Customer Reviews (14)

This is my most used cookbook
The recipes in this book are for farmers, who are cold all winter and hot all summer, so they are hearty and filling.However, if you are trying to cook light, they are easily modifiable.Use ground turkey instead of ground beef or sausage.Use turkey sausage instead of pork sausage, etc.You can often substitute canola oil for butter.You really only need to use shortening or lard when it effects the consistency, like in pie crust.Even made as they are written, these recipes are much healthier than the average fast food or restaraunt meal.They are also healthier than the average prepared meal out of the grocery store freezer.They are meant to be served up with heaping helpings of fresh vegetables.Some are great simple fare to serve up when you don't have time to cook.I find that the farmer's summer supper (a mixture of torn bread, fresh fruit and fresh milk) is great on hot summer nights when its too hot to turn on the oven and heat up the kitchen.I have used the sour milk griddle cake recipe for decades (substitute buttermilk if the idea of using sour milk bothers you, or sour fresh milk with a tablespoon of vinegar).Recently, I have gotten totally hooked on the buckwheat pancake recipe.I love the cornbread recipe, and I often make it by substituting a can of creamed corn for the milk.Its much healthier than eating store bought bread, with whole grain and vegetables both in the same bread.

good food
I grew up in a Mennonite home and many of these foods, I've given this to cookbook to many of my friends and extended family members.Some really great dishes, try the graham cracker fluff it's a favorite at our house.

A simply superb repository of old country flavor and culinary creations that have weathered the test of time
The Mennonite Community Cookbook is a major compilation of eleven hundred recipes drawn from Mennonite cookbooks and updated with standard measurements and directions but otherwise unaltered. These simple yet flavorful dishes were contributed by Mennonite families all over the United States and Canada, and include such offerings as Old-Fashioned Bean Soup, Salmon Roll with Egg Sauce, Toasted Spice Cake, and Baked Stuffed Turnips. Each recipe is quite short, yet the instructions are crystal clear and easy for cooks of all skill and experience levels to follow. The Mennonite Community Cookbook is a simply superb repository of old country flavor and culinary creations that have weathered the test of time.

Mother's home cooking
I acknowledge the Madman's points:most of the recipes in this book do not conform to today's dietary standards.But bear in mind that this book was first written over 70 years ago.That's when my mother got her copy.She still has it with the cover's half-torn off and pages stuck in loose and scribbled on.This was a Pennsylvania Dutch housewife's book of recipes for Pennsylvania Dutch housewives.They weren't worried about waistlines or BMI numbers.They needed to feed their families who worked in the fields or guests over for a holiday feast.

I also agree that the strength is the desert section, but that is the specialty of the PA Dutch.My brother, sister, and I would spend winter days with mother making cookies from the recipes and I even took a turn at making the cream puff recipe once for a church social.They turned out great!

Not only is this a wonderful recipe book, but to me, it is a family treasure.

A classic!
OK, it's a little old-fashioned, but it's a relic of a bygone age, and many of the recipes deserve to be given new life.

The weaknesses are mostly in some of the main-course recipes that, by all appearances, can be extremely fatty and greasy.Speaking as someone who just lost 30 pounds, I don't need that!But they're probably good for an occasional indulgence.

The cookie, cake and pie recipes are the book's strongest point.Saucepan Fudge Cake is easy and unbelievably good, and Rochester Cake (also labelled as Grandmother's Favorite Cake) is outstanding, a layered spice cake with a raisin filling and topping.It's a great favorite of mine for parties.

The recipes for pickles, jams and jellies will probably interest a lot of people in reviving the dying art of home canning.

There are recipes that probably don't work at all in today's world, or are probably not up to modern tastes.A Russian "birthday cake" is pumpernickel bread, sliced and spread with cottage cheese, and the recipe is probably presented more as a historical curiosity than anything else.Another recipe, for a "Pork Cake", is something like a cross between a fruitcake and a meatloaf and will probably make modern cooks gag.

