brown.

Coffee Soup
2 cups coffee
2 or more cups milk
1/2 cup sugar (or more, to taste)

Combine all ingredients and heat until hot, but do not boil. Pour over toasted bread or saltine crackers.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Meats, Side Dishes

Preparing and enjoying a bounty of beef

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It is a very beautiful day outside with the sun shining so brightly. The sun is welcome anytime and is much appreciated for our solar system. With gas prices so high, we don’t like to use the generator more than necessary. We run a generator to charge up our battery packs when the sun doesn’t shine for too many days in a row. Our solar power runs two freezers, and water and some lights in our pole barn. On days we wash laundry it takes more power. Also, with everyone showering and pumping water to the horses each day, it takes quite a bit.

We are all finished with our beef now. What a relief! On Friday evening we cut up all four quarters of beef. The steaks were cut out, beef chunks cut up, etc., then the rest was ready to grind for hamburger. On Saturday the hamburger was ground and the steaks, T-bones, etc., sliced. Most of the meat was vacuum sealed on Saturday. Some of the hamburger we waited to package until Monday. The meat filled our freezers, and Dustin and Loretta took their half home to put in their freezer.

These jars of canned beef were recently prepared by Lovina and family. Photo provided.

On Monday, daughter Loretta and I canned some hamburger and beef chunks. Son Joseph didn’t have to work because of the weather, so we were glad for his help to vacuum seal the hamburger and pack it in the freezers.

On Monday while we were packaging, Uncle Joe and Aunt Betty stopped in to say hi. They had brought sister Verena home. She had spent a week out in Berne, Indiana, with sister Liz and Levi. Most of the winter Verena had been staying with us or sister Emma.

Saturday, we plan to go help daughters Susan and Verena cut up two quarters of beef to put in their freezer.

Next on the agenda is to start doing some spring cleaning. Lord willing, we will host church services in May.

We have been enjoying rare beef, as we call it, since we butchered our beef. We slice the tenderest steaks very thin and put salt and pepper on both sides then swirl it in hot oil once and flip it over and swirl one again and it’s done. It is very good and our family loves it.

Saturday morning, I made fried eggs and potatoes with some fresh bacon (from our recent pork butchering). Then I also had to fry up the cow brains for Joe and some of our children that like them.

Sunday evening, our whole family was here for supper. Baby Andrea gets plenty of attention. She is such a sweetie, just like all my grandchildren are. All you Grandmas out there know the precious feeling of grandchildren, I’m sure.

For those readers that always say they like to hear our menus, I’ll share what I made Sunday night with the help of my daughters. We had mashed potatoes, beef gravy, macaroni and cheese, green beans, grilled T-bones and steak, sliced Colby cheese, cookies, and ice cream. The menfolk grilled the meat.

I still have paper plates left over from my trip to Sam’s Club before Dustin and Loretta’s wedding. On nights when the whole family is here, it makes it easier to use those and do less dish washing. It gives us more time to just visit. It is such a blessing to be able to work together as a family and get food stored for another year. God is good, and may His many blessings reach across the miles to all of you!

I am going to share my sister Susan’s recipe she wrote of beef and gravy when I told her how to make it. She wanted to write it down years ago so she would remember it. RIP Susan.

Beef and Gravy
4 heaping tablespoons flour
1 pint canned beef chunks
1 medium onion
Potato water (saved from cooking potatoes)

Put 4 heaping tablespoons flour in a pan and brown flour until it’s dark. Let flour cool. In a 3 1/2-quart kettle, empty 1 pint of beef and put in 2 pints of water and 1 whole onion. When it starts to boil, take out beef and put in potato water. If you don’t have potato water, then use water. Add extra water as needed. Mix the cooled flour and water to make a thickening until it is just a little watery. Then mix the beef and thickening in the kettle until it boils again. Remove the onion before serving.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Meats

Welcoming a New Baby into the Family

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Lovina bonds with her newest granddaughter. Photo provided.

Last night, my husband Joe and I went to meet our new granddaughter, Andrea Ruby. Such an exciting moment. Andrea Ruby was born February 14th to daughter Elizabeth and Tim, weighing eight pounds, three ounces, and twenty-one inches long. She arrived at 1:30 p.m. with Elizabeth having her c-section at the hospital. She is a little cutie with black hair and dark eyes, and she is very alert for her age. We are already in love with her and enjoyed holding her.

