Amish Long-Lasting Recipes Every Prepper Should Learn

by KJ BARBER

 

When considering recipes that could be good for preppers, taking a close look at the Amish world makes sense. They have long been known for living off the grid and have done quite well.

Also, the Amish are known to make wonderful foods, as often found in restaurants, stores, and roadside stands. Yum!

So, I wanted to share a few recipes from the Amish that could be considered long-lasting, if stored properly.

Amish Peanut Butter

Who doesn’t like peanut butter? Sometimes this version of peanut butter is known as “Church Spread”, but it’s a popular treat no matter what you choose to call it.

• 2 cups brown sugar
• 1 cup water
• 2 cups + 2 heaping tablespoons peanut butter
• 7 oz marshmallow cream
• 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla (or maple) flavoring

Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan, and bring it to a boil. Continue to boil for 2 minutes, but stirring to prevent scorching. Stir in the peanut butter, marshmallow cream, corn syrup, and flavoring. After that, mix it together, then let it sit to cool down before putting it into jars. Makes about 5-6 7oz jars.

Further, store in a cool dry place, for 6-12 months. This is a wonderful treat on bread or crackers, or with apples. And, speaking of apples…

Amish Apple Butter

Have an abundance of apples on hand? So, make this apple butter, which is a great alternative to just spreading butter on toast or biscuits.

• 5-6 lbs apples, for instance, peeled and finely chopped
• 4 cups sugar
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon (ground) cloves
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Mix the sugar, cinnamon, cloves, and salt together. Add the apples, then place the apples into a slow cooker. Cover, and cook on high for 1 hour. Turn the slow cooker down to low, then cook for another 9-11 hours, occasionally stirring the apples. The mix should thicken and turn dark brown towards the end of this step.

Uncover the pot, and continue to cook for another hour. Use a whisk, if you want a smoother consistency. Spoon the apple mix into containers that have been sterilized.

Finally, cover them, and store in a cool dry place for up to 2 years.

 

Cucumber Pickles

Also, this is an easy recipe for tasty pickles.

• 24 cucumbers, peeled
• 1 quart of onions, sliced
• one cup Salt
• 1-pint olive oil
• 1/4 pound of ground mustard
• 3 tablespoons of black pepper
• 3 pints of apple cider vinegar

First, slice the cucumbers (very thin), then add the sliced onions and cover them with the salt. Let it stand overnight in a covered container.

Drain this mix well, and add the olive oil, pepper, and ground mustard, stirring it all slowly.

Next, add the vinegar and stir thoroughly. Once it’s mixed well, pour it into air-tight jars.

Let stand for 6 weeks unopened, and stored in a cool dry place. The unopened jars of pickles should last up to a year.

Mustard Pickles

To be honest, I’m not sure why these are labeled as “pickles”, because it has so many other items in it. But, a colorful and unique treat regardless.

• 2 quarts green tomatoes, thinly sliced
• 2 qt. small sweet pickles
• two quarts small white onions, peeled
• 1/2 dozen green peppers, thinly sliced
• 2 heads cauliflower
• 1 cup salt
• 3 quarts white wine vinegar
• 1 cup flour
• 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/4 pound ground mustard
• 1-ounce celery seed
• 1/2 ounce turmeric (for coloring)

Separate the cauliflower into florets, then combine with onions, peppers, and tomatoes. Cover with the salt and let it stand overnight. Drain that mix, then cover with boiling water and cook the veggies until tender. Further, drain this mix. Mix the flour, sugar, mustard, celery seed, and turmeric.

Heat the vinegar, then pour over the dry mix, and stir well. Add the pickles to the cooked vegetables.

Next, pour the hot liquid over the pickles and vegetables, and cook for 10 minutes (or until the mixture thickens). Pour into sterilized jars and seal.

This will last on the shelf for a couple years, as long as they haven’t been opened. Once opened, store in the refrigerator.

Gingered Pears

How about a sweet treat with a little spice?

• 5 lbs. Pears (not too ripe or soft)
• 3 cups water
• 5 lbs. sugar
• ½ cup chopped ginger
• Juice and rind (grated) of 3 lemons

Peel and core the pears, then dice or cut them into thin slices. Add them to the water and cook until the pears are tender. Add the sugar, ginger, lemon juice and rind. Allow this mixture to simmer until it becomes thick, and the pears become transparent. Pour the pear mix into sterilized jars, and seal.

This recipe makes about 5 pints of gingered pears. Unopened, the pears should last a couple years.

