Tuesday is daytrip day to Amish Country. With that comes grocery shopping at the Amish Salvage stores and a stop at a Swiss cheese factory and dinner at Mary Yoders. Below are the groceries we bought two weeks ago. Our Trunk after the first stop.
Forty miles outside of Cleveland, Ohio, Geauga County has been a hub for Amish settlements since the 1880s – boasting the fourth-largest Amish population in the world. It’s also home to some of the rarest genetic diseases in the world.
Now stop number two.
And our trunk after stop number three.
And a stop at Mary Yoders for their stuffed cabbage, bread rolls, and mashed potatoes. for only $9.99. Tuesday special.
This pasta dish doesn’t have to be made with spaghetti, you can use rotini, penne pasta, or noodles. Sprinkle parmesan cheese over the spaghetti and it is delicious. Leftovers of this supper can be stored in an airtight container and put in the fridge. Out of all the one-pot pasta recipes I’ve tried this is one of the best and most flavorful.
Pasta is often seen as an Italian creation and perhaps it is, but the Amish have definitely embraced homemade pasta – especially noodles – as their own. Most noodles just take eggs, flour, and salt and some patience and you have a delicious dish.
Their diet revolves around self-sufficiency and locally-grown foods. They often make their own egg noodles, which are similar to pasta, and sometimes even other types like ravioli or lasagna.
INGREDIENTS.
12 ounces spaghetti or homemade egg noodles
6-8tablespoonsolive oil
2 medium onions, chopped
2 medium carrots, very finely chopped or grated
about 4 garlic cloves
3 cups home-canned chopped tomatoes with liquid or use store-bought
This recipe has a blend of white flour and wheat flour. If you wanted to just use all wheat, though, you could (conversely, if you wanted to turn this into an all-white bread, you could just use all white flour).
INGREDIENTS
1 1 /4 cup warm water
2 tablespoonshoney
1cupbuttermilk (use other milk if you wish)
1tablespoon or cakeof dry, active yeast
2cupswhite flour
1 cupwhole wheat flour
2teaspoonssalt
2tablespoonssoft shortening
INSTRUCTIONS
Dissolve yeast in water, add honey, half the white flour, salt and shortening.
Mix well. Blend in remaining flour with spoon. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 30 minutes.
Stir batter down and spread it evenly in a greased loaf pan, 9 X 5 X 3 inches
Let rise in warm place until batter reaches 1 /2 in from the top of pan.
About 40 minutes. Bake at 375 for 40 – 40 minutes. Brush top with shortening. Makes 1 loaf.
My wife and I spend alot of time in the Amish country sections of Ohio. Reason being that it’s very close plus we get awsome grocery prices and eat at excellent restaurants in Amish country.
There is a small Amish community in Pennsylvania actually closer, but it’s not as large as the Ohio locations and the restaurants aren’t Amish. Go figure.
Below is a e-mail I get from a company in Holmes County which is Amish country. Enjoy the article below.
Dear Friend,
Greetings from the Amish community! I hope this email finds you in good health and spirits. I’m sure you are looking forward to the warmer days of spring, just like we are.
This week was highlighted by an annual winter tradition that the Amish families have practiced for generations: filling up the ice houses!
Amish do not have refrigerators or freezers in their homes, so they rely on natural ice to keep their food fresh throughout the year. Every winter, when the ponds freeze over, they cut large blocks of ice and store them in insulated buildings called ice houses. This way, they can have ice for their milk, butter, cheese, meat, and other perishables all summer.
This year, however, there was a bit of a challenge. The weather had been so mild until last week that some families began worrying that the ice wouldn’t be thick enough to harvest. They prayed for a cold snap, and God answered their prayers!
Last week, the temperature dropped below zero for several days, and the ice grew thick and solid on the ponds. The Amish families wasted no time and got to work as soon as possible. They cleared the snow from the ponds and marked the areas where they would begin cutting. They used a special saw to cut the ice into rectangular blocks, about 50 pounds each.
They worked in a team of 12 men and older boys, divided into two groups: one on the pond and one on the land. One man operated the saw on the pond, while two others used ice tongs to lift the blocks from the water. Two boys then used pitchforks to slide the blocks to the pond’s edge to one of the waiting wagons driven by one of the four men who were the designated wagon drivers.
Wagons were each loaded with approximately 80 blocks of ice and driven to the ice houses. Two more men were in charge of stacking the ice inside the ice houses while the driver unloaded the blocks into a wooden trough that allowed the ice to slide into the icehouse. This process was repeated until they filled six ice houses, one for each family in the local “ring”. A “ring” is what the Amish call a group of families that help each other fill their ice houses.
It was hard work but also fun and rewarding. They enjoyed the camaraderie and the satisfaction of preserving a piece of winter for the warmer months ahead. They also thanked God for providing them with this natural resource and blessing them with good weather and safety.
Besides crafting baskets and harvesting ice, here are some of this week’s other happenings in and around the Amish family’s farms.