Andrea joins siblings Abigail, five; Timothy (T.J.), three; and Allison, two. Allison kept trying to get our attention away from the baby and on her instead. Of course, we also gave her attention. Allison is blonde-haired and has bright blue eyes like her daddy. Andrea reminds me of Elizabeth. T.J. wasn’t too happy that he didn’t get a brother, but he couldn’t help falling in love with that sweet little sister he has. He was holding her with the help of his mother, and the love shone in his eyes. Abigail adores her little sister and carried Andrea to me from Elizabeth. The proud look on her face to come to show Grandma the baby for the first time was so sweet. I am sure Abigail will help her mother many times with baby Andrea. Allison seems interested in collecting Andrea’s little socks. She showed me her baby doll, and I’m sure if Andrea has clothes missing, they will be on the doll.

Tim, Elizabeth, and baby Andrea arrived home from the hospital last night around 4:30 p.m. Daughters Verena and Susan had Tim and Elizabeth’s three children at their house since Monday morning. Verena is now at Tim’s helping the new mother with their household duties.

I made a kettle of soup to take there for supper last night. Daughter Lovina went to meet her newest niece then went to daughter Susan’s house for the night. She’s back home this morning. We brought Tim and Elizabeth’s laundry home to wash here today.

Andrea makes grandchild number six for Joe and me. It always makes you feel blessed when all goes well with mother and baby. God is above all, but I always seem to worry more when my daughters give birth than when I did. A mother’s nature, I guess.

Elizabeth had to take insulin shots as she has gestational diabetes, but the doctor thinks she will be fine now since the baby has arrived.

Sunday, we had brunch at daughter Susan’s house. The brunch menu was breakfast casserole, pancakes, fried pon hoss, fresh bacon, sliced cheese, hot peppers, cake, and cookies. It was all delicious! Besides Joe and I, there were also son Benjamin and his special friend Amanda; son Kevin; daughter Elizabeth, Tim, and three children; and daughter Loretta and Dustin. Of course, daughter Verena was there as she lives with Susan and the children. Son Joseph and daughter Lovina went to church with their special friends Grace and Daniel. Daniel is following instructions for baptism, and Lord willing, will be baptized a week from Sunday.

We spent our afternoon playing marble chase, which can sometimes get quite some excitement going.

Saturday evening, Joe and I were home alone when all the children were going here and there. Dustin and Loretta told us to come over for supper at their house across the road. It is always enjoyable to visit our children in their own homes. God bless!

Meatballs or Meatloaf
3 pounds hamburger
2 cups quick rolled oats
1 cup milk
2 eggs
1 cup chopped onions
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 cups catsup
1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar
2 teaspoons liquid smoke or 1 teaspoon hickory smoke seasoning
1/4 cup chopped onion (optional)

Mix the first nine ingredients and form into balls or a loaf in a single layer on a wax-lined cake pan. Bake for one hour at 350 degrees. Combine the last four ingredients to form a sauce and spread on the meat ten minutes before removing from the oven.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to Eicher at PO Box 1689, South Holland, IL 60473 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.

Meats

Taking time to visit sisters

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The world outside looks very scenic with everything coated with snow. It is still snowing, and we have around six inches already. It sounds like we are getting quite a bit more. School is closed for a few days, and some factories are sending their workers home before lunchtime. My husband Joe and sons Benjamin and Joseph left this morning for work and haven’t come back home yet. Hopefully, everyone will stay safe.

This past weekend we did our pork butchering. Friday night our family came home for the night. The men dressed four hogs. Everyone stayed for the night, and then we started cutting up the meat on Saturday morning.

Lovina and her family work together to prepare sausage for future meals. Photo provided.

Pork tenderloin, pork chops, ham, ribs, bacon, etc. were all cut out. Then the meat was cut off the bones and the bones were put in the big black kettle to cook off the meat. Sausage was ground and packaged. Some sausage was canned in jars. (We like to can some for quick and ready meat for casseroles, etc.) We put the ham, pork chops, and bacon in the freezer as Joe likes it partially frozen to run through the slicer. Joe saved the pig brains also, and he and some of the children like those. I say “Yuck,” but I always end up frying them even though I have never tasted it. 21 gallons of pon hoss were made in the big black kettle. The lard was rendered, and we put it in jars to seal so it stays fresher for longer. Dustin is soaking the bacon in a brine to season it. It was more of a challenge to keep the meat sorted in four different places as Elizabeth and Tim, Loretta and Dustin, Susan, and us each got a hog. Needless to say, it was a full day’s work.

Daughters Verena and Lovina made a good lunch for everyone with the menu being fresh pork tenderloin fried, mashed potatoes, dressing, gravy, corn, cheese, chocolate chip bars, and ice cream. My friend Ruth stopped in and pitched in to help with the meat. She took some pictures to share to help better explain the process of butchering. Sister Verena came here Friday night and has been staying with us since.