Amish Canned Meat Loaf

• 20 lbs ground beef
• 5 eggs
• 45 crackers (saltine works great)
• 8 cups water
• 1 tablespoon seasoning salt (Lawrys, for example)
• 4 oz. salt
• 5 slices bread
• 1½ cups oatmeal
• 1½ teaspoon pepper

Firstly, mix all the above ingredients, then press into canning jars. Following, pressure cook the jars for 1 hour.

Canned meatloaf can last up to a year, without opening.

⇒ Learn How To Can Hamburger Meat For Long Term Preservation

 

Chunky Chicken Soup

• 2 gallons water
• 6 quarts chicken broth
• 1/4 cup butter
• 2 quarts celery, chopped
• 2 quarts carrots, for example, chopped or sliced thinly
• 3 quarts peas
• 4 quarts potatoes, diced
• 8 pounds chicken, cooked and cut up
• 2 onions, diced
• handful parsley
• 1/4 cup flour

Cook all the veggies, then drain (but save the water to be part of the 2 gallons above). Heat the water and chicken broth and bring to a boil.

Meanwhile, make a paste with the flour, and add it to the boiling water/chicken broth mix. Then, add the chicken and veggies, stir well.

Pour into canning jars, and pressure can at 10 pounds for 40 minutes. Unopened, it should last at least a year.

Pork and Beans

Nothing like homemade comfort food that you can take off the shelf at any time, right? Pork and beans is a perfect example of a good homestyle addition to any meal, or the main attraction.

• 8 pounds navy beans
• 1½ pounds bacon
• 1/3 cup salt
• 4 quarts tomatoes, for instance peeled and chopped (or use canned)
• 2 cup water
• 1 pound white sugar
• 2/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup flour
• 1/2 teaspoon red pepper
• 1 teaspoon dry mustard
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/2 cup Karo syrup

Soak the beans overnight. Cook the bacon, to a light crisp. Drain the grease. Cook the beans until they are almost done.

Then, add the salt, sugars, Karo syrup, spices, and tomatoes. Mix the flour and water to make a paste.

Bring the beans and tomato mix to a boil, then add the paste. Fill canning jars and cold-pack for 1.5 hours.

Amish Friendship Bread Starter

Above all, it really wouldn’t be a complete article on Amish recipes, without one for Amish Friendship Bread Starter, would it?

It is the base to so many wonderful breads, and it can be shared with family and friends, hence the name.

Moreover, the starter can be kept indefinitely in the refrigerator, as long as you keep feeding it appropriately.

• 1 pack (2-1/4 teaspoons) active dry yeast
• 1/4 cup warm water (100° to 110°F)
• 3 cups all-purpose flour, divided into 1 cup each
• 3 c. whole milk, divided into 1 cup each
• three cups sugar, divided into 1 cup each

 

Directions

Day One: In a glass, glazed ceramic, or plastic container, dissolve the pack of yeast in warm water and let it stand for 10 minutes. Next, add 1 cup (each) of sugar, flour and milk. Stir it well, then cover it loosely with plastic wrap. Then set it aside at room temperature.
Days 2-5: Once a day, stir the starter, then recover.
Day 6: Feed the starter with 1 cup each of the remaining sugar, flour, and milk. Stir well, then cover.
Day 7-9: Stir the starter, and recover
Day 10: Feed the starter again, with the remaining sugar, flour, and milk.

It takes 1 cup of the starter to make a loaf of bread, which can be used in many different recipes.

In addition, you can give 1 cup away to a friend, and keep one for yourself to have an active starter on hand at all times. Repeat the above cycle, to keep the starter alive.

You can look up several different recipes that the starter can be used in, such as this one for a cinnamon bread…

• 1 cup Amish Friendship Bread Starter
• ⅔ cup oil (vegetable)
• 3 eggs
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 1 ¼ teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat your oven to 350 F, and grease 2 bread loaf pans (9×5)

Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, including the starter. Mix it well, then pour into the greased pans. Bake for 50-60 minutes.

Enjoy a slice with butter or any of the spreads above.

Finally

In conclusion, I hope you are able to enjoy at least one of the above recipes.

I have enjoyed Amish foods and goods for years and always get a little excited when I see an Amish store, restaurant, or stand.

The Amish know what they are doing when it comes to cooking and baking, in my humble opinion.

This article was inspired by ”The Lost Frontier Handbook”. The Lost Frontier Handbook is a guide created by Suzanne Sherman. It reveals long-lost skills of our ancestors that helped them survive during a crisis, natural disasters, and emergencies. The handbook contains high-resolution, detailed diagrams and step-by-step instructions on various survival tips and techniques. Some of the valuable lessons that consumers will discover include medicinal remedies, stockpiling and preserving foods, finding a steady supply of clean water off the grid, and many more. In addition, the content involves step-by-step instructions and detailed images. You can get your copy HERE !