A Farmer's Daughter: Recipes from a Mennonite Kitchen

I'm thankful for the review copy of this easy to use and delightful book. The recipes I tried were east to make, the ingredients were easy to find, instructions were simple and my family loved the end result.I enjoyed reading the food for thought sections where the author talked about life, family, food and friends.The sections in this book are broken down as follows: Drinks, Breakfast and Breads, Salads and Dressings, Summer Sandwiches and Winter Soup, Garden Fresh Veggies, Comfort Food and Sides, Main Entrees, Desserts, Cookies, Cakes and Bars, and Do It Yourself Recipes.I made and enjoyed Pumpkin spice latte, Chiai tea latte, Baked oatmeal with apples and pecans, Baked peach French toast, Pecan pear muffins, Blueberry cream muffins, Fresh corn and chicken chowder, Zucchini and Ricotta Bake, Garlic mashed potatoes, Chicken curry, Parmesan Chicken, and double chocolate chip cookies.I found the author very interesting and enjoyed reading about her. She grew up in a real farmhouse kitchen in Ohio, where she began creating recipes for her family of six at the age of sixteen. Her father was a Mennonite Pastor and farmer. Dawn's family raised their own beef, had fresh milk and raised chickens and gathered eggs.She missed these fresh ingredients when she moved away from the farm and figured others did too so she opened a store in the western suburbs of Washington, D.C. called The Farmer's Wife, in honor of her mother. The store specialized in things you could find in a farm kitchen.She ran until she was ready to start a family of her own. In the four years her shop was opened she learned a lot about people, how important food is to families and relationships and what recipes make people smile.She says, "Food has a way of bringing people together. Relationships are formed over food, and sharing meals with the ones you love has a way of opening out lives up to each other."The recipes in this book are simple to make, great to serve with your family and guests. There are tips for entertaining and ways to create your own family legacy. I can't wait to try more meals, drinks and desserts from this book filled with yummy recipes. It's great to use for your family and pass on as a gift.I’m thankful for the review copy of a book that answers the question, “What does it mean when someone says; God has healed me from the inside out? How can I let God touch the hurts in my heart and be healed?”Denise says, “You can only live with your heart shut down for so long. Eventually you will fight for your healing or you will die… Some even find God when their lives fall apart!....Sometimes a person has to die in order to really live. ..Hungry for something real?.. (tired of just going through the motions of life and feeling numb inside?) Want to feel alive? Seek whatever helps you rediscover that carefree childlike heart I know is in there somewhere – that is what you should be doing to Feel Alive!”This is a walk Denise’s characters have gone on and/or just started down the path. I enjoyed this cast so much, they are fun, bold and each have been knocked around by life. Each has a different result and story to tell.Scarlett Jo is a Pastor’s wife that’s fun and doesn’t care what people think about her. Denise writes, “Scarlett Jo hadn’t simply survived her life. She had learned how to live in spite of it- and not to worry too much about the perceptions of others.”Scarlett Jo is fun loving, free spirited and an inspirational person! I loved her voice and her outlook on life she says, “Oh, child do you not know about couponing?...I’m feeding a pack of wolves at my house. If I didn’t know how to coupon, my children would have had to eat me by now. But if you ever want to learn how to do it, you just let me know. It is crazy girl! I can go to a store and leave and they’ve paid me money.” (I want to learn – teach me! Teach Me! Grin!)The characters in this novel welcome you in as family. They’re situations will tug at your heart. What I love about Denise’s books are this, you’ll be having a good time reading then all of a sudden she cleverly interweaves spiritual truths that pierce your heart, make you stop and think. Denise will help you “See lies you believe.” You’ll laugh out loud and get teary eyed in parts of this story, a winning combination.I really liked Scarlett Jo’s husband too he says, “I watch people. I take in people. And to be honest, I learn a great deal about them by what they don’t say.”I highly recommend this novel and the non-fiction companion book called Reclaiming your Heart! It’s a win win combination. A book you’ll want to put on your summer reading list. Did I mention I just love the cover of this book too! It’s a keeper!Disclosure of Material Connection:I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising”Nora St LaurentTBCN Where Book Fun Begins www.bookfun.orgThe Book Club Network blog www.psalm516.blogspot.comBook Fun Magazine www.bookfunmagazine.com

I have not yet made anything from this book, however it looks like a keeper! Of course there are some recipes that I will be using that I will be making a little bit differently due to problems with my stomach, but that does not mean it will not be just as good, it only means it will not be in any way shape or form the least bit spicy. I cannot wait to get started! I will most definitely recommend this book, to family and friends but, also to those people who don't know they want this book yet. A good cookbook is hard to find. As much as I like this book the one thing I do not understand is why The Good Old USA all of a sudden is so spice happy, when we have some of the most delicious home cooked meals this side of heaven, and this without the spices. But most women love to collect books, cookbooks just happen to be among those books, and when there is a good book everyone finds out, and just have to have it, the cookbook being no different. One more thing I would like to say to the Author, is that she deserves five cups of tea for her book.

I thought that this book would contain good, healthy, and nutritious recipes for my family. I have always loved to cook and I was looking for a few new ideas. Dawn isn't afraid to add some convenience foods to make her recipes a bit easier. I like the way she uses her recipes to bring the nominees of family together. After all, who do we cook for except for those we love? Her basics are great and some innovations and aides are time saving and fun. I would give this book to a newly married couple as a wedding present, or a gift for a bridal party. The old saying that "the way to a man's heart is through his stomach" isn't far from the truth. Good food, good ideas, good nutrition and a touch of good sense make this a book to return to over and over again.

I eat primal/paleo and many of these recipes are great for that. I just substitute the vegetable oil with coconut oil or any call for small amounts of flour, substitute with my mixture of half coconut flour and tapioca flour. Thank you thank you for the recipe of cream of- soups. Poppy seed chicken casserole was always a favorite with my family but since going primal we don't eat meals that call for canned soups since they are far from healthy or primal. This soup recipe is a more natural way to make casseroles and when we want to cheat or make the casserole part of our 20% in the primal 80/20 way of eating, we can enjoy poppy seed chicken casserole with not as much guilt because it is more natural.

Recipes sound delicious and easy to prepare for the most part. I never knew you could put cream cheese in so many dishes :) and yet they seem to have a healthy-side by using pure ingredients instead of processed foods. Since she grew up on a dairy farm, that makes sense that there is cream, butter, cheese or milk in nearly every recipe. I Will definitely try some of these, when I am taking something special to share with family or friends. The book also has a lot of helpful hints for making your own cleaning and cooking supplies.

I found this to be a truly delightful cookbook. There are recipes to feed your body but also much to feed your soul in between the recipes. I have not tired any of the recipes yet, as I only downloaded this e-book today, however, there are many of the recipes that caught my eye and I marked to try ay another time. What I especially liked about the recipes is that there is not a lot of processed or canned ingredients to them.Reading through this cookbook was like sitting down with a good friend over a cup of tea or coffee and discussing family events. This is a feel good cookbook, not only because the food is good wholesome food.

The recipes in this book are stunning. I had no idea that the Mennonite community indulged in such diverse cuisine and it is refreshing to know this. I trust in all things Mennonite cooking and add this to my collection. I've had Food that Schmeks for many years and it is my 'go to' reference for all excellent home cooking recipes.

I thought there would be more traditional Mennonite recipes

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