Yesterday we had a nice surprise when my cousins Barbara and Susan showed up at my door. They asked if sister Verena and I wanted to go with them to visit sister Emma. I was getting ready to wash laundry, but I decided the laundry could wait until I got back. It’s not often I get a chance to visit with them. We went with their driver to Emma’s house and soon several hours passed. We had a nice time catching up on each other’s families. We grew up living beside each other. Our mothers were sisters, and both our parents have passed away. Susan has several children with muscular dystrophy also, so we can relate with each other. After they dropped Verena and me off here at home again, son Kevin and I washed the laundry.

This week, I’ll share the recipe for sausage bean burritos.

Stay healthy and God’s blessings to all!

Sausage Bean Burritos
1 pound sausage
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 can black or chili beans, drained
1 1/2 cups cooked rice
1 1/2 cup salsa, divided
10 flour tortillas (7 inch)
1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

Cook sausage, green pepper, and onion; drain. Stir in beans, rice, and 1 cup salsa; mix well. Spread 1/2 cup sausage mixture down the center of each tortilla. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon cheese. Roll up and put in a greased 13×9 inch pan. Top with remaining salsa. Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with the rest of the cheese. Bake 10 minutes longer.

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold.  Because Lovina is Old Order Amish, she does not have email or a telephone in her home. Lovina does not respond to comments on this website, if you would like to contact her directly, click here.

Readers can write to Eicher at PO Box 1689, South Holland, IL 60473 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.

Meats, Soups

Different Ways to Prepare the Thanksgiving Turkey and Eat the Leftovers

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December—the final month of 2021!

The Thanksgiving holiday has come and gone. We are mostly caught up with the leftover food from it. I made a stew with the turkey carcass from the turkey son-in-law Dustin made for us in his deep fryer. Everyone loved the stew, and it really is great way to get the most out of your turkey. I will share my recipe with this column.

Yesterday I spent the day at sister Emma’s house as she hosted a Pampered Chef party so she could earn some free kitchen items. Emma served lunch to all the ladies and children that came.

Daughters Elizabeth, Susan, and Verena and my grandchildren were there too. I got to spend the day with them as well. Granddaughter Abigail came there off the bus after school with Emma’s youngest son Steven. Steven is in eighth grade, so this will be his last year of school.

It is really quiet around here with everyone at work. My husband Joe at the metal shop, son Benjamin, 22, at the RV factory, son Joseph, 19, on his construction job, daughter Lovina, 17, at her job at McDonald’s, and son Kevin, 16, helping out this week at a butchering shop. It’s still hard for me to get used to the emptiness but that is a part of life.

Saturday Joe and I plan to do some Christmas shopping. We will have our family Christmas on December 18th (a year ago, son-in-law Mose’s funeral was on the 18th). We are having it a little earlier than usual as daughter Elizabeth, Tim, and family will travel by charter bus to Florida over Christmas. Tim’s parents and some of his family will be with them, and they well attend Tim’s nephew’s wedding in Florida. They will also travel to Kentucky with some of Tim’s family for a Christmas gathering at his sister’s house on December 11th. Elizabeth has been extra busy preparing for these upcoming trips.

Our family exchanged names for a gift exchange when we get together.

Daughter Verena spent Sunday evening here, while daughter Susan and children went to Mose’s sister’s house to spend the evening with his family.

I attended the Thanksgiving feast at Abigail’s school last week. It’s so different to go for a granddaughter than when I went for my children. It brought back memories of all the years our eight children attended that school. Abigail was excited to have her grandma, mother, siblings, aunts, cousins, and Uncle Kevin come to eat with her. Nephew Steven also ate with us.

We had a nice day together on Thanksgiving Day at sister Emma’s house. They had the table set for all of us. Her sons-in-law prepared a trash can turkey, which is somehow cooked under a trash can with charcoal around it. It was very delicious. Emma also baked a turkey in her oven so we had plenty of turkey. I had made some food to take along, and lo and behold I forgot to take the pumpkin roll. I thought I was forgetting something as I was loading up the food on the buggy but didn’t realize it until the dessert was being passed around. I always think we need a pumpkin roll for Thanksgiving, but we did okay without it. Let us thank God every day. We have so many blessings that we take for granted. God bless and stay safe and healthy!

Turkey Stew

Turkey carcass and mixed bones (your leftover holiday turkey)
1 medium onion, diced
6 stalks celery, diced
6 large carrots, dices
8 medium potatoes, diced
1/4 cup parsley, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chicken soup base
seasonings to taste

Place carcass in large kettle and cover with water. Cook until meat removes from bones. Cool off enough so all the bones can be taken out of water. Then add meat, vegetables, and seasonings back in water and cook until potatoes are soft. Optional—cabbage or other vegetables you prefer can be added. We loved it!

 

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to Eicher at PO Box 1689, South Holland, IL 60473 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.