The Mast family joined in putting up ice this week. The men and boys helped cut and carry the frozen blocks, feeling the cold bite their fingers and toes. They look forward to the summer when they use the ice to keep their perishables fresh and make refreshing treats. They also made balona from the deer and hog meat they had preserved. The girls spent a day and a half canning the balona to make it last.
Yoder family welcomed their eldest daughter, who had returned from an extended visit to their kin in Missouri. They have a butcher shop, and she had gone there to help them butcher through deer season. She was happy to be home. The Yoder family had planned to butcher two of their hogs, but they had to wait. The ice harvest took a little longer than usual because some ice was thin.
Gingerich family decided to treat themselves to homemade ice cream bars, using their farm’s fresh cream and eggs. They cranked up a batch of vanilla ice cream, and by putting the ice cream between two graham crackers, they created a sweet and simple dessert for the whole family. The Gingerich family also hopes to get caught up with the baskets that sold out over the past holiday season, so they are focused heavily on crafting baskets.
Featured Recipe:
Last week, we were asked for a butterscotch recipe, so we asked the Amish families for their favorite recipes that featured butterscotch in them. The Yoder family gave us this one that sounds unique and delicious.
BUTTERSCOTCH CRUNCH COOKIES
2 c. shortening
2 c. white sugar
2 c. brown sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
4 eggs
3 c. flour
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. soda
6 c. oatmeal
Mix together shortening and sugars. Add vanilla and eggs, beat and add dry ingredients. Bake at 400° for 10 minutes. You may add coconut, chocolate or butterscotch or peanut butter chips. Whatever you like.
You can’t beat shopping in Amish Country. Last week we celebrated with another couple (my birthday). Before we met them, we stopped at three of our favorite stores. A Swiss cheese factory and two Amish grocery stores.
You need to look closely at the best buy dates. Everything we bought was best by in 2024 and 2025. Sometimes the boxes have dents as do the cans.
The featured picture is one of my favorite desserts.
The 24 oz. size. The small individual boxes are $.10 ea. This was best by 062024.Best by. 01-05-2024.$.49 ea.
How can you beat $1.99. Best buy 02-2025.
Saw this at my local grocery store on sale. $4.99.
I’ll post more in the comments section. If you live near Amish country stop in. The stores go by bent and dent plus Salvage.
Ordering from an Amish Restaurant / Store. Mary Yoder’s in Middlefield, Ohio. And a few great recipes. One of our favorites. Was just there this past Tuesday.
Mary Yoder’s is a Amish restaurant my wife and I frequent often. Actually going there for dinner Saturday and I’ll be getting several loafs of bread. Also I’m giving you a link to their store if anyone would wish to order from there.
I’ve had their bread, pies, pastry, plus jelly and jams. For those who don’t live nearby, they have online ordering.
Currently Featured Amish Recipes
Hearty Hamburger Soup
1 tbsp. butter
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup sliced carrot
1/2 cup chopped green pepper
1 lb. ground beef
2 cups tomato juice
1 cup diced potatoes
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 tsp. seasoned salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/3 cup flour
4 cups milk
Melt butter into saucepan, brown meat; add onion and cook until transparent. Stir in remaining ingredients except flour and milk. Cover and cook over low heat until vegetables are tender. Combine flour with one cup of milk. Stir into soup mixture. Boil. Add remaining milk and heat, stirring frequently. Do not boil after adding remaining milk.
This recipe can be adapted to your family’s taste. Celery can be substituted for the green pepper if you wish.
Pineapple Sheet Cake
Filling:
1 can crushed pineapple
2/3 cup sugar
2 tbsp. corn starch
Dough:
2/3 cup warm milk
4 tsp. sugar
1 cake yeast
3 beaten egg yolks
3 cups flour
1/2 lb. margarine
Preheat oven to 350o. Combine crushed pineapple, sugar and cornstarch in pan. Cook until thick. Cool. Cut margarine into flour as for pie dough; crumble yeast into milk and add sugar. Let stand until mixture bubbles, add to flour mixture. Mix in beaten egg yolks. Knead dough lightly and divide into two parts. Roll out one half of dough on floured board and fit in a 9 x 13 inch pan. Spread pineapple mixture on top. Roll out second piece of dough and place on top of filling. Let stand for one hour in warm place. Bake in 350o oven for 30 minutes. At once put on thin confectioners sugar frostiing. Other fillings such as blueberry and raspberry may be used instead of pineapple.
Cinnamon Bread
1/2 cup lukewarm water
2 pkgs yeast
1 1/2 cup lukewarm milk
1/4 cup sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 cup flour, plus
1/4 cup shortening
1 egg beaten
1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cinnamon
Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water. Soak for five minutes. Combine lukewarm milk, 1/4 cup sugar and salt. Add 1 cup flour, shortening and beaten egg. Continue to add flour until you get a soft dough. Let rise for one hour. Punch down and let rise again. Mix 1/2 cup sugar and cinnamon. roll dough into rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle with sugar and cinnamon mixture and roll like a jelly roll. Let rise again and bake at 350o for about 30 minutes.
Delicate Lemon Squares
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 cup sufted flour
Preheat oven to 325o. Mix all ingredients.. Pat into a 9inch square pan. Bake at 325o for 15 minutes.