Still, there are many good good good recipes in this book.Hearty old-fashioned fare, not something to base one's diet from, but a great addition to a cook's library. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

The Best of Mennonite Fellowship Meals
I use this book all of the time.Most of the recipes are items most people who like to cook will have on their shelves or in their refrigerators.Have given this book as a gift three times because I love the recipes!

Carolyn S. Cecil
Lincoln, IL

The Best of Mennonite Fellowship Meals
This cookbook is the best one I have in my collection. I use it almost weekly. Espically when I have to prepare a dish for a crowd. It has over 900 recipies from the wonderful Amish people. Not only does it have unbelievable recipies but it has cooking tips and ideas for meals. The recipies are simple and very easy to understand. I would recommend this cookbook to anyone.

Highly recommended!
One of my favorite traditions is the church fellowship meal - where each family brings a dish to pass, and the whole congregation gathers together to eat in Christian fellowship. This wonderful book is a collection of over 900 recipes (I took the author's word for it, I am NOT going to try to count them!) that were collected from Mennonite churches across the United States.

The main part of the book is divided into seven sections: 1) breads, rolls and muffins, 2) soups, 3) salads (vegetable, meat & fruit), 4) main dishes (vegetable, chicken, ground beef, turkey, ham, sausage, seafood, other meats, bean & pasta), 5) breakfast foods, 6) pies and tarts, 7) cakes, 8) bars and cookies, 9) desserts and candies, 10) appetizers and snacks, 11) cheeses and dips, and 12) beverages. But, that's not all; there are also three fascinating chapters on one-pot meals, "if you do not cook," and "time savers, space savers and other hints."

This is a great book, with lots of wonderful, easy to read and follow recipes. So far, my wife and I have made the Mexican Salad (p.65), the Almond Chicken (p.113), and the Double Chocolate Crumble Bars (p.215) - all of which were great. We love this book, and highly recommend it to you!

The most used cookbook
I have a fairly large collection of cookbooks and this is the one that has the pages falling out and corners all bent over. I've used it until it has started to fall apart. Its not poor quality. Its well used. This cookbook is lent out more than its in my cabinet. These are down home recipes that make use of commom ingredients. There are even recipes for large gatherings and I also like the helpful tips that are included through out. I was on line today looking to purchase a copy of this book for a friend who is a frequent borrower. I'm gonna buy a new copy for myself very soon. Highly recommended.

My FAVORITE cookbook!
Not only do we do a lot of entertaining, but we have a large family, so EVERY DAY we need recipes for a crowd.This book, designed for potluck suppers (everyone knows church potlucks provide the best food in the whole world!), is an every-day necessity at our house.My only complaint: I wish it was available in ring-bound hardback-my copy is in four pieces! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Thoghrough and Lively
Not challenging to read at all. Full of very informative and enlightening historical information in a lively context. Complete with references, accurate datings, the stories and challenges of the very first anabaptists and through the 20th century, how the church(es) have grown, political situations and MORE!

You can appreciate the work put into this.

Mennonite History
I found this book to be very helpful. The information contained in this volume was top notch and very much what I needed for my purpose.

An Excellent Source Of Information!
I'm currently working on my family history, one branch of which were Mennonites that came to America from Russia in 1874.This book has proven to be a valuable source of information, as the author not only discusses the origin and evolution of the Mennonite faith but also traces the migration of the Mennonite believers over the centuries.

While this is not a book for everyone - it is not an easy read (college level) - the author does a great job in presenting the information and keeping the reader interested in what could otherwise be a very dry subject.

If you are researching your Mennonite roots or are just interested in learning more about the faith, this book is definitely worthwhile!!

An Excellent Source Of Information!!
I'm currently researching my family history, one branch of which is part of the group of Mennonites that came to America from the Ukraine in 1874.This book has proven to be be a wonderful source of information regarding Mennonite history.It discusses both the history of the faith itself and the ethnic origins and migrations of its believers through the centuries.

The author presents the information in such a way as to keep the interest of the reader in spite of the fact that it's not an easy read (definitely college level material).