Casseroles, Meats

A Bridal Shower and Chicken Club Brunch Ring

This column will wrap up my writing for October already. Daughter Loretta and Dustin have been married a month on Monday. Where does the time go? Do we take enough time out of our busy lives to thank God for all the blessings we have? When our lives don’t go as we expect, it is so easy to give up. We need to take one day at a time and remember that God will help us through the hard trials.

Last week sister Emma and I spent a day with sister Verena. We washed off her bedroom walls, ceiling, window, and furniture. We emptied sister Susan’s desk and dresser and packed some of her clothes in totes for now. This was a hard job to do. It makes it so final. Susan collected a lot of things through the years, so we have lots more to sort through. But we made a start at least. The physical work wasn’t what was hard. It was the going through a loved one’s belongings and knowing they won’t need them anymore. It made me think that the only thing I can take with me one day are my children. Let us spend time with our family while we still have each other.

Sunday evening we had supper at niece Emma and Menno’s house. They served a good supper of mashed potatoes, gravy, chicken, deep fried mushrooms, potato salad, desserts and more I am probably forgetting. Those enjoying the supper were Joe and me, and sons Benjamin, Joseph (and special friend Grace), and Kevin, daughter Lovina (and special friend Daniel), daughter Loretta and Dustin, daughter Elizabeth, Tim, and children, daughter Susan and children, daughter Verena, sister Verena, sister Emma and sons Jacob, Benjamin (and special friend Crystal), and Steven, and niece Elizabeth and Manuel. The three special loved ones that were usually with all of us were dearly missed. We played board games after supper. It was a rainy evening and cold outside so it was nice to be indoors.

Yesterday daughter Verena hosted a Pampered Chef bridal shower for daughter Loretta which was held here. It was a very good turnout, and Loretta was able to choose lots of free items for her kitchen. The consultant made a chicken club ring and chicken salad. I made a tater tot casserole and potato salad. My daughters and sister and her daughters all brought desserts and snacks, so we had a nice meal to enjoy after the party.

Sister Verena had been staying with us since Sunday. She went home with sister Emma. Emma had supper brought in last night from our bishop, ministers, and deacon and their families. She wanted us to come, but it is not so easy to leave since we don’t have our buggy. The boys use our other buggy, and Benjamin has one he bought. We need to go look for another one since ours was demolished in the storm in August. We do have an old buggy here that they use to train horses, but the door doesn’t shut on one side and with the cold weather it’s not fun to ride in. To think Joe and I both grew up with open buggies. I think we are spoiled now.

Today daughter Elizabeth goes on a field trip with granddaughter Abigail’s class to a pumpkin patch, corn maze, and pet farm. Daughters Susan and Verena will have her other two children T.J. and Allison at their house for the day. Abigail is so excited to have her mother come to school with her.

Saturday we travel to Berne, Indiana, to attend my family gathering at sister-in-law Nancy’s house. It is right on brother Amos’s 60th birthday. He will be greatly missed as will all the other loved ones that have gone on before us. God’s blessings to all!

Chicken Club Brunch Ring

1 cup mayonnaise
2 tablespoons mustard
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, snipped
1 tablespoon onion, finely chopped
1 (10-ounce) can chunk white chicken, drained and flaked
1 pound bacon slices, crisply cooked and chopped
2 (8-ounce packages) refrigerated crescent rolls
1 cup (4 ounces) finely shredded Swiss cheese, divided
2 plum tomatoes, thinly sliced
1 medium red bell pepper
2 cups lettuce, shredded

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, mustard, parsley, and onion; mix well. In another bowl, put in flaked chicken, bacon, 3/4 cup cheese and 1/3 cup of mayonnaise mixture; mix well. Unroll crescent dough and separate into 16 triangles. Arrange triangles in a circle on a 13-inch round baking stone (or other round pan) with wide ends of triangles overlapping in the center and points toward the outside. There should be a 5-inch diameter opening in center of stone. Using a medium scoop, divide the chicken mixture evenly onto the widest end of each triangle. Bring the outside points of the triangles up over filling and tuck under the wide ends of dough at center of ring. The filling will not be completely covered. Cut tomato slices in half and place a tomato half over the filling in between the openings of the ring. Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until a deep golden brown. Remove from the oven immediately and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup cheese. Cut top of bell pepper off. Remove membranes and seeds. Fill bottom part of pepper with the remaining mayonnaise mixture and place in center of ring. Arrange lettuce around pepper. Slice and serve.

 

 

Lovina’s Amish Kitchen is written by Lovina Eicher, Old Order Amish writer, cook, wife, and mother of eight. Her newest cookbook, Amish Family Recipes, is available wherever books are sold. Readers can write to Eicher at PO Box 1689, South Holland, IL 60473 (please include a self-addressed stamped envelope for a reply); or email LovinasAmishKitchen@MennoMedia.org and your message will be passed on to her to read. She does not personally respond to emails.