Filling:
1 cup sugar
2 tablespooons flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
juice of one large lemon
2 eggs, slightly beaten
Combine all ingredients. Pour over baked layer. Bake at 325o for 25 minutes. Cool. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. Cut into squares.
Chicken and Dumplings
1 chicken – preferably a 4 pound hen
1 teaspoon salt
Water to cover
4 medium-sized potatoes, sliced
2 tablespoons parsley
For Dumpling dough:
2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
2-3 tablespoons water
Cut chicken into serving pieces and cook until tender. Season with salt. When chicken is almost soft, add the potatoes.
To make dumplings, make a well in the flour and add the eggs and salt. Work together into a stiff dough, adding the water or milk if too dry. Roll out the dough as thin as possible (1/8 inch) and cut in 1 inch squares with a knife or pastry wheel. Drop into the boiling broth, which should be sufficient to cover the chicken. Add the chopped parsley. Some flour can be added to the broth to make it like gravy. Serves 6-8.
WE ARE UP AND RUNNING TOURING AMISH COUNTRY! WE TAKE EVERY PRECAUTION TO SANITIZE OUR VEHICLE AND MAKE SURE YOUR TRIP TO AMISH COUNTRY IS SAFE! ALL TOURS ARE PRIVATE! NOW MORE THAN EVER IS A GOOD TIME TO VISIT A WORLD THAT HAS DIFFERENT VALUES, A MORE SIMPLER LIFE, AND IS ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL! 724-923-9730 IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS OR WOULD LIKE TO TALK TO A SIMPLE LIFE REPRESENTATIVE.
Simple Life Amish Tour Company
We welcome you to join us on our Amish Adventure into the Simple Life of the Old World Order Amish Community.
Each tour begins in the heart of Amish Country of New Wilmington, Pa located just 60 miles North of Pittsburgh, 15 minutes from the Grove City Outlets and Just five minutes from the town of Volant, Pa. We meet at an Amish Store called Byler’s Quilts and Crafts located at 435 Quilt Shop Lane, Volant, Pa 16156 There you will meet Susan, your personal tour guide. Step into Susan’s vehicle and let her lead you through a backroads tour of our Amish villages. You will be transported into another world as we explore the Amish Countryside. This is a private, non commercialized scenic back roads tour that takes you off the beaten path. Susan will teach you about the Amish lifestyle as we drive past horse and buggies, homes, dairy farms and even an Amish schoolhouse. You never know what you will see along these backroads! Visit Amish farms, greenhouses, an Amish bakery, grocery store. Watch Amish men build furniture and plow their fields with horse and plow!
You will be amazed at the knowledge, friendliness and warmth of this tour and tour guides. You will be able to meet and speak with our Amish friends and discover the beauty of the Amish culture and lifestyle.
Tours are approximately 2 hours long. Each tour is a non-commercialized private tour made by appointment. You can book online or call us.
This tour is perfect for individuals, families, couples and even groups.
For Larger Groups: Try the TASTE AND TOUR AMISH COUNTRY TOUR. Let Susan come as a step on tour guide, or lead your group on a two hour tour that includes and Amish meal at a local restaurant.
Are you ready for your Simple Life Tour? Please call us @ 724-923-9730 or book now online.
Photo by: Jim Fisher
Shop at Amish Marketplaces
There will be as many stops as we can fit in, on our Simple Life tour. First stop may be an Amish produce and bakery stand. Meet Andy and his family and tempt your taste buds with their delicious wares! The next stop is an Amish Grocery store, where you will meet the Byler Family. Located in the basement of the Byler’s home, this grocery store is lit with a gas lamp. Purchase old fashioned sodas kept cold in an the Byler’s “Ice box” and wait until you see the antique adding machine! You will be able to purchase local honey, fresh tapped Maple Syrup, Homemade noodles, cheeses a variety of Amish jams and jellies and homemade candy. Our third stop is Cornerstone Furniture where you will get to see how and Amish furniture shop works with no electricity! Watch the Amish men build furniture and meet Rudy, who will show you his hand built tables and chairs. Our fourth stop is an Amish Quilt shop. Meet Sam and Lizzie Byler who own New Wilmington’s only Amish Quilt Shop filled with beautiful Amish handmade quilts, rocking chairs, and many other Amish made items from our local Old World Order Amish community.
Our Location
We are Located in New Wilmington, and Volant, Pennsylvania
60 Miles North of Pittsburgh
70 miles South of Erie
15 Miles from the Grove City Outlets
Right in the center of Volant and New Wilmington, Pa
Simple Life Tours
Tour is led by Susan Hougelman, author of the new book: Inside The Simple Life, Finding Inspiration Among the Amish!
Or call: (724) 923-9730
Ask to speak with a Simple Life representative
Tour Schedule
Monday-Saturday: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm
Tours Start at:
435 Quilt Shop Lane
Volant, PA
16156
We meet in the parking lot of Byler’s Quilts & Crafts. Look for the Simple Life Tour vehicle! Bring Cash in case you want to buy something from the Amish. They don’t accept Credit Cards. Thank you!
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