While this is not a book for everyone, if you are interested in the history of the Mennonite faith or are doing family research in that area it's definitely one worth purchasing!

An Advanced Teaching in Mennonite History
I read this book a few years back and remember it as a book that was very detailed and informative. It is not an easy read. It's more on the level of college material and definitely for the serious student of Mennonitehistory. Don't let that scare you away. Even if you pick up one half ofwhat is written you will probably know more history than most Mennonites. Ifound this to be true in my case as I personally know a few Mennonites andI consider them to be good friends.This is an excellent book to startbuilding your foundation. I would recommend this as a #1 choice. As anumber 2 choice, I would recommend Dyck's Spiritual Life in Anabaptism. Butread his Mennonite History book first! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A wonderful resource
This wonderful little book is a highly readable explanation of the Mennonite faith. Prepared by theologians from two North American Mennonite groups (the Mennonite Church and the General Conference Mennonite Church), it is a work of thought that is practically a work of art. The book contains twenty-three chapters on the key articles of Mennonite faith; each article contains a statement of faith (e.g. "We believe that..."), Bible references, and a clear and concise commentary.

Overall, I found this book to be a wonderful resource. The people who prepared it have done an excellent job of presenting the Mennonite faith in a way that is understandable to everyone, regardless of their knowledge of who the Mennonites are. So, if you are a non-Mennonite who is interested in the Mennonite faith, or are a Mennonite who wishes to have a short but succinct statement of their faith, then I highly recommend this book to you.

What Mennonites Believe
This book provides the reader with the core values that Mennonites confess prior to becoming members of a Mennonite congregation.The book includes commentary and biblical references.Essential for any Mennonite or personwho wants to know what Mennonites believe. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A must buy
This is my all time favorite cookbook.I bake a lot and this has awesome pie, cake and cookie recipes.Also has great tips, I read the book cover to cover.A must for any Virginian or anyone who loves the Shenandoah Valley!

Very Educational & Helpful for Substitutes
This book was given to me before marriage and I have worn out one hardback and am now using a spiral.I did not know much about baking or cooking and so each section has helps and teaches the difference in using pans(for example - glass vs. aluminum pans). We lived in foreign countries for the first 8 years of our married life and it was so helpful when I couldn't find an ingredient or couldn't find a product(for example - Maple syrup). This book is the number 1 book that I refer to before planning meals or getting ideas.Since then, I have purchased several for family and friends and they love it too.

Excellent Country Culinary Work!
For the beginner to the expert, this book is full of tips and aids to make anyone a "down home country cook."

Disappointed..
I made a casserole that looked pretty tasty before it went in the oven.When it came out, it didn't turn out so well.It was also very high in calories.

I thought all the recipes in this book were going to be from scratch.Dutch country cooking is like that.This books uses cans of soup and other means to complete the recipes.Also, you can't eat this food every night.It will give you a heart attack.

I'm willing to give this book another try, but I think I'll stick to some of my other books.Don't buy this book if you are expecting traditional Mennonite cooking, that's not what this book is!!

Mennonite Cookbook should be in EVERY kitchen
This is a very helpful and resourceful book, that must be in every kictchen.I received this book as a gift from my mother-in-law, and have used it constantly over the years.
There are excellent recipes, hints and tips.I would highly recommend this book to all those who are in the kitchen.Everyone can learn something from this book, young or old, new cook or experienced.You will not be sorry you've purchased it.I would not be without mine. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A very cool book!
This is a great book for folks who would like to read what the Mennonite - Anabaptist think about themselves, and life in general. It covers a lot of years, from the 1500's to the 1990's. What I really like is that it is laid out like a devotional, with an "insight" for every day of the year.

The book has a wide verity of authors, from Moms to Elders, Old & New, and from all over the world. Each one shares a nugget from their Faith for us to learn from and ponder.

If you are looking for a book about the Anabaptist heritage from folks that have lived it, this is the book. I recommend this one! ... Read more

Book Description

During the American Civil War, the Mennonites and Amish faced moral dilemmas that tested the very core of their faith. How could they oppose both slavery and the war to end it? How could they remain outside the conflict without entering the American mainstream to secure legal conscientious objector status? In the North, living this ethical paradox marked them as ambivalent participants to the Union cause; in the South, it marked them as clear traitors.

In the first scholarly treatment of pacifism during the Civil War, two experts in Anabaptist studies explore the important role of sectarian religion in the conflict and the effects of wartime Americanization on these religious communities. James O. Lehman and Steven M. Nolt describe the various strategies used by religious groups who struggled to come to terms with the American mainstream without sacrificing religious values -- some opted for greater political engagement, others chose apolitical withdrawal, and some individuals renounced their faith and entered the fight.

Integrating the most recent Civil War scholarship with little-known primary sources and new information from Pennsylvania and Virginia to Illinois and Iowa, Lehman and Nolt provide the definitive account of the Anabaptist experience during the bloodiest war in American history.

Customer Reviews (1)

Ecumenical, evangelical, catholic
John Howard Yoder, whom author Mark Thiessen Nation believes (correctly, in my estimation) to have offered "the most powerful articulation of a Christian theological rationale for pacifism that has ever been given," (p. 193), is sometimes dismissed by nonpacifist Christians as a theologian who speaks from a narrowly Mennonite perspective.Since he's not denominationally mainstream, these critics continue, neither is his defense of nonviolence.It's a Mennonite thing, if you will, the hobbyhorse of a traditional "peace church."

Nation's book has the very real merit of responding to such critics.He effectively argues that although Yoder was a loyal Mennonite his entire life and highly influenced by the Anabaptist tradition, he always intended his message to be ecumenically and evangelically addressed to all Christians and considered it to be catholic--that is, cross-denominational.After providing a quick biographical overview, Nation explores this reading of Yoder in a series of chapters that explore Yoder's call for "ecumenical patience," an "evangelical and catholic peace theology," and a social responsibility inspired by and squarely focused on the offense of the Cross.

This is a good, solid read of Yoder, who at least sometimes is a rather difficult, wordy (perhaps from all his years reading Barth!) author.But Nation's book, despite its exciting subject, is strangely lackluster.It relies a good deal on a staccato style that ticks off bullet points instead of offering sustained discussion, and often comes across as a rehashed but still dry doctoral dissertation (which I doubt it actually is).I found the ideas in the book interesting (although, in all honesty, somewhat obvious for readers with some familiarity with Yoder), but the book itself a bit of a chore to read.What's absolutely indisputable, though, is that Nation knows his Yoder.The documentation is impressive and really quite helpful.

Better treatments of Yoder, I think, are Craig Carter's The Politics of the Cross:The Theology and Social Ethics of John Howard Yoder (2001) and the essays collected in Stanley Hauerwas' and Chris & Harry Huebner's excellent The Wisdom of the Cross:Essays in Honor of John Howard Yoder (2005).In the latter volume, Nation kicks off the festschrift with a biographical essay that basically summarizes his thesis that Yoder's thought is Mennonite, ecumenical, evangelical, and catholic. ... Read more

Book Description
Here are hundreds of those uncommonly tasty recipes, gathered from a comforting food tradition, rooted in the old South. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Featuring color photography and a spiral binding
The Shenandoah Valley has been home to Mennonites and Amish whose culinary skills and traditions have pleased palates and satisfied hungry appetites for many generations. Phyllis Good is the curator of The People's Place Quilt Museum and the author of "The Best of Amish Cooking" and "The Festival Cookbook", as well as the co-author of four other cookbooks drawing from Amish and Mennonite culinary traditions. Kate Good co-authored "Amish Cooking For Kids" along with her sister, Rebecca, and her mother, Phyllis. Together, mother and daughter have collaborated to once again showcase recipes from the Shenandoah Valley region, with Kate researching and writing the profiles of the Shenandoah Valley Towns associated with the recipes in this culinary compendium. Featuring color photography and a spiral binding allowing Mennonite Recipes From The Shenandoah Valley to lay flat upon the kitchen counter, the recipes range from Blueberry Oat Muffins, to German Potato Salad, to Sweet Potato and Apple Casserole, to Dutch Meat Loaf, to Old-Fashioned Egg Custard, to Golden Carrot Cake. If you only have time enough for one new cookbook for your kitchen, make it Mennonite Recipes From The Shenandoah Valley!
... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Sehr gut!
Mennonite isn't just a church denomination, its a culture. I grew up Mennonite Brethren, so I grew up with much of the WONDERFUL food mentioned in this book. If you've never been to an MB potluck, you've never truly eaten. However, the recipes aren't the only things that make this book such an incredible buy. The vignettes about the culture and traditions of the Mennonite faith are a great read. They help explain what makes us so unique. (Even if many of these traditions have faded over time.) Whenever someone asks "what's a Mennonite?", this is the first book I hand them.

... Read more

Book Description
Each of the authors has spent years doing development, as wll as in academia. ... Read more

Product Description
Seriously accurate and seriously funny, here is an essential field guide for all things Mennonite. Combining reliable, historical, and theological information, alongside some fun facts, The Mennonite Handbook provides very practical tips on being a churchgoing follower of Jesus Christ.

Step-by-step instructions include: How to Get to Know Your Pastor
How to Sing a Four-Part Hymn
How to Listen to a Sermon
What to Bring to a Church Potluck
How to Survive a Church Split
How to Console Someone
How to Memorize a Bible Verse ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Hilarious & Profound
This book is a hoot.It also contains a lot of valuable facts and information. Recommend ... Read more

Book Description
Conflicts today regularly break out along religious fault lines, whether in Iraq, Israel-Palestine, Sudan, or elsewhere. This volume contains case studies of ways in which Mennonites have contributed to peacebuilding and reconciliation in multi-religious contexts and offers a theological rationale for interfaith collaboration. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Honest and Compelling Exploration of Inter-Faith Bridge Building
This collection of essays gives the reader an excellent insight into the work that Mennonites have done through inter-faith exchange and community building globally. You do not need to be Mennonite to enjoy this book, it is a compelling and fascinating collection of well-written essays and real-life accounts.It is a much needed book in a world where religion is viewed to be a catalyst of conflict.The examples of peace work and the positive influences that religion can be are so refreshing in our constantly secularized world.I would highly recommend this to anyone who would like to be rejuvenated in the Spirit of Service to our global community! ... Read more

Book Description
Includes nearly 200 family recipes from America's heartland, a culinary folk history of the Indiana Amish and Mennonites. This celebration of farm life is a companion volume to the PBS series hosted by Adams. 64 full-color photographs. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Perfect, easy recipes,
What can I say I'm perpetually busy with three small boys and cooking always seems to allude me culminating in constant eating out.

I have several cookbooks, either the kids won't eat the recipes I make, they taste awful, or it's to expensive with all the ingredients.

This book is an absolute jem for the mother who needs to be able to fix a simple meal, quickly, and without all the ingredient fuss.Most of the recipes in here call for flour, butter, oil, lard, sugar.You know your basic staples.

My kids love these recipes.The apples I made in brown sugar, fantastic.Tastes just like Cracker Barrels.I also like the fact that when your cooking this way the preservatives are at a absolute minimum, which is great.

For those of you who commented on how healthy this book is please look into your history books or pictures of your grandparents.You can't find the fat person.I've been to several countries and America is by far the fattest.The other countries all lacked skim milk, low fat this, fat free this, and corn syrup in everything.

I am by the way overweight and haven't gained a pound from this book.Moderation my dear.I've actually lost weight.Great book, I highly recommend.

Terrific Cookbook!
The recipes are hearty and filling, taste and look great too. My husband raves each time something new comes from this book!

