Wanda E. Brunstetter's Amish Friends Cookbook

Wanda E. Brunstetter
Barbour Books (2007)
ISBN 1597896446
Reviewed by Kelli Glesige for Reader Views (5/07)

Favorite author, Wanda E. Brunstetter, who has skillfully written many fictional stories about the Amish and Mennonite communities, is back, this time offering a wonderful collection of 200 hearty and appetite satisfying recipes right from the recipe boxes of the individuals themselves.  Everything you expect from a cookbook is offered here, and more.

In addition to the standard categories of recipes one would expect, Brunstetter offers tidbits of information about the Amish and their way of life including their history, church, schools, weddings, quilts, homes, transportation, communication, occupations and clothing.  If you desire to learn a bit more about the Amish and you enjoy cooking, this book would be a great addition to any recipe shelf.  Included throughout are also short words of wisdom to make reading through the interesting recipes even more enjoyable.  For example, “A smile adds a great deal to face value,” is a statement worth remembering.  And, “Don’t ask God for what you think is good; ask Him for what He thinks is good for you,” is another fun but true item to contemplate!

I highly recommend this cookbook by an author I have come to enjoy.  Her interest in and knowledge of the Amish fascinates me, and it emanates throughout the pages of her current book.

The dessert section of “Amish Friends Cookbook” is particularly extensive with several old-fashioned pie and cake recipes.  I was particularly intrigued with Pilgrim Pie, Frozen Fudge, and Baked Doughnuts. And if you like cooking with rhubarb, you should be especially thrilled, for there are numerous recipes using this tasty plant, including Rhubarb Punch.  Apples and oatmeal are two more ingredients that appear often throughout the pages of this delightful cookbook.  From Quick Root Beer, German Pizza, Cheeseburger Soup, and Dutch Slaw, there is sure to be something to entice almost everyone.  There is even a recipe for Kidney Stone Remedy!

“Wanda E. Brunstetter’s Amish Friends Cookbook” features a spiral binding, perfect for keeping a page lying flat while using a recipe.  Each page also contains multiple colors, and there are full color photographs of Amish families also.  Overall, this is a very attractive cookbook, and it is educational too.  “Amish Friends Cookbook” is sure to delight any cook who likes to create special recipes from scratch.  I definitely plan to add this book to my cookbook collection of frequently used recipes.  I recommend it completely.

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