Did you Know Tuesday- Make your own Dip or Dressing

I came across an awesome cookbook last year, it’s called Homestyle Amish Kitchen Cookbook -Plainly Delicious Recipes from the Simple Life.

It’s interesting, on nearly all the pages near the recipes it has some notes, or little facts about the Amish Community. I love learning new facts,so this was an extra plus for me when I picked it up.
 This is a great cookbook for big families trying to save money as most all of them are easy, quick and use very little “extras”.  Though the repeat of hamburger may put some off, I like that. It give me so many ways to cook hamburger and they are all super easy plus gives me enough for an entire family.  They list other meats and poultry as well, all of which are good hearty recipes that will end up saving you some money.

The book has other wonderful recipes, sides, soups, stews, breakfast treats which is really interesting. There’s one called Scrapple! It uses ground pork, salt, sage and cornmeal. Bam. Yeah that’s it, told you, simple down home style cooking. No using “pre-sliced” Pre-packaged” Pre-cooked” Stuff. The Amish use what they had on hand and if they didn’t grow it or have it on their land, it’s not on their menu. I love their vegetable recipes, many of them are just full of flavor and you’ll fall in love with them once you try them!

What I really like about the cookbook is besides the dessert section (which is all yummy by the way) is the “Mixes and Miscellaneous” section. Filled with quick spreads, sauces, in the jar pickles, butter, even Bird Suet which is listed as “Won’t go rancid!” . Right near this recipe, there’s a note saying the Amish love to watch and feed birds, so it’s pretty much a given to have it in a cookbook.
It’s a book that’s loaded with something for everyone that’s for sure!

One of the recipes is one I use nearly once a week. For my Grandmother’s Snack crackers, and that’s the Ranch Style Dressing and Dip mix. Instead of buying the boxes of the mix, I can make it myself without ever running out! I use it for the cip and dressing as well, but by far it’s used more for the crackers.

Ranch Style Dressing and Dip Mix-

For each Packet
2tsp. instant minced onion (I just used onion powder)
1/2 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp garlic powder
1T parsley flakes
2T buttermilk Powder

Combine all ingredients until very well mixed. For each packet place the mixed ingredients onto a 6 in square of aluminum foil and fold to make airtight. If you make more than one, label them all and place in a large storage container of bag. Date it and use within 6 months.

For Dressing:
 Use 1 packet ranch style dressing and dip mix
1 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup water
Combine all ingredients in a quart jar and shake until well blended. Chill before serving.

For Dip
Use 1 packet Ranch style dressing and dip mix
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
Combine all ingredients in a quart jar and shake until well blended. Chill before serving.

   
I’ll share some other recipes from the book as we make them. If you ever come across the book and have a large family or just simply love some Amish homestyle, simple recipes you should pick it up!