--Very enjoyable--
COOKING FROM QUILT COUNTRY is a pleasure to read. The title comes from the fact that Amish and Mennonite people are famous for their quilt making skills.

This book gives a little background of the Mennonite and Amish sects and how they came into existence.The roots of the two groups originated with the Protestant Reformation and the Swiss Anabaptist movement.The leader was a Dutch priest by the name of Menno Simons.

This very informative book is filled with wonderful recipes and many photographs.Because the Mennonites and Amish have traditionally been farmers, they're also known for their wonderful foods. There are recipes for everyone here, but I was especially interested in the different vegetable dishes that are presented.

98% relaible
book received in great shape and took less then four days to receive

Cooking From Quilt Country is perfection
CookingFrom Quilt Country is by far the best cookbook (and I have many) that I have ever seen.Whether you want to lose weight or gain weight , recipies can be adapted for your own use and taste . Best of all, recipies can be done "by the book itself".I would honestly say this could be the only cookbook one woulld ever need and definitely would make a lovely gift! ... Read more

Book Description
Over 1,100 mouth-watering recipes are in this fabulous collection of favorites contributed by Mennonite families from all over the United States and Canada.All the recipes have been brought up-to-date for directions and measurements so whether it's oyster chowder or apple fritters, or the many main dishes and desserts that make Mennonite cooking so delicious, all of them can be enjoyed by the modern cook. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

PennsylvaniaDutch Cooking
Very pleased with the prompness in receiving this book.Would recommend to
any one.This was purchased for a Christmas present and much appreciated by the recipient.

Fun read, great recipes
This is fun cookbook to simply read.It has some very interesting information about old-time cooking, as well as wonderful recipes.It also has a miscellaneous section which has some fascinating recipes that are probably there more to be read than tried in modern times.Even if you never make a single recipe from this book (but you should!), it's a good read.

I've enjoyed everything I've made from it so far.

Wonderful, nostalgic cookbook
This is a wonderful cookbook.It made me very nostolgic for my grandmother's upstate NY kitchen.I agree with the earlier reviewer that the recipes are nowhere as specific as those in more modern cookbooks.However that's not a detraction to me:they look just like the ones on my grandmother's recipe cards!There are indeed real gems in this collection and overall it's a good read.

Reprint of earlier book but NOT so marked!
This book is a reprint of the authors' _Mennonite Community Cookbook_ ... Every single page is identical, word for word (just a different cover, title, and typeface) - which to me constitutes gross misrepresentation since I couldn't find that mentioned anywhere in the book, and I obviously wouldn't knowingly have ordered a duplicate copy.However, if you don't have the earlier book, you will love it.(The reason I ordered it was because I like the original book so much, and was therefore eager to see a seemingly new title attributed to them.)
It is a compilation of recipes culled from Mennonites.Since the original book was written in 1950, the directions are nowhere near as explicit as they would be today -- and there are very few "warm, fuzzy" notes prefacing recipes, so you can't tell if something was included because it is quick and easy, cheap, uses readily available ingreadients (which may be expensive today and hard for you to locate) or because it is incredibly delicious.But the gems in the collection make it well worth owning, and I love the book.My one and only complaint is that this edition is not marked as a reprint of the original.Once again, if you don't already own the original, this one is lovely.

Good Cooking!
Our house burned down in June of this year, taking all my cookbooks with it. This was the first one I replaced and am ordering two more to give as Christmas presents. It is excellent! ... Read more

Book Description
This pioneer work presents the rich and diverse decorative arts produced by the distinctive Mennonite communities in Europe, Pennsylvania, and Canada over a 300-year period. In his scholarly text, Clarke Hess identifies a host of newly recognized Mennonite artisans of traditional textiles and quilts, furniture, clocks, wooden boxes and carvings, metals, pottery, and fraktur. Derived from private collections throughout the United States and Canada, these colorful folk items of Mennonite families are all carefully identified and displayed in hundreds of color images.Designers, folk art collectors, dealers, and historians will covet this beautiful and fascinating book. ... Read more