As of last week I declared the fall-winter-spring cooking season officially open. I have a closet-sized New York City kitchen, and even with the air conditioning going full blast in the rest of the apartment it's too hot to turn on the oven in the summer. But last week brought cooler weather and I was back in the cooking mode.
Happily, I had received a copy of Gather around the Amish Table by Lucy Leid from the Litfuse Publicity Group and that's where I went for inspiration. As a total sweet-tooth I turned first to sections on desserts -- cookies, cakes and pies and desserts and candy -- and had a wonderful time. I'm saving these treats -- Pumpkin Cookies are first on my "to bake" list -- for a party or get-together. I know I'd eat the entire batch right out of the freezer if I kept them in the house.
I then flipped to this section, Vegetables and Side Dishes, and got lots of ideas for things I can cook now. I'm especially intrigued with Two Bean Bake -- green beans and kidney beans at the base of the recipe -- and with just a little tweaking it would be a great main course for me. These are hearty recipes for people who are doing a lot of physical work and a just a little too rich for someone who is more sedentary, like me. But there are so many good ideas for delicious foods for both every day and for treats.
The book has beautiful photos and each recipe has engaging memories and thoughts, which I very much enjoyed reading. These paragraphs gave a real sense of the women from the Amish and Mennonite communities who had contributed the recipes. My favorite pumpkin recipe contributor noted that she always make these cookies six batches at a time because her family has nine people. If you are a cookbook fan -- I am! -- or looking for a gift for a bridal shower or Christmas, I highly recommend this. There's lots of good cooking and reading here.
Despite the cooler weather of last week, today may be the among the last days of summer. It's actually hot and humid for New York in almost-October. I went to Midtown to "run" an errand and was on a bus coming home stuck in the traffic gridlock that happens when the President is in town and the United Nations General Assembly meets. Now I'm happily home, enjoying an iced coffee.
As always, thanks for visiting and have a sweet evening!
Please note: I received a copy of "Gather Around the Amish Table" from the Litfuse Publicity Group for review purposes, but the opinions are